Are you sick of your neighbor’s new wheels? The posh-and-flaunted debt machine that makes them look wealthier than they are? Well, these luxury cars can do just that. But these used cars can do it for well under the price of the average new car in the US. 

These affordable luxury cars radiate opulence without the crippling cost of entry

Let’s get one thing straight. None of these cars or SUVs will be drama-free purchases. Even for a shrewd buyer who gets a quality pre-purchase inspection, maintenance and repairs have the potential to be frequent and costly.

On the plus side, the cost of entry is surprisingly, temptingly low. Much lower, in fact, than the price of the average used car for 2025. With a whole lot more luxury and presence.  

Cadillac ATS-V

It’s quite possibly one of the most underappreciated Cadillac “V” cars of modern times, likely due to the absence of a V8 engine. But, with 464 horsepower on tap courtesy of a deceptively musical twin-turbocharged 3.6L V6, it might not need one.

The ATS-V is a forgotten, yet worthy rival for the best luxury sports sedans, like the BMW M3 F80. Better yet, a 2016 Cadillac ATS-V with 60,000 miles sold at auction for $25,250 earlier this year. 

Jaguar XK (X150)

You could buy an older Aston Martin. Or you could buy the more reliable X150-generation Jaguar XK, a similarly pretty luxury grand tourer penned by the same fellow, Ian Callum. 

Before its facelift, the XK produced 300 horsepower from its naturally aspirated 4.2L V8. However, both the pre-facelift and post-facelift Jags offered supercharged variants in the XKR.

So, how much do you have to pay for a James Bond-esque GT car? The average sale price is around $25,355 for all of the XK’s variants across 10 model years, stretching from 2006 to 2015. However, savvy, patient shoppers can find XKs for well under $15,000 nationwide. 

Maserati GranTurismo (M145)

High-revving V8s, rakish, coupe looks, and a badge positively dripping with motorsport heritage. That’s the formula of the M145-generation Maserati GranTurismo. 

As for the cost of entry, the average sale price sits at about $32,477, per Classic.com. A 2008 Maserati GranTurismo with 65,130 miles on the clock sold at auction earlier this year for just $12,100. And if you have any sort of budget, that could leave plenty for the inevitable maintenance expenses. 

Bentley Continental GT

Big, bold, and posh, the Bentley Continental GT is a quintessential luxury GT car. However, even with the Bentley badge adorning an almost priapic hood, a first-generation Continental GT is surprisingly affordable.

While the average price of a new car in the US is dangerously close to $50,000, you can get a first-gen Continental GT for well under $40,000. Don’t believe me? A 2006 model with 44,214 miles sold for $27,591 a few months ago in Haslet, Texas. 

Fisker Karma

Have you ever seen a striking sedan with a fascia that almost resembles a well-kempt mustache? You might have been looking at the Fisker Karma, a fuel-sipping hybrid luxury car with world-class looks and a GM-sourced turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

In its heyday, the Karma was a favorite of Hollywood’s environmentally-minded elite. Today, you can get one for an average of just $22,330. Happy days, indeed. 

Mercedes-Benz SL

Let’s start with the Mercedes-Benz SL500 from the R230 generation. An electric folding hardtop, a V8 up front, and aesthetics that still stand out nearly 20 years after it went out of production. SL500s from this generation often sell for under $15,000, even with low mileage. Want more? The R230 SL55 AMG produced a volcanic 493 horsepower and can be had for not much more.

Then there’s the classic R107 model. Produced from 1971 to 1989, most of the American-market R107s pack V8s and put off serious old-money vibes. Want one? A savvy car buyer can pick one up for $15,000 or less, depending on factors like mileage, condition, and engine option. 

BMW Z4 (E89)

The E89 BMW Z4 lived in the shadow of the Porsche Boxster when it hit the US market in 2009. Today, its looks and affordability establish it as a luxury roadster that looks pricey without breaking the bank.

For instance, a low-mileage 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35i, with a twin-turbocharged N54 inline-six pumping out 300 horsepower, sold for $18,750 in May of this year. 

Porsche Cayenne (958)

So, it’s not a luxury car. Still, the Porsche Cayenne 958 is a relatively affordable luxury SUV that looks the part. The 958 model ditched the 996-style lamps (and about 500 lbs) in favor of a more grown-up fascia that holds up, even today.

The interior also got a dose of refinement, ditching the dated look and layout of the 955 and 957 models. Even with the refreshed looks, higher power, and lighter weight than previous models, the average sales price of a base 958.1 Cayenne is around $27,395. And a higher-mileage Cayenne Turbo S from the same generation, despite its 542-horsepower twin-turbo V8, sold for less than $30,000 last month. 

Range Rover (L322)

The Range Rover L322 lives at the intersection of utility and luxury, without giving up its appearance of landed gentry wealth. The L322 ran from 2003 to 2012, with a short-lived facelift in 2010. V8s were available throughout the L322’s run, including a 501-horsepower supercharged 5.0L V8 by the end of its tenure.

However, a supercharged mill and classic British elegance don’t necessarily mean an insurmountable price tag. Range Rover L322s sell for an average of $18,337, with some low-mileage examples selling at auction for under $15,000. 

1. Cadillac ATS-V
2. Jaguar XK (X150)
3. Maserati GranTurismo
4. Bentley Continental GT
5. Fisker Karma
6. Mercedes-Benz SL
7. BMW Z4 (E89)
8. Porsche Cayenne (958)
9. Range Rover (L322)