5 SUVs To Stay Away From in Retirement
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Ready to trade in your car for an SUV? Hold up. Auto expert Chris Pyle from JustAnswer has seen enough expensive mistakes roll into his shop to know which models retirees should avoid.
Here’s his list of wallet-draining SUVs that could wreck your retirement budget.
2002 to 2004 Ford Explorer
“Ford was making them too fast because they were selling like crazy, proper setup was not taken,” Pyle explained.
Translation? Transmission and rear axle failures are common, and these aren’t DIY fixes.
“The parts are not excessively priced, but these repairs take skill and special tools,” he noted.
2005 to 2010 Nissan Pathfinder
Think you’re getting a deal on that used Pathfinder? Think again.
“The cooler is inside the radiator. It fails allowing coolant to get into the transmission which ruins the clutch plates very fast,” Pyle remarked.
You’re looking at an expensive overhaul or complete transmission replacement.
2013 to 2020 Range Rover
Sure, they look fancy in the driveway, but Pyle warns about “premature engine failures and brake failures.”
Even worse?
“The repairs were expensive and took a long time to complete in a shop atmosphere,” the auto expert added.
Not exactly what you want to deal with in retirement.
2016 to 2021 Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon
These popular full-size SUVs come with full-size problems.
“Electronic failures were the most expensive due to there being no repairs to be made, just new parts needed,” Pyle explained.
Add transmission rebuilds and climate control issues to the mix, and you’re looking at some scary repair bills.
Any Large SUV
Here’s Pyle’s general advice that might surprise you: “Stay away from large SUVs, the poor MPG will leave you at the pump all too often.”
Plus, there’s a practical consideration many retirees overlook: “They ride high and are not the easiest for an older retired person to enter/exit,” he added.
His final tip?
“If you’re not going to be towing, there’s no need to buy a large SUV,” Pyle concluded.
Sometimes the smarter choice is going smaller and more practical — your retirement fund (and your knees) will thank you.
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