When people are shopping for cars, they should take into account a number of factors. While price and options are of course important, vehicles can cost owners in a number of hidden ways. For example, poor fuel economy can make owning any car a much more expensive proposition over the long run, especially if the cost of fuel suddenly spikes. Insurance is another cost that’s transparent to a number of shoppers, but will definitely affect their monthly budget. Many call these kinds of factors the hidden costs of car ownership, and if you’re not careful they can really constrict your finances.

Lexus Maintenance Recommendation

Especially when looking at a Lexus versus a Mercedes, one area that can make the purchase quite a bit more expensive and an overall hassle is maintenance. The Lexus maintenance recommendation helps lower the cost of ownership considerably, which not only means less time spent taking the vehicle in for work to be done, but also less hassle year after year. The lower rate of Lexus maintenance problems also means you can afford a nicer vehicle, because less of your money goes toward keeping it running properly.

Many times in the past, Consumer Reports has cited quite a few Lexus vehicles for a low cost of ownership during the first five years. On the flip side, several Mercedes models have been called out by the organization for some of the highest costs of ownership.

For example, in 2012 Consumer Reports listed out the best and worst upscale and luxury cars for cost of ownership. The cost per year for the first five years with the Lexus CT 200h was tied for the top spot at a mere $7,750. Part of the low cost of owning the car no doubt has to do with its ability to sip gas, but some of it has to do with the fact that Lexus maintenance problems are typically infrequent.

In the same findings Consumer Reports found that the Mercedes-Benz S550 had one of the highest cost of ownership averages for the first five years. The yearly total came in at a whopping $20,500, which seriously inflates what it actually costs to drive the luxury sedan.

That’s not all, for the same report the Mercedes-Benz E350 also landed in the group of upscale or luxury cars with the highest cost of ownership. While not as bad as the S550, the midsize premium sedan scored an average yearly amount of $13,500, which is still well beyond what a person would pay out annually with a Lexus ES or GS.

Still not convinced? In the same study, Consumer Reports cited the Lexus RX 350 as having one of the best annual cost of ownership averages out of upscale and luxury SUVs. Mercedes didn’t fare nearly as well, with three models landing in the worst category. The ML350, GL350 BlueTec and GL450 will all cost their owners significantly more.

Lexus Maintenance Price

While some don’t believe that the Lexus maintenance price is a better deal than what they’d shell out on a Mercedes, quite a few credible publications have confirmed this fact on a number of vehicle comparisons throughout the years. Forbes, a respected business magazine, took a look at the cost of ownership difference between the Lexus RX 350 and Mercedes GLK. Both sell for pretty close to the same price, but they’re anything but equal when it comes to the 5-year cost of ownership.

According to Forbes’ calculations, the RX 350 retailed for an average $35,542, with the 5-year cost of ownership coming in at $52,381. While that might sound like a lot, it actually edges out the Mercedes. With an average price of $33,709 for the GLK, which is almost $2,000 less than the Lexus, it’s surprising that the 5-year cost of ownership estimate comes in at $53,361.

Quite a few people have realized that they can have the dramatic styling, cutting-edge technologies and extreme comforts offered by different luxury brands, but without the maintenance headaches, if they go with Lexus. This has fueled strong sales for Lexus, because everyone loves to save some money. Instead of spending hard-earned cash on vehicle maintenance, Lexus owners can travel, set aside more for retirement or achieve whatever other goals they might have.

T3 Atlanta

At T3 Atlanta we also provide competitive rates for Lexus maintenance and repairs, so contact us today to set up an appointment.