8 Used Cars That Cost Almost Nothing To Buy And A Fortune To Keep Running

A used luxury car for under $10,000 looks like a steal. The catch: repair bills arrive quickly. AAA reports an average of a little over 10 cents per mile for maintenance, repairs, and tires on new vehicles. That number climbs higher as European luxury models age.

High depreciation does not make these cars less complicated or cheaper to fix. Data from RepairPal and CarEdge highlight eight used cars that appear affordable but often become expensive to own. Cost figures are estimates and can vary by model year, mileage, and condition.

Maserati Quattroporte

Modern Quattroporte models can be found for less than $20,000. These cars once had six-figure price tags. CarEdge estimates more than a 70% drop in value over five years.

Ownership is expensive: V8 cold-start issues can require repairs costing thousands, according to owner and specialist reports, and early DuoSelect gearboxes are often reported to need new clutches around every 30,000 miles, with replacements commonly quoted at $4,000–$5,000.

Volkswagen Phaeton W12

A Volkswagen Phaeton W12 sometimes sells for $6,000. The 6.0-liter engine is complex and tightly packed under the hood. New, these cars cost around $85,000.

Now, low prices mask labor-intensive repairs, commonly reported air suspension failures, and high oil capacity, with around 12 quarts per change. Ownership often becomes costly, and parts availability can be an additional challenge.

BMW 7 Series

A 2008 BMW 7 Series sometimes lists for under $5,000. These cars originally sold for nearly $100,000. CarEdge expects well over $10,000 in repairs over ten years, which exceeds most vehicles in this class and many mainstream full-size sedans.

The V12-powered 760i racks up even higher bills. Major fuel or cooling system repairs often cost thousands.

Audi S8

Some Audi S8 models with a 5.2-liter V10 and 450 horsepower now sell for under $10,000. These cars once had prices near $100,000.

RepairPal estimates maintenance and repairs at about $1,700 per year, adding up to more than $17,000 over a decade. Shared engineering with other large VW Group sedans means high parts and labor costs.

Range Rover Sport SVR

Older Range Rover Sport SVRs have depreciated by tens of thousands of dollars. The supercharged 5.0-liter V8 is known for timing chain and cooling system problems, both of which require expensive repairs.

Consumer Reports ranks Land Rover as one of the most expensive brands to maintain over ten years. Ownership costs often increase with age.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The S-Class defines flagship luxury. Older W221 or W222 models now cost well under $20,000. Long-term maintenance can approach or exceed $15,000 over ten years, depending on mileage and condition.

AIRMATIC air suspension failures, complex electronics, and high parts costs all contribute to ongoing expenses.

Jaguar XJ

The Jaguar XJ offers distinctive style, and older supercharged models are available for under $20,000.

RepairPal reports overall annual maintenance averages just over about $1,200 a year in routine maintenance and repairs, but costs increase if electrical issues develop or repairs become frequent. Aluminum body construction also raises accident repair expenses above average.

Porsche Cayenne

Early, first-generation Porsche Cayennes are sometimes available for less than $10,000. RepairPal reports average annual running costs of around $1,200 per year in maintenance and repairs on average, with a relatively high chance of repairs exceeding $2,000.

Porsche ownership typically brings higher long-term maintenance expenses than mainstream brands. The Cayenne follows that pattern.

The Bottom Line

Sticker price is only the beginning. AAA’s driving-cost studies, Edmunds’ True Cost to Own calculator, and the NHTSA recall database provide valuable insights on long-term expenses.

For any heavily discounted luxury car, review total ownership costs—including maintenance, insurance, and potential recall or reliability issues—before purchase. Upfront savings are often outweighed by ongoing monthly expenses.

Sources:
AAA – “Your Driving Costs” (latest annual edition prior to publication) – annual
RepairPal – “Audi S8 Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost”; “Jaguar XJ Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost”; “Porsche Cayenne Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost” – various, most recent editions
CarEdge – “Maserati Quattroporte Depreciation”; “BMW 7 Series (or closest applicable generation) Depreciation and Ownership Costs” – various, most recent editions
Consumer Reports – “This Car Brand Costs the Most to Maintain Over 10 Years” (Land Rover maintenance cost feature) – 2025
Edmunds – “True Cost to Own (TCO)” model‑level pages for the listed vehicles (BMW 7 Series, Mercedes‑Benz S‑Class, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover) – various, most recent editions
NHTSA – “Vehicle Recalls” database entries for the eight listed models and generations – ongoing, continuously updated