Looking Expensive Comes With A Price
Luxury cars are designed to impress, and that's exactly why it's easy to fall for one when it's sitting on a used-car lot with a surprisingly reasonable price tag. The problem is that the purchase price tells you very little about what it'll cost to keep an aging luxury vehicle on the road. Complex electronics, specialized parts, powerful engines, air suspension, and expensive labor can turn a bargain into a financial headache surprisingly quickly.
1. BMW 7 Series
A formerly six-figure BMW 7 Series can seem like a great deal when it shows up on the used-car lot. The problem is that advanced technology doesn't suddenly become cheap because the car is now cheap. You'll want a healthy repair fund before treating an older 7 Series like an affordable luxury sedan.
2. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Mercedes has never been shy about stuffing tech into its S-Class, and it's great when everything functions like it should. Once you start encountering issues on older models, those numerous electronic systems can lead to big repair costs, especially on high-option models. Buying one used might get you into the driver's seat, but keeping it there is another matter.
3. Audi A8
Audi's sedan combines attractive design with engineering that's anything but basic. Aluminum body parts and quattro all-wheel-drive systems might help with fuel economy and performance, but they also add complexity to repair and maintenance. The A8 is particularly dangerous for bargain hunters who focus exclusively on the sticker price.
4. Porsche Panamera
The Porsche Panamera gives you sports-car performance while offering enough room to function as a daily luxury sedan. There's unfortunately some pricey technology under that sleek hood to make it all work, including potent engines, intricate transmission systems, and fancy suspension. What might be minor maintenance on other cars can wind up costing you more due to Porsche-specific service needs.
5. Jaguar XJ
The Jaguar XJ has the sort of styling that can make an older example look considerably more expensive than it actually is. Just remember that repairs on aging Jaguars often include electrical gremlins, cooling system issues, suspension failures, and drivetrain repairs that hit your wallet hard. Specialized parts and labor don't come cheap when your Jaguar needs more than one repair at the same time.
6. Land Rover Range Rover
You'll be hard-pressed to find an SUV that feels as luxurious as a Range Rover, but luxury comes at a price. Older models are especially prone to air suspension failures, electronics, finicky cooling systems, and complex 4WD components that need repair. Expect to take an expensive trip to your dealership when multiple systems fail at the same time.
7. Maserati Ghibli
Maserati Ghiblis offer Italian styling and an exotic badge for a fraction of the cost of a brand-new supercar. Used prices might make it seem affordable to own, but Maserati maintenance and repair isn't. Routine service can be more expensive, and replacement parts and repairs don't come cheap.
8. BMW X5
The BMW X5 is common enough these days that you might think maintaining one is easy compared to rarer luxury cars. Throw age into the mix, and you'll quickly discover expensive problems are still quite possible. It's a great SUV to drive, but an older one shouldn't be purchased on a shoestring budget.
9. Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
The CLS-Class combines the practicality of a sedan with a dramatic, low-roof design that makes it look considerably more exotic. That pretty exterior disguises many of the same complex electronics and mechanical systems found on higher-end Mercedes vehicles. Electrical issues and aging suspension components can get pricey if your CLS has tons of options.
10. Audi Q7
Everyone needs someplace to put their stuff, and the Audi Q7 offers three rows of it with upscale materials and handsome styling. Maintenance and repair aren't quite as simple since its sophisticated drivetrain and electronic goodies require special knowledge. A used Q7 can make sense for the right owner, but bargain pricing shouldn't be confused with bargain maintenance.
11. Porsche Cayenne
When Porsche released the Cayenne, it proved you didn't have to give up your sports car vibes to own a luxury SUV. Now that older models are available at tempting prices, it's easy to forget they can be quite expensive to own. That $20,000 used SUV can still carry the maintenance expectations of a much more expensive vehicle.
12. Bentley Continental GT
Once you find a used Bentley Continental GT at the right price, it's easy to forget just how expensive these cars can be to own. They're still luxurious grand tourers with incredibly powerful engines and advanced technology underneath the hood. If your budget only covers the purchase price, this definitely isn't the luxury car for you.
13. BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series is less intimidating than a 7 Series, but that doesn't automatically make an older example inexpensive to maintain. Turbocharged powerplants, complex cooling systems, electronics, and high-performance suspension can quickly add up. Some model years and engine choices are more reliable than others.
14. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes' bestselling sedan has garnered a reputation as one of its quintessential executive cars. Everything from its plush comfort to advanced tech features is designed to give you plenty of reasons to love it. A thorough inspection is worth every penny before committing to one of these cars.
15. Jaguar F-Type
The Jaguar F-Type looks fantastic even when it's several years old, which makes used examples particularly tempting. Its powerful engines and performance-oriented hardware also mean that you're not dealing with inexpensive commuter-car components. Tires, brakes, suspension work, cooling-system repairs, and engine-related maintenance can all become costly.
16. Range Rover Sport
Luxury vehicles with off-road pretensions age better than most, and the Range Rover Sport is no exception. A neglected Sport will quickly lose that appeal when you realize how expensive its mechanical components and electronics can be to repair. A neglected Sport can turn an attractive used-car deal into a long series of visits to the repair shop.
17. Maserati Quattroporte
If you want to turn heads while you drive, few sedans will get you more looks than a Maserati Quattroporte. Maintaining one will feel more like owning an exotic sports car than a reasonably priced used sedan, however. The fact that you found one for the price of a new family SUV doesn't mean its upkeep will follow the same budget.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mmbrown/ on Wikimedia
18. Audi S6
The Audi S6 takes the comfortable A6 formula and adds serious performance, which means there's considerably more going on under the hood. That also means more things under the hood that can potentially malfunction. Turbocharged engines, high-performance quattro all-wheel-drive systems, performance braking systems, and advanced electronics will be fun until something breaks.
19. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Convertibles from Mercedes aren't exactly cheap, but the SL-Class rides above them all. From high-performance engines to fancy leather seats and intricate folding roof systems, there's a lot to go wrong. The car may look like the perfect weekend toy, but you'll want more than weekend-toy money available for maintenance.
20. BMW 6 Series
The BMW 6 Series combines dramatic styling with powerful engines and plenty of luxury equipment, making older models look surprisingly attractive on the used market. Unfortunately, sophisticated BMW technology doesn't age according to the same schedule as the car's resale value. Cooling components, electronics, suspension parts, turbocharged engines, and other systems can become expensive as mileage increases.
