2011 Top Premium Used Cars to Avoid

It's always important to know what you are getting yourself into when purchasing a used car, and sometimes buying a premium used car sounds like a better alternative than getting a brand-new mid-range car. After all, who wouldn't want to drive top-tier luxury at a Toyota Camry price? But IntelliChoice's list of 2011 premium used cars to avoid this list points out just why these cars may not be worth it. The list really struck us for two reasons. First, there are only three manufacturers on it. Second, it's dominated by one manufacturer in particular: Mercedes-Benz. It seems that buying a used Benz just isn't worth it, if these results are any indication. All results have been based on what the projected cost of each vehicle will be over five years. The vehicles listed below all raked Below Average or Poor in the Cost of Ownership calculations. There were six fields of costs that were examined, which are fuel, insurance, depreciation, used price, repairs, and maintenance. From these criteria, the following vehicles have been found to be too costly in the long run.
2011 Audi A4 Sedan
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Why it's on the list: Repairs; Used Price; Maintenance
Starting off the list is the Audi A4 Sedan. Not surprisingly, one of the reasons it landed on our list is the used price tag. Most luxury automakers still have a high price on their used vehicles, and Audi is no different. Combine that price tag with repair costs, and the Audi looks less and less appealing. These aren't cheap to fix, so when something does go wrong, it's best to have some extra cash set aside for this very reason. On top of everything, the most costly aspect about the Audi A4 is its maintenance costs. It takes some work to keep it running smoothly. Added together, there is just too much money coming out of your pocket for this car to be worth it in the long run.
2011 Audi A5 Coupe
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Why it's on the list: Used Price; Maintenance; Repairs
The Audi A5 Coupe is the second and last Audi on the list, and it has the same high costs as the A4. The difference between the costs of these two vehicles is that where the A4 had higher maintenance costs, the A5 has higher repair costs. Just like its A4 cousin, the Audi A5 has a used sticker price that should deter potential buyers. Maintenance and repair costs added to that can overwhelm someone who didn't think the purchase through, especially since the parts that are on this car are pretty expensive. Imports usually cost more to fix, and if you buy a car that you haven't checked out and isn't in the best shape, you'd be better off buying a newer car at this point.
2011 BMW 3 Series Sedan
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Why it's on the list: Fuel; Used Price; Repairs
The BMW 3 Series Sedan kicks off the BMW section of the list. The first thing that will cost you more than it should is the used price. Although these cars depreciate as soon as they drive off the lot, their value doesn't drop as much as you might think, or hope. Next up is how much you'll be spending on fuel. This car takes premium gasoline, so don't think you can skimp and get regular. You'll see performance issues, which leads to the third and most costly reason this car shouldn't be on your list. Repairs alone will put you in a pinch, so if you can't afford to cover all these expenses, it would be best to move on.
2011 BMW 5 Series Sedan
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Why it's on the list: Repairs; Maintenance; Depreciation; Used Price; Insurance
Next up is potentially the most expensive car on our list, the BMW 5 Series sedan. There's only one category that won't kill your bank, and that's fuel costs. What will hit you first is the maintenance and repairs. Although this is to be expected given BMW's reputation for being temperamental, what is surprising is that these aren't the main reasons you'll be strapped for cash. The depreciation value might hurt when you go to sell it, but that isn't anything compared to what you will pay for it. However, the most costly aspect of this car is the insurance. To get this thing insured, expect to be paying the big bucks.
2011 BMW 7 Series
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Why it's on the list: Fuel; Maintenance; Repairs; Depreciation
The last BMW on our list is the BMW 7 Series. This car isn't nearly as expensive as the 5 Series, but it is pretty close. Its big engines will get you at the gas pump, with fuel costs being the first reason to say no to this car. The 7 Series will cost you a pretty penny to maintain, but if you keep it in good repair you won't have to worry about paying to fix it up. The repair costs are through the roof, and when you look at the depreciation value of the car, it just doesn't seem worth it. You'll be losing money on this car, and that's a guarantee.
2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
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Why it's on the list: Maintenance; Fuel; Repairs
The run of Mercedes-Benz vehicles to avoid starts with the C-Class. Although not as expensive as some of the other cars on the list, it is still not cost-effective. Maintenance on this vehicle is rather expensive, but not only that, the cost to repair any piece on this car if it's not properly taken care of will cost you more. It's better to keep up with the maintenance instead of fixing things that break due to poor upkeep. However, the most costly feature of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class may very well be fuel, as that's something that you need to pay for constantly. It will always be a reminder that this is an expensive car, and maybe too expensive to maintain properly.
2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe
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Why it's on the list: Fuel; Depreciation
The Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe is the second most cost-efficient car from the automaker on our list of cars that will bleed you dry. Still a car that will run up the dollar signs, the E350 Coupe only has two variables that make it so expensive. Fuel is the first issue, thought it isn't as expensive when compared to the depreciation value of the car. As soon as this car is placed into your hands, don't think for a second that you will see that money again. If you ever decide to resell this car, you're looking at a significant loss that turns many people away from purchasing it in the first place.
2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe
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Why it's on the list: Depreciation
The Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe is the only car on the entire list to only have one costly attribute. The depreciation value of this car, just like the car before and the cars that are listed below, is rather high. Right now this car is worth between $38,000 and $40,000, whereas a new model is priced at almost $58,000. That's an almost $20,000 decrease in only two years. That's a pretty substantial loss and definitely something to consider when shopping for used cars. This is one of those cars that's great if you plan to keep it, but a bad idea if you ever plan to sell it.
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible
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Why it's on the list: Repairs; Used Price; Fuel; Depreciation
Most people enjoy the feeling of the wind running through their hair when in a convertible, but a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible may not be the right car for this. Especially when you'll be pulling your hair out thanks to all that it will cost you. Without proper upkeep, the repairs for this car are pricey, just like the actual used price. Also, the amount you'll pay at the pump will be shortening those weekend drives with the top down. It just doesn't seem as fun and carefree when all your money is blowing away with the wind. Add that to the depreciation value and you have a midlife crisis car that may actually cause a financial crisis.
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan
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Why it's on the list: Repairs; Used Price; Depreciation
Nearing the end of our list, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan is the final E-Class car you need to watch out for. Although it's an expensive used car, it's not as expensive as some of the others from its lineup. Repairs are still going to cost you an arm and a leg, but the used price isn't as much as it is with others on our list. Also, the depreciation value isn't as bad. It's nowhere near the amount of the Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe, but as it is a luxury car, it is still pretty significant and not something you can turn a blind eye to. Added up, these three factors will end up hurting your bank account in the long run, making the decision to go for a different car that much easier.
2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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Why it's on the list: Fuel; Repairs; Depreciation
Rounding out our list of the top premium used cars to avoid is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. This sedan is one of the most expensive cars on the list, which makes many of the reasons to avoid buying it used even more valid. The price for fuel will make you cringe as you fill up the tank with premium gasoline. And for a car that doesn't get good gas mileage to begin with, the price just keeps going up. Tied for the most costly aspects about this car are the repairs and depreciation value. Not only are you going to spend a fortune to purchase this car, you're going to spend another one on mechanical bills the moment this car starts to go. Your best bet is to keep up with the maintenance if you do buy it. However, the depreciation value might make you cry when you see just how much money you will lose if you ever go to resell this car. Unless you're in it for the long haul, walk away.

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4 comments

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Stormin Norman

I'm talking about depreciation more than reliability. An XJ-L is about $110,000 new. Off-lease it drops to the $60k range.

Jacob Brown

Believe it or not, Stormin Norman, Jaguar USA has done really, really well in reliability surveys in recent years. Ford helped the company hugely bring up the quality when it owned Jag for nearly 20 years, and Tata, the current owner, hasn't dropped the ball. They're good finds on the used market, but they're like any other formerly $50-120k car when it comes time to repair them. A lot of people I've spoken with love their Jag X-Types, though, which were more or less based on the same mechanicals as the Ford Mondeo. Those are reasonable cheap to fix because parts are so plentiful.

SO BASICALLY: don't buy a used Benz, BMW or Audi! (I'm surprised Jaguar didn't make the list) And the funny thing is that rich people lease them and discard them to avoid loosing $ as they depreciate.

Michael Karesh

German cars are expensive to own? Who knew?

Top Stories

2011 Top Premium Used Cars to Avoid

These premium cars will bleed you dry.

2011 Audi A4 Sedan

2011 Audi A5 Coupe

2011 BMW 3 Series Sedan

2011 BMW 5 Series Sedan

2011 BMW 7 Series

2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe

2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan

2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

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