A real luxurious car is something that’s been made to be exactly that – and nothing else. Not a tarted-up 4×4 or MPV peoples Carrier. Not a smartened-up Supermini or Family Hatchback. Not even a Compact Executive or Executive Car. You are able to purchase luxurious versions of all of these of course – but that isn’t the primary role those cars were originally developed to fulfill.
A true large Luxury Car is different. Regardless of whether it is a Rolls Royce or a Daimler, a BMW 7 Series or a Mercedes S-class, an Audi A8 or possibly a Jaguar XJ8, you will discover no compromises on expense or function, equipment or design excellence. You are purchasing the extremely very best. That is why most makers roll out their finest ideas on these cars prior to filtering them down to lesser models. Not a low-priced approach of training course – which is why the spectre of depreciation hits harder here than in any other sector of the marketplace.
Luxury Cars – with quite a few notable exceptions – don’t hold up properly on the utilized current market, usually with beneficial reason. They’re typically laden with electrical gadgets which are expensive to put proper and annoying when they really do not work. They also, of course, expense additional to service, insure and fuel up. A quantity could have carried out a high-mileage and still others will have been poorly looked immediately after as owners sought to avoid the great bills charged by the franchised dealers who must definitely have looked right after them.
If that paints a rather gloomy picture, then really do not be too discouraged. If you are vigilant, you can of program pick up a bargain. Indeed, so well-built are these cars that buying a late low-mileage example from 1 with the approved franchise utilized car schemes usually makes far more sense than buying new. Through the exact same token, it’s also frequently really safe to purchase a higher mileage older car – as long as you select carefully. Just really do not be seduced by lots of gadgets, luxurious trim and enormous carrying capacity. None of it will seem as attractive when the first servicing bill comes in.
Affordable & Cheerful
There isn’t much street cred in running a genuinely old Luxury Car – unless it is a Seventies/Eighties Rolls Royce or Bentley – or something specialist like a Bristol. You’d be surprised how affordable some of these cars are. Eighties buyers chose between Bentley’s entry-level ‘Eight’ and plusher ‘Mulsanne’ models (‘84-’92), while Rolls Royce customers had the Very first Generation Silver Spirit (‘80-’89) or the Silver Spirit II / Silver Spur II (‘89-’93). Invest in from an independent specialist – someone who knows the car inside and out, can vouch for its history and will look following it for you. Budget for the high-priced workshop rates and parts prices. In other words, go into it with sensible caution and with your eyes open. The result will be a unique ownership experience.
Not something you could attribute to Jaguar’s boxy Fourth Generation XJ6/Sovereign/Daimler range which lasted from 1986-1994 and had continual problems you’ll want to prevent. A better bet is a Second Generation BMW 7 Series (‘86-’94) but Mercedes’ Fourth Generation Mercedes S-class (‘79-’91) is the better-built option. If it is possible to afford something newer, the MK1 Lexus LS400 (‘90-’94) still makes a great employed buy, reliable, fast and cathedral quiet. For those in search of a little a lot more driving brio, Audi’s rare V8 is worth the curiosity value but the early all-aluminum A8s are far additional modern in outlook. Jaguar’s new-shape Fifth Generation XJ6/Sovereign/XJR/Daimler range (‘94-’97) is the very first employed Jag you could reasonably recommend.
Affordable Mid-Rangers
‘Affordable’ is a relative term here of training course, for once you’re into relatively recent examples of cars like these, you are also into serious money. Be naturally suspicious of anything that’s too low-cost – but never be afraid of a bargain either. An early Nineties Fifth Generation Mercedes S-class (‘91-’99) is a great used invest in that will make you feel like a plutocrat every time you take it down to Tescos. Or of course, you could go 1 step further still and go for a Bentley Brooklands (‘92-’97) or possibly a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit III / Silver Spur III (‘93-’96). BMW’s MK3 7 Series (‘94-‘02) doesn’t imbue very the exact same feeling of superiority but it is higher-tech, better equipped and better to drive, comments also applicable to the MK2 Lexus LS400 (‘94-’97).
For something more recent, the Lexus LS430 is nicely worth a look if silent cruising is your thing, but the Sixth generation Mercedes S-class (launched in 1999) set the class standard for really some time. Eventually even this car had to give way to more modern rivals. Audi’s A8, BMW’s Seven Series and Jaguar’s XJ all debuted in 2003 and managed to make the Mercedes look a little old hat, Another car that may properly appeal is Volkswagen’s Phaeton, an attempt by the German manufacturer to stretch its brand values up market. The public have taken some convincing and as a result, applied examples are surprisingly affordable. The W8 models in particular are superb luxury cars.
Desirable But Potentially Pricey
Come equipped with an even a fatter bankroll and the options are quite tempting. Starting at the very top with the marketplace, there’s the Rolls-Royce Phantom limousine that is starting to show up in small numbers in authorized dealers. There’s also the Maybach 57 and 62 models to consider if the Phantom is a little conspicuous. Getting a little more terrestrial, you can’t afford to overlook the latest Mercedes S Class, and the Lexus LS600h hybrid is the perfect way to cock a snook at the congestion charge while enjoying all the trappings of a state of the art luxurious car.
The Audi A8 remains a beautifully finished and discreet luxurious car and it might just be at its best in sporty S8 guise, powered by a 5.2-litre V10 engine that’s not as well dissimilar to the unit in the Lamborghini Gallardo. Really do not discount the aluminum bodied Jaguar’s XJ either. It’s probably the most sparkling drive on the lot.
What To Look For
Really don’t buy anything unless you know its history. Walk away from any car that hasn’t been properly maintained – the potential bills just aren’t worth the risk, even if it seems low-cost. As you might expect, once you get to this level, there aren’t any affordable parts or cheap service rates so get things correct at the outset. If you’re not obtaining from a franchised dealer (and sometimes even if you are), it’s vital to get an independent AA or RAC check carried out. This is almost certain to turn up something that will give you a bargaining chip with the seller. Here especially, you need to watch out for ‘clocked’ examples. Shiny steering wheels/gear knobs and sagging seats on ‘low mileage’ models can give the game away. If in doubt on any of this, go somewhere else.
As with Executive models, the fact that most of these cars will be ex-company-owned, is a great thing if, as in most cases, that has meant motorway miles and regular servicing. You’ll find plenty of nicely looked-after privately owned cars of course – but their owners may be even a lot more unrealistic in terms of their asking prices, especially if it is something prestigious.
Outside, look for scuffed or scraped alloy wheels (pricey to sort out) and uneven front tire wear (tires expense a fortune and will wear particularly hard on Audi A8 quattro four-wheel drive models). Stone chips will be common but anything additional will cost you, particularly on painted bumpers. Body panels are particularly expensive: watch out for reverse parking damage caused by inattentive spouses. Any rust suggests accident damage which may have been poorly repaired. The usual family scrapes and stains shouldn’t be so evident inside but if so, walk away.
Older models may have tired power windows, mirrors or sunroofs and even on very recent cars, the air conditioning will probably need reconditioning: if it doesn’t freeze you rigid, then it isn’t working properly. An excessive din on start-up can point to imminent problems and oil leaks are common on older cars. Watch for judder brakes and power steering leaks and beware of smoky high mileage models. And test the automatic gearbox carefully (you’ll find virtually no manual models at this level): problems will price you dearly to put proper.