4 Cars That Aren’t Practical for Middle-Class Retirees

Retirement is filled with change — possibly even including the type of car you drive. Sticking to a middle class budget when you’re no longer receiving a steady paycheck will likely include the need to get around town in a practical ride.

If you’re currently driving a luxury car, a large SUV or something on the sporty side, it might be time for a trade-in. Settling for something more economical might not sound too appealing on the surface, but think about all the money you’ll save.

Opting for a car that’s more function than flash can allow you to have lower car payments — or even buy it outright in cash — and save money on gas. Of course, you should always put safety and reliability first, but those can come with an affordable sticker price.

If you’re a car person, this might initially be a hard sell, but putting your financial health first is a decision you won’t regret. Here’s a look at four cars that aren’t practical for middle-class retirees, according to Melanie Musson, an auto industry expert with CarInsurance.org.

Also see nine budget-friendly cars retirees like to drive.

• 2024 Starting price: $59,200

“Suburbans are expensive and big,” she said. “They make sense for families with a lot of kids and a lot of activities.”

Consequently, she said owning a Suburban doesn’t make sense for retirees.

“If you don’t need all the space, you shouldn’t spend the money for the vehicle and fuel it takes to get you around,” she said.

• 2024 Starting price: $46,950

“The C-Class is a great car, but you can expect a high price tag for a new one,” she said. “If you’re trying to stick to a middle-class budget, it’s too expensive.”

Your first thought might be to buy a used Mercedes Benz C-Class, but she advised against that.

“If you purchase a used model that’s more affordable, you’ll likely face many repairs that put the cost of ownership higher than you planned,” she said.

• 2024 Starting price: $30,920

“Sports cars just aren’t practical for middle-class retirees,” she said. “Even though the Mustang’s purchase price fits in a middle-class budget, it’s not a practical car for getting around in slick or wet weather conditions.”

If your solution to this is simply keeping the car in the garage during inclement weather, she said there’s another major hurdle you might not be considering.

“It can be challenging to manage getting into and out of a vehicle that sits so low to the ground,” she said.

• 2024 Starting price: $31,995

It might be fun to drive — and even to be a passenger in — but buying a Jeep Wrangler probably isn’t the most sensible car for this stage of life.

“The Wrangler is an extremely popular model, but it’s not practical for middle-class retirees because of its poor dependability,” she said. “If you need a car that you can rely on, you will not be happy when your Wrangler has to be in the shop for repairs every few months.”