There are some cars we dream about driving, maybe even owning, when we’re young…very young. We daydream about the big V8, the rare V10, or the always elusive V12, and we get lost in the thoughts about the high-end luxury features and status-emitting exteriors attached to certain car brands. By the time we hit the working world, we recognize that owning one of these ultra-luxurious cars from recognized brands like Aston Martin, Porsche, Jaguar, or Maserati is all but a pipe dream. Well, technically, they don’t have to be relegated to pipe dreams.
In fact, if you are in the market for a replacement vehicle or shopping for something affordable and thinking to yourself, “The only used vehicles for sale near me that I can afford are economy-class junkers,” banish that thought. The good news is that you don’t have to settle for the lemon that the enthusiasts of your favorite brand have been warning you away from, nor do you have to dread lowering your standards for something horribly generic because that’s the only thing you thought was viable for your budget. The reality is that if you have around $50,000 to spend, even with a car loan, you can actually find yourself behind the wheel of an ultra-luxury car that you thought was only possible to own in your dreams. Well, my friend…your dreams are about to become a reality because here is a list of the top 10 used luxury cars you might want to keep in mind when shopping for a used car.
10. Porsche Macan GTS
“A Porsche Macan…and a GTS at that? No way!” you’re probably saying to yourself. But the answer is, “Yes, way.” You can find a used Porsche Macan GTS for well under $50,000. This five-door compact SUV introduced the GTS in 2016, and it offers not only a lot of great performance features but interior features such as leather seating, high-quality material, and a comfort-rich interior. The Porsche Macan GTS is a top-of-the-line trim for the Macan, combining a lot of luxury with the performance expectations of the Porsche brand. You can reasonably expect to find some great used Macan GTSs from the 2021 model year or older for well under $50,000.
9. Fisker Karma Eco-Sport
The Fisker Karma Eco-Sport was a short-lived model that was produced between 2011 and 2012 and was basically a luxury sports car that looked like it rolled in from the future. The luxury car was an alternative fuel vehicle. The Fisker Karma Eco-Sport sported an inline turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 20.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, so you’ll have a lot of range and decent power to boot. But the real appeal of the Fisker Karma has been its awesome four-door, multi-seat configuration with an equally awesome two-tone interior design. It’s a very futuristic-looking luxury hybrid car and best of all, you can find some of these models floating around on the used market for well under $50,000, which is a steal for a vehicle like this.
8. Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan
There is no way there can be a list of ultra-luxury sedans without talking about Mercedes-Benz. Now, unlike many other cars on this list, there are a lot of opportunities for different kinds of drivers to get their hands on a Mercedes-Benz because many of the different classes accommodate those looking for something luxury-oriented but still affordable. However, the S-Class of the Mercedes-Benz is far less accessible than the other CLA and C-Class iterations of the brand. Yet there are ways to get your hands on a sixth-generation S-Class sedan for less than a third of what it usually goes for. The sixth-generation S-Class comes packed with a fully featured infotainment suite, leather interior, and plenty of space throughout the five-seater cabin.
7. Ferrari Mondial
It’s more sports-oriented than luxury, but the Ferrari Mondial is still part of the illustrious Ferrari brand and one of the last series of models produced while Enzo Ferrari was still alive. The Ferrari Mondial is a small two-door, four-seater. It’s not quite an outrageously futuristic luxury sports car like the Fisker Karma. Still, it sure is a cool-looking car that combines some of the elements of the Testarossa and Vetroresina, but even better yet is that it’s available as a convertible! The mid-engine Mondial sports available leather interior, carpeted floors, and a vinyl dashboard. Being able to buy a Ferrari for anything less than $100,000 is an impressive feat, but with some diligent searching, you can absolutely find some, used and available for less than half the price of a new Ferrari.
6. Maserati Ghibli III
The Maserati Ghibli III is the third generation of the Ghibli model of the Maserati. The third-gen Ghibli made its debut in 2013, rocking an undeniably sleek design with quality oozing from every inch of the surface. The idea of owning one of these is a big swing for the average person—mainly because getting your hands on the Maserati Ghibli III is not easy—but if you can, then you’re treated to a four-door design with five seats and an intricate interior with high-class materials and unique color schemes. The Maserati Ghibli III can be found across used marketplaces for surprisingly affordable prices if you shop smart.
5. BMW i8 Coupe
BMW has always been considered a great go-to brand for luxury. Different levels of BMW offer different levels of luxury, and while the whole electric phase of some companies has resulted in pushback from shoppers, there is an attractive appeal to the i-Series of hybrid electric vehicles from the German brand. The i8 Coupe debuted in the 2014 model year, featuring a vertical raising two-door design with four seats and a highly alluring interior. Two-tone colors, high-quality material, heated and ventilated seats, and a robust infotainment system help add to the appeal of this very sleek-looking luxury sports coupe. You can also obviously see some similarities in the external design with other top-tier supercars like Bugatti, and the price is no joke for a hybrid. However, there are some used iterations floating around that are just at the $50,000 mark if you’re willing to do a bit of searching.
4. Jaguar XJL Portfolio
Jaguar has always commanded attention on the market with great style, amazing exterior lines, and an obviously well-put-together interior cabin space. The Jaguar XJL Portfolio is one such luxury iteration of the popular brand, a nice departure from the sports-infused models that helped put the automaker on the map. The fourth generation XJL Portfolio features either a V6 engine or a supercharged V8 and provides you with a cool, high-tech interior, roomy seats, quad-climate control, and a self-leveling suspension. It’s pretty much everything you would expect from an ultra-luxurious sedan segment of a series of cars that have been used to drive around the royals and the British Prime Minister during its production run. If it’s good enough for royalty, it’s good enough for you and available from some used outlets for less than $50,000 if you shop smart.
3. Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe
Maybe you’ve always wanted to let out your inner James Bond. Well, there is no better car for the job than the Aston Martin. It is the iconic car for Bond, and owning one is one of those rare opportunities few get, especially if you aren’t already a millionaire. But there is an opportunity to get your hands on this iconic car with its third-generation V8 Vantage Coupe, featuring a highly sports-centric interior, a powerful V8 powertrain, and a tightly tuned suspension. Full grain leather interior, a Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound system, and a full voice-activated Bluetooth infotainment system give you that high-class James Bond vibe. The best part about it? There are a few used models available for less than $50,000.
2. Bentley Continental Flying Spur
Few brands elicit envy from onlookers like Bentley, and owning one of these is pretty much the epitome of luxury. You can show the world that you’re rolling with the big boys if you own one of these bad boys…even if you don’t actually plop down a quarter of a million dollars to own one. The third-generation Bentley Continental Flying Spur is the one you’ll likely want to fish out as a used model because it’s the one that you’re most likely to find for under $50,000. That’s pretty much a steal for a vehicle like this. With the four-door Coupe, you get high-quality leather seats, wood trimming, and an intricately crafted steering wheel to help round out an overtly lavish cabin. There are few better ways to indulge in the automotive lifestyle of ultra-luxury than with a Bentley.
1. Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Silver Spur
Rolls-Royce is commonly considered to be the top of the line in luxury vehicles. The name alone sounds like it’s too rich for most of our blood. However, with a little bit of searching, you can sometimes find the Phantom VI generation of the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur available for under $50,000. This is the ultra-posh, ultra-regal Rolls-Royce we’re talking about, with a mammoth chrome grille, spacious interior, and a big 6.2-liter V8. I don’t know how much use you would have for a vehicle like this as a daily driver, but it sure would be a serious “holy cow” moment for your buddies if you showed up in one the next time you met up at a tailgating party.
