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Underrated Luxury Cars You Can Get Today That Will Make You Feel Rich

Cameron Eittreim August 1, 2022

Cadillac CTS-V

The CTS-V was a surprise when it hit the automotive industry for the first time. The fact that GM managed to cram a Corvette engine with a manual transmission into a Cadillac was an eye-opening experience. The first generation of the car proved to be such a success that GM has improved the lineup with every generation (via Motor Trend).

The CTS-V in its most recent variation did away with the V8 engine option. But you can still find the older models of the car that came with the Corvette-derived power plant. It should be noted that the V8-powered CTS-V wagon is one of the rarest options. But the first-generation CTS-V models are also becoming harder to find in good shape.

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Mercedes-Benz 600SL

The Mercedes-Benz 600SL is by far one of the most well-known roadsters on the classic car market. The 600SL was the car that put Mercedes on the map in the 1990s when it came to innovation and technology. The car was also powerful with a smooth-running V12 engine and style (via Car Gurus).

Like most cars from this era, the 600SL has depreciated quite a bit. Although a low mileage example will set you back a pretty penny, a regular run-of-the-mill used model with some mileage on it is affordable. The Mercedes-Benz 600SL is a car that stands out from the crowd when it comes to performance and styling.

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Lexus IS250

The Lexus IS250 was released at a transformative time for the Lexus brand. The Lexus brand had immense success in the 1990s, with high-quality cars well designed. The IS250 was different than what else was being sold at the time. It was a compact sports sedan with less emphasis on luxury and more focus on performance (via Consumer Reports).

There was a lot to like about the IS250, the driving characteristics were excellent for such a lightweight car. The interior was also well designed with plenty of comfort for the driver. The Lexus IS250 was also the first car to introduce the world to the “Altezza”-style tail lights that became popular throughout the early 2000s.

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Porsche Cayenne

The Cayenne was a groundbreaking SUV, because it was the first SUV to ever come from the Porsche brand. The Cayenne was just as powerful as the production sports cars were. Even an early model of the Cayenne will turn heads because the styling is unmistakably Porsche. The performance of the Cayenne was also top-notch, and for a short period was the fastest SUV on the market (via Car & Driver).

If you are seeking a used Cayenne model, you want to go for the Turbo version. It will give you the best performance bang for your buck. The interior of the Cayenne is one of the most luxurious Porsche interiors on the road. Sit behind the wheel in the peanut butter leather interior, and you will feel a lot richer driving this car.

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Acura Vigor

The Vigor was one of the original full-size luxury sedans to compete seriously against Lexus. The problem with the Vigor is it wasn’t quite up to the task. There was no V8 power plant and the car was not as luxurious as the Lexus models were. But in recent years, the Vigor has cultivated a reputation in the collector’s world (via Motor Trend).

The Vigor had unique features, such as vacuum sealing doors, and a fine-tuned five-cylinder engine. The five-cylinder engine was designed specifically for the Vigor, and once you get behind the wheel, you will feel the technological advancement. This car has a hint of BMW, a hint of Mercedes, and it’s all blended with the Honda build quality of the 1990s.

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Acura Legend

The Legend is one of the most highly regarded luxury cars from the 1990s and part of the reason for it is the excellent engineering that went into the car. Just take one look at the Legend, and you can tell that the car is not your average Acura. Everything about the Legend was designed to appeal to drives who enjoy driving (via Motor Biscuit).

The Legend was engineered with some of the best technology Honda has ever used in a car. When you get into the Legend, you immediately feel a quality driving car. The performance is still exhilarating, and the interior materials of the Legend were of high quality. Even famous rap artist Ludacris still owns his original Legend.

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Acura RL

The RL was the next-generation car Acura introduced in the 2000s. It was to build on the competence of the brand and add a new modern sportiness to the car. Acura still did not offer a large V8-powered sedan like Lexus but the RL was the next best thing if you were in the market for an Acura vehicle (via Car & Driver).

The noticeable thing about the RL was its included interior technology. This car introduced a host of new technologies, including Bluetooth connectivity and heated and cooled seating. The exterior styling of the RL was largely considered bland compared to the other cars on the market.

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Acura SLX

The SLX is a luxury sedan that not many people even know existed. You see, when the SUV segment was heating up in the 1990s, there started to be an appetite for a premium offering. Lexus introduced the LX450, and consumers were impressed with what a premium SUV felt like. Suddenly, every family in America wanted to own a leather-wrapped off-road beast. The SLX might not be the first luxury SUV to mind, but it’s a great bargain (via Car Gurus).

The folks at Honda could not develop an SUV and bring it to market that fast, and the company already had a partnership with Isuzu at the time. The SLX shared its platform and body with the Isuzu Trooper and was fully-loaded. There were many luxury appointments and the truck had a slightly more attractive look.

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Infiniti J30

The Infiniti J30 is the hidden gem in the ’90s Infiniti lineup. The car had some of the best engineering of its era. The automotive world was not impressed with the styling of the car, but it managed to cultivate a certain following. The J30 had excellent handling and excellent off-the-line performance. The J30 had an advertising campaign that tried to offer something new and unique to drivers looking for something in this segment (via The Truth About Cars).

The Infiniti J30 also had a luxurious interior, and there were many high-quality parts used in it. The leather is among the highest quality in a car from this era, and the ride is extremely quiet. When you get behind the wheel of a clean, well-taken care J30, you will feel great driving this car.

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Hyundai Equus

The Equus was the first high-end car that the brand launched in America. The Equus was a far higher quality product than any of the vehicles released before. Hyundai got a lot of flack from the automotive community for trying to compete with the likes of Lexus, but the car was well received. The Equus was and probably is still the most well-built Hyundai model that has come out in the last couple of decades (via Car Magazine).

The Equus came with a 429 HP 5.0L V8 engine, and the air-ride suspension gave the car an incredibly smooth ride. The Equus was a high-quality car in every sense of the word. When you get behind the wheel of the Equus, you immediately realize that you are riding in something special.

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Hyundai XG350

Released a few years before the Equus, the XG350 was the company’s first attempt at a luxury sedan. While the car was a good showing, it lacked in many departments, such as power. The XG350 didn’t sell well, but the car is still a comfortable riding luxury vehicle. If you see one on the road, you know that it is something unique. Hyundai was at a crossroads when the XG350 was released, and the company was working to reinvent itself (via Car and Driver).

The XG350 is a luxury car in every sense of the word, and there were many things that Hyundai did right with this car. The performance might not have been up to par, but the luxury interior and attractive exterior made the car a great offering. Plus, the resale value of the XG350 is almost nonexistent, so you can get a clean one for an incredibly cheap price.

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Kia Amanti

The Kia Amanti shared a platform with the Hyundai XG350, but in many ways, the Amanti was the better of the two. The styling was much more mainstream, and it was even eerily similar to the Jaguar X-Type. The performance of the car was not bad considering its humble roots and the interior was luxurious for what you got (via New Car Test Drive).

The Amanti proved to be a decent seller in its first couple of years on the market. Like most Kia models from this era, the resale value is almost non-existent, which means you can snag one for a little bit of nothing. You can get a low mileage Amanti and you’ll feel great driving this car around. The comfortable interior and luxury-packed appointments made the Amanti a great value.

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Lincoln Zephyr

In the 2000s, the Lincoln sedan lineup was not that impressive. This point downright outdated the Town Car in time. The Zephyr was released on the new platform that the new Ford Fusion rode on. The sedan was fairly modern, attractively styled, and had great off-the-line performance compared to other cars from this era. The Zephyr was the mark of a new era for Ford and the design of the car is still attractive (via Motor Trend).

The Zephyr was a great seller for the Lincoln brand, and that means there are many of them around. The resale value of the car is also affordable, so you can snag one for low prices. The Zephyr has gained popularity, as there has been a boom in the used car market. With the number of luxury features you get and the attractive styling, the Zephyr is still a great deal.

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Lincoln LS

The LS was another fruitful endeavor by Ford in the early 2000s to revitalize the brand. The main thing the car had going for it was a V8 power plant. The automotive press praised the Lincoln LS for its great off-the-line performance, but the reliability of the car was questionable. Still, the LS was one of the last new modern V8-powered sedans to come out of Lincoln. If you are a fan of V8 American power, then this car is well worth it (via The Truth About Cars).

However, if you can get a well-maintained model, you will be in for something luxurious to ride around in. The engineering underneath the LS was shared with the Jaguar models of the time. The Lincoln LS also came in a limited edition sports model, which offered a lot of luxury and performance for the price.

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Lincoln Mark VIII

The Lincoln Mark VIII was sold in the 1990s, and it offered one of the last V8-powered rear-wheel drive luxury coupes. Considering how the quality was at Ford around this period, the Mark VIII is luxurious. The interior was nice and spacious, with wood and leather trim, and the performance of the car was exhilarating (via Car Gurus).

The Mark VIII is a car that doesn’t have that high resale value, which means you can snag one for a deal. With the air ride suspension and the smooth V8 engine, the Mark VIII is a real driver’s car. You’ll seldom see one of these on the road anymore, but when you do, they still turns heads.

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Infiniti M30

The Infiniti M30 was one of the first Infiniti models released in the U.S. At the time, the car was unique, as it was available in a coupe or a convertible. The M30 did not sell well, and thus you won’t see the car often. But in today’s automotive market, the M30 has become a novelty item (via Car Gurus).

The M30 was an exciting car to drive, and it also had a luxurious interior. The exterior of the car was handsome, with upscale lines and a cultivated rear. The included wheels are also very 1990s in styling. You will have no problem telling me that this is a luxury car. In recent years, the Infiniti M30 has gained popularity as a used car.

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Infiniti M45

The M45 was released in the 2000s and the sedan has gotten a reputation for being one of the best driving cars on the road. Packed with a V8 engine and NISMO engineering, the M45 is the ultimate sleeper sedan. The Infiniti M45 was styled by some of the best designers at Nissan and the styling was polarizing (via Spanner Head).

You don’t see many examples of the M45 on the road anymore, and part of the reason for this was limited sales numbers. The M45 just never caught on with consumers in the way that the Lexus models did. But, if you want something that doesn’t drive like anything else on the road, the M45 cannot be denied.

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Infiniti M35x

The M35X was the next generation of the M35 model, and it toned down the styling a tad bit. But underneath the sheet metal was still a performance sedan that could hold its own. The engine was still a powerful V8 offering with plenty of torque and off-the-line power. The interior was also well appointed and offered a lot of comfort for the driver (via KSport USA).

Even with a comprehensive redesign, the M35x couldn’t seem to tap the same market share as Lexus did. The M35x is still a well-appointed luxury car that offers a lot for the price. You won’t find many luxury cars that perform this well, even by today’s standards. Not to mention the fact that the M35x is one of the most reliable used luxury cars on the road.

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Infiniti Q45 (First Generation)

The Q45 was the first full-size Infiniti sedan released on the market. Its styling was conservative and the front end was unique at the time, foregoing a traditional grill. The interior of the car was also well appointed, and it was touted as having one of the quietest rides on the road (via New Car Test Drive).

The V8 engine under the hood of the Q45 made the car especially unique. The performance was among the best in the class for the period. Collectors who know a thing or two about luxury cars enjoy the Q45 much. The unique styling and great level of luxury made this a sweet ride even today.

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Infiniti Q45 Second Generation

The second generation of the Q45 built on what already made the car great. The styling was tweaked a bit so that the car was more modest, and there was now a traditional grill on the front of the car. The interior was also quite plush, with lots of new technology that surrounded the driver and made the experience comfortable (via Journal of Classic Cars).

The second generation of the Q45 did not achieve the sales numbers Nissan had hoped for, but it did acquire a loyal following. There are plenty of enthusiast groups for this car, and the aftermarket parts catalog for this car is growing by the day. Not to mention the excellent V8 engine under the hood.

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Infiniti Q45 Third Generation

The third and final generation of the Infiniti Q45 was a modest update of the second generation car. This time, the styling was redone to match the rest of the Infiniti line, including the new G35 model. The main selling point of the Q45 was still the excellent V8 engine under the hood of the car (via Car Gurus).

The third generation of the Q45 was not as outrageous as the previous generations of the car. The Q45 from this era was a well-appointed luxury car that offered a comfortable ride and great performance. Unfortunately, the car still couldn’t achieve the sales that the executives at Nissan had hoped for.

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Infiniti G20 First Generation

The Infiniti G20 was a compact luxury car introduced to compete against the BMW 3-Series. The lightweight car was quick off the line, and it had great handling. The interior was also luxurious for the time with padded leather seating and real wood trim. If you got the touring model, you could add a sunroof and a Bose sound system to the mix (via Classic).

The G20 proved to be a sales success for the brand, and you can still find these great cars on the used market. When it comes to reliability, the G20 was a bulletproof car, with many examples going into the 200,000-mile range. For sheer driving pleasure and comfort, the G20 was an affordable car that still offers great value today.

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Infiniti G20 Second Generation

The second generation of the G20 built on everything great about the first generation of the car. It was still a lightweight offering that combined luxury with performance-oriented handling. The touring model of the G20 was the most popular option. In addition to a Bose sound system, the car also came with many luxury options in the interior (via Car Gurus).

The Infiniti G20 was only sold from 1999 to 2002 in its second generation, so there aren’t many on the road. But the examples of the car still available were usually single-owner vehicles. With the luxurious interior and stellar handling, the G20 is a car that will provide you with driving pleasure for many years to come.

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Lexus HS

Take a look back through the automotive history of the Lexus brand and the HS might be a blur. The HS was a compact hybrid introduced in the mid-2000s. The idea behind the car was to bring new buyers into Lexus showrooms, who wouldn’t usually be interested in the brand. The problem is that the HS was expensive when it was new, and shoppers couldn’t justify the price tag (via Motor Junkie).

Although the HS was not the best bargain when it was brand new, now that the car has depreciated somewhat, it makes a pretty cool ride. The hybrid drivetrain was based on the Toyota Prius, so it is not only reliable but also efficient. Of course, no Lexus would be complete without a luxury interior, and the HS is packed with all kinds of luxury items. The Lexus HS is a great value that you will feel great when you are behind the wheel.

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Maserati Bi-Turbo

The Maserati Bi-Turbo was a car released by the renowned luxury brand in the 1980s, and the car had a lot to like about it. The interior was among the best used in a luxury car back then. The beautiful leather seating was high quality, and there were real wood accents used throughout the car. But the real benefit of owning a Bi-Turbo is the performance of the car (via Car Gurus).

The Maserati Bi-Turbo was one of the best-known compact luxury cars in the 1980s. The design of the car was solid and the performance is still impressive to this day. Although the car has maintained a fairly expensive resale value, it is worth the price. With the exemplary build quality and luxury features, the Bi-Turbo is one of the most notable used cars you can get.

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Cadillac Allante

The Allante is one of only a few Cadillac sports cars ever built. There was a point in time when the Allante was the most expensive Cadillac in the world. The performance of the Allante was impressive, thanks in part to the 4.5 L LW2 V8 engine, which was changed to the Northstar V8 in the later years of the car. The Allante had a beautifully wrapped leather interior that was geared toward the driver in every sense of the design (via Every Auto).

The Allante is still a beautiful car to this day, with styling that you won’t see on any other Cadillac model. If you want a car that will make you feel rich when you get behind the wheel, the Allante is that car. Cadillac went all out to build a car that would turn heads. Although the Allante didn’t sell well, it was a special ride.

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Cadillac Catera

The Catera is a compact Cadillac model released in the late 1990s and we included this car because of its rarity. The Catera was designed to compete against the BMW 3-Series. The compact proportions of the car and the luxury-appointed interior made it a unique option. The Catera had a unique advertising campaign that featured the roadrunner, which was a departure from traditional Cadillac advertising (via Motor Trend).

The Catera was not a popular car by any means and finding one can be quite difficult. But if you can get your hands on a Catera, you are in for a unique ride. This is not your grandma’s Cadillac and the styling still holds up today. If you can get a low mileage example well maintained by the past owner, drivers will enjoy this rare Cadillac.

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Cadillac Cimarron

The Cimmaron isn’t a car that will make you feel like you are riding in a Bentley. Some would consider this the worst Cadillac model of all time. But the Cimarron has started to pique the interest of buyers in recent years, as it was such a controversial part of Cadillac history. The car was based on the Chevrolet Cavalier, but while the humble roots might turn you off, the interior of the Cimarron was luxurious (via The Drive).

The Cimarron also had a much more refined suspension, which added to the ride quality of the car. Just the fact that the Cimarron is not a well-known Cadillac model is enough to make heads turn when they see it. The styling of the car was in line with the rest of the Cadillac lineup at the time, and the luxurious interior is a major step up. You could turn the Cimarron into a unique classic cruiser if you want to.

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Cadillac XLR

The Cadillac XLR shared its components with the Chevrolet Corvette and the car was one of the most beautiful cars ever made. The performance of the XLR was groundbreaking as the car shared its underpinnings with the C6 Corvette. The interior of the XLR was also beautiful, with all the luxury appointments you’d expect. The XLR was not a great seller for GM when it was new, but interest in the car has started to rise in recent years (via Road and Track).

The XLR is a dream ride when you look at the beauty of the car and the performance. You get the quality and performance of a Corvette coupled with the styling and luxury of a Cadillac. Even though the XLR has been out of production for a while, the car still turns heads wherever you go. You’ll also get the bulletproof reliability of the GM performance engines that the Corvette has become world-renowned for.

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Underrated Luxury Cars You Can Get Today That Will Make You Feel Rich

Cadillac CTS-V

Mercedes-Benz 600SL

Lexus IS250

Porsche Cayenne

Acura Vigor

Acura Legend

Acura RL

Acura SLX

Infiniti J30

Hyundai Equus

Hyundai XG350

Kia Amanti

Lincoln Zephyr

Lincoln LS

Lincoln Mark VIII

Infiniti M30

Infiniti M45

Infiniti M35x

Infiniti Q45 (First Generation)

Infiniti Q45 Second Generation

Infiniti Q45 Third Generation

Infiniti G20 First Generation

Infiniti G20 Second Generation

Lexus HS

Maserati Bi-Turbo

Cadillac Allante

Cadillac Catera

Cadillac Cimarron

Cadillac XLR

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