How Rich Do You Have To Be To Buy These 8 Luxury Cars?

Owning a car takes money, but owning a luxury vehicle takes some serious cash. But exactly how much money does it take to get you behind the steering wheel of a high-end car? The general rule of thumb is that no one should spend more than 10% of their earned income every month on a car payment.

If you buy a car for $100,000, for example, the estimated monthly payment will hover in the range of $2,000 — dependent, of course, on how much you put down and your interest rate. This means you need to be bringing home about $20,000 every month — or close to $240,000 annually — in order to be able to pay for the vehicle without breaking a sweat.

GOBankingRates asked auto experts and financial planners to estimate how rich you have to be to buy some of the most popular luxury cars on the market.

Here’s how they broke it down with eight well-known, top-of-the-line vehicles.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Audi A6 puts it at $55,000. All in all, that’s a sweet deal for a car that seamlessly blends accessibility into luxury. As a base-tier high end sedan, the Audi A6 has technology and comfort to spare.

“For a car like the Audi A6, with an estimated monthly payment of around $1,100, a buyer should ideally have a monthly income of about $11,000 or an annual income of $132,000,” said Adrian Lawrence, director of Exec Capital Ltd.

“This positions the car within reach for upper-middle-class individuals,” added Lawrence.

Usually the creme-de-la-creme cost around $60,000 to buy. Not too shabby, but still not in everyone’s price range.

“Given the 10% guideline for car expenditure, a buyer should ideally be earning around $100,000 annually,” advised Scott Friedson, the multi-state licensed public adjusted CEO of Insurance Claim Recovery Support. “These models, while still luxury, are more geared toward the upper-middle-class demographic.”

“Luxury car ownership is not just about the initial down payment and monthly installments; it comes bundled with high maintenance and insurance costs too,” Friedson said. “Therefore, a cushion above these estimated earnings is recommended.”

Jason Mueller, the marketing manager at A-1 Auto Transport, said that the E-Class of a Benz can typically cost an MSRP of $70,000 because it “symbolizes sophistication.”

“Known for its plush interiors and cutting-edge features, it’s a step up in the luxury market,” Mueller said. “With monthly payments estimated at around $1,400, a prospective owner would need an annual income of about $168,000, ensuring the car payment is a manageable portion of their income.”

“As a high-tier luxury sedan, the 7 Series is renowned for its opulent features and powerful performance,” Mueller said, mentioning as well that most of these BMWs have an MSRP that is close to $90,000.

“For a car in this price range, monthly payments could be around $1,800, suggesting a comfortable annual income should be [around] $216,000 to maintain financial health,” Mueller added.

The Porsche 911 comes with a hefty MSRP of $100,000.

“The Porsche 911 is an iconic sports car offering a blend of performance and luxury,” Mueller said. “With estimated monthly payments of $2,400, it is suitable for individuals earning at least $288,000 annually. This ensures that the expenditure on the vehicle remains within the recommended 10% of monthly income.”

“The Huracan represents the pinnacle of luxury sports cars,” according to Mueller, who remarked that this Lambo can be driven home for a starting MSRP of $200,000

“For a vehicle of this caliber, with monthly payments potentially exceeding $4,000, a buyer should ideally have an annual income of $480,000 or more,” Muller advised. “This income level helps balance enjoying luxury and responsible financial management.”

This vehicle comes with a name associated with luxury in cars, and for that, a price tag of about $300,000 is attached to it.

“With monthly payments estimated at $6,000, a Rolls-Royce Ghost requires a monthly income of about $60,000, or $720,000 annually, catering to the ultra-wealthy segment,” Lawrence said.

“At the far end of the spectrum, we have the Lamborghini Aventador, with a whopping MSRP of $417,826,” said Andy Chang, founder and CEO of The Credit Review.

Chang noted that to stay within the 10% rule “a buyer would need an astronomical monthly income of $51,372, [equivalent] to an annual salary of around $616,464.”

“While these figures are by no means definitive, they offer a glimpse into the kind of financial planning required to own different models of luxury vehicles comfortably and responsibly,” said Chang.