Costly Cruisers vs. Budget-Friendly Rides: The Ultimate Guide to High and Low-Maintenance Automobiles

1. The Roadster from Tesla

Years of Model: 2008–Present; Average Repair Costs: $832* When the Tesla Roadster debuted in 2008, it was one of the electric vehicles that really made Elon Musk's business known. The Roadster's yearly repair expenses are approximately $832, which is slightly more than the average of all vehicles. The high cost of maintenance is probably due to Tesla's lower mass production than less expensive versions (TopSpeed).

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Tesla Roadster ©Shutterstock/Mike Mareen According to Automoblog, Teslas "do not require a lot of maintenance" when "compared to a gasoline car." One reason these EVs require less maintenance than gas-powered internal combustion engines is because they have a far smaller number of moving parts.

2. Saturn

Model Years: 1990–2010 Average Annual Repair Costs: $553* Do you recall Saturn vehicles? The now-defunct Saturn firm was founded in 1984 and released its debut model in 1990. It ceased to exist twenty years later, having been a GM subsidiary for its whole existence. Forbes claimed that General Motors' handling of Saturn "destroyed" the brand, which contributed significantly to its death.

Saturn Copyright by Lisa Melo and Shutterstock Still, thirteen years have passed since Saturn's collapse, and its vehicles may still be found on the road today, despite their rarity. A major factor in the popularity of the Saturn brand was its minimal maintenance requirements, with average repair costs of $553.