It sounds unbelievable, but you can buy a proper Rolls Royce for less than $10,000. That is right. The early ‘80s Rolls Silver Spirit is a super luxury sedan with classic looks, a powerful engine and a bespoke interior.
If you decide to buy this car, it will show that you have class, money and are a member of high society. And, if that is exactly what you want people to believe, that $10,000 was well-spent.
The early 2000s brought the Maserati renaissance with new models and designs, as well as powerful engines. And one of the cars that has survived the test of time is the beautiful Maserati Spyder. When it was new, this convertible was expensive.
But today, it costs less than $20,000. And that is a bargain when you compare it to similar Ferraris. As you can expect, rolling in a drop top Italian sports car will make the impression you want.
Just the name Bentley is something that immediately screams wealth and influence. For current models, you need to shell out over $300,000. But if this is impossible, the next best thing is the ‘90s Turbo R.
For around $20,000 you can get a stately looking luxury sedan with an unmistakable appearance. Also, you will get a decent amount of power and performance thanks to the turbo V8 engine.
The M5 that BMW built from 1998 to 2003 is widely considered one of the best performance sedans of all times. The heart of the car was a glorious S62 4.9-liter V8 engine with 400 HP. And it sent all the power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual, which was the only transmission choice.
A once expensive executive sedan, today, you can find an M5 E39 for around $18,000 in decent shape. That means you can look rich and go fast for Hyundai money.
One of the most stylish roadsters currently on the market is the Fiat 124 Spider. They introduced the original 124 Spider in 1966. Now, 50 years later, Fiat has presented a new version with charming retro-futuristic styling.
They added lots of interesting features and a chassis they borrowed from the Mazda Miata/MX-5. This Fiat gives you the chance to drive a rare, Italian roadster with turbo power and distinctive looks for Miata money. If you are looking to appear rich but can’t afford a Ferrari, this is the only way.
The $25,000 mark is a not a small amount of money, and with it, you can buy a lot of decent new cars. But you can also buy an early 2000s Bentley Arnage. Believe it or not, it’s one of the best-looking super-luxury cars of the early 21st century.
And, it is now in your price range. Of course, you must settle with an example with lots of miles and not a perfect service history. However, you’ll have a Bentley Arnage and look like million bucks.
When they presented the Lotus Elise in 1996, it caught the automotive world by storm. It was such a compact, yet beautiful roadster with a lightweight body and precise handling. And it was unique on the market and influenced many big manufacturers to produce similar models.
Although rare and somewhat expensive when new, you can find them now for around $20,000. This will make the Elise a great car for looking rich since it is a British almost hand-made sports car for a supermarket price.
Are you craving for an imported luxury coupe or convertible, but have a middle-class income? Why not opt for a used Jaguar XK Convertible. They introduced it in 1996 with an MSRP of over $70,000 and there are numerous well-kept examples on the market.
For the price of an average used compact car for around $7,000, you will find yourself driving a luxury coupe with V8 power and a leather interior.
Even though the classic 911s and current models have prices through the roof, you can still find bargains on the used car market that will make you look rich. The shape of the 911 is iconic and makes it recognizable as an upscale car.
And if you show up in a 15-year-old model, you will still look like a well-to-do person. If you are a fan of rear-engine sports cars, you can have an early 2000s 911 for as little as $15,000.
A competitor to the BMW M5 or Mercedes E-Class AMG, the SRT-8 was the performance version of the 300C sedan. Equipped with 6.1-liter V8 Hemi engine pumping out 425 HP and a glorious soundtrack through the twin tailpipes, the SRT-8 was a fast, capable sedan. A 0 to 60 mph sprint took around 4.9 seconds and the top speed was over 170 mph.
With an original price of around $50,000, it was one expensive Chrysler sedan. However, due to depreciation, it is now the price of the used compact car. This means now is the perfect time to buy this muscle sedan.
The Escalade is full-size luxury SUV powered by big V8 and full of all kinds of luxury items and systems. It is big, bold and over-the-top in every way. This approach reflected its base price, which was almost $55,000 in 2005.
Today, a 2005 Cadillac Escalade in decent condition with desirable options goes for less than $6,000 on the used car market. Since nothing tells people you are rich more than showing up in big black Cadillac, this Escalade is the perfect way to achieve your goal.
One of the most interesting super-luxury sedans is the Maserati Quattroporte. This big and prestigious four-door sedan has a powerful engine, an elegant yet sporty design and uncompromised luxury. And, of course, it also has a high price tag.
However, today, you can find a 10 to 15-year-old model for around $20,000, which is a steal. Imagine showing up in a luxury sedan with a name that is hard to pronounce. There isn’t anything more upscale than that.
The smallest Jaguar currently in production is a compact executive sedan they call the XE. It is a handsome car with a modern design, powerful engines and a great performance. It is also the competitor to the Mercedes C Class, Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series.
However, it is affordable with an MSRP of $34,000. This makes it great proposition for wannabe posh wheels by a notable brand at a Toyota price.
These are the 25 affordable cars that will make people think you are rich. Did you pick a favorite among them? If so, you’d better get out there and start shopping before it disappears.