5 Car Brands That Aren’t Worth the Cost

Buying a car isn’t always a get-what-you-pay-for proposition and some brands are notorious for producing vehicles that command high purchase prices or come with supersized long-term costs when comparable competitors offer more for less.

GOBankingRates spoke with industry professionals about which car brands to avoid because other automakers offer greater value. If you’re in the market for a new car, make sure not to drive off in something made by one of these budget-busting brands when better options are available.

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Maserati

If you have the means to shop in the luxury market, Zach Asher, owner of Amerigo Auto Transport , suggested avoiding the prestigious but pricey Maserati nameplate.

“It does offer a badge of exclusivity and an exciting drive, but the long-term expenses can be enormous,” he said. “Maintenance costs are notoriously high. Routine services often go beyond $1,000. Moreover, this car’s depreciation is crushing and it can lose up to 50% of its value in three years.”

But don’t worry. If you have the cash, you have options that deliver at least as much power, panache and prestige.

“Porsche presents a well-rounded option for those seeking similar thrills with more value,” Asher said. “The Porsche 911, for example, holds onto value better and has a more reliable service network, making it a more intelligent purchase among luxury-performance cars.”

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Jaguar

Asher also named Jaguar as a brand with plenty of room for improvement in terms of long-term value.

“Indeed, Jaguars have sleek British style and grace,” he said. “However, their track record for dependability leaves much to be desired. Frequent electrical problems coupled with high repair costs make owning one an expensive proposition at best.”

Toyota’s luxury division will treat both you and your wallet more kindly.

“If anyone wants both luxury features and peace of mind, then Lexus should always win out over Jaguar,” Asher said. “Expressly because not only does the ES represent an affordable entry into this segment but also boasts legendary reliability along with lower maintenance expenses and higher resale values, which ultimately makes it more practical, as well.”

Land Rover

If you want to turn heads, the brand behind the legendary Range Rover might be on your shortlist — but it could be time to scratch it off.

“Land Rovers are status symbols,” said Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with CarInsurance.org . “They have a lot of reliability issues. For cars worth $50,000 to $100,000, you should be able to count on durability and faithful service for years. Instead, you need to trade your vehicle in after a few years if you want to enjoy maintenance-free reliability.”

In this case, you don’t need to graduate up to Toyota’s luxury brand to find a better buy than Land Rover can provide.

“Toyota offers an excellent alternative to many of Land Rover’s lineup,” Musson said. “Toyotas are less expensive and more durable.”

Volvo

There was a time when Volvo was synonymous with cutting-edge safety, but the pack has mostly caught up and many competitors offer comparable features and luxury for less.

“Today, apart from the brand’s luxurious appeal, this iconic and premium brand has ceased to be worth the high cost of its purchase,” said Peter Dubois, general manager of vehicle search directory Find by Plate .

“Not just for being unreliable, but also for its poor resale value, especially considering how much it costs both to purchase and regularly maintain,” he said. “On the other hand, competitors like Mazda and BMW both retain their value far longer than Volvo when it comes to reselling. They are also more reliable and cost far less to maintain.”

Volkswagen

VW was long heralded as the import for the everyman, but the brand has had a rough ride — and your wallet can find smoother roads elsewhere.

“Another brand with declining reliability that is therefore not worth the cost or stress of owning is Volkswagen,” Dubois said.

“From emission scandals in 2015 to regulatory issues, this brand has been unable to produce reliable car options for users and has, in fact, been unable to stand the heat of competition over the years — both in terms of the evolving market and quality that can be trusted to be reliable,” he said. “Better options for Volkswagen are Toyota and Subaru. Both of these brands are renowned for their reliability and are consistently high performers with impressive fuel efficiency.”

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : 5 Car Brands That Aren’t Worth the Cost