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If you’re like most people, you’ve at least toyed around with the idea of buying an expensive import car at some point. There’s something undoubtedly satisfying about cruising through Southlake, TX, with a luxury car that’s designed for comfort. However, you also have to consider how much it costs to own these luxury import cars, from the upfront investment you have to make to auto repair costs down the line. If you want to know more about the cost of owning an import car, we’ve got you covered.
UPFRONT COST
The first thing you have to think about with the cost of owning a fancy import car is what you have to spend to get your hands on one. However, this is sort of a tough question to answer because of the wide range of import cars that are available. In general, however, you’re going to have to spend a decent amount on an import car.
Many import cars, specifically those marked as luxury, start at around $40,000. These are usually the simpler models, though they’re still packed with tons of great luxury features and designed for comfort. The benefit to buying a slightly cheaper import car is that repair costs will likely be cheaper. In any case, you should expect to spend quite a bit on an import car as far as the upfront cost goes.
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance is important no matter what you drive, but it’s especially important with import cars. If you don’t want to frequent your local auto repair shop, you should be having maintenance done on your vehicle every few months.
As is the case with regular cars, the basics are the most important. Simple things like changing your oil and having your tires inflated and rotated regularly can prevent a lot of wear and tear. The difficult part is that many import cars use special parts that are a little more expensive.
You should also look at your owner’s manual to make sure there aren’t any unexpected types of maintenance you should be doing. Import cars tend to have slightly different guts than their American counterparts, which means there might be some maintenance you’re not familiar with. Still, this is an important part of saving on auto repair costs.
REPAIRS
Perhaps the worst part about owning a luxury import car is the cost of auto repairs. If you’ve had a lot of problems with a car before, you know how expensive it can be to get things fixed. The problem is, the parts you need to fix a luxury car are generally much more expensive than regular parts. On top of that, you have to make sure you’re going to a licensed mechanic who knows what they’re doing with your car.
If you aren’t careful about where you take your car, auto repairs can be the most expensive part of owning an import car. However, taking your car to a good shop means you don’t have to worry about spending a fortune or getting shoddy work. If you want to keep your import car in good condition and save on repairs, you should look around at some of the different shops in Southlake, TX, to find one that gets good reviews.
DEPRECIATION
Another thing you have to consider when it comes to the cost of owning a luxury car is how much it’s going to depreciate. Every car depreciates in value as it racks up more miles and gets older, but that deprecation may not be quite as noticeable if you only spent $10,000 or so on your car in the first place.
The truth of the matter is, luxury cars aren’t awful when it comes to depreciation. While you will lose a good amount of money on your car over time, it’s important to understand that part of that is because of the initial cost of the car. If you spend $70,000 on a car, it has a lot more room to depreciate than a $15,000 car.
Still, it’s important to think about depreciation as well as auto repair costs when you’re thinking about whether or not an import car is right for you. If you’re looking for quality, however, you can’t beat the comfort of a luxury import.
THE VERDICT
As you might have guessed, you’re going to have to spend a little more money if you want to get your hands on an import car. Not only are import cars generally more expensive upfront, you also have to think about the cost of auto repairs and maintenance. Still, there are a lot of good reasons to invest in an import car.
For some people, luxury is the most important thing in a car. With an import car such as a Mercedes or BMW, you’re getting some of the best luxury you can find in an automobile. Plus, these cars are designed for high performance as well as luxury so you don’t have to sacrifice one to get the other.
As long as you’re willing to spend the money, an import car is a great choice. If you want something a little more comfortable and powerful, you can’t go wrong with an import.
A PERFECT TEAM
No matter what type of car you drive, it’s important to take good care of it. With an import, auto repairs are a little bit more difficult. Thankfully, that doesn’t have to be the case if you go to the right place.
If you’re in the area, you can count on Import Car Center for all your import car auto repair and maintenance needs. Whether you have a BMW, a Benz or an Audi, we can help you take great care of it so it lasts longer. To find out more or schedule an appointment with Import Car Center today, give us a call at (817) 481-5665.