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Are you looking to be a “baller on a budget” and want to buy a luxury car for cheap? If so, you can make it happen even if you’re on a really strict budget of less than $5,000. Remember that you may have to search long and hard on sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to find a few hidden gems, but they’re there. Check out these five examples below to know what to look out for.

1. 2004 Acura TL

2004 Acura TL sedan
2004 Acura TL | Wikimedia Commons

The 2004 Acura TL is one of the models that made the Japanese automaker stand out today. It may be 18 years old at this point, but its leather interior, V6 engine, and impeccable fit and finish have withstood the test of time.

Finding a really clean example could lead to breaking the $5,000 budget. If you want to stay below that threshold, you could find one with close to 200,000 miles on the odometer. But who cares? It’s a Honda.

2. 2003 Jaguar XJ8 Sedan

2003 Jaguar XJ8 Sedan
2003 Jaguar XJ8 Sedan | Wikimedia Commons

It could be true that a Jaguar sees the inside of a shop more than it sees the road, but for $5,000, a 2003 XJ8 could be worth it. Hot Cars reports that “it has a leather interior, heated seats, and everything you would want from a car that was worth a good year’s salary when it first came out.”

For reference, the Jaguar XK8 cost around $56,000 when it debuted, but now you can find examples selling for less than $5,000. If anything, just make sure you have a little money for any unforeseen repairs.

3. 2009 Lincoln MKZ

2009 Lincoln MKZ
2009 Lincoln MKZ | Wikimedia Commons

Were you expecting a Rolls Royce on this list? Probably not. But if it helps, you can consider the 2009 Lincoln MKZ the “Rolls Royce of American family sedans.” OK, maybe it wasn’t that luxurious, but the MKZ did come with a V6 engine, an all-wheel drivetrain, and a plush interior that looks pretty good 13 years later. Best of all, you can find them for cheap nowadays.

4. 2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 Sedan

2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 Sedan
2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 Sedan | Bob Riha Jr/WireImage

If you find a Mercedes-Benz C320 of this vintage, it’s possible that you might have to conduct some repairs. However, if you get off easy, then you’ll be treated to one of the best Mercedes C-Class sedans ever made. It was comfortable, powerful, and it provided a smooth ride that many critics raved about. Best of all, you can find a 2005 C320 for less than $5,000 in today’s market.

5. 2002 Lexus LS430

2004 Lexus LS430
2004 Lexus LS430 | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images

If you’re looking for a luxury car on a budget, it’s hard to beat a 2002 Lexus LS430. According to Edmunds, this large sedan boasted a “superb ride quality, an impressive array of standard and optional luxury features, and top-notch interior materials.” It was an amazing car that could now be purchased for an amazingly low price. There’s a reason that there are over 60 five-star reviews for it on the Edmunds Consumer Reviews page.

Five used luxury cars for less than $5,000

If you’re looking to “ball out” on a budget (as the kids say), then these five used luxury cars are a great place to start. You might have to look out of state to find clean examples for cheap, but considering what you get for the money, they are all well worth the effort.

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