Retirement is an ideal time to hit the open road. You’ve got all the time in the world to plan a road trip, take long drives through the countryside (and the leaves are so beautiful right about now) or even explore the town you live in. Whether you’re going to become a road dog in your golden years or simply take your car on trips to the grocery store, you’re going to need the right vehicle.
For retirees living on a fixed income, finding a safe and reliable car — one that isn’t going to have you and your mechanic chatting on a regular basis — is essential. GOBankingRates got under the hood of this issue with Blake Shaw, auto expert and author of the All About Wheels blog, to learn more about the 2024 cars that retirees should absolutely stay away from.
Shaw advised retirees against going for expensive luxury vehicles that might look good but come with great potential for significant depreciation. She named the 2024 BMW 7 Series as a prime example, saying that the high cost is also matched by expensive maintenance that can be burdensome to people on a fixed income.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class may get you a lot of appreciative stares as you ride through town, but your wallet will be giving you the evil eye. Shaw said that beyond the high initial cost of this model, it also comes with high insurance that people on fixed incomes don’t want to be responsible for.
2024 Jaguar F-Pace
Dependability is a major factor for retirees when considering their next car, and Shaw said that cars with a reputation for needing regular maintenance can quickly become a strain on most household budgets — let alone a fixed income.
Unfortunately for Jaguar aficionados, this model has a reputation for above-average maintenance needs, according to Shaw. If you don’t want to be in the habit of chatting with your mechanic regularly, you might need to leave this one on the lot.
2024 Land Rover Range Rover
The Land Rover Range Rover may seem like an ideal match for anyone who plans to make outdoor excursions a regular part of their retirement. However, Shaw said this model will keep you in the shop more than the great outdoors.
“The last thing anyone, especially retirees, needs are expensive, unexpected repair bills,” she said. “Even in a perfect world, frequent repairs would be annoying, so why make yourself go through such trouble?”
2024 Ford Expedition
Another key factor for retirees when shopping for their next vehicle is simply how well the car handles. Do they feel they can enjoy driving it? Is it easy to park? The answer to those questions for people driving the 2024 Ford Expedition is likely a no, according to Shaw.
This large SUV can be difficult to maneuver in crowded cities, where there is often a lack of parking spaces. You’re looking at a lot of parking garage tickets, assuming you can find a garage at all. “When we do find a spot to park a big car, it could be a block away, which doesn’t suit an older person,” Shaw said.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette
Nobody could fault you for wanting to speed around in a Corvette during your golden years. However, before you slip on your shades and take the keys in hand, just consider that this model may be a little difficult to maneuver and park.
“Smaller, easier to maneuver, and more user-friendly cars may be more appealing to retirees, for obvious reasons. That wouldn’t solve the parking problem, but there’d likely be more space for a smaller car, and they’re definitely much easier to drive in every direction,” said Shaw.
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