Price is not the only important factor to consider when buying a car. Insurance, fuel, and maintenance are just some of the costs that come into play as well. However, some cars truly surprise when it comes to their annual maintenance and repair costs. For every new car, maintenance costs for the first year are usually very low, while repair costs start at zero; however, as the years go by, both these numbers start to significantly climb.
We've used Edmunds' handy Cost to Own database in order to discover the most surprisingly cheap cars to maintain and repair, based on a five-year average. For comparison, the cheapest cars out there, such as the Toyota Corolla or Prius, require just over $900 for annual maintenance and repair costs during their lifetime, yet this list will feature well-equipped sedans and thrilling sports cars that do not exceed this number by much.
Let's start.
10 2019 Dodge Challenger
The Challenger has been a landmark pony car for over half a century. The newest model is a blast to drive, featuring a 3.6L V6 sending no less than 305 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque to the back wheels.
Although it may swallow a lot of fuel as it rips the tarmac apart, it is actually surprisingly cheap to maintain. According to Edmunds, your brand new 2019 Challenger will only require about $1,000 annually for all possible maintenance and repairs. That makes it more than worth the purchase.
9 2018 Chevrolet Corvette
Who would have thought a powerful muscle supercar would end up on our list. Yet, for those looking to gain maximum performance for a surprisingly cheap price, the new Corvette is indeed the way to go.
We're talking about the powerful, new 6.2L V8-powered sports model that, for all possible annual repairs and maintenance, only requires you to set aside an average of $1,662, according to Edmunds 5-year ownership costs. With this investment, you will be able to enjoy the full 455 horsepower as they launch you from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds.
8 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
Toyota is THE cheapest brand to maintain. So, as part of its lineup, the Tacoma TRD Pro benefits from the low cost of parts and general maintenance. It features a 3.5L V6 that churns out some 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Apart from that, it's one of the most well-rounded and equipped off-road pickups out there.
Despite the fact that we are talking about an amazingly powerful and competent off-roader, recently featured in our list of the top 10 best off-road vehicles, you will only need to set aside $1,271.6 for the Tacoma's repairs and annual maintenance. What a bargain.
7 2019 Nissan 370Z
The 370Z inherited the 350Z as a great entry-level sports car. It has plenty of power and features advanced technology, such as the innovative rev-matching system. We can't complain about the design either, which is clearly a more enhanced version of its predecessor.
The 370Z is powered by a 3.7L V6 that's good for some 332 horsepower. Apart from all this, it's also surprisingly cheap to maintain. Edmunds estimates its combined annual costs of maintenance and repairs to not exceed $1,232. For a full-blown sports car with a sub-5 second 0-60 time, that's more than cheap enough.
6 2019 Ford Fiesta ST
If you're looking for a quick American hot-hatch that's smaller than the Focus, well, this is it. The new Fiesta ST is small enough to make its turbocharged 200-horsepower engine feel twice as powerful.
It also offers a surprisingly low maintenance cost, that can compete with the smallest and most economical Toyota or Honda out there, and its big brother Focus is not much more demanding either. On average, you can expect to set aside $1,147 annually on any potential part, maintenance, and repair costs.
5 2018 Subaru WRX
The WRX is a lauded performance sedan that appeals to almost every reasonable gearhead out there. It offers one of the most enjoyable and thrilling driving experiences at a reasonable price.
However, we were surprised to find that this sports sedan actually competes with the best of them in annual maintenance costs and repairs as well. You can maintain and repair this extremely reliable, 2.5L, 268-horsepower sedan at a yearly cost of $1,272 for the first five years of ownership.
4 2019 Toyota Camry
Toyota has really stepped up its game with the new Camry. It's a respectable midsize sedan, and one of the most comfortable and reliable ones at that. The Camry also comes with an advanced hybrid drivetrain that allows for silent and economic city rides.
Yet, it's by far the cheapest car in its class to maintain. Edmunds estimates the total costs for repairs and annual maintenance in the first five years to average just $902, this means that owning one of these will require only $75 per month.
3 2019 Honda Accord
The Accord is an extremely comfortable yet affordable midsize sedan. Honda made sure it puts a check mark on every important feature of a full-size luxury car, at half the price. The standard model offers a 2.0L four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, while a turbocharged 252-horsepower and electric 212-horsepower versions are optional, along with upscale interiors and advanced safety features.
In any case, you can expect to put in only about a thousand dollars for complete maintenance costs and repairs of the new Accord. This is because, similarly to Toyota, parts are always readily available and easily replaced
2 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sport
A stable performance off-roader and one of the best Jeeps ever produced; surprisingly, the Wrangler ranks among the cheapest to maintain as well. We would expect the Wrangler's top-notch engineering and a powerful, 285-horsepower 3.6L V6 to warrant at least somewhat higher maintenance costs, yet that's not the case.
This is because the Jeep uses simple parts that are easily replaced, while their popularity and ubiquity on the market also result in higher availability. The total annual repair and maintenance cost during the first five years of owning a Wrangler Sport? A mere $1,156.
1 2019 Ford Mustang GT
This is not the regular Mustang. No, this is the spiced up GT trim offering 455 horsepower, courtesy of a large 5.0L DOHC V8. A full-blown sports car, the Mustang GT reaches 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, yet, it makes our list as a surprisingly cheap car to maintain.
In a given year, you can expect to spend roughly $1,120, calculated from Edmunds' five-year average maintenance and repair costs. However, you can expect to spend a bit more on fuel as Mustangs are not famous for their efficiency.