Car envy is common, and if you’re used to schlepping around in an entry level model or a budget branded vehicle, you might wonder how others can afford to waft from A to B aboard a premium equivalent.
The answer in many cases is not that they have unlimited budgets, but rather that they’ve been savvy when shopping for their vehicle of choice.
If you want to join the ranks of luxury car owners, read on for the lowdown on what it takes to get behind the wheel of a top marquee on a limited budget.
Buying Pre-Owned
The easiest solution to the problem of how to snap up a luxury car is to select pre-owned vehicles rather than new ones. Affordable luxury cars are available in every corner of the country, if you’re willing to buy second-hand. You can get great deals on used cars in Southwest Houston, San Francisco and Seattle. It’s just a case of knowing where to look.
Second-hand doesn’t mean second rate, as often these vehicles are very well-maintained and still offer all the perks associated with their more costly new counterparts.
Also, buying used is about breaking away from depreciation, which haunts new automobiles the moment they’re driven off the lot. It’s also a case of embracing affordable quality instead. Opting for pre-owned glamor lets you open up a world of deluxe driving pleasure that’s within your financial reach.
Choosing Dealer Demo Cars
Car dealerships have demonstrators which serve as utility vehicles for staff, test-drive units for potential buyers, or display models at shows. Although these cars can have a few miles on the clock, they are typically well maintained, since the reputation of the showroom depends heavily on their condition.
The cherry on top of this savvy-savings sundae is that demo cars are technically classified as ‘new’, even though they’ve been gently used. This means you can still enjoy benefits like manufacturer warranties. So choosing something that’s driven just a handful of miles, you can buy a box-fresh, high-end model at a steep discount.
Selecting Salvage Title Luxury Vehicles
Salvage title vehicles are cars that insurers have written off after an accident or theft, and high-end luxury brands often fall into this category. They’re sold at auction for low prices that reflect their ‘salvaged’ status, making them inexpensive compared with models that have an untarnished history.
Of course it’s crucial to recognize the importance of conducting thorough checks before purchasing such vehicles. Careful inspection and assessment from professionals will reveal the condition and potential hidden issues, because repairs might significantly add to the costs.
If you get lucky though, and many do, you might just find under your dream car with only minor cosmetic damage, and so have access to a budget-friendly luxury barge that will still impress your pals.
Looking for End-of-Lease Bargains
The growth of auto leasing means that there are many more cars entering the marketplace on a regular basis that are just a few years old, with appealing prices being attached to premium brand models once the contracted period has come to an end.
In terms of benefits, leased vehicles typically come with rigorous wear-and-tear policies, offering a guarantee about their condition to future owners. And they are usually 3 years old or less, meaning you can enjoy relatively modern features for less than the price of a brand new compact with far less tech onboard.
Moreover, dealerships aim to sell off these returned leases quickly to prevent overhead costs, which puts buyers in a strong position to negotiate a good price. So keep an eye out for those end-of-lease sales at local dealers, and you could nab a serious deal. It’s an alternative to renting a car yourself if you’ve got lots of miles to cover.
Trading In and Trading Up
Trading in a vehicle you already own can provide substantial money off on your dream luxury car. In fact there’s so much demand for pre owned vehicles right now that dealerships often offer major incentives for trade-ins, since it leads to them making two sales instead of one.
In order to get the best price for your outgoing ride, be sure to get it professionally cleaned inside, and carry out detailing to the exterior, along with repairing minor issues.
Also be sure to check online platforms and local used car dealerships to get an accurate estimate of what’s a fair price for your car before agreeing to trade it for a newer, more luxurious model.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully you’ve got a sense of the next steps you can take to become the proud owner of a luxury car. It’s more attainable than you might think, so long as you set a realistic budget first and foremost.
