What Is the Most Expensive Part of A Car?

What Is the Most Expensive Part of A Car?

Cars are expensive.

Even the most basic modern manual transmission models start at over $20,000.

That’s why knowing as much as you can about a car can be crucial.

One of the best ways to do that is to know what costs extra money on your car and which parts are most expensive.

The most expensive part of an engine is the cost of a new machine.

If your budget gives you any wiggle room or you plan on saving up for a new engine, it makes sense to choose an inexpensive car instead of investing in a high-maintenance model with a smaller payout.

After all, no one wants to spend more money than they need to and end up regretting their purchase.

Luckily, many common components come standard on almost any car, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find out what you need to upgrade rather than buying all new from scratch.

Exhaust System

The exhaust system is the most expensive part of an engine.

It comprises many components, including the manifold, turbocharger, catalytic converter, muffler, and resonator.

The exhaust system is an excellent place to start if you’re looking to upgrade your car’s performance.

Essentially the catalytic converter holds most of the value of the majority of exhaust systems.

While the price of a catalytic converter can vary, they usually cost from $300 to $1,200.

This might seem like a lot, but keeping your car inspectable and adhering to exhaust regulations is worth it.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain is the power source of your car.

It tells your car how to move, which means that it’s costly because it requires a lot of metals and other materials.

For example, an internal combustion engine costs around $2,500 on average.

Considering that the engine is just one part of the drivetrain, the price of a whole drivetrain can be around $15,000 or more.

To keep your car’s value high, taking care of the drivetrain requires regular oil changes and tune-ups.

Final Assembly

The final assembly of your car is the most expensive part.

If you’re going to buy a new car, buying new parts will be the most cost-effective choice.

After all, you can typically find used parts that have been through a few different cars, such as headlights and bumpers.

But, if you decide to upgrade your current car with custom parts, consider replacing any broken or worn-out pieces as well.

Even if they’re not broken or worn down, they’ll still need to be replaced eventually.

In terms of which components are most expensive, air conditioning systems are among the priciest for luxury cars since these vehicles often take their power from an engine and use a lot of horsepower from the engine to cool themselves down.

Body and Paint

The body and paint of your car are the most expensive parts.

They can range anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 for a basic model.

A lot of this depends on the level of customization and the materials.

For example, a metallic paint job is typically more expensive than a traditional paint job.

Bumper and A-Pillar Parts

The most expensive part of a car is the engine.

But that doesn’t mean every part is expensive.

An excellent place to start would be the bumper and A-pillar parts.

Bumper and A-pillar parts are often quickly replaced without much trouble for less than $500 each (with some notable exceptions).

Standard Features You’ll Want on Any You Buy

Perhaps one of the most essential components of a car is the engine.

An engine is the heart of your vehicle, and without it, your car can’t be a car.

If you find that your car needs an engine, be sure to know what features are standard on the engine you buy.

It’s almost always wise to upgrade these features rather than buying them all new.

For example, if your current engine has power steering, consider upgrading to power brakes because it will make driving easier for you in the long run.

Built-in theft-deterring technology is another feature worth investing in as it will help protect your investment from thieves.

Beyond that, many features found on cars can save you time and money down the road by making purchasing and maintenance simpler and cheaper.

Consider extended warranty programs as a safeguard for engine issues.

Safety Features and Equipment

Safety features are one of the most common and essential to consider upgrading.

These include emergency braking systems, airbags, or even a rearview mirror.

An emergency braking system will prevent you from hitting a pedestrian in front of you at high speed.

Airbags are designed to inflate in case of an accident and protect your body from the harmful effects of high speeds or large impacts by catching the decelerating vehicle safely.

A rearview mirror gives you more visibility when backing up your car, so you don’t strike anything while reversing.

Other items that should be upgraded as soon as possible include brakes, tires, and suspension components

These upgrades help ensure your car is handling well as it goes down the road and avoids unnecessary damage.

Finally, check out the back end for exhaust components such as muffler, catalytic converter, or engine because these can sometimes be costly on their own without any need for upgrades.

Conclusion

A car engine is expensive, with the most expensive part being the engine itself.

But as with anything, different parts cost more than others.

For example, the average price of a car engine is $3,500.

However, the most expensive part of the engine, solely the crankshaft, in an exotic car can cost upwards of $5,000.

The least expensive part of the engine is the oil pan, which usually costs around $100.

While knowing the different engine parts’ prices is important, it’s also essential to understand how to save money on car ownership and depreciation.