The best cheap cars that make you look rich are older luxury and sports models that have lost most of their value: the Maserati Spyder, Jaguar S-Type R, Porsche Boxster, Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, BMW M5 (E39), Vaydor G35, Nissan 350Z, Tesla Model S, Chevrolet Corvette and Bentley Arnage. Used, they cost a fraction of their original price.
Cars have been a sign of wealth since the early days of motoring, when only well-off families could afford one. That status has not gone away. The trick is that luxury cars lose value fast, so a ten or twenty year old Porsche or Bentley can cost less than a new family hatchback in some markets. The catch is maintenance, which we cover at the end.
Cheap cars that make you look rich: quick list
| # | Car | Why it looks expensive |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maserati Spyder (2002) | Italian badge, Giugiaro design |
| 2 | Jaguar S-Type R (2005) | Supercharged V8, classic Jaguar lines |
| 3 | Porsche Boxster (987) | Porsche badge, mid-engine roadster |
| 4 | Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit | The Spirit of Ecstasy on the bonnet |
| 5 | BMW M5 (E39) | Sleeper sports saloon |
| 6 | Vaydor G35 | Supercar body on an Infiniti base |
| 7 | Nissan 350Z | Low, wide sports coupe |
| 8 | Tesla Model S | Tech status symbol |
| 9 | Chevrolet Corvette (C1) | Classic American icon |
| 10 | Bentley Arnage | Hand-built British luxury |
Top 10 cheap cars that make you look rich
1. 2002 Maserati Spyder
The Spyder marked Maserati’s return to North America after an 11-year gap, with US sales starting in March 2002. It is a two-seat convertible with an electric soft top that folds away under a flush cover in about 30 seconds.
Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign styled the body. Power comes from a 4.2-litre V8 built with Ferrari, making 390 PS, paired with a six-speed Cambiocorsa automated manual with paddle shifters. On the used market it is one of the cheapest ways to park a trident badge in your driveway.
2. 2005 Jaguar S-Type R
The S-Type is an executive saloon built from 1999 to 2008, after debuting at the 1998 Birmingham Motor Show. The R version uses a supercharged 4.2-litre V8, and at launch it was billed as one of the quickest saloons on the road.
The 2005 facelift brought reworked bumpers and an aluminium bonnet. The long bonnet and round headlamps still look expensive today.
3. Porsche Boxster (987)
A used Boxster is the classic entry ticket to Porsche ownership. Our pick is a low-mileage 2005 or 2006 model from the 987 generation, which looks more modern than the earlier car. Few people who see it will know how little you may have paid.
4. Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit
The Silver Spirit was built from 1980 to 1999, and its long-wheelbase sibling, the Silver Spur, launched alongside it. These were among the first Rolls-Royce cars with a retractable Spirit of Ecstasy mascot. Early cars use a 6.75-litre V8 with a three-speed automatic.
Older examples from the 1980s are some of the cheapest Rolls-Royces on the market. Nothing says money quite like that grille.
5. 2000 BMW M5
The M5 is the high-performance version of BMW’s 5 Series. The third-generation E39, built from 1998 to 2003, has a 394 hp V8 and a six-speed manual gearbox. It looks like a regular 5 Series to most people, which is part of its charm, but enthusiasts will spot it.
6. Vaydor G35
The Vaydor is a body kit that turns a 2003 to 2007 Infiniti G35 coupe into something that looks like an exotic supercar. It was first shown at the 2013 SEMA show, and a Vaydor was the Joker’s car in the 2016 film Suicide Squad.
Underneath you get the G35’s V6, rear-wheel drive and Japanese reliability. Buying a G35 and the kit separately is usually the cheapest route, though the build takes skill.
7. 2007 Nissan 350Z
The 350Z was sold as a coupe from 2002 and as a roadster from 2004, with production ending in 2009. The 2007 model got an updated V6 with around 306 hp and a higher rev limit. It is low, wide and still turns heads, and parts are easier to find than for European exotics.
8. Tesla Model S
When it was new, the Model S was hard to get and expensive. Early used cars are now much cheaper. Like every luxury car, a Tesla loses value quickly, and battery health matters a lot when buying used. Tell people you work in tech and nobody will ask questions.
9. Chevrolet Corvette
Our writers picked a 1960 Corvette from the first generation, the C1, which ran from 1953 to 1962. Classic Corvette prices have been rising, so this is the least “cheap” car on the list, but it still looks like old money. A later-model Corvette or a Dodge Viper are other options.
10. 2002 Bentley Arnage
The Arnage was built at Crewe, England, from 1998 to 2009. It launched alongside the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph, and both were the first all-new designs for their brands since 1980. Early cars used a 4.4-litre twin-turbo BMW V8 with 354 PS. Bentley soon switched back to its own 6.75-litre turbo V8, which owners preferred for its low-end pull.
A big Bentley saloon is about as rich-looking as cars get. Just budget for the running costs.
Before you buy: the real cost of looking rich
The purchase price is only the start. Old luxury cars need expensive parts and specialist mechanics, and a cheap example often has a reason for being cheap. Get a pre-purchase inspection, check the service history and keep a repair fund aside.
Our original version quoted specific listing prices in dollars and pounds. Used car prices change month to month and differ by country, so we have removed them. Check current listings in your market before you decide. For more lists like this, see our listicles, and for car-related films see our movies section.
Frequently asked questions
Which cheap car looks the most expensive?
An older Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit or Bentley Arnage looks the most expensive, because few people can tell the age of a big British luxury saloon at a glance.
Is buying an old luxury car a good idea?
It can be, if you buy a well-maintained example and budget for repairs. Running costs are usually much higher than for a regular new car.
What car did the Joker drive in Suicide Squad?
The Joker drove a Vaydor, a body kit built on an Infiniti G35 coupe, in the 2016 film Suicide Squad.
What is the cheapest way to own a Porsche?
A used Porsche Boxster is usually the cheapest route. A low-mileage 987 generation car from 2005 or 2006 is a popular choice.
Sources: Wikipedia: Maserati Coupe and Spyder, Wikipedia: Bentley Arnage, Wikipedia: Vaydor.
