Only Mechanics Have These Cars at the Top of Their Lists
Some cars just don’t win hearts - except the mechanics who love fixing them. This list has all the quirky rides. Some are fun to work on, others are just headaches for the rest of us. Ready to see the 35 cars only mechanics seem to love? Buckle up and let’s go!
Pontiac Aztek
Mechanics love the Pontiac Aztek for one good reason: they use GM parts that most mechanics already know well. There’s also plenty of room to work under the hood. And the owners? They hate the awkward looks, cheap plastic, and random little fixes that all add up.
Chevrolet Aveo
The Aveo often shows up at the garage with worn suspension bits, sketchy sensors, and tired interiors. But all this is good news for mechanics who swap parts fast and keep the meter running. Owners of the Aveo just want a cheap car, and mechanics love to see them coming.
Dodge Neon
Mechanics still smile at old Dodge Neons because parts are cheap, the engines are pretty basic, and repairs are easy. If you want a quiet, drama-free ride, the Neon is not for you with its gasket drama, noisy cabins, and fading paint.
Chrysler Sebring
The Chrysler Sebring has lots of small annoyances like electrical gremlins, leaky gaskets, and finicky tops on convertible models. But mechanics don’t mind as they’re a guaranteed source of repeat work that lines their pockets. It’s a game of “fix this, then fix that.”
Jeep Liberty
Mechanics love working on the Liberty’s rugged underpinnings and familiar Jeep hardware. While most of us gripe about the fuel economy, odd interior quality, and constant maintenance needed, mechanics are smiling all the way to the bank.
Chevrolet HHR
The Chevrolet HHR is really just a mash-up of GM parts that mechanics already know. In fact, all they do is replace ignition parts, window regulators, and suspension bits on these cars all day long. Owners bought a cute car and got creaks, rattles, and surprise dash lights instead.
Dodge Caliber
Owners of the Dodge Caliber hate the buzzy ride, plasticky cabin, and the CVT acting up. Mechanics, on the other hand, like it for its straightforward, compact layout and steady suspension. Those CVT complaints? They’re instant work orders for mechanics.
Pontiac G6
Like the Aztek, the Pontiac G6 is made of common GM parts that are easy to source and make for familiar repairs for mechanics. They often need steering and electrical attention as they age, and this is what makes mechanics smile as they cash in on easy repairs.
Mitsubishi Eclipse
The 2000s models of the Mitsubishi Eclipse are especially problematic for owners - plenty of clutch, suspension, and timing work. Mechanics like the tuner-friendly repairs and wrenching room they have to work with. If you own one, be prepared to see your mechanic a lot.
Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is a fun little car, but mechanics learn all its quirks fast. From spark plug issues to sensor and electronic moments, the jobs are small and steady. Mechanics love a good warning light that becomes a lifestyle when you own a Fiat 500.
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
Chevrolet’s Malibu Maxx is the practical car nobody remembers owning - except the mechanic at the shop that kept it alive. This car comes with endless issues, and it’s these “check engine” surprises that probably keep a lot of mechanics in business.
Ford Taurus
The early 2000s Ford Taurus filled shops for years with cooling issues, transmission problems, and suspension wear. Mechanics knew them inside out and could turn repairs fast. Owners bought used bargains, and all they really got was maintenance stacking up.
Saturn Ion
Mechanics know the Saturn Ion inside and out, and many stock their parts just in case another one rolls into their shop. This car might be cheap to buy, but it isn’t cheap to keep if you ignore the little problems that are making your mechanic rich.
Kia Sephia
Older Kias like the Sephia taught many newer mechanics the basics of diagnosing common problems. Parts are cheap, and things often fail on these cars in predictable ways. They’re easy to fix. Sadly for owners, cheap doesn’t always mean better, and the Kia Sephia is a case in point.
Suzuki Forenza
Many mechanics saw the Suzuki Forenza come in with electrical quirks, timing belt needs, and interior wear. For them, it was easy money. Owners like the low price, but then wondered why another light came on. Thankfully, parts were easy to come by.
Dodge Journey
The Journey has a ton of family features, but also lots of systems that don’t age well. From brakes and cooling bits to electrical modules, mechanics have a steady stream of business from keeping the Dodge Journey road-trip ready and running.
Jeep Compass
Mechanics found themselves fixing more than a few things on older models of the Jeep Compass. There were noisy suspensions, wheel bearing breaks, and a few CVT complaints. The upside? Simple repairs and money in the bank for hardworking mechanics.
Pontiac Sunfire
Basic engines, simple layouts, and repeat failures all make for a great training ground for young mechanics. And the Pontiac Sunfire provides the ultimate learning tool. Mechanics love them as they’re so easy to work on, and can almost do it with their eyes closed.
Chevrolet Cobalt
The Cobalt keeps mechanics busy with its ignition switch recalls, suspension clunks, and random dashboard light discos. Owners thought they were buying an affordable and reliable car, but the Cobalt just begs for maintenance and attention.
Hyundai Tiburon
The sporty looks of the Hyundai Tiburon lure owners. But, these aging coupes bring clutch jobs, timing belt work, and suspension tweaks to shops like no other car. Mechanics just love it for its easy access, which makes their work a lot easier.
Scion TC
Mechanics have always loved the simple Toyota bones and aftermarket parts of the Scion tC. Owners drove it hard, which meant worn-out clutches and tires. Fun, yes. But not so much when you’re spending a fortune getting it fixed all the time.
Ford Focus
Early Focuses had nothing more than weak trim, electrical issues, and suspension wear. Sure, owners got great fuel economy, but all that money was going to repairs and maintenance on wheel bearings and control arms. Mechanics scored big time on these Fords.
Mercury Cougar
The sporty hatch-coupe mashup of the Mercury Cougar looks cool. But the aging electronics, window regulators, and cooling issues are anything but cool, and keep mechanics busy. Luckily for mechanics, the parts are easy to find as they cross over with Ford.
Dodge Avenger
Mechanics see work suspension, interior trim failures, and nagging engine sensors every time a Dodge Avenger pulls into the shop. And this means profitable and easy repairs on cars that owners bought because they were affordable. The biggest problem is how often something goes wrong.
Chevrolet Cruze
Mechanics know the drill when a Chevrolet Cruze comes to visit. It’s either the turbo engines, cooling systems, or sensors on the fritz. The check-engine light seems to pop up way too often for owners. But, for mechanics, it’s just another day on the job.
Mitsubishi Galant
Owners of the Mitsubishi Galant are in for a big surprise once their cars start aging. Luckily, mechanics know the drill and can easily sort out the suspension wear, A/C issues, and interior fatigue that bring these babies into the repair shop by the dozen.
Chrysler PT Cruiser
The Chrysler PT’s body hides a few surprises, the biggest one being a crowded engine bay that mechanics have learned to navigate like pros. Timing belt and cooling work are among the most common ones that have mechanics cashing in.
Dodge Stratus
Mechanics have a steady stream of income with the repairs needed on the Dodge Stratus. We’re talking front-end wear, transmission issues, and leaky gaskets. The car shares parts with its siblings, so sourcing them is easy, but be prepared to know your mechanic by their first name.
Volkswagen Beetle
The new Volkswagen Beetle may be cute on the outside, but it’s hiding a few problems under the hood that only a mechanic can fix. This includes interior wear, sensor issues, and electrical quirks that need a hefty budget to repair.
Suzuki Verona
Mechanics love the Suzuki Verona because it’s like a puzzle to fix. And, of course, that means a good pay day as owners struggle to find someone who knows the car well enough to take on the challenge. Those common aging issues keep mechanics in business.
Dodge Intrepid
A big car usually means one thing - big cooling problems. This is great news for mechanics who can easily retire after fixing these and other issues on the Dodge Intrepid. Most people don’t stay ahead of their service, which means mechanics cash in big time.
Chevrolet Cavalier
Owners wanted an affordable car when they bought the Chevrolet Cavalier. What they got instead was a car that needed clutch, head gasket, and suspension repairs often. Mechanics see this as a classroom on wheels where they can rebuild the whole car just from shelf stock.
Jeep Patriot
A budget Jeep means hardware that wears out when it’s used hard. Mechanics find themselves replacing control arms, tie rods, wheel bearings, and CVT bits often. Expensive for the owner, sure, but great news for the mechanic who is earning their pay quickly and easily.
Oldsmobile Alero
The Oldsmobile Alero is really a GM parts bin special - good news for mechanics who can swap sensors, window motors, and intake gaskets in their sleep. While owners see peeling paint, dash cracks, and warning lights, mechanics see dollar signs.
Saturn L-Series
Saturn’s L-Series is a bit of a mixed bag of problems. Sure, the plastic panels resist rust, but electrical and engine seal issues keep mechanic shops busy. This is the perfect car for mechanics who love a repeat customer and an easy day's work.
