Today’s savvy car buyer is well aware that the cost of automobile ownership is much greater than just the purchase price. Car loan interest, registration fees, insurance premiums, fuel costs, repairs, maintenance, and depreciation all contribute to the total cost.

Most annual expenses can be estimated with information found on the Internet, including the cost for repairs and maintenance. For a new car, these expenses are determined from records accumulated for the same or similar model during the prior ten years.

According to the auto repair website, YourMechanic.com, annual repair and maintenance costs will increase only moderately during the first ten years of a vehicle’s life. A significant surge in costs usually begins in years eleven and twelve.

YourMechanic.com also found that during the first ten years, Asian compact and subcompact cars are generally the least expensive to maintain and repair. It is no surprise that finely engineered sports cars and luxury vehicles (like many German cars) typically cost more to maintain.

However, there are a few inexpensive to moderately-priced vehicles with poor reliability that have maintenance costs even higher than some luxury vehicles. Here are fifteen cars that are relatively cheap to buy, but expensive to maintain.

15 Subaru Forester, Ten-Year Maintenance $12,450

Subaru Forester
Via: Subaru

The Forester is a popular compact crossover SUV that offers state-of-the-art tech and safety features. For 2020, Subaru improved its EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and made it standard on all trim levels.

The safety features include Lane Departure Prevention, a Lane Centering function, and the Rear Seat Reminder to prevent child entrapment. The Subaru also provides a tire pressure monitoring system.

The Forester offers plenty of family-oriented features for only $24,495, but the maintenance and repair costs make the total cost of ownership expensive.

14 Ford Focus, Ten-Year Maintenance $11,600

Blue Ford Focus
Via: Carscoops

Ford offers two affordable Focus models: The Ambiente, which uses a 1.5L engine with 6-speed automatic and sells for $23,490, while the Active, equipped with the same engine but mated to an 8-speed automatic, is priced at $29,990.

A recent Yahoo News report claimed their research shows several vehicles that have a history of expensive transmission failures and are most likely to require a replacement in the first ten years of operation. The 2004 Focus is on the list.

However, the Focus is not only plagued by transmission problems; the estimated ten-year maintenance cost exceeds $11,000.

13 Mazda 6, Ten-Year Maintenance $12,700

Red Mazda 6
Via: WTOP.com

Most mid-size sedans offer a hybrid, but the Mazda 6 is available only with two responsive 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines. The standard engine generates 187 hp while the optional turbocharged engine produces 250 hp. Both engines are connected to a six-speed automatic transmission.Mazda’s range-topping Signature model starts at $35,300, but the base trim is competitive with other midsized sedans going for only $24,000.

Although the Mazda 6 is a top-selling model in the midsize sedan segment, it is one of the most expensive in the Mazda line to maintain.

12 Chevrolet Cobalt, Ten-Year Maintenance $14,500

Chevrolet Cobalt
Via: Chevrolet Pressroom

The Chevrolet Cobalt replaced the Cavalier in 2005 with some improvements designed to make the car more luxurious than its predecessor, but also with some limitations. Consumer Reports claimed, “the 2.2L engine is spirited but noisy and relatively thirsty for a small car…and handling isn't particularly agile.”

Today, Cobalt’s maintenance costs average $14,000 for a ten-year period, much higher than the $8,800 average for the Chevrolet brand. The Cruze model replaced the Cobalt for 2011.

11 Mini Cooper, $11,200 Ten-Year Maintenance

Two Mini Coopers
Via: The Car Connection

When global fuel prices skyrocketed back in 1957, the Morris Company responded with the Mini, an economical, space-saving vehicle with a transverse engine and front-wheel drive. The car was a hit, and in the 1960s, it became a cultural icon.

In 1999 BMW took over production, and current Mini Cooper models reflect the German company’s design influence. Despite its popularity and BMW design, the Mini has one of the most expensive ten-year maintenance costs on our list at $11,200.

10 Chevrolet Impala, Ten-year Maintenance $12,600

Front view of a red Chevrolet Impala
Via: Jim Price Chevrolet

Crossover and SUV-crazed consumers are abandoning sedans at record rates, causing mid-size and large sedan sales to plummet. The Chevrolet Impala is just one of many victims. The car will be discontinued after the 2020 model year.

The least expensive new Impala starts at $32,495, but the maintenance costs drive the cost of ownership much higher than the average for a large sedan. Some dealer maintenance costs seem reasonable, like an oil and filter change for $147 and a brake job with new pads and rotors for $510. However, other repairs contribute to a ten-year maintenance cost of over $12,000.

9 Honda Pilot, Ten-Year Maintenance $11,200

2020 Honda Pilot Elite
Via: The Car Connection

Honda Motors is one of the most successful automobile companies in the world. The enterprise earns revenue from several sources, automobiles, motorcycles, power units, and financial services.

In 2019, automobile revenue represented 69.7% of Total Revenues ($99.8 billion) from sales of more than 5.3 million vehicles. The company builds some of the highest quality and most reliable vehicles made, but the Honda Pilot is the exception. The midsize SUV has a reasonable base price of $31,550, but the ten-year maintenance costs are near the top of our list.

8 Nissan Maxima, Ten-Year Maintenance $12,000

Red Nissan Maxima
Via: The Epoch Times

Introduced in 1981, the Maxima is in its ninth generation as one of Nissan’s most successful automobiles. The 2020 models are equipped with a 3.5L V-6 that generates 300 hp mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The sedan’s interior provides space for five passengers in a well-designed cabin that's full of luxurious materials, intuitive controls, and plenty of high-end features.

While the average maintenance cost for all Nissan models is $7,600 over 10 years, the Maxima is significantly more expensive at $12,000.

7 Acura TL, Ten-Year Maintenance $12,100

White Acura TL on a curve
Via: Motor1

The 2020 Acura TLX has a sticker price of $33,000, which includes a four-cylinder engine connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels. An upgrade to the V6 engine with all-wheel drive is optional for another $5,200.

The maintenance record for the Acura is disappointing. The luxury sedan made the Yahoo News list of ten models having the most severe transmission problems, and the car costs about $2,000 more than the average Acura to maintain over a ten-year period.

6 Dodge Ram 1500, Ten-year Maintenance $12,600

Red Dodge Ram 1500 in the trees
Via: Car and Driver

The Ram 1500 has the distinction of being the only pickup truck on this list. The cabin is quiet and roomy with plenty of storage and tech features, and the pickup is available with a diesel V6 that boasts tow ratings rivaling those of the V8.

A fully-equipped model can cost nearly $60,000, but the base model is available at a more reasonable MSRP of $32,145. However, the total cost of ownership is high, with a ten-year maintenance cost of $12,600.

5 Volkswagen Passat, Ten-Year Maintenance $11,700

Volkswagen Passat
Via: Car Pixel

The Volkswagen Passat is a mid-size family sedan that offers adequate power with its 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 174 hp and 206 lb-ft. of torque. The cabin is roomy, and the car features a large trunk for family weekend trips. However, the Passat competes in a segment full of excellent vehicles, most of which offer superior interiors, better infotainment systems with larger touch screens, and nimbler handling.

Furthermore, the reasonably priced Volkswagen starting at an MSRP of $22,995, has a poor maintenance record, making it one of the more expensive vehicles to maintain over a ten year period.

RELATED: The Evolution Of An Icon: The Volkswagen GTI Through The Decades

4 Nissan Murano, Ten-Year Maintenance $14,700

Nissan Murano
Via: Birchwood Nissan

The Murano, launched in 2003, has been one of Nissan’s top-selling cars over the past seventeen years, despite being plagued with repair issues.

The Cash Cars Buyer website reports users experienced engine system problems resulting in a very slow acceleration, speed control issues, and glitches with the engine cooling. Cruise control malfunctioning while driving caused sudden deceleration. What’s more, the Murano was beset by transmission problems; the most common occurred at 100,000 miles and required $4,100 to repair.

3 Ford Mustang, Ten-Year Maintenance $12,550

Red Ford Mustang

The most expensive 2020 Mustang is the Shelby GT500 with a purchase price of more than $107,000, but the fastback coupe with a four-cylinder turbo engine goes for an MSRP of only $26,670.

While the base model is inexpensive compared to other “pony” cars, the maintenance and repairs can be costly. Motor1 says common dealer service expenses for 2020 models include an oil and filter change for $308, starter replacement for $443, and brake job replacing the brake pads and rotors cost an average of $ 2,849.

RELATED: Hennessey Races Venom F-150 Vs Shelby Mustang GT350

2 Dodge Grand Caravan, Ten-Year Maintenance $14,500

Dodge Gran Caravan red
Via: The Car Connection

Before the advent of the SUV and the Crossover, the minivan was the vehicle of choice for growing families. The “soccer-mom” car has its origins in the Dodge Caravan introduced in 1983, and by 1990 most major manufacturers offered a minivan model.

The modern Caravans are offered at reasonable prices. The base model SE 4dr with a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine has an MSRP of $27,530. Although the initial investment is low, the long-term maintenance and repair cost is one of the highest on this list.

1 Chrysler Sebring, Ten-Year Maintenance $17,100

white Chrysler Sebring convertible
Via: Wikimedia

The Chrysler Sebring holds the unenviable distinction of being the most expensive car to maintain on this list, about $5,000 higher over the ten-year period than any of the other vehicles.

Chrysler produced the Sebring from 1995 to 2010 when it was replaced with the 200 model. Available in a sedan, coupe, and convertible trim, the Sebring faced intense competition from the likes of Acura Integra, Pontiac Firebird, and Honda Accord. And although the Sebring 2dr Coupe LXI with four-speed automatic retailed at only $19,029, the maintenance costs rivaled those of a typical luxury vehicle.

NEXT: Check Out These Low-Maintenance Sports Cars Even We Can Afford

Sources: gobankingrates.com, finance.yahoo.com, forbes.com, caranddriver.com