13 Affordable Cars That Can Make Anybody Look Rich
Financial freedom is highly desirable, but not everyone will be wealthy. However, there are ways to appear richer and more successful than you really are.
In the automotive world, buying a used luxury car is one way to fake it until you make it. We should warn you that these cars may be affordable to purchase, but maintenance and repair costs may be exorbitant.
986 Porsche Boxster

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Porsche launched the original Boxster in 1996, and it’s credited with saving the company from bankruptcy. With a mid-engine configuration, it offers excellent driving dynamics, so point it toward your favorite road and enjoy life.
Until recently, Boxsters were incredibly cheap and have always been jokingly called a “poor man’s Porsche.” However, now that prices are rising, you can say it’s an investment, and even Porsche enthusiasts, such as Magnus Walker, will nod their heads in agreement. It’s still possible to buy one for around the $10,000 mark.
3rd-Gen Land Rover Range Rover

The third generation of the Range Rover was sold between 2002 and 2012, and it still looks good today. Higher-end models have all the luxuries and amenities available at the time, and there are even some powerful engine options, including a supercharged V8.
Perhaps the best part about buying a Range Rover is that you can get one for just a couple of thousand dollars. That being said, Range Rovers tend to suffer from major reliability issues, so they can be expensive to own unless you know how to fix them.
Jaguar XJ

Both the third and fourth generations of the Jaguar XJ are relatively affordable. Again, maintenance costs and reliability issues need to be considered.
These are some of the coolest-looking British sedans money can buy, and the top trim level, the XJR, packs a serious punch thanks to a supercharged V8 engine. This could be the car for you if you want to stand out from the BMW and Mercedes-driving crowd.
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

That’s right, you can drive a proper Rolls-Royce for under $10,000! Car enthusiasts love classic cars, so you can even claim to be a connoisseur. For added effect, ask a friend to wear a suit and chauffeur you around to your meetings.
We don’t even dare to think about the maintenance costs here, but we’re pretty sure it won’t be cheap, so make sure to budget for that, too.
Bentley Continental GT

We promise this will be the last British luxury car on this list. Early Bentley Continental GTs are now available for under $20,000, which isn’t dirt cheap, but it’s way less than what people think it costs.
It has a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine with 555hp and 479 lb-ft of torque sent to all four wheels. Zero to 60 mph is done in 4.8 seconds, and its top speed is 198 mph — impressive for a car that weighs over 5,000 lbs. Fuel costs probably won’t be cheap, though.
5th-Gen BMW 750i

Mercedes-Benz focused more on luxury than BMW, who took a sportier approach to luxury sedans. However, with the fifth-gen 7-Series, BMW was right on M-B’s tail in terms of luxury without losing the sportiness that made it popular to begin with.
If you’re in the market for a large, sporty, luxury sedan, the BMW 750i is an excellent alternative. With a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 churning out 444hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, it’s certainly not lacking power. High-mileage cars are available around the $5,000 mark, which isn’t bad for a car that cost over $80,000 new.
W221 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Few mass-produced cars can match the luxury of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. There’s a reason it’s commonly the car of choice for VIPs, CEOs, and politicians around the world.
A high-miler, which blends comfort, luxury, and performance in one attractive package, can be bought for roughly $5,000. Granted, with a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 producing 380hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, it’s not as powerful as the Bimmer mentioned above.
2nd-Gen Audi A8

Those who want a luxurious German sedan but aren’t too keen on the BMW 7-Series or Mercedes S-Class, should check out the second-gen Audi A8. It’s the car Jason Statham’s character, Frank Martin, drove in the second and third installments of the Transporter movie franchise, and it doesn’t get more macho than that.
While it came with W12 and V10 engines, the 4.2-liter V8 version is the most affordable to purchase and maintain. With 340hp, it packs a decent punch, too. Did we mention you can own one for as little as $5,000?!
Maserati Quattroporte

If mechanical problems and electrical gremlins don’t faze you, we can’t think of a cooler luxury sedan than the Maserati Quattroporte.
It has a Ferrari-derived 4.7-liter V8 engine, an F1-style automated manual transmission, and a stylish interior. Low-mileage cars in good condition can be bought for as little as $10,000, and the engine’s glorious noise alone is worth that price. Just keep a few grand stashed away for maintenance.
4th-Gen Lexus LS 460

Lexus is renowned for its build quality and reliability, which is more than can be said for European luxury cars these days. Add some fancy tech and plenty of creature comforts, and you see why the Lexus LS is the perfect choice if you want luxury on a shoestring budget.
Its 4.6-liter V8 engine produces a very respectable 380hp, which is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. High-mileage cars cost as little as $5,000, and cars with under 100k on the odometer are still less than $10,000.
Chrysler 300

The Chrysler 300 of the early 2000s uses a mix of Chrysler’s LX platform and Mercedes-Benz E- and S-Class components. Engines range from V6s to a 6.1-liter Hemi V8; even the most powerful versions are affordable.
Lesser models are dirt cheap, and while the 300 is not the most luxurious sedan out there, it still looks sinister and, with just a few mods, can be made to look like something that costs tens of thousands of dollars.
W212 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz launched the fourth-gen E-Class in 2009 and sold it until 2016. It was hugely popular, thanks to a stylish exterior, luxurious interior, and a 3.5-liter V6 producing north of 300hp. That’s great news because it means there are plenty of cars to choose from.
It’s possible to find a 2012 model with 80k miles for under $9,000, which makes it a bargain. This generation of E-Class still looks modern, and most people would never guess that it first arrived more than 15 years ago.
F10 BMW 5-Series

BMW’s 5-Series is now in its eighth generation, and buying a new one would cost you a pretty penny. The sixth-gen 5-Series is a much better option for your wallet, as you can find nice ones from $5,000 to $10,000.
In true BMW fashion, the 5-Series is fun to drive, no matter which engine you opt for. While it’s now 15 years old, it doesn’t look outdated, and with some polish and a decent set of rims, it will still draw plenty of attention.