I love a great deal on a car. The more luxurious the better. But man, are luxury cars expensive or what? Thankfully, I have enough sense to wait a few years for something I really want to have, knowing the price will most likely go down enough to afford a luxury supercar. To me, it’s like finding that rare car in someone’s barn, and the owner is willing to sell it for cheap. You get it out, clean it up, tune it and you are ready to go, grinning ear-to-ear as you realize you found the car of your dreams.
A lot of cars, especially luxury or even supercars are affordable if you are willing to wait. A lot of cars can last for a long time just sitting around, so why can’t you do the same? Time gives you the period to do research, ask a lot of questions, and check out reviews to see what former and present owners of the car you’re looking for really think about it. Never fall for a car just because you always wanted it. That can be a costly mistake. Luckily, we’ve narrowed down your choices by taking a hard look at some high-quality luxury cars that we know you’ll like. And the best part is you can buy many of them on the cheap. Take a look at some dirt-cheap cars that weren’t so cheap a while ago.
25 1997 Audi A8 - No Other Way To Travel In The 90s
For some reason, I always wanted the Audi A8 to be a coupe. Yeah, I know it’s a gigantic car, even for the 1990s, but I always imagined that it would be so cool to fly down the highway, wrapped in 4,000 lbs of steel, aluminum, and leather. The real deal had four doors. Quattro all-wheel drive was just one plus of owning one of these beauties.
Add to that a 4.2-liter V8 engine, pumping out more than 300 hp to all four wheels and you had one demon of a car tearing the asphalt to shreds.
The base price in 1997 was at least $57,000 for the cheapest version, quickly heading up towards nearly $70,000 for a top of the line model. These days you can pick one up for as low as $2,600. Oh how time changes everything.
24 1990 Lexus LS400 - Class The 1990s Way
Back in 1990, very few cars could beat the LS400 in price or performance for a luxury car. With a base price of only $35,000, the Lexus offered customers luxury car appearance and performance for an affordable price. The car handled fantastically according to Car and Driver, and the 4.0-liter V8 engine provided 250 hp to get the car moving at a great pace down the road. Not a muscle car by any means, the Lexus was meant to be driven to the country club at a leisurely pace. It was meant to be noticed, not gawked at. It had all the latest options that were available, but the car wasn’t a technical showcase. Simply put, the LS400 was meant to be what I refer as “sleeper cool.” Today, you can pick one up in great condition for around $4,000.
23 1994 Porsche 911 Wide Body - It Can Still Shred Asphalt
Even today the 911 Wide Body commands respect, as well as a respectable price. Only 256 were made, but you can find them for sale online. With close to 250 hp blasting out of its 3.6-liter flat six engine, this 5-speed powerhouse was meant to dominate the roads as only a Porsche can. Already an old favorite, Edmunds says that “A more aerodynamic body and various tweaks to the engine and suspension make this old favorite even better.” If you can find one, they can be purchased today in good shape for a healthy $58,000 according to Car Gurus. Not bad considering the original price was something like $127,000. It only has a combined mpg of 18, but honestly, who cares? It’s a Porsche. It’s a 911. Wide Body!
22 1999 Cadillac Escalade - Still King Of The Hood
The Escalade is one of those SUVs that became more famous than the brand that built it for a time. Big, brawny, and black was the only way to purchase one, or at least those are the ones we all saw in numerous music videos.
Styled similar to a luxury tank, the Escalade’s sheer looks put vehicles like the Hummer to shame.
The model is still quite popular today, with Cadillac keeping the vehicle updated to match the times. The average mileage, if you are looking around for one these days, is around 125,000, with most costing between $3,000-$5,000. Considering it cost over $46,000 new, that’s more than a decent enough price to pick one up.
21 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E - Brute Force, The German Way
With a 5.0-liter V8 busting out over 320 hp, the 500E was a perfect example of luxury and speed. Plus, the car looked every bit the perfect sleeper, until you woke it up. Most enthusiasts will concur that the 500E’s build quality is fantastic. The attention to detail, from the passenger-side rearview mirror being square-shaped for better vision to the comfortable seats, is what makes this car a true Mercedes. Only about 1,500 of these limited-edition cars made it to the US, according to Automobile Magazine, but you can still find them online through Autotrader and other used car sites. Costing over $82,000 when it was new, you can still find them in decent shape for around $15,000.
20 1990 Jaguar XJS - That’s Right, It’s A Jag
Buying a used Jaguar, much less an XJS model could be pretty risky. And expensive. Don’t get me wrong – the car has a stunning design and looks just as good today as it did back in the day. With a 5.3-liter V12 engine stuffed into the bay, the 221 hp convertible could really tear up the roads back in 1990. The powerplant also reportedly was as smooth as butter. Well, at least until it broke down. Which it did a lot. The car cost $57,000 in 1990, but the maintenance costs were quite hefty, depending on what was wrong with it that day. These days you can find them online for between $10,000-$16,000 but beware the upkeep costs.
19 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata - Nostalgic Times Are Just Ahead
Middle-aged men love the Mazda Miata. I’m not sure why, but they do. Every time you see one of those guys rolling down the street in one, you always seem to notice the near-macabre smile on their faces, as the wind blows the three or four long hairs they have left on the top of their heads. Those men seem to be in heaven, and isn’t that what owning a car is all about? The tiny Miata, when first introduced, was only $20,000 but it proved so popular people ended up paying premiums of between $10,000-$25,000 to get into one. It was crazy. These days you can find them nearly anywhere for around $4,000-$6,000. Plus the quality-ratings are still mostly 5-stars for the vehicle.
18 1996 Chevy Corvette - American Powered Dream
Buying a Corvette is never a case of “just buying a Corvette.” You are buying a piece of the American Dream, so to speak. Even in 1996, it was this way. There’s no use in getting a Vette with no less than a 5.7-liter V8, and it had better have at least 300+ hp, mpg be darned.
Sure, it’s a toy car, plastic, small, etc., but it’s still a cool car, nostalgic and modern at the same time.
Once the rear wheels start disintegrating the asphalt behind you as you launch down the highway, everything else just feels inadequate in a way. $37,500 got you a lot of car back then, but you can still pursue the dream and pick one up used for between $8,000-18,000, depending on the trim level and shape of the car.
17 1997 Porsche Boxster - Can’t Beat Fun And Luxury
People paid just over $43,000 for a Boxster in 1997. It was designed as a mainstream car, to get more of the masses into an affordable Porsche. The mid-engine car had a 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine, providing 201 hp. According to Car and Driver, the Boxster had a radiator mounted just forward of each front wheel, and the ignition was on the left side of the steering wheel. Customers seem to love the very high build quality of the Boxster, with some claiming to have no rattle noise even after 100,000 miles. It might not be the fastest, but the Boxster still proves that it is a Porsche to the core. You can find a decent Boxster online for around $7,000-$11,000 on sites like True Car.
16 1999 Volkswagen Phaeton - The Ultimate VW
A $100,000 VW. Who would have thought? That’s what the Phaeton was. It was VW’s attempt at entering the “ultra-luxury” car market. I guess VW thought that if Roll-Royce could do it, they could too. The car was really nice.
It had all the right luxury options and components befitting a car of this class such as reclining rear seats, and an entire herd's worth of cow leather wrapping the interior.
The 5,000 lb car was powered by a 241 hp 3.2-liter V6. It did suffer from some electrical problems, notably the indicators and buzzers, and for a car of this price, suffered from a “Why on earth is VW building this?” stigma, leading to poor sales. The Phaeton can still be found from between $3,000-$20,000 if you know where to look.
15 1998 Bentley Arnage - Class And Affordability
You can find plenty of Bentley Arnage models for sale for a decent price online at sites like Cars Direct and Car Gurus. Costing over $200,000 new, you can guarantee a certain level of comfort and prestige that can only come from a Bentley. These big four-door sedans offered the finest in options, including a sunroof, great interior color arrangements, lots of room and little details that really set it off. The only real problem was the Arnage’s terrible fuel economy. Most have a 6.8-liter V8 engine producing 350 hp, good for rocketing the big boy past 158 mph. Current online prices run from $28,000-$40,000.
14 1998 Aston Martin DB7 - Bond Would Still Drive It
With at least 335 hp on tap, the 3.2-liter supercharged V6 of the DB7 can really tear up some road. It’s also got the looks to match. The DB7 is one of those special cars that made people gasp when they first saw it. It marked a return for the carmaker as sales picked up, with demand going into overdrive for the car. Motor Trend doesn’t recommend the car for those over six-feet tall, but for others, it’s a win-win situation. The DB7 has a 0-60 speed of 5.7-seconds with an estimated top speed of 165 mph. Not bad at all. Today, prices online range from $27,000-$30,000, which is a great deal compared to the DB7’s original $140,000 asking price.
13 1991 Mazda 929 - The Pinnacle Of A Flagship
Normally overshadowed by more popular brands like Lexus and Infinity, the 929 is rarely mentioned, especially when referring to the luxury car market. I think that’s a shame because people don’t realize what they are missing out on. I guess it was mostly an image problem, with Mazda not being considered a luxury car maker. Still, the car is very large and roomy, with a 190 hp 3.0-liter V6 running the show. The 929 new only cost $25,000 and today you can find them for as low as $2,500 on most used car sites. The 929 proves that you have to sit in a Bentley to be in the lap of luxury.
12 1998 Lexus LS400 - Big And Bad
290 hp going all-out in a big sedan like the LS400 is a sight to behold. For a car with a $53,000 sticker price, it’d better be fast. Motor Trend claims that the price was the car's undoing, especially when the German car companies were responding to it with superior options, But the LS400 is still a great car, with plenty of space and comfort.
The big engine could get you from 0-60 in 6.3 seconds, coupled with fantastic ride handling.
The interior spares nothing, with most models boasting leather, built-in NAV and a host of other creature comforts. Today the average asking price is between $3,000-$7,000.
11 1999 Lincoln Town Car - Does A Cruise Ship Proud
Competing directly against most European cars of its time, the Lincoln Town Car did its brand proud. It’s a really big car but softened for the decade with a rounder silhouette than the earlier models. It has a big, booming Alpine Stereo system for great music playback, and enough interior space for most of a football team. The Town Car was built for comfort and can swallow potholes nearly as large as itself. It has a 4.6-liter V8 for power, producing something like 220 hp. The top model, called the Cartier Edition fetched around $43,000 in 1999. You can get one these days for between $3,000-$5,000 depending on the condition of the car.
10 1999 Infiniti Q45 - Still Looks Good
The Q45 proved to be an instant success when it debuted. Customers went crazy for the model, and Toyota was really proud of it. It has a 245 hp 4.5-liter V8 engine, which was powerful enough to take on most cars of its size and class.
The interior of these cars is always understated, with lots of dark colors and plenty of leather to go around.
With a sticker price of just under $50,000, the Q45’s handling and performance were among the best of its class. These days, you can still find them online costing no more than $8,000 max for a near-mint condition car.
9 1996 Bentley Turbo R - Beyond Sophistication
When Bentley decides to make a four-door sedan and then add turbo, you’d better believe it’s going to be a great car. With a 0-60 time of 6.0 seconds (just think, this car weighs almost 5,500 lbs.!) and a top speed of at least 150 mph, the Turbo R is all that and more. The included heated mirrors, leather seats, and power everything all add to the allure of this luxury beast. Just one look at it commands respect. Originally it would cost you over $195,000 just to drive one away from the dealership. Now, you can pick one up for between $11,000-$30,000. Live like a king for once and treat yourself to a Bentley.
8 1996 Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo - Nuff Said
When Dodge busted out the Stealth R/T, it was an instant shock and awe to the car buying public. The Turbo develops 300 hp from the 3.0-liter V6 mounted under its hood. It can top 150 mph, according to Car and Driver. They also agree that the car is really comfy, very little to fault about it. We’re not talking Rolls-Royce comfy, but for a luxury sports car, the Stealth can handle most terrains with ease, while wrapping you in very nice leather, high tech toys, and supreme handling. The AWD version would set you back $35,000 in the nineties, but you can find one today at a much more affordable $3,000-$12,000, according to Auto Trader.
7 1998 Audi S4 - Small and Fast
The All-wheel drive S4 is what I call one of the ultimate sleeper cars. Not too big, not too small and doesn’t draw any attention to itself. As long as no one notices the “S” insignia tattooed on the rear of the car that is.
Away from the soccer fields and the church parking lots, the S4 reveals its true side, that of a super fast beast, searing asphalt and anything else in its path.
This is a 250 hp twin-turbo beast we’re talking about here, with a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds. Sure, it’s not as comfy as an Audi A8 Limousine, but for some reason, I don’t think the Audi S4 cares about that, preferring to find the quickest way to anywhere. Optioned out, the S4 cost just over $41,000. Now, you can find one for as low as $8,000.
6 1991 GMC Syclone - Fast, Fast, Fast
Road and Track put it best when describing the Syclone: “A bad pickup, but a great sports car.” How else can you describe a “truck” that can tow only 2,000 lbs and have an even more embarrassing max 500 lb payload that be carried in its bed? But that’s alright. The Syclone simply is what it is – one heck of a fast vehicle. It was born for speed, not to carry bales of hay on the ranch. I love the fact that the Syclone only came in one trim and color: black. There were only 3,000 built, and they are hard to find, but it is possible to locate one for sale occasionally. It cost $25,790 in 1991. It’s one of the very rare cars that you can’t get on the cheap, but they can still be found for the original asking price.