5 Used Luxury Cars That Are a Good Investment for the Middle Class

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Buying a new car these days, especially a luxury car, even if you can “afford” it, seems crazy. You’ll likely lose thousands of dollars as soon as you drive it off the lot. In this wildly fluctuating economy, that’s not a great purchase, much less an investment. But you can buy those same luxury cars, just a few years older and still get your money’s worth. Plus, if and when you decide to resell, you can still make a pretty penny. Here are the five used luxury cars that are a good investment for the middle class. 

In contrast, here are used luxury cars that are a bad investment.

2023 Audi A6

While the 2023 Audi A6 might not look like much, that is part of its appeal for many luxury car lovers. It’s understated, simple, clean and sleek. It’s unassuming. The A6 is a midsize sedan with a turbocharged V-6 engine that will get you 32 mpg on the highway. 

This is better than most luxury cars of the same caliber. You’ll also get a superior Bang and Olufsen stereo system if you opt for the mid-range Premium Plus 55 trim level. This luxury sedan also comes packed with tech, has a five-star safety rating and so much more. 

According to the maker’s website, the top model sold for $71,595 brand new and today you can find that same trim used for as low as $47,000. You’ll save a ton of money and the price is not likely to drop much farther from there, so the car will retain its value well.

2022 BMW 5 Series 

If you’re looking for a luxury car with more giddyup, BMWs are always a crowd pleaser. Add to this the fact that you can choose from among four power trains, ranging from a turbo four-cylinder to a twin-turbo V-8 and even a hybrid and you’ve got options. 

It’s a beautiful car on the outside and on the inside, you’ll get massaging seats, plenty of space for rear passengers and a ton of tech. You’ll get 32 mpg on the highway, a central control system that will respond to your voice. 

According to the maker’s website, the original MSRP on the top model of the 5 series was $77,795. You can buy the same model used for $52,000. That’s a great deal.

2023 Genesis G80

For a luxury car that’s still growing its cachet, check out the 2023 Genesis G80. You’ll find a distinctly styled vehicle with a high-quality cabin and an impressive number of features that come with the standard model. Everything from a large touchscreen infotainment center to a panoramic sunroof makes this car scream sumptuousness. 

You can choose from a turbocharged four-cylinder or a V-6 that jumps out of the gate, from zero to 60 in 4.9 seconds. The cabin of this midsize sedan offers tons of headroom and legroom and it feels spacious for everyone inside. The Genesis G80 is a strong rival for the Audi A6 and it comes at a much lower price. 

Yes, the original MSRP for the lowest model, which still comes with tons of bells and whistles, was $51,125 and you can buy that same model today for under $30,000, according to the maker’s website.

2022 Lexus IS

For Lexus lovers, there’s nothing like a Lexus and the 2022 Lexus IS proves this point perfectly. It’s athletic, comfortable, safe and refined. For a compact sedan, this luxury vehicle offers stiff competition to its rivals. Buyers can choose from 4, 6 or 8-cylinders in the engine, with the latter two being quite aggressive, even if the handling is not as sharp as that of the competition. The back seats are tight, but the front seats fit like a glove. 

So, don’t get this car if you plan to have more than one passenger regularly. You can get 31 mpg on the highway with your sunroof open and sleek leather upholstery for a trip down the coast. 

The original MSRP on this vehicle topped out at $68,550 and you can buy the top-of-the-line used model today for around $38,000, according to the maker’s website. Not a bad deal for a three-year-old sports car.

2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Another compact sedan to watch for is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Of course, we couldn’t leave without looking at the Mercedes. It’s the luxury car of luxury cars. It is, still today, one of the best you can buy.

 The C-Class offers a premium feel, excellent technology and a classy design. It’s comfortable and sporty and it’s the perfect mix of sporty and smooth. The drive is quiet and you can get an upgraded audio system plus ambient lighting, so you can truly live in your own world while racing the roads. You’ll also get 33 mpg from this four-cylinder engine while out on the highway. 

The original MSRP on the C-Class was $55,750, with plenty of add-ons as options. Today, you can buy the top-of-the-line model used for as little as $25,000, according to the maker’s website. 

In the end, these luxury vehicles have lost whatever value they were going to lose when they stopped being “brand new.” You can get a great deal on a middle-class income for one of these and save tens of thousands of dollars. As a bonus, if you do decide to resell, you won’t lose much, if any, money and you will have enjoyed one of these cars for everything they’re worth.

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