Basic, budget-friendly cars often come with features like smaller wheels or even steel wheels, halogen headlights, and simpler trimmings and grilles. Luxury cars really focus on creating a powerful first impression and showcasing their presence.
Car manufacturers really put in the effort to make sure their luxury models look just as pricey as they actually are. With eye-catching paint jobs, huge wheels featuring diamond-cut designs and forged techniques, plus chrome accents and carbon fiber details, these elements really shout luxury. So, you know, a bunch of these luxury cars have been around for quite a while now. What do you think happens to older luxury cars? Absolutely, they lose value really quickly.
So, it turns out the used car market is packed with vehicles that seem pricey, but really, they’re not — at least when it comes to buying them.
Maserati Quattroporte
You know, a lot of car enthusiasts recognize the last couple of generations of the Quattroporte, but did you know that Maserati has actually been crafting this iconic sedan — which literally means “four-door” — since 1963?
The fifth-generation Quattroporte made its debut in the early 2000s, showcasing stunning new styling, updated powertrains, and a refreshed interior. Maserati has decided to drop the V6 option for this generation, so now the Ferrari-sourced V8 is the standard choice. It’s a bit of a bummer to think that Maserati and Ferrari’s powertrain partnership is coming to an end soon.
The early fifth-gen Quattroportes came with the notorious DuoSelect robotized manual transmission, and it definitely faced a lot of criticism. Luckily, Maserati ended up replacing it with a ZF automatic transmission, which really made the driving experience so much better. The Quattroporte still looks fantastic and drives like a dream, and calling its exhaust note glorious would be putting it mildly.
The Quattroporte definitely has that expensive car vibe, and the badge really complements it.You can actually find a pretty good fifth-gen late-production Quattroporte for about $30,000. Hey, you might come across one for a lot cheaper — but really, you don’t want to take that chance.
Chrysler 300C
The Chrysler 300C is one of those cars that seemed high-end but didn’t really break the bank, even when it first hit the market. By the mid-2000s, Chrysler had moved on from the LHS and the 300M, and they were ready to create a real full-size luxury sedan. The outcome was the 300C, which was built on the same platform derived from Mercedes that also supported the revived Dodge Charger.
Chrysler brought back the classic “300” nameplate for this new sedan. Even though that number showed up on various Chrysler models over the 20th century, people usually link the 300C with this car.
The styling of the 300C really gave off a premium vibe. When you really looked at the details, it didn’t seem all that premium, but to some, this was definitely a luxury sedan from top to bottom.Actually, a lot of people thought it resembled a Bentley. Sure, the 300C didn’t quite measure up to its cousin, the E-Class, or even the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, but it definitely had a striking presence on the road.It’s no surprise that if you’re looking for a 2000s Chrysler, you can snag a 300C for a great price on the used market, especially the more thrilling HEMI-powered 300C SRT-8.
Range Rover (L322)
So, after the P38A had its short time in the luxury SUV scene, BMW, who owned Land Rover back then, thought it would be best to create a totally new Range Rover for the next generation. That’s one of the reasons the P38A didn’t stick around for long.
The L322 made its first appearance in 2003, and it really stood out from anything Land Rover had offered before. It really was a jack of all trades, offering luxury, comfort, and real off-road capability all wrapped up in one fancy and pricey package. Before long, it turned into one of the go-to SUVs for the global jet set.
Like a lot of Land Rovers, the L322 models haven’t exactly kept their value over time. Back in the early 2000s, the high-end versions were priced well into six figures, but these days, you can snag one for about $20,000. Even though this Rangie is getting older and still has that pricey look, it might not be the best move to go for a used one. Putting reliability issues aside, the L322 is still one of the best versions of the Range Rover.
Lexus LS460
Can you believe it? Back in the early ’90s, Toyota pulled off something amazing with the original Lexus LS400, and it turned out to be super reliable! It proved that the luxury sedan market didn’t have to be all about the Germans. Lexus is still one of the few real success stories among automakers that have tried to take on the Germans at their own game.
In 2007, Lexus figured it was time to completely revamp its flagship sedan. Between 1990 and 2005, the LS pretty much kept the same look and overall shape. But that wasn’t true for the third generation — it got a complete makeover, and in a lot of ways, it outshone the S-Class. It definitely had more charm compared to the divisive E65 7 Series.
The XF40 LS came with a bigger 4.6-liter V8 engine, and Lexus also had a hybrid option with a longer wheelbase to go up against the LWB versions of the S-Class and 7 Series. These days, you can grab a nicely kept LS460 for around $20,000. Unlike the Germans, the LS probably won’t start braking for no reason, which means it’ll be more affordable to own too.
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (C216)
Mercedes-Benz had a coupe version of the S-Class for quite a while, but back in the late ’90s, they chose to rebrand it and give it some fresh styling. So, back in 1996, we saw the introduction of the CL-Class, which stands for Coupe-Luxusklasse or Coupe Luxury Class. That’s when it really started being called the CL-Class.So, for this chat, let’s dive into the C216 generation.
The third generation of the CL-Class was built on the impressive W221 generation of the S-Class. It also marked the end of the CL name before Mercedes opted to go back to calling it the S-Class Coupe. This has got to be one of the most stunning modern Mercedes designs, no doubt about it.
Everything’s there — the crazy length, the proportions, the roofline, and the front-end styling. The CL had a great lineup when it came to powertrains, offering V8 and V12 options, plus the AMG 63 and 65 versions, of course. So, even though the design is super timeless and still looks amazing and really luxurious, you shouldn’t have to pay more than $40,000 for a used CL-Class. Just ensure it’s been well taken care of, because handling issues with a decade-old Mercedes that has eight or 12 cylinders can really be a hassle.
Jaguar XJ (X351)
You know, if you really check out the details, you’ll see that every Jaguar XJ generation kind of had a similar look from 1968 all the way to 2009, but there were actually quite a few changes over the years. Then, Jaguar completely flipped the script with the final X351 XJ, which came out in 2009.
The X351 XJ really builds on the design foundations set by the XK and XF, and it’s just a stunning luxury sedan. When you look at it just for its looks, it definitely outshined the S-Class, 7 Series, and A8 from back then, and it really left the original Porsche Panamera in the dust. Jaguar really nailed this design; it not only looks modern now, but it almost feels like it just came out of the showroom. That’s really a great nod to how it looks!
Absolutely, the XJ came packed with plenty of other features as well. You could opt for a supercharged V8, and there was even a long-wheelbase version that offered extra legroom in the back. Plus, the interior was just fantastic, with that wraparound wood trim and a super sleek digital gauge cluster. Jaguar is really focused on reinventing itself right now, for better or worse. You can find an X351 XJ with good maintenance and a full options list for about $30,000, or maybe even less.
Cadillac Escalade (GMT900)
The 1990s really set the stage for what would become one of the most profitable automotive segments we see today: the luxury SUV. By that time, the Range Rover and different Jeeps had been around for quite a while, but other car makers started to get in on the action too. So, the Europeans kicked things off with models like the ML-Class and X5, and before long, the American car makers jumped on board too.
Not long after the Lincoln Navigator made its big entrance, General Motors decided to join the party with a real game-changer in the automotive world: the Cadillac Escalade. It turned out to be quite a success, even if the original was just a fancy Chevy Tahoe.
The third-generation Escalade, built on the GMT900 platform, really found its groove. GM really started focusing on the details, and they made some design tweaks to give the Escalade a stronger road presence and a more luxurious look — features that still impress today. Actually, some of those well-kept Escalades from back in the day are going for way more than what they originally cost, especially in today’s collector market. Fast forward fifteen years, and you can rock your best rapper vibe in a sleek GMT900 Escalade for under $30,000 — more like around $20,000, really. Just avoid the Hybrid (shown in the picture).
Porsche Cayenne (E2)
You might find it hard to believe, but there was a time when Porsche was really struggling financially, and if you’re into cars, you probably already know the story behind it. The company was making cars for Mercedes and Audi, but it really needed a solid plan to get out of its slump for the long haul.
Interestingly, the vehicle that came to Porsche’s rescue was an SUV. The original Cayenne, which hit the market in the early 2000s, was one of the two Porsche models — the other being the Boxster — that really helped save the Stuttgart automaker from facing a tough situation. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be enjoying the GT3s and Taycans we have now.
The first Cayenne had some pretty mixed reviews when it came to its looks, but Porsche really stepped up their game with the second generation. Just like any Porsche, you’ve got a ton of models to pick from, including the zippy Turbo and the GTS, plus there’s even a diesel version.They also had a manual transmission available. The second-gen Cayenne really improved on the road, mainly because they took out a lot of the off-roading gear from the first version. For just $25,000, you could get your hands on a sleek modern Porsche SUV that offers a great mix of practicality and impressive performance.
Porsche Panamera (First Generation)
The second-generation Cayenne is nice and all, but what if you’re not really looking for an SUV? No worries — the silver lining from the Porsche Cayenne is… another Porsche. You know, Porsche had dabbled in sedans before, but the original Panamera was really the first true production Porsche that came with four doors and a trunk. Thanks to its front-engine layout and GT focus, many people see it as the spiritual successor to the 928.
The Panamera, just like the Cayenne and other Porsches, offers a bunch of different trims and configurations to choose from. Picking one felt a bit like deciding on a flavor of Hot Pocket.Every version of the Panamera drove really well, comfortably fitting four passengers, and the power levels varied from “plenty” to “absolutely insane.” Yeah, this Panamera did come with a manual transmission, but you know what? Those versions are super rare.
Nowadays, you can snag a first-generation Panamera for around $40,000. No, I’m not talking about a beat-up Panamera with a six-figure odometer — $40,000 is plenty for a well-kept, low-mileage Panamera Turbo. When it comes to a modern Porsche that fits four people and all their luggage, it’s not just a good deal — it’s a total steal.