For those that appreciate the finer things in life, it’s hard to resist the allure of a luxury car. While the automotive landscape changes, with electrification taking over from petrol and diesel, the luxury car market has adapted and thrived, embracing new technology to create ever-more advanced and luxurious vehicles.
Exactly what constitutes a luxury car is up for debate. Suffice to say, it’s a broad church – some emphasise opulence and comfort, while others focus on brand prestige or the latest technology. Performance and speed often has a place in there, too, mixed with sophistication, quality, exclusivity and elegance.
A new luxury car will almost always cost you a great deal of money, but that cost – initially, at least – could be drastically lowered by buying a used luxury car. Whether you’re after a daily driver or a weekend treat, let someone else take the (often sizable) depreciation in value, and lose none of the sumptuousness.
When you look to buy a used luxury car you’re looking beyond mere transportation. It could be the fulfilment of a long-held dream to own a piece of automotive excellence, or a desire to bask in fine craftsmanship. It could even be for investment reasons, hoping that your new purchase will accumulate (it can happen, but don’t bank on it…).
The range of used luxury cars is vast, from grand tourers like the Bentley Continental GT to executive saloons like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and high-performance cars like the Porsche Panamera. Then there are luxurious SUVs like the Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne. Each represents the pinnacle of the manufacturer’s engineering.
Choosing the best luxury car depends on your personal preferences and the way you want to use it. If you value craftsmanship and tradition it’s hard to beat Bentley and Rolls-Royce – cars like the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Phantom, and Bentley’s Mulsanne are handcrafted and deliver unrivalled luxury. But you’ll be paying top price for these, even when used.
Bentley’s Continental GT might be more realistic if you’re set on a top-end brand but operating on a smaller budget. Older versions of this coupe can be surprisingly affordable to buy, although as with any luxury car, the operating costs won’t be. This car is also sportier, and other sporty options include just about anything from Porsche, including top-end 911s and the Cayenne SUV. Should SUVs and off-roaders be what you’re after, look at the Range Rover, Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, as well as the Mercedes-Benz GLS and its electric equivalent, the EQS SUV. Those are inspired by the classic S-Class limousine, which is also highly recommended, as are its German rivals – the Audi A8 and the BMW 7 Series.
If you’re after something electric, consider the relatively affordable and sporty Jaguar I-Pace and the Porsche Taycan, as well as the BMW iX SUV and the i7, which is essentially an electric 7 Series.
Vehicle history is paramount when buying a used luxury car. High-end cars often come with the expectation of meticulous maintenance and care, so a comprehensive service history should be the first thing you check. Signs of neglect or excessive wear should be red flags and could herald very expensive repairs.
Beyond the car’s condition, think about how a potential purchase will fit into your lifestyle. Do you want to revel in a car’s handcrafted nature or are you more interested in performance? Should that performance come at the expense of comfort? Test drive cars you’re interested in to make sure they conform to your expectations.
And of course, remember that owning a luxury car isn’t just about buying one. You may pay a little or a lot to buy a luxury car, but the chances of you paying little to look after it are fairly small – the maintenance and repair costs don’t tend to depreciate.
If you're not sure if a used luxury car is quite right for you, we've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.
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