For some, cars are all about going fast or looking better than the other guys at the local Thursday night car meet.  But for others, they're all about the status their vehicle conveys, and I can't blame them. Having people turn their heads every time you drive by is a great feeling. And for people who aren't necessarily into cars, sometimes, the only way they know if a car is nice or not is if it looks expensive. Now, of course, the worst thing about wanting to buy an expensive car that everyone will appreciate is the price tag.  But if you're willing to do the research and have money to drop on repairs, we have twenty of these cars here for you, all of which can make the average person look wealthy. Most of this is due to branding, so of course, you can expect the Audi rings and that unique Mercedes logo to show up on the list,  but rest assured that this isn't just one giant list of old German luxury cars.

We've found cars from around the world, from sporty to classy, to show how easy it really can be to have a car that everyone will envy.  Just don't go putting "BALLER" or "STUNNA" on your license plate.  These cars can look expensive, but it's not like we found $5,000 Lamborghinis just sitting around on Craigslist. So, here are the twenty top cars you can buy right now for under $5,000 that could make anyone look wealthy.

20 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan

Nissan engineering with a touch of extra luxury—that's what they're all about over at Infiniti. And yes, you can find this gorgeous sedan for under 5k! Original MSRP was $31,450 in 2007, and 11 years later, you can find this car well within budget. The G35 has a whopping 305hp and a ride that makes you feel like you're flying around on clouds. There's also a stock Bose sound system. Combine that with all the leather on the dash, seats, and console, and you've got yourself a very expensive-looking car that handles and performs better than most of its competition.

19 2004 BMW 325i

Everyone associates BMW with expensive cars, but once you get down to it, they only have a couple of really expensive cars. The only thing that makes them expensive is the repairs and maintenance. But that being said, they're absolutely gorgeous and still an icon of wealth. The 2004 325i, like most Beamers, can be found well within our budget, falling from a $28,100 starting MSRP back in '04. A word of friendly advice if you're thinking about buying one of these: watch that odometer. Any more than 100k miles on these older luxury cars, and things kind of start falling apart, sometimes literally.

18 2004 Acura TL

Starting off at $32,650, this Japanese-born luxury sedan helped make the name Acura stand out today. Now, 14 years later, you can own this car without putting a dent in your bank account.

With modern looks and a leather interior, it still holds up to today's luxury standards, and with its fantastic engineering, it doesn't even matter that it has 120k miles on it—that's just the car stretching its legs.

This is definitely one good deal if you can manage to find one for a low price before it sells.

17 2011 Chrysler 200

Chrysler has been a name in luxury ever since it came out, and that hasn't changed. With a base MSRP of $19,245, it's well within reason that you could find a 200 for under 5k. The mileage may be a bit on the high side, but the leather interior and the attention to detail make up for it, at least if that's what you're looking for. It's not the fastest luxury car out there, but it'll turn some heads with that fancy logo and modern, spacious design. Unlike a lot of luxury cars, the 200 can get amazing gas mileage, as high as 31 mpg on the highway.

16 2002 Mini Cooper S

Starting off back in the day at $19,300, this bad little sports car could turn some heads. Now, they can be found well under $5,000. In case you didn't know, that S stands for "supercharger."

Yep, you can have a supercharged Mini Cooper on a budget.

There's even a 5-speed manual option if you really want to feel the way this car drives.  The Cooper S is also surprisingly roomy inside, with all the modern amenities you'd expect from a sports car. This is a perfect head turner for the weekend auto warrior.

15 2003 Jaguar XJ8 Sedan

Jaguar redefined luxury, as they say.  And I don't think that statement is too far off from the truth, especially when you stand back and look at the works of art they roll off their production lines.

This car started off at $56,330 back in '03, and believe it or not, you can find it for under 5 grand now, still in running condition.

No matter the year or model, a Jag can turn heads in a crowd for sure and look amazing doing it. Of course, it has leather interior, heated seats, and everything you'd want from a car that was worth a good year's salary when it came out.

14 2006 Cadillac DTS V8

Cadillac is another one of those names you associate primarily with luxury and wealth.  And the DTS is no different, except that you can own one without breaking your bank.  The MSRP on this luxurious sedan in '06 was $41,195. Now, that's a good chunk of change, but at five thousand dollars in 2018, who could argue with that spacious leather interior and boastful Cadillac logo. Sure, it may be the same car grandpa drives, but he just knows what true luxury on a budget feels like. It may not turn heads right away,  but it'll stand out in a crowded parking lot.

13 2007 Nissan Maxima

The Maxima has always had a focus on luxury, and now, it can be found marked down from $28,050.

It has a powerful 3.5L V6, the same engine as the 350Z actually.

And believe me, it can run all of its 255 hp while looking great doing it. The Maxima is spacious, comfortable, and most important of all for this list, affordable. It's boasted amazing critic reviews, but most importantly, with its high-gloss paint, it's sure a head spinner. Some people may think this is a soccer mom car, but I can tell you for sure that the kids won't be late and that they'll show up in style in this Maxima.

12 2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition

Now, that's a mouthful for the name of a car, and everyone knows the more names it has, the more expensive and high end it is. The Explorer is one of Ford's highest-rated family vehicles, and with this special-edition trim package, it seems way more expensive than it is. Originally priced at $34,455, it can now be found for just under five thousand dollars. This is still one of the largest family vehicles on the market, able to fit 7 people with an optional third row. And of course,  the bigger the car, the more expensive it seems. Combine that with the fact that it's a limited edition, and this will make anyone stand out.

11 2006 Toyota Prius

Nothing says wealthy like saving the environment, and what's better than killing two birds with one stone? Nothing, that's what, especially when it can be done for around four thousand dollars, marked down from an original $21,725. The Prius is the most identifiable electric car in the world, and because of that, it's sure to be an identifiable vehicle that can make anyone seem wealthy and eco-friendly at the same time. Aside from that, the dependability of the Prius is beaten by very few cars out there, and it's way easier to look wealthy when you're able to save money.

10 2009 Lincoln MKZ

Lincoln has certainly changed up its production recently and has gone from your grandparents' car to a car you can confidently ride around town in with the windows down.  The sleek design on the MKZ is sure to draw attention to whoever's behind the wheel.

The deals go fast, but you can still find one within our $5,000 budget, a great markdown from the original price of $32,695.

The MKZ has features well ahead of its time and is still comparable to luxury vehicles today, even those with much-larger price tags. The vehicle is still in production today and has had a couple of upgrades since '09.

9 2005 Mercedes C320 Sedan

The C320 Sedan was arguably one of the best of the Mercedes C class, with critics raving about it across the board. At an original price of $37,950, finding one below 5k is an amazing find.  You'll surely have to do some repairs, as with most pre-owned vehicles, but as long as you maintain the vehicle well, it'll hold up. And this car will surely turn heads with that unique and mesmerizing Mercedes-Benz logo.  Mercedes pretty much invented modern luxury, and this classic is no stranger to rich leather interior and pulling out all the stops for the passengers.

8 2007 Audi A4 2.0T

Rings are really expensive. Ask anyone who's been married or engaged. Now, imagine four of those. The Audi rings have become a modern classic signature of luxury and class, and the A4 2.0 turbo is no exception.

At an original MSRP of $30,340, this sporty little sedan has certainly made a name for itself as one of the most popular and top-sold Audi models.

It's also an AWD, and anyone who's owned an all-wheel drive knows how much fun it can be when you tear around corners. Audi is nothing if not a head-turning attention machine, and no matter how old they are, they look great.

7 2008 Cadillac SRX

So, this makes two Cadillacs for our list,  but there's just something about them.  The reviews are always through the roof, and they have a way of looking more expensive than they are. The SRX, however, is a bit of a beefier car with an original price of $38,105. It also comes with a Bose sound system, and nothing says expensive and classy like some bumping bass. It can be hard to find this one below 5k, but if you're willing to do your research, this car has gotten great consumer reviews and will definitely get attention.

6 2003 VW Passat

Volkswagen is a good, clean mix of luxury and affordability. It has the signature luxurious German engineering that the car world has come to know and love.

The Passat had an original price of $29,825, which is a pretty hefty price tag for a VW. But the Passat is the top-selling and top-reviewed Volkswagen to this day.

It does have cloth seats unlike most of the cars we've covered today, but I can say cloth is way better for the summer time. It also comes with all the tech that seems ahead of its time that German cars have become known for.

5 2010 Jeep Liberty Sport

So, Jeep isn't exactly a name in luxury, but they sure do make people think expensive, especially if you throw any kind of lift or lighting onto it. At an original price of $24,865, it's possible, albeit a little difficult, to find one for under $5,000 today. It's more of the family Jeep than an off-road Jeep,  but it can still go places most cars would get stuck in. The interior is surprisingly nice,  but the back seats are slightly cramped. That being said, the Liberty Sport still comes across as much more expensive than it really is.

4 2009 Scion TC

Scion's premier sports car, before the Scion FRS appeared on the scene, was the TC. It's a popular car with tuners and as a daily driver and looks and drives like a much more expensive car, with an original MSRP of only $17,800. The TC can be found pretty easily for well under our budget and has received great critic reviews. With a lowering kit and maybe some paint and rims, this car can really turn heads, even at a car meet.  The interior isn't exactly expensive-looking, but it does come with all the modern tech we look for in our cars today.

3 2008 Volvo S80

Volvo is another one of those companies that have come a long way in reinventing their image and branding.  The S80 came out around the time Volvo started changing their image, and you can tell by looking at it.  With its sleek design and powerful build,  you can tell this isn't the same Volvo that grandma used to pick you up from school in.  The S80 had an original price of $38,705, surprisingly high for a Volvo. While the interior leaves a bit to be desired,  the reviews rave about the performance and dependability. Best of all, it can be found with relative ease well within our price range.

2 2002 Lexus LS430

Lexus is the world-renowned luxury division of Toyota, borrowing a lot of their base designs and mechanical builds. However, due to their wonderful marketing and branding,  Lexus will take your Toyota and add a couple nice additions, a new logo, and some extra dollar signs onto the price tag. The LS430 had an original price of $54,405, and it looks like it costs every penny. Everyone knows Lexus, and they know how expensive they are,  but very few know you can own one on a budget.  Again, the maintenance can be an issue on older Lexus models, but if you're willing to do the work, you can look like a real baller.

1 1985 Porsche 944

Porsche. Just saying the name makes you think money, speed, and a little bit of frustration. But you can own a classic Porsche 944, arguably one of the sportiest cars they've produced to this day, disregarding the supercars they make now. In '85, this bad boy would sell for $21,440, which is roughly $50,000 today. Granted, there would be maintenance required, but a custom-built classic Porsche would get plenty of attention. But if you're willing to drive or have it shipped to you, you can own one for less than five thousand dollars and certainly grab some attention at any car meet.

Sources: autoblog.com; kbb.com; cargurus.com