Most retirees live on relatively fixed incomes that don’t allow for much flexibility in terms of financial emergencies. This is why it’s important as a retiree to steer away from any potential money pits — like picking the wrong car.

While you’ll never know for sure if a car is going to conk out on you, resulting in pricey fixes, there are certain makes and models that have shown a tendency to be more expensive for owners over time. These types of cars — along with ones that come with a high MSRP to begin with — are best avoided for most retirees.

Mini Cooper

The Mini Cooper has no lack of charm and style, but it’s missing a few things that make it a good car for a new retiree. First, it can be somewhat impractical. Retirees often lose flexibility and mobility over time, and the small size of the Mini Cooper can make it hard to get into and out of.

But that’s not all. According to Jacob Carter, the owner of the Engine Rev Up blog, the Mini Cooper line is plagued by mechanical problems ranging from oil leaks and turbo failures to electrical and suspension problems.

Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 suffers from some of the same problems as the Mini Cooper when it comes to cars for retirees. While the car’s small size is part of its Italian charm, it can be a difficult car to own for mobility-limited seniors.

But the line also has its share of mechanical problems to worry about, which can drive up its cost of ownership. Specifically, the Fiat 500 is known for engine problems and oil leaks, and its tiny profile can make it harder to work on.

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UK car makers are expected to produce about a million cars this year, well above an earlier forecast, following a recent round of investments in the sector, an industry body has just revealed.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) had earlier forecast production of 860,000 cars in 2023. That has changed now.

The latest projection is 18% higher than the output in 2022, the worst year for UK car production since 1956, but goes below the 1.5 million or more cars produced pre-pandemic.

Easing supply chain issues and a rapid transition to electric vehicles (EV) have been aiding the UK’s car industry, a significant driver of manufacturing and exports.

A total of 91,521 units rolled out of factory lines in the country in October, SMMT said, up 31.6% year-on-year.

The UK committed 2 billion pounds to the car industry over the course of the next five years to support the move to zero-emission vehicles.

Earlier this month, Japanese automaker Nissan (7201.T) said its plans to make electric versions of two of its cars at its British plant would require a total investment of up to 2 billion pounds ($2.54 billion), including a third battery plant in Britain and infrastructure projects that partners would help to finance.

In July, India’s Tata Group said it would build its first gigafactory outside of India in Britain with an investment of 4 billion pounds.

As the year comes to an ending, you certainly want to check out the prices of cars you love to buy in 2024.

The list we have below can help you make informed choice.

Some of the car brands here are:

Toyota Camry

Toyota Tacoma

Ford Bronco

Ford F-150

It is also important to note that in 2023, these are the latest cars from those auto brands.

If you’re planning on buying a car in 2024, the best way to start is to look for ways to cut down on costs. For example, you might consider buying a used car instead of a new one.

An auto-buying expert made the following observation:

“Prospective buyers should look to see if they can purchase a used car with a reliable car report and parts history,” Meniane said. He said that today, many pre-owned vehicles offer excellent performance at a fraction of the cost. This may be the same thing for next year.

It’s also important to be an informed buyer when heading to the dealership.

“Make sure to do your research,” Meniane said. “There is a lot to consider when purchasing a vehicle, and buyers should leverage online resources like car comparison tools, customer reviews and expert opinions to make the most informed decision.”

Finally, the advice is – be realistic about how much car you can actually afford and all of the factors that play into that cost.

“Be mindful of the total cost of ownership, including maintenance, fuel efficiency and insurance rates,” Meniane said. “Some cars may have a lower sticker price but higher long-term costs because they use more fuel, require more frequent maintenance or are known to have worse security/anti-theft protections.”

Sometimes, the problem is that we fail to ask questions. The best tip here is that you should ask enough questions to help you make the final best decision.