Choosing the wrong SUV on a fixed Social Security income can deplete your retirement savings faster than almost any other purchase. A major repair bill wipes out months of careful budgeting, and an unreliable vehicle means constant trips to the mechanic, constantly giving up the usefulness of an automobile even if you’re paying for it.
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Chris Pyle, a mechanic who helps customers fix vehicle problems on JustAnswer, looks at which SUVs break down the most and which continue to run for years with minimal problems. His advice to retirees is simple: avoid money pits and stick with proven, reliable models.
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“A retired person living on a budget needs to focus on saving money and not waste their day in a dealership waiting room while their car is being fixed,” Pyle said. The priorities are simple: low purchase price, proven reliability, and easy ingress and egress for older adults and grandchildren.
This last point matters more than most people realize. Getting into a tall SUV with stiff joints or sore knees turns every ride into a struggle. The vehicle needs reasonable ground clearance without requiring a ladder to enter.
Reliability trumps everything else. The luxury features don’t matter if the transmission fails at 60,000 miles and costs $8,000 to replace.
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The 5 worst SUVs for retirees
These SUVs show up constantly in Pyle’s repair consultations, usually with expensive problems that wreak havoc on fixed-income budgets.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Grand Cherokee is at the top of Pyle’s avoid list.
“I help a lot of customers on JustAnswer with problems with these models. Mainly major engine and transmission failures,” he said.
Engine and transmission problems are not cheap fixes. These repairs often run from $4,000 to $8,000, which can represent months of Social Security payments for many retirees.
Land Rover Discovery
Land Rovers carry luxury price tags for both purchase and repair. Parts cost more, labor takes longer and specialist mechanics charge premium rates. Even minor problems add up quickly.
Pyle sees Discovery owners experiencing major mechanical breakdowns that wouldn’t happen with more reliable brands.
Nissan Armada
The Armada joins Pyle’s list of SUVs with serious engine and transmission problems. Full-size SUVs already cost more to maintain than smaller vehicles, so combining that with poor reliability creates a financial nightmare for retirees.
Mini Countryman
Mini presents himself as fun and quirky, but Pyle warns the pensioners to leave. The Countryman suffers from the same major failure patterns it sees time and time again: engines and transmissions fail prematurely.
Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan appears twice on the avoid list. Pyle’s experience shows that the Pathfinder shares the Armada’s tendency toward expensive engine and transmission failures that strike just when retirees can least afford them.
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Pyle’s recommendations come from both professional experience and personal possessions.
“I’ve owned two of these and they’ve been great cars,” he said. “After over 10 years of ownership, I’ve spent less than $700 on repairs,” outside of normal wear and tear and maintenance.
Less than $700 over a decade is about $70 a year in unexpected repairs. That can be handled at Social Security. Compare that to a single transmission change on an unreliable SUV.
Ford Explorer
The Explorer offers three-row seating for the grandkids, reasonable prices and rock-solid reliability in Pyle’s experience. Ford has made millions of these, which means parts remain affordable and mechanics know how to work on them.
Kia Sorento
Kia has transformed its reputation over the past 15 years by building reliable vehicles backed by excellent warranties. The Sorento gives retirees the confidence of a 10-year/160,000-mile powertrain warranty on new models.
Chevy Trailblazer
The Trailblazer is on the smaller end of SUVs, which helps with fuel economy and parking. Chevrolet’s extensive service network means finding affordable repairs anywhere in the country.
Honda CR-V
Honda’s reputation for longevity means these SUVs last a long time with basic maintenance. Resale values also remain strong, protecting your investment.
Mazda CX-50
Mazda doesn’t command the attention of Toyota or Honda, but Pyle’s recommendation suggests the CX-50 offers similar reliability. Mazda has earned strong reliability ratings while often costing less than more popular brands.
GMC Terrain
The Terrain shares mechanical components with other General Motors SUVs, which keeps parts costs reasonable. GMC positions itself slightly upscale against Chevrolet, offering more convenience features without the luxury brand’s repair bills.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 SUVs Retirees Should Avoid and 6 Best SUVs to Own with Social Security