In the very beginning of the automobile's development, horseless carriages had been a sort of well-to-do privilege. It wasn't until mass-production started coming along that there were cars for the everyday man. Even with these average cars around, companies dismissed mass production, opting to continue building by hand, and those that survived through the ages are now companies that are at the height of luxury and premier performance.
For years companies like Ferrari have been an exclusive part of the well-to-do consumer market, whereas companies like Mercedes-Benz have included middle-class offerings with branches like Maybach and AMG to make up a luxury and performance-based exclusivity aimed for the upper-class. European manufacturers are known worldwide for their exquisite luxury and performance makes.
I fear it is this reputation Europe has acquired that somehow serves to oversaturate the high-end luxury market, and many cars that were once the definition of luxury and performance are now merely beautiful cars available for a fraction of the price. Call this a list of luxury bargains or high-class cars for cheap; either way, all these luxurious cars can be bought today for just a fraction of their original MSRP.
25 Maybach 57
The price for a used 2005 example of this ultra-luxurious iteration of the Mercedes S Class is just shy of $50,000, according to CarGurus.com. That is about 13% of the cost of a brand new one, which ran around $380,000. A smooth twin-turbocharged, 543-horsepower V12 pushes the massive 6,000-pound behemoth to 60 miles per hour in the sub-5 second range, with a quarter mile coming in around 13 seconds. This car isn't a slouch, and the soft seats will make sure you're firmly planted in comfort. There a bunch of amenities and options that cater to the driver and passengers. Discontinued in 2012, later models will cost upwards of $100,000, but an old one will cost less than a new Cadillac.
24 Jaguar XJ
Made since the late 60s, the Jaguar XJ series has been the company's premier luxury cruiser. It has since gone through many generations, transforming from the angular body style to a more raked back look. The XJ has retained it signature style while remaining significant in today's aerodynamically-efficient world.
The older generations are appreciating and going for around $40,000, however, you can get a 2007 XJR for around $10,000.
That's over $70,000 down from the original MSRP for a top-of-the-line car with a 4.2-liter, supercharged V8 putting out 300 hp. It may not be the most gorgeous car to come out of England, but it's certainly one of the more comfortable options, and at its price, a good deal for a high-end Jaguar.
23 Jaguar XKR
The Jaguar XK-series has been around since 1997 and remained in production until 2015 when it was succeeded by the F-Type. Personally, this is one of my favorite cars of all time, from the gorgeous lines to the brutish, supercharged V8. Originally priced at about $80,000 to $85,000 for a 2002 example, an XKR can now be had for around $10,000. With a 370hp, 4.0-liter V8, the XK-series carries a lineage that has been around since the days of SS Cars Ltd. of Coventry, England. The XK-series ended in 2015 with a grand exit in the form of the track-based XKR-S GT, but it's the older generations have dropped to prices well in reach for any enthusiast.
22 Porsche Cayman
The lower end of the Porsche lineup, this baby is still a traditional Porsche in its roots. With a rear-mounted flat-four or flat-six, the Cayman isn't as powerful as its brethren but it's handling is just as good as the price which a Cayman can be had around $15,000 or about $50,000 lower than its original MSRP. Though not as flashy as the 911, the Cayman has continued in a more powerful trim as the 718-generation GT4, which has really brought the models up to base 911 territory. This trend looks to continue, but if you want to get your foot in the door of Porsche's sports cars, either the Cayman (or the Boxster) will be an approachable option.
21 Volkswagen Phaeton
At almost six-digit prices, the VW Phaeton was a tad overlooked as the brand is not necessarily known for its luxury. The Phaeton is meant to be a rival to Mercedes S-class and BMW 7-series.
Coming stock with a 335-horsepower V8, the top of the line trim came with a 420-hp W12, which is rarer and thus a little more expensive.
Nonetheless, I found one listed for $15,000, which is amazing considering the Phaeton cost almost $95,000 just 15 years ago. The base V8 can be had for well under $10,000, though I saw one for sale under $3000 with 170,000 miles on the clock. That's about 5% of its original price.
20 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG
It's known that AMGs depreciate rapidly for one reason or another and the CL series is no different. The original asking price for one of these pillarless beauties was about $115,000 in 2003 but they can now be had for under $10,000.
The motors on offer included a muscular 493-hp, supercharged V8 pushing 516 ft-lb of torque.
The CL-class also had a v12-powered trim as the CL65 AMG. Made for only 5 years (from 2000 to 2005) the CL55 AMG is a cheaper option to get a hold of a Mercedes-Benz and not only that, but to also get your fingers on a hand-built AMG motor and the excitement of a supercharged V8.
19 BMW M5
For around $81,000 in 2006, you could have what many consider to be the ultimate M5. The E60-generation M5 came standard with a tire-scorching 5.0 liter V10 that could also be had with a six-speed manual transmission or seven-speed SMG. The 500 hp, 383 lb-ft super-sedan is a legend nowadays and prices could steadily creep as the demand rises. But for now, a used M5 can be as low as $15,000 with some really good examples going for another $10,000. An E61 Estate was offered in 2007 and those fetch prices a little higher than the sedan, going for $23,000 or so.
18 Alpina B7
The performance-tuner variant of the BMW 7-series, the Alpina B7 was a marvel at the time. The B7 came with a 4.4-liter, centrifugal-supercharged V8 pushing 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.
A 0-60 sprint came in 5.8 seconds, and hitting a quarter mile took around 14 seconds.
The in-house-tuned 7-series started at mid-$110,000 rang while now, after over a decade on the market, it goes for as low as $12,000 for a 100,000-mile example. The trim below the Alpina, the 760Li, goes for even less—as low as about $8,000. Either of these is very reachable for anyone who desires one, and I would recommend experiencing the best BMW offered in the late 2000s.
17 BMW 850Ci
The early-90s 8-series is a cheap thrill, with the V8-equipped 840Ci being the cheapest of the lot. Sold new for around $72,000, they can now be had now for only around 10 grand. The 12-cylinder models are the ones really desired by collectors, especially the top-notch 850 CSi, which I found selling for more than $100,000. But the de-tuned Ci is a little more approachable for someone with a smaller pocket. The 850Ci came with a 5.4-liter V12 with 322 hp, originally priced at $91,000. This beemer has a comfortable amount of torque in a classy car that any enthusiast with about $15,000 can get ahold of and enjoy.
16 Land Rover Range Rover Sport SC
The 3rd-gen Range Rover could be bought in HSE and SC trims for about $77,000 and $93,000, respectively, when new. The SC boasted 95 hp increase over the HSE's 305-hp, 4.4-liter, base V8—no doubt due to the addition of a supercharger.
These modern-day land yachts can be had for about 20 grand, which is on the higher end of my spectrum of what I would consider worthless.
But considering there's a $50,000 Maybach on this list, I'm going to let it slide. The Range Rover is a good option for a proper luxury SUV, and at about 80% of the original asking price, not a bad bargain.
15 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur
What?! A cheap Rolls? Well unless you missed the Doug DeMuro video about the 1996 Silver Spur that he claims originally costs about as much as the Wraith Coupe nowadays, and is now worth "as much as a well equipped Honda Accord." That is, about $10,000 more expensive than a well-kept 1989 example of the Silver Spur, with most other examples going for upwards of $15,000. The Silver Spur's 6.75-liter V8 is one of the longest-lived motors around and in the Silver Spirit, it put down only 215 hp and 325 lb-ft, which doesn't mean too much in a car that's built to glide elegantly down a road.
14 Maserati Quattroporte
The newer Quattroporte is a strikingly beautiful car, the older examples, however, not so much (this is a matter of opinion, don't bash me). Original MSRP for a 2005 model was $95,000 according to Edmunds and $107,400 according to Car and Driver, either way, a Quattroporte can now be had just shy of $15,000.
Not a bad price for an almost 400-hp V8 that can propel the car to 60 miles per hour in 5.2 seconds.
The Quattroporte may be one of the neatest ultra-luxury cars you can have. For the same price as a Chevy Sonic, you can have that Italian muscle sound, with comfort that can only be felt in a product from Europe.
13 Audi S8
A fully-equipped 2007 Audi S8 came with a $114,000 price tag and a 444-hp Lamborghini V10. Today, this ultra-luxury model no longer is produced, but a used one can go for as low as $10,000. Which I'd say is a steal, especially compared to some of the other cars mentioned. Around $10k for a luxury sedan from a company who at the time was just beginning to produce a halo car in the R8, and indeed, it essentially had the same motor that was used in the 2009 R8. Recap: a 444-hp, Lamborghini-derived V10-powered, Quatrro AWD monster that can do 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. Not bad.
12 Mercedes S65 AMG
Another 4-door luxury car, another AMG, another mind-blowing depreciation curve. This Mercedes is the step-down from the Maybach mentioned above, but its also a lot cheaper than the Maybach. At about $192,000 brand new, the S65 can be had now for about $20,000. That's not all about the S65 because like it's more expensive brethren, it too comes with a Bi-turbo V12 that packs an amazing punch. With 604 horsepower and 738 ft-lb, this car is heavier than some of the ones mentioned (almost 5,000 lbs) but is still no slouch. The Mercedes-Benz is a font of luxury for a fraction of its original cost.
11 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG/ SL55 AMG
A personal luxury coupe, the SL600 is an upscale model to the SL500, with the 500 having a V8 and the 600 a V12. The two were only upgraded more with the AMG treatment, and the SL55 AMG boasts almost 500 hp while the big-motored sister has more than 100 hp additionally along with gobs more torque.
Both of these can be had in today's used car market for under $30,000 and surprisingly, they can be the same price, depending on where you shop.
I've found a 2006 SL65 AMG for $20,900 and a 2005 SL65 AMg for only $2,000 more. So depending on where you stand—whether the V8 is enough or you prefer the bonkers V12—they both can be had for a decent price. Either way, its much better than the $113,000 -150,000 MSRP these came with about 15 years ago.
10 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
This is the last one, I promise. As you may have noticed, AMG cars cannot hold value very well, with older models quickly falling into the $20,000 range. The E63 is no exception, and the 2011 E63 is the last of an era before they started attaching turbos to everything. The E63 had a normally-aspirated, 6.2-liter V8. At just over $100,000, this AMG was among one of the cheapest but it still performed well, with over 500 hp in a car that's way lighter than the sportier SL-series. A 0-60 time of four seconds flat and a 12.5-second quarter mile make this quicker than the sportier SL, but I guess you could expect that from a car five years newer.
9 Porsche 911 Carrera
Okay, to say I'm a 911 fanboy is an understatement, but I think we can all agree that every fanboy of a car that has the history of the 911 has a least favorite. The 996 generation is mine. The water-cooled flat-six ma be a beautiful thing after years of being air-cooled.
The big sister to the Boxster and Carrera mentioned earlier, the 911 Carrera comes with 300 horsepower and when new, a $66,000 price tag.
Which isn't necessarily the highest-end market, but for what it is, not everyone can afford a 911. If you have $20,000 or so and are looking for a fun car, a used 996 is an option. If you're like me and don't quite go for its looks, the 997-gen can be found for $10,000 more.
8 Cadillac CTS-V
This is our first American car, here to try and break up the European monopoly of this list. Cadillac is the best Detroit can offer when it comes to real luxury competition against Europe. The CTS-V utilizes the same V8 from the Corvette (more on that legend later) having 400 hp and 390 ft-lb of torque. In 2004, it cost a fairly cheap $51,000, especially compared to the rival BMW M5, which cost around double the price, according to Car and Driver. The CTS-V ushered in the V trim for the brand, which has since made some of the craziest luxury cars since AMG. But the Caddies can be had for cheaper, and a 2004 example will only set you back about $13,000
7 Audi A7
Borrowing a motor from the smaller A6, the supercharged V6 in the Audi A7 puts down 310 hp through an 8-speed transmission. The A7 started as a model to oppose the Porsche Panamera and CLS Mercedes, with three different trims on offer.
Prestige was the best in the lineup, and with leather and wood trim everywhere, the interior is as comfortable as the car is appealing.
You can now find a 2012 A7 for around $20,000, a big drop from above $60,000 just a few years ago. This says to me that these models are still depreciating and should be snatched up before the prices rise again, that is, if they rise at all.
6 Jaguar S-Type R
I can't believe how dirt cheap these old Jags are. Sure, they may not be the height of either luxury or performance, but the S-Type was sold along the XJ as a performance saloon to oppose the 5-series BMW.
The stately S-Type got a little more exciting with the R package, which cost around $60,000.
A 4.2-liter, supercharged V8 with 400 hp is more than enough to push this car around, and priced at only around $10,000 in today's market, is a steal for the crazy amount of fun that could be had in such an unassuming car. It looks crazy, and with the right tuning, is crazy.