10 Luxurious, High-Priced Cars That Become Smart Buys Later

Luxury and performance have always been expensive in the car world, but in 2026, it’s worse than ever. Even dropping $50,000 barely gets you a 400-horsepower sports car, like the 2026 Nissan Z. And forget about high-end luxury and performance combined at this price point. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy posh interiors and high-end performance without closing your 401(k) account.

The thing about luxury cars, the ones that cost over $70,000 to $80,000, is that many of them depreciate faster than they can accelerate. What used to cost an arm and a leg now only costs a finger or two. Models like the BMW 7 Series or Porsche Cayenne can be had for a bargain in the used market. And you don’t even need to go back a decade for them. Here are the shockingly expensive cars from the past decade that have turned into smart used buys.

Models are listed in ascending order based on average used price, from the lowest price to the highest price.

2017 Jaguar F-Pace

Average Used Price: $10,905

Few cars depreciate quite like the 2017 Jaguar F-Pace. When new, this sporty SUV would set you back by as much as $71,000 in its highest trim, but today, you can grab a used one for as low as $10,000. So, is it still worth it? J.D. Power rates it at 68 out of 100 for reliability, and CarEdge puts the maintenance cost at $17,318 for the first ten years. If you can live with that cost, what you’re getting is basically a steal deal that will take you to the mechanic a few more times than usual.

Despite the questionable reliability, the F-Pace promises to be a genuinely good compact luxury SUV. It’s the right kind of sporty and stylish thing that most of its rivals can’t match, except perhaps the Porsche Macan. It boasts a spacious cabin and cargo space, too. Consider the 380-horsepower supercharged V6 engine option, as the diesel’s refinement is often criticized by owners. It promises a lot of practicality and fun, but only if you have the stomach and wallet for it.

2017 Cadillac CT6

Average Used Price: $17,533

The 2017 Cadillac CT6 costs as much as $89,000 when new, but today, it can be had for under $18,000. The reason behind this depreciation is the market shift to SUVs and Cadillac’s weak brand perception, which has made the CT6 a used bargain today. With a J.D. Power average reliability rating of 79 out of 100, it’s a decent option if you’re looking for American metal in the form of a luxury sedan.

The Cadillac CT6 was the brand’s largest and most tech-savvy flagship sedan, but it failed to impress the crowd with its slightly smaller and less lavish design compared to German rivals. Still, the media at the time praised it for its outstanding handling and plenty of features. It was offered with four- and six-cylinder engines, which were adequately powerful. The CT6 is for those looking for a stylish, unique sedan that won’t break the bank with maintenance.

2017 Audi A7

Average Used Price: $18,505

The 2017 Audi A7 is another bargain in the used market, costing as little as $17,000, which is a steal compared to its original retail price of $70,000. And unlike many other high-end cars here with flaky reliability, the A7 actually promises a very reliable ownership experience. J.D. Power reports a “Great” reliability rating of 85 out of 100, and RepairPal reports an annual repair cost of $1,283. While maintenance will be as good as any Audi sedan, the A7 can be a reliable used sedan option in 2026.

So, what do you get for ~$18,000 here? The Audi A7 is a stunningly capable four-door luxury fastback sedan. Underneath its timeless design, it hides a laundry list of features, a unique hatchback body with abundant cargo space, and a supercharged V6 engine. Mated to Quattro AWD, you can expect 333 to 340 horsepower, depending on the trim. Even today, the 2017 A7 remains relevant in terms of its performance and packaging, and it has a design that’s likely to age well over the years.

2017 Porsche Cayenne

Average Used Price: $18,611

The 2017 Porsche Cayenne is the poster child for depreciation, going from $60,000 to $160,000 when new to costing under $20,000 today. It boasts a high reliability rating of 80 out of 100 by J.D. Power; don’t be surprised, Porsche actually ranks high among German manufacturers in this regard. Still, the Cayenne is an expensive car to maintain, with RepairPal estimating an annual repair cost of $1,131. That’s Porsche tax for you.

If you can afford that cost, the Cayenne is a bargain that offers a high-performance luxury SUV experience unlike any other. It is powered by powerful engine options, with power output ranging from 300 horsepower on the base 3.6-liter V6 to 570 horsepower on the 4.8-liter twin-turbo V-8. The Porsche Cayenne is also renowned for its sublime ride quality and classy interior, making it perfect for those who’d rather drive a sports car.

2018 BMW 7 Series

Average Used Price: $21,262

The 2018 BMW 7 Series laughs in the face of those who paid full price for it, because it has lost much of its value today. What once cost as much as $157,000 now can be had for just over $21,000! Is it worth it? Kelley Blue Book reports a strong consumer reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, which is decent. According to RepairPal, you can expect to pay $886 per year, with a 21.6 percent chance of a severe repair. Being a flagship BMW sedan, expect high repair and maintenance bills.

If you’re looking for a new luxury sedan without paying the sticker price for it, the 7 Series is hard to beat. It offers a handsome package, complete with a spacious interior and an array of infotainment features. It has all the usual luxury features you’d expect, including optional semi-autonomous active safety gear. With engine options ranging from a 3.0-liter straight-six to a 6.6-liter V12, the 7 Series has something for both drivers and those who like to be driven around.

2016 Jaguar XJR

Average Used Price: $25,769

Back when it was new, the 2016 Jaguar XJR used to cost a whopping $118,000, but after almost a decade, it has depreciated down to just $25,000. Like the F-Pace, don’t expect high reliability from this car, though. RepairPal reports an annual repair cost of $953 for the base Jaguar XJ, and since the XJR is the performance trim, expect the repair costs to be much higher. Still, the XJR can be a great car if you’re okay with its high running costs and sometimes flaky reliability.

The Jaguar XJR offers something that’s simply hard to find at this price in the used market. It is powered by a supercharged aluminum block V8 engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic with manual shifting mode. With 550 horsepower on tap, it can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds and tops out at 155 miles per hour. It wraps this in a stately design, flush with all things that made the base XJ so appealing.

2016 Maserati GranTurismo

Average Used Price: $33,931

Maserati cars are known for their style and performance, but not for holding their resale value. That’s the reason why this sleek sports coupe, the 2016 Maserati GranTurismo, has gone from $134,000 to $34,000 today, saving you a solid hundred thousand dollars! Kelley Blue Book reports a customer reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, but don’t be fooled by it. The GranTurismo is an expensive car to maintain, given that it shares its engine with the Ferrari 458.

Look past the reliability, and you’ll see a beautiful Italian car, offered in a 2+2 sports coupe and convertible body styles. Designed to take on the Jaguar XK and Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, the GranTurismo was then considered the brand’s halo car. It features a 454-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 engine that’s shared with the Ferrari 458, but with a milder state of tune. It also gets the ZF Sachs Skyhook damping system and a top speed of 185 miles per hour.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV

Average Used Price: $34,863

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is the classic example of how quickly even good electric cars lose their value. That’s because of its high initial price, tough EV competition, and polarizing design. Fortunately, you get to benefit from it today, as this three-year-old car has lost 50 percent of its value. According to CarEdge, the EQE SUV should cost you $15,750 over the next ten years in repair and maintenance, which is above average for an electric SUV.

For starters, that cabin is supremely well put together, free of rattles and hyper quiet at high speed.

– William Clavey for TopSpeed

Live with the EQE SUV, and you’ll see what makes it such a good electric SUV. Unlike its rivals clad in rugged design cues, the EQE SUV takes a more aerodynamic approach for better range. As a result, it can go up to 279 miles per charge. In terms of power, the EQE produces 228 horsepower, and the EQE 500 offers 402 horsepower. The EQE will also wow you with its feature list, including multiple digital screens, available biometric driver authentication, and rear-wheel steering.

2017 Porsche Panamera

Average Used Price: $38,533

The 2017 Porsche Panamera has lost more than half of its value today, going from $85,000 to $38,000 in the used market. That’s a Porsche experience for the price of a Honda Civic! While J.D. Power does not rate the 2017 model, the 2018 model has a high reliability rating of 81 out of 100, so you can expect fewer headaches down the line. Just don’t make the mistake of expecting low maintenance and repair bills.

That steep maintenance cost is worth it if you’re sold on the idea of what the Panamera offers. The 2017 model was the start of the car’s second generation, and it refined the practical take on the brand’s pedigree. With four seats, a spacious trunk, Porsche’s handling characteristics, and up to 440 horsepower, it has everything you’d need from your performance-plus-family sedan.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan

Average Used Price: $40,900

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan, like the EQE SUV, has lost more than half of its value within just two years. Still, it offers a decent EV sedan package if you want the full S-Class experience on the cheap, relatively speaking. With a J.D. Power reliability rating of 74 out of 100 and CarEdge’s maintenance estimates of $7,559 in the first ten years, the EQS Sedan can be a great value today.

The quietness, the agility of electric 4MATIC and rear-wheel steering, and the breathtaking acceleration all culminate into a driving experience that is crazy good. And there’s 340 miles of range here with a smart approach to charging that makes that sometimes complicated process much simpler.

– Steven Hammes for TopSpeed

At the time of its launch, it was the most technologically advanced luxury sedan, as Mercedes-Benz wanted it to be the EV equivalent of the S-Class. It is flush with high-end features, including the Hyperscreen, driver profiles, headrest pillows, and massage functions. Although it is often criticized for its unremarkable handling. If you can live with that, the EQS Sedan’s posh interior is everything you’d ever want from your luxury EV sedan, even in 2026.

Source: Manufacturers, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, RepairPal, CarEdge