2012 Annual Auto Issue: Most and least expensive cars to own By Consumer Reports

[BM2BZ]

Most shoppers focus on the purchase price and resultant monthly payments, if financing, when buying a new car. While it may be the most visible cost, the purchase price is really just the beginning. There are many real costs that are not so clear upfront and can vary widely between models and car segments. To help consumers in making informed purchase decisions, we provide owner-cost information on the model pages, broken down to typical ownership periods. Our owner-cost estimates include six major elements: depreciation, fuel economy, insurance, interest on financing, maintenance and repair, and sales tax. Because depreciation is factored in our estimates, we assume that the vehicle will be traded in at the end of the term. Together, these cost factors provide an estimate of how much a vehicle will likely cost you to own over a given period. Below, we highlight the most and least expensive cars to own for five years. These vehicles are equipped with typical options and an automatic transmission, except where noted. Least expensive Small car Honda Fit $26,500 Family sedan Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE $31,500 Luxury sedan Hyundai Genesis 4.6 $54,250 Upscale sedan Buick Regal CXL (non turbo) $39,250 Sporty car Mini Cooper (manual) $28,250 Small SUV Toyota RAV4 (4-cyl.) $34,500 Midsized SUV Hyundai Santa Fe GLS (4-cyl.) $38,500 Luxury SUV BMW X3 xDrive28i $50,000 Large SUV Ford Flex SEL $50,500 Most expensive Small car Audi A3 2.0T $39,250 Family sedan Mazda6 s Grand Touring (V6) $44,250 Luxury sedan BMW 750Li $106,750 Upscale sedan Mercedes-Benz C300 $49,750 Sporty car Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (man.) $70,750 Small SUV Volkswagen Tiguan SEL $47,000 Midsized SUV Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (V8) $61,750 Luxury SUV Cadillac Escalade (base) $84,750 Large SUV Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ (5.3) $73,750

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[BenzV12]

I ain't surprised by the most expensive section .May be I could expect BMW or Audi instead of Mercedes C300

[BudC]

The average buyer generally only considers what it costs to buy a car, not what it costs to own a car. I don't know if it's still around but there used to be a publication called the Complete Car Cost Guide that was enlightening. As an example, a Ford Taurus was much cheaper to buy than a Toyota Camry yet the Camry was much cheaper to own over the first five years.

Obviously, there was no comparison between the two.

[El Cid]

Almost meaningless. I purchase the CR annual auto issue (April each year) because it is interesting and informative. However, I take it with several grains of sale.
No way a hybrid of any kind can be cheaper to operate over five year period. The long term maintenance of dual systems, battery replacement, etc. have not been fully determined. Also, the purchase price CR uses probably presumes huge rebate from federal government.
Regardless, any of the "luxury" brands are going to be higher costs than the standard brands, especially Europeans ones due to high service costs and higher need for replacing components as cars age. If cost to own is an issue, best bet is an Asian car. European cars would come in after American cars.
Most disturbing thing in this year's issue is that E Class has dropped from above average in reliability to average.
BTW, one factor that is unique to South Carolina is that vehicle sales tax is $300 regardless of cost. 6% on difference between sales price and trade in value, but capped at $300. Tax on a $5,000 used car with no T/I is $300; tax on a $10 million jet is $300; tax on a $100,000 M-B is $300.
If you purchase out of state, you pay SC taxes when you register it, but no taxes in state where you purchased it.
But, there are city, county and school district property taxes on vehicles on SC.

[Dema]

It is E class forum, do not see your point. I guess you post in wrong section.