Who is buying these used luxury sedans?

[ASAP]

I feel like luxury cars sit in a class of their own... they are almost weird.

You almost have to buy one newer than 2-3 years old (CPO) or preferably new... A used luxury car isn't really a luxury car anymore... tech is the easiest thing to outdate (something that luxo cars showcase) and gets replaced every few years. Then add the reliability and maintenance issues of $100K cars and it literally becomes a terrible idea across the board. This is even aside from the fact that something cheaper and move advanced comes along... i've been saying this for years. At least with sports cars, you get the driving experience (something that cannot be easily replicated) but with luxo cars you get something that 2-3 years down the road can easily be replicated by a cheaper car.

Oh, any why get a luxury car if at least part of it isn't meant to be a status symbol? More than a few years old, that's gone too lol.

[GenXer]

I think the Germans and the British car companies were overly ambitious when it came to electronics in the past 10-20 years or so. Electronics were not proven in the field and were unreliable. They tried to automate too many functions and turned an otherwise mechanical marvel into junk.

Automotive electronics have gotten a lot more robust and reliable now yet they are still stretching current technology to it's limit. This is why a mid-level luxury cars are so much better to buy used than the flag ship sedans of the same make.

[chassis]

Another feature that can't be found anywhere but in the flagship luxury models (S-Class, 7er, Jag XJ, Audi 8) is a premium interior. Rear seating package with console and wood trimmed trays (MB), Designo (MB) quilted (all) leather, optional carpets, optional wood and headliner are normally only found on the large luxury sedans. This makes them unique vehicles in the used market, again with full service histories and mileage generally under 100k.

Let's not forget space. A long wheelbase full size sedan will always have more interior space than its contemporary mid-size companions.

These premium interiors generally are either not found in the E-Class, 5er, Audi 6 or similar models, or they are lesser vestiges of the flagship interiors.

In summary, the reason to buy a used luxury vehicle: premium interior with unbeatable space, contingent on a full service history and acceptably low mileage.

p.s. It's too bad Jag doesn't offer the Vanden Plas or Daimler variant, at least not in the soon-to-be-post-pandemic world we presently find ourselves. The nearest thing I see is the "Portfolio" model, which is nothing like the VdP or DD6 models of the 1980s and 1990s.

[six75LT]

30k millionaires

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by GenXer

Take for an instance a 7 series BMW or an S class Mercedes-Benz, perhaps a Jaquar XJ or Porsche Panamera with 90K miles and 7 years old.

Who is buying them? $100K+ when new and now only about the same price of a Honda Civic.

They look great and have oodles of charm and the latest and greatest technology of 7 years ago. But, they are plagued with myriad of electronic gremlins, enormous repair bills, expensive maintenance schedule and could easily be beaten by a modern Hyundai. They're not collector vehicles, they will not go up in value and will end up being crushed at a junk yard.

But here they are sitting in used car lots waiting to lure unsuspecting customers with easy financing terms and dreams of luxury car ownership.

Surely they don't make good first car for Jr. for going back and forth to school. They're not reliable enough for grandma going to church on Sundays.
A wealthy person already has one in his 6 car garage. But he's now bragging about his new Tesla of how fast and efficient it is to his friends.

Who is buying them? Where do old luxury sedans go?

I have a golfing buddy who buys his Merc S series cars as CPO. He has a good relationship with the sales person at the dealership and gets one that is one or two years old with small mileage.

As others have noted here, ability to pay doesn't mean one automatically buys the most expensive, new car. My friend also has a 911 and several houses but he doesn't see the need to needlessly pay for the depreciation.

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

I have a golfing buddy who buys his Merc S series cars as CPO. He has a good relationship with the sales person at the dealership and gets one that is one or two years old with small mileage.

As others have noted here, ability to pay doesn't mean one automatically buys the most expensive, new car. My friend also has a 911 and several houses but he doesn't see the need to needlessly pay for the depreciation.

I happen to think a CPO car with low mileage is a good idea. It's financially sound too but my question is more towards flagship high mileage cars with no certification and no warranty with questionable reliability. These cars are only worth 10% of their original value for a reason.

[stein_325i]

Speak of the devil...

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

Speak of the devil...

You bastard, now I want a Rapeeed.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by GenXer

You bastard, now I want a Rapeeed.

So do I, I always forget they exist! I love the looks and the V12

[GenXer]

I think the Rapide is more of an enthusiast's car than the 7 series or the S class or even the Panamera. Just too bad Ford Fusion stole that front grille.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by GenXer

I think the Rapide is more of an enthusiast's car than the 7 series or the S class or even the Panamera. Just too bad Ford Fusion stole that front grille.

But BMW got even by stealing Ford's Edsel grill.

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

But BMW got even by stealing Ford's Edsel grill.

[R N M]

Would love to buy 2011/2012 Aston Martin DBS or a V12 Vantage S manual.
V12 engine and amazing design on both for $50-80k. I think there is not much left for them to depreciate but maintenance/reliability is scary.

[Rcase]

I am surprised no mention of Alpina B7's in here. Those are an absolute bargain if you do your own wrenching.

[Humdizzle]

most go to shady used car dealers. they'll bend someone over on a 10% (or worse) interest loan.

sometimes an enthusiast will pick it up and keep it for himself (nostalgia reasons) and keep it clean. or just build it up and flip it to another enthusiast who doesn't want to restore the car themselves

[dreamingat30fps]

I dunno but I have noticed once you go beyond low mile CPO BMWs they tend to go downhill fast. Either BMW owners treat their cars like total crap or a lot of these cars have a lot more miles than they claim. For some reason I have specifically noticed this with BMW more than others.

[W///]

I personally grew up during an era where luxury SUV did not exist. So to me, cars like the 7er, S class and Lexus LS were cars I viewed as "you made it".

I love how cheap they can be had and have been temped a few times, but I just cannot get myself to do it. I'm mostly worried about the electronics. I cannot justify having a car that needs more repairs than my M's.

Kind of why I ended up with a Tundra Platinum. Luxurious enough, reliable and practical. I do think an F01 with Msport and 6 cylinder would be neat.