{"id":57434,"date":"2022-08-01T17:16:58","date_gmt":"2022-08-01T21:16:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/motor-junkie.com\/?p=57434"},"modified":"2023-03-07T10:37:23","modified_gmt":"2023-03-07T15:37:23","slug":"underrated-luxury-cars-you-can-get-today-that-will-make-you-feel-rich","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/underrated-luxury-cars-you-can-get-today-that-will-make-you-feel-rich\/57434\/","title":{"rendered":"Underrated Luxury Cars You Can Get Today That Will Make You Feel Rich"},"content":{"rendered":"
Luxury cars are a segment of the auto industry that can completely change how you feel behind the wheel. When you get into a nice luxury car, you immediately attract attention. Certain cars invoke all kinds of emotion, such as a Rolls Royce or a Bentley. These are vehicles that you know are the top of the line in the automotive industry<\/a>. Luxury cars are also the most negatively affected vehicles when it comes to depreciation. A Mercedes-Benz depreciates much faster than a Honda Accord.<\/p>\n Because of this depreciation, you can get all kinds of luxury cars<\/a> for a fraction of the price the vehicle was sold for when it was brand new. There are certain luxury cars that you should steer clear of and there are others that not only make a great investment but will make you feel rich when you’re behind the wheel. The following luxury cars were well-built and continue to make drivers feel rich even by today’s standards.<\/p>\n The Lexus SC400 was one of the most over-engineered sports cars<\/a> of the 1990s but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing because the car aged better than many other sports cars from this era. The V8 engine under the hood is the 1UZ-FE, an engine that cost $400,000,000 for Toyota to develop. The SC400 was and still is one of the best bargains that you can get in the luxury car world. The styling of the car was beautiful when it was released and it still holds up today (via Car and Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\n The SC400 will make you feel like you’re rich as there are all kinds of unique<\/a> tech items that are built into this car. There is even a built-in car phone right into the center console. The right quality of the SC400 is also very quiet. There is plenty of insulation to give this car one of the quietest rides on the road. But you’ll still hear the roar of the V8 engine under the hood when you drive it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Chrysler Crossfire is an oft-forgotten Chrysler sports car from the early 2000s<\/a>. The Crossfire was marketed as a luxury sports coupe<\/a> and there’s a reason for that. The underpinnings of this car were shared with the Mercedes-Benz SLK-320. So when you think you are driving a Chrysler, you’re driving a Mercedes-Benz luxury car. The Crossfire was probably one of the most underrated sports cars that came out in the last couple of decades (via Autoblog<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Crossfire was available in a hardtop coupe and a convertible version, both of which were nicely equipped. Considering how affordable the price tag is nowadays, the Crossfire will have you riding around in style. Coupled with the Mercedes-Benz engineering under the hood, the Crossfire is a nice ride for the price.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Audi is a world-renowned luxury car maker and a company that has earned a reputation for itself in the rally racing scene. As most luxury cars depreciate quickly, there is no surprise that you can find a used Audi A8 for nothing. The 1997 model is a large and luxurious sedan that will still impress drivers today. The Audi A8 is everything great about the 1990s, all wrapped up into a beautiful package that performed well inside and out (via Edmunds<\/a>).<\/p>\n The A8 had all kinds of luxury features that came as standard equipment. There was a high-end sound system, electronic seating, and one of the first navigation systems that were available in a car. By all accounts, the Audi A8 from this generation is a beautiful car that<\/a> drives as well as it looks and will continue to provide years of driving pleasure.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Like its corporate sibling, the SC400, the LS400 was also a car deliberately over-engineered by Toyota. Take a seat behind the wheel of the LS400 and you immediately feel the luxury. Even by today’s standards, the car has still held up to the test of time with a smooth-riding dynamic and a sound-proofed interior<\/a>. The LS400 was designed from the ground up to be the most luxurious car Toyota had ever offered and the company achieved that mission (via Car Gurus<\/a>).<\/p>\n The LS400 design was largely unchanged for over a decade and early models are affordable to come across. The V8 engine<\/a> in this car is one of the most reliable Toyota has ever built. There is also a lot of luxury technology included with the LS400, from the high-end sound system to the built-in car phone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the Boxster hit the roads in the mid-1990s, traditional Porsche enthusiasts<\/a> questioned the logic of the car. There was no market for an affordable entry-level Porsche at the time. The Boxster was different than the Porsche models on the market before, but the car became a success. The Boxster was a well-designed car from the ground up and still manages to keep that reputation going today (via Motor Trend<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Boxster has a very affordable resale value, which means anyone can afford to pick one of these cars up. Another great thing about the Boxster is that the styling is timeless, even if you drive one today, it still turns heads. The Boxster was one of the most affordable and cheap to maintain Porsche models built.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Mercedes-Benz models of the 1990s<\/a> were some of the most world-renowned cars ever built. The emphasis on quality during this period brought us some of the most over-engineered cars around. That over-engineering pays off when you’re in the market for a used luxury car and want something affordable (via Motor Trend<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Mercedes-Benz 500E was the mid-range model in the lineup and it had some of the best technology of the time. The engine is bulletproof, as long as you keep up on routine maintenance. These cars are fairly common<\/a> now and their styling is timeless. The 500E is one luxury car that will make you feel rich and turn heads.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although the Jaguar brand was on the way down in the 1990s, there were still some great cars that hit<\/a> the market during this period. The XJS is sort of the hidden gem from this generation of the company. The timeless styling and solid foundation made the car feel like a luxury sled when it was on the road (via Car Survey<\/a>).<\/p>\n Nowadays, you can find the XJS for a dirt cheap price and it is well worth it. With a little work, drivers get an affordable luxury car with some of the best features of the time. The styling of the car is professional and sedated, nothing too out of line here. But the interior is a comfortable sanctuary where you can enjoy everything about the car.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Believe it or not, the Corvette is a luxury car. True, that is obvious by the decades of high price tags that accompanied this car, but the Corvette is often lumped together in the sports car<\/a> category. The C4 Corvette was the model that introduced some of the most noticeable luxury features in the car<\/a>. The C4 Corvette was one of the best and worst body styles for the Corvette line because the car went through so many changes over the decade (via Car Survey<\/a>).<\/p>\n Not only does the Corvette C4 still turn heads but the luxury interior was cultivated to swaddle the driver in comfort. There was a digital dashboard, leather seating, and a top-notch sound system. Depending on which model you get, the Corvette C4 still turns heads wherever you go and the engine is one of the most reliable powerplants ever made<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Phaeton is one of the most confusing luxury cars ever made. Part of the reason was the intensive process Volkswagen put into production. Every Phaeton model was hand-built in a special factory designed for this car. The level of detail that went into the Phaeton is part of the reason why it is one of the best luxury cars ever made (via Top Gear<\/a>).<\/p>\n The emphasis on quality made the Phaeton drive amazingly well and the off-the-line performance was excellent. When you get behind the wheel of the Phaeton, you know that you are in for something special. The luxury engineering that went into the Phaeton made it one of the best-used luxury cars on the market.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It’s well-known that any Bentley will make a statement when you pull up to an event, but for those bargain-minded shoppers, a used Bentley is a more feasible option. The great thing about a used Bentley model is that it’s still just as luxurious as the new models are. The Arnage was one of the first modern Bentley models and it proved popular (via What Car<\/a>).<\/p>\n This Bentley was featured in countless music videos over the years, so there is a good chance you’ve seen it a time or two. All the interior treatments were top of the line. At the time the Arnage was on the market, it was the pinnacle of Bentley design and engineering, which is why the price tag was so high.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Aston Martin is a well-regarded automotive brand, so it comes as no surprise that the DB7 is such a great car. The DB7 was the first Aston Martin model to exhibit the modern styling that the brand still uses today. The DB7 is still a modern-feeling luxury car in every sense of the word, with a high-quality interior and luxury features. The Aston Martin DB7 is one of the best sports cars from the 1990s and still worth considering now (via Car Survey<\/a>).<\/p>\n In recent years, the DB7 has become more sought after because of its affordable price and satisfying performance. The interior is a luxury appointed with lots of real wood and leather. Most Aston Martin cars have been well taken care of by the previous owners, so you’ll seldom get one in rough shape.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Mazda 929 was one of the most luxurious Mazda cars ever released<\/a>. But most consumers never even knew that this car existed<\/a>, because the marketing was lackluster at best. The 929 came with many luxury features, and one of the best engines Mazda has used in a modern vehicle. The 929 became one of the most popular Mazda sedans released (via Cars.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n Driving the 929 was an experience because it had some of the best handling of any car from that era<\/a>. The interior had all kinds of luxury features, which made the ride more comfortable. In later years, the car got even more luxury<\/a> appointments and a whole lot of chrome accents around the exterior. The 929 is one of the most affordable used luxury options on the market.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Infiniti is often the automotive brand of understated luxury. The Infiniti models of the past were just as luxurious as a BMW or a Lexus, but they never achieved the same type of success. The Q45 was the flagship Infiniti sedan for many years and is considered one of the best sports sedans on the market if you ask enthusiasts (via Consumer Reports<\/a>).<\/p>\n The driving technology and dynamics that went into the Q45 are part of the reason the car was so popular. The V8 engine was smooth as silk, and the Q45 is a reliable car. The best part is that you can find the Q45 for a very affordable price tag on the used market. Most of the time, these cars have been well cared-for and have low mileage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Stealth was a sports car<\/a> with many luxury appointments. It was premium in every sense of the word, from the price tag to the reputation. Unfortunately, the Stealth was not marketed well and it never sold as well as the other two-door twin-turbos of the same generation. The Stealth R\/T Turbo offered everything that the Toyota Supra and Nissan 300ZX did but in a slightly more sophisticated package (via Driving Line<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Stealth with its black leather interior and the twin-turbo engine will make you feel like you are in an exotic sports car<\/a>. The quality of the interior was top-notch, and the exterior styling is still nice to this day. Nothing was bland about the Stealth and the car has become a collector’s<\/a> item these days.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Autobahn handling and performance on a budget? That sums up the Audi S4. Everything about this car was made for speed and performance<\/a>. The S4 in the wagon trim is a well-appointed luxury car for the price. The handling was above average and all the engineering that went into the car made it shine even more (via The Truth About Cars<\/a>).<\/p>\n The S4 was one of the most reliable Audi models from this generation. The car has a lot of great engineering under the hood and with routine maintenance, you’ll have a fun and dependable ride. Upgrade to the Quattro trim, and you can feel the rally racing heritage that has made Audi a famous brand all over the world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the Alfa Romeo brand was announced to return to the United States<\/a>, true enthusiasts were happy. There is just something about the way an Alfa Romeo car drives that are unlike anything else on the road. The Alfa Romeo 4C was a prime example of that philosophy when it was released (via Car & Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\n Alfa took precision Italian engineering and upgraded it to the next level with this car. The 4C still drives amazingly to this day, and there are plenty of used examples in the market. For what you are getting, the 4C is one of the most satisfying cars to drive. Because it is fairly unique, most people won’t even know what you’re driving.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another popular Aston Martin<\/a> model on the used market is the Vantage. The Vantage had many advantages over other sports cars<\/a> released during this era. The big factory engine is a major part of what makes the Vantage a great ride, but also the luxury appointments on the interior of the car (via Motoring Research<\/a>).<\/p>\n Even if you pull up in a Vantage now, people will think you are successful. However, resale value on these cars has continued to sink. The Vantage is still one of the most satisfying cars on the road to drive. Between the precision handling and the beautiful exterior styling, this car has become a timeless classic<\/a> in the automotive industry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Like the S4, the A4 has a lot of details going for it. You get the upmarket styling that has made Audi models from this generation memorable. The performance of the A4 is also quite impressive, and there was a limited edition model<\/a> with a V8. The car still looks and drives great today, and there are plenty of them around (via Car Gurus<\/a>).<\/p>\n The A4 is one of the most desirable used luxury cars you can get. When you get behind the wheel of an A4, you will feel successful. From the luxury appointed interior to all the standard features that the car came with. Plus, you get the prestige of driving one of the best-designed cars in the world<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Audi A6 was another large sedan that the company has sold for decades. The A6 takes everything you like about the other Audi sedans in the lineup and adds to that magic. In addition, the A6 came with quite a few powertrain options that have made the car a highly desirable collector’s item (via New Car Test Drive<\/a>).<\/p>\n Depending on which variant of the A6 you get your hands on, the car has a lot to like about it. The performance of the A6 is very admirable, even by today’s standards. The car also came packed with luxury features that made it a great choice for anyone who wanted a high-end luxury car that could perform.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This was the big boy in the BMW lineup. The 850CSI is one of the most highly coveted two-door BMW models on the road today. When you get behind the wheel of this car, you are getting behind the wheel of something special. Every ounce of the 850CSI was built for driving pleasure and it wraps drivers in luxury (via Motor Trend<\/a>).<\/p>\n Get into the finely tuned cockpit of the car, and you will see why so many people love this luxury model. Everything about the 850CSI oozes performance and luxury. At the time of its release, the 850CSI was one of the most expensive cars<\/a> in the BMW lineup. You have to search high and low to find one, but if you do, you’re in for something special.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When it comes to notable BMW models<\/a>, the 525i could be dubbed the standard bearer in quality. The 5-Series is a larger car than the 3-Series, and it is still affordable on the used market. The 2000s version of the 525i is the most desirable because it had some of the best performance numbers ever (via Cars Guide<\/a>).<\/p>\n If you were lucky enough to get an M5, you have something that’s even more special. The 525i performs well and looks great, and you can find one for a good price in most cities. You might have to pay a lot for the maintenance, but the car is worth it. You will feel like a true executive when you get behind the wheel of this car.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The CTS-V was a surprise when it hit the automotive industry<\/a> for the first time. The fact that GM managed to cram a Corvette engine with a manual transmission<\/a> into a Cadillac was an eye-opening experience. The first generation of the car proved to be such a success that GM has improved the lineup with every generation (via Motor Trend<\/a>).<\/p>\n The CTS-V in its most recent variation did away with the V8 engine option. But you can still find the older models<\/a> of the car that came with the Corvette-derived power plant. It should be noted that the V8-powered CTS-V wagon is one of the rarest options. But the first-generation CTS-V models are also becoming harder to find in good shape.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Mercedes-Benz 600SL is by far one of the most well-known roadsters on the classic car<\/a> market. The 600SL was the car that put Mercedes on the map in the 1990s when it came to innovation and technology. The car was also powerful with a smooth-running V12 engine and style (via Car Gurus<\/a>).<\/p>\n Like most cars from this era, the 600SL has depreciated quite a bit. Although a low mileage example will set you back a pretty penny, a regular run-of-the-mill used model with some mileage on it is affordable. The Mercedes-Benz 600SL is a car that stands out from the crowd when it comes to performance<\/a> and styling.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Lexus IS250 was released at a transformative time for the Lexus brand. The Lexus brand had immense success in the 1990s, with high-quality cars well designed<\/a>. The IS250 was different than what else was being sold at the time. It was a compact sports sedan with less emphasis on luxury and more focus on performance (via Consumer Reports<\/a>).<\/p>\n There was a lot to like about the IS250, the driving characteristics were excellent for such a lightweight car. The interior was also well designed with plenty of comfort for the driver. The Lexus IS250 was also the first car to introduce the world to the “Altezza”-style tail lights that became popular throughout the early 2000s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Cayenne was a groundbreaking SUV, because it was the first SUV to ever come from the Porsche brand. The Cayenne was just as powerful as the production sports cars<\/a> were. Even an early model of the Cayenne will turn heads because the styling is unmistakably Porsche. The performance of the Cayenne was also top-notch, and for a short period was the fastest SUV on the market (via Car & Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\n If you are seeking a used Cayenne model, you want to go for the Turbo version. It will give you the best performance bang for your buck. The interior of the Cayenne is one of the most luxurious Porsche interiors on the road. Sit behind the wheel in the peanut butter leather interior, and you will feel a lot richer driving this car.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Vigor was one of the original full-size luxury sedans to compete seriously against Lexus. The problem with the Vigor is it wasn’t quite up to the task. There was no V8 power plant<\/a> and the car was not as luxurious as the Lexus models were. But in recent years, the Vigor has cultivated a reputation in the collector’s world (via Motor Trend<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Vigor had unique features, such as vacuum sealing doors, and a fine-tuned five-cylinder engine. The five-cylinder engine was designed specifically for the Vigor, and once you get behind the wheel, you will feel the technological advancement. This car has a hint of BMW, a hint of Mercedes, and it’s all blended with the Honda build quality of the 1990s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Legend is one of the most highly regarded luxury cars from the 1990s and part of the reason for it is the excellent engineering that went into the car. Just take one look at the Legend, and you can tell that the car is not your average Acura. Everything about the Legend was designed to appeal to drives who enjoy driving (via Motor Biscuit<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Legend was engineered with some of the best technology Honda has ever used in a car. When you get into the Legend, you immediately feel a quality driving car<\/a>. The performance is still exhilarating, and the interior materials of the Legend were of high quality. Even famous rap artist Ludacris still owns his original Legend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The RL was the next-generation car Acura introduced in the 2000s. It was to build on the competence of the brand<\/a> and add a new modern sportiness to the car. Acura still did not offer a large V8-powered sedan like Lexus but the RL was the next best thing if you were in the market for an Acura vehicle (via Car & Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\n The noticeable thing about the RL was its included interior technology. This car introduced a host of new technologies, including Bluetooth connectivity and heated and cooled seating. The exterior styling of the RL was largely considered bland compared to the other cars on the market.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The SLX is a luxury sedan that not many people even know existed. You see, when the SUV segment was heating up in the 1990s, there started to be an appetite for a premium offering. Lexus introduced the LX450, and consumers were impressed with what a premium SUV felt like. Suddenly, every family in America wanted to own a leather-wrapped off-road beast. The SLX might not be the first luxury SUV to mind, but it’s a great bargain (via Car Gurus<\/a>).<\/p>\n The folks at Honda could not develop an SUV<\/a> and bring it to market that fast, and the company already had a partnership with Isuzu at the time. The SLX shared its platform and body with the Isuzu Trooper and was fully-loaded. There were many luxury appointments and the truck had a slightly more attractive look.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Infiniti J30 is the hidden gem in the ’90s Infiniti lineup. The car had some of the best engineering of its era. The automotive<\/a> world was not impressed with the styling of the car, but it managed to cultivate a certain following. The J30 had excellent handling and excellent off-the-line performance. The J30 had an advertising campaign that tried to offer something new and unique to drivers looking for something in this segment (via The Truth About Cars<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Infiniti J30 also had a luxurious interior, and there were many high-quality parts used in it. The leather is among the highest quality in a car from this era, and the ride is extremely quiet. When you get behind the wheel of a clean, well-taken care J30, you will feel great driving this car.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Equus was the first high-end car that the brand launched in America. The Equus was a far higher quality product than any of the vehicles released before. Hyundai got a lot of flack from the automotive community for trying to compete with the likes of Lexus, but the car was well received. The Equus was and probably is still the most well-built Hyundai model that has come out in the last couple of decades (via Car Magazine<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Equus came with a 429 HP 5.0L V8 engine, and the air-ride suspension gave the car an incredibly smooth ride. The Equus was a high-quality car in every sense of the word. When you get behind the wheel of the Equus, you immediately realize that you are riding in something special.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Released a few years before the Equus, the XG350 was the company’s first attempt at a luxury sedan. While the car was a good showing, it lacked in many departments, such as power. The XG350 didn’t sell well, but the car is still a comfortable riding luxury vehicle. If you see one on the road, you know that it is something unique. Hyundai was at a crossroads when the XG350 was released, and the company was working to reinvent itself (via Car and Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\nLexus SC400<\/h2>\n
Chrysler Crossfire<\/h2>\n
1997 Audi A8<\/h2>\n
Lexus LS400<\/h2>\n
Porsche Boxster<\/h2>\n
Mercedes-Benz 500E<\/h2>\n
Jaguar XJS<\/h2>\n
Chevy Corvette C4<\/h2>\n
Volkswagen Phaeton<\/h2>\n
Bentley Arnage<\/h2>\n
Aston Martin DB7<\/h2>\n
Mazda 929<\/h2>\n
Infiniti Q45<\/h2>\n
Dodge Stealth R\/T Turbo<\/h2>\n
Audi S4<\/h2>\n
Alfa Romeo 4C<\/h2>\n
Aston Martin Vantage<\/h2>\n
Audi A4<\/h2>\n
Audi A6<\/h2>\n
BMW 850CSI<\/h2>\n
BMW 525i<\/h2>\n
Cadillac CTS-V<\/h2>\n
Mercedes-Benz 600SL<\/h2>\n
Lexus IS250<\/h2>\n
Porsche Cayenne<\/h2>\n
Acura Vigor<\/h2>\n
Acura Legend<\/h2>\n
Acura RL<\/h2>\n
Acura SLX<\/h2>\n
Infiniti J30<\/h2>\n
Hyundai Equus<\/h2>\n
Hyundai XG350<\/h2>\n