Buying a car comes with some serious preconceived notions. For shoppers in the market for a new automobile, Shahe Koulloukian, founder of Mazvo Car Care Center in Phoenix, master automotive technician, longtime automotive expert, educator and author—is here to help with advice on the best and worst cars to buy.
Koulloukian offers real-deal advice on which cars will serve drivers well over the years… and ones that might steer drivers wrong. After all, cars are personal safety devices rather than statement pieces. So shop smart, stay safe and save some money in the long run with these tips.
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Worst of the worst—Think Jeep, Cadillac, GMC, Tesla and even the Chevrolet Traverse. “These brands have high repair bills, major recalls and lawsuits popping up like potholes,” he says. “You might love the badge, but your wallet won’t.”
Here are the top 5 cars to avoid, according to Koulloukian, based on steep depreciation, high long‑term repair costs, frequent recalls, lawsuits and reliability reports:
• Jeep (such as Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and Gladiator)—These models consistently incur projected 10-year repair costs of approximately $6,400 to $6,800 and suffer from reliability complaints across the board.
• Cadillac XT5 and Lyriq—These cars have luxury looks, but dreadful dependability, he says. Owners face an average of $6,875 in repairs over ten years, and recall filings remain high.
• GMC Trucks and SUVs (such as Sierra 1500, Yukon XL and Canyon)—With these vehicles, dependability ratings fall short and maintenance costs escalate over time, despite bold styling and towing creds.
• Tesla Models (including 3, Y, S and X)—“High resale value might tempt you,” he says, “but reliability lags, with owners averaging $4,300 in five‑year costs. Plus, these models have repeated recalls for firmware, brake and camera systems.”
• Chevrolet Traverse—It appears to be a solid family hauler, but the truth is that transmission failures, electrical issues, and over 20 recalls drag this SUV down. Add in steep depreciation—losing over half its value in 5 years—and it’s more stressful than spacious.
Better bets—Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Lexus, and Subaru. “These brands don’t just whisper ‘buy me,’ they shout ‘keep me years, then sell me with confidence.’” These brands are known for low-maintenance vehicles with few recalls and strong resale value.
Koulloukian recommends reconsidering the following brands and makes based on their stellar resale retention, maintenance ratings, recall record and owner satisfaction.
• Toyota (such as Tacoma, Corolla and RAV4)—Toyota consistently tops charts for holding value after five years, thanks to reliability and low repair costs.
• Honda (including Accord, Civic and CR-V)—This brand is known for high owner satisfaction, minimal recall and strong resale. Even aging examples stay competitive.
• Mazda3 (including CX-5 Mazda 3)—On these vehicles, the reliability is strong, the depreciation is minimal and the overall experience is above average over several years.
• Lexus (including NX, RX and ES)—“Over the last decade, these models have been reasonably reliable, with a very low number of recalls,” he says. “Notably, their 2025 NX received high ratings for dependability, safety and retention.”
• Subaru (such as Forester, Outback and Legacy)—Subaru has long been regarded as a reliability champion, with Consumer Reports praising its outstanding longevity and low rate of catastrophic failure.
“This isn’t car-shaming, it’s about helping you become car-savvy,” says Koulloukian. “Whether you’re purchasing a new car or reevaluating your current one, choose a vehicle that will earn your trust over time.”
“Car Confidential: Insider Secrets About Automobile Ownership, Car Maintenance and Road Safety” is a straightforward and humorous guide to automobile ownership. Koulloukian wrote this book to serve as a valuable resource for drivers and automobile owners as well as to empower drivers when they get behind the wheel. Car Confidential is available on Amazon and via carconfidential.net.
