The Most Expensive Cars To Own
- Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz
Buying a luxury car comes with all kinds of other costs in addition to the actual purchase price. High-end maintenance and repair costs combined with (often) poor fuel economy can lead to an expensive ownership experience.
24/7 Wall Street, with some help from Edmunds.com data, calculated the top 10 most expensive cars to own, factoring in deprecation, maintenance and fuel costs, among other things, into the equation.
The list they came up with is not overly surprising, populated with names like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Range Rover. What is surprising, however, is just how much money owning one of these high-end luxury cars costs.
Can you guess which one costs almost $250,000?
- Image Credit: Nissan
10. Nissan GT-R
MSRP: $96,820 - $106,320
Invoice: $91,109 - $100,044
Fuel Economy: 16 mpg City, 23 mpg Highway
Real Cost Of Ownership: $117,892 (Premium 2dr Coupe AWD, 3.8L 6cyl Turbo with 6-speed AM)
The Nissan GT-R is the fifth generation of this venerable Japanese supercar, but this is the first generation available to North American enthusiasts. Well-known to video gamers in this part of the world as forbidden fruit, the GT-R brings new levels of performance and technology to Nissan's lineup. Powered by a hand-built 545-hp twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6, the GT-R makes good use of all that thrust through a paddle-shifted, rear mounted six-speed dual clutch sequential gearbox and electronic all-wheel drive.
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- Image Credit: Land Rover
9. Land Rover Range Rover
MSRP: $79,425 - $94,820
Invoice: $72,277 - $86,286
Fuel Economy: 12 mpg City, 18 mpg Highway
Real Cost Of Ownership: $118,158 (HSE 4dr SUV 4WD, 5.0L 8cyl with 6-speed Auto)
The Range Rover is Land Rover's most prestigious offering, a luxury sport utility vehicle with a long history of quality craftsmanship and legendary "go anywhere" off-road prowess. The five-passenger Range Rover is available in two trim levels: HSE and Supercharged. The HSE is powered by a 375-hp 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine, while the Supercharged trim boasts a 510-hp 5.0-liter supercharged V8.
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- Image Credit: BMW
8. BMW ActiveHybrid 750
MSRP: $97,000 - $101,000
Invoice: $89,420 - $93,100
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 24 mpg Highway
Real Cost Of Ownership: $122,076 (750i 4dr Sedan, 4.4L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid with 8-speed Auto)
The BMW 7-series is the pinnacle of BMW sedans. A big luxury sedan that is loaded with state-of-the-art technology to keep you safe on today's roads. The rear-wheel drive 750i and long-wheelbase 750Li ActiveHybrid are powered by a direct-injection, 440-hp 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 that is combined with a 20-hp/155 lb.ft. electric motor to provide a maximum system output of 455-hp and 515 lb.ft. of torque. The electric motor is sandwiched between the engine and the new eight-speed automatic transmission.
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- Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz
7. Mercedes-Benz G-Class
MSRP: $107,100
Invoice: $99,603
Fuel Economy: 12 mpg City, 15 mpg Highway
Real Cost Of Ownership: $126,714 (G550 4dr SUV 4WD, 5.5L 8cyl with 7-speed Auto)
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a luxury off-road vehicle with a military heritage that was designed for the rugged outdoors. For 2012 the G550 is the only model available. The 4MATIC equipped G550 includes a 382-hp 5.5-liter V8 and seven-speed automatic transmission. The 4-wheel Electronic Traction System includes a synchronized transfer case and three electrically-engaged differential locks.
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- Image Credit: Toyota
6. Lexus LS 600h
MSRP: $112,750
Invoice: $103,732
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg City, 23 mpg Highway
Real Cost Of Ownership: $129,542 (4dr Sedan AWD, 5.0L 8cyl gas/electric hybrid with CVT)
Lexus takes technology and luxury far beyond current standards with its clean and powerful LS 600 hybrid sedan. Erasing any doubts about the power potential of hybrid drive systems, the LS 600h produces a combined 430-hp from its 5.0-liter V8 engine and an electric motor hybrid powertrain. This power is sent to all four wheels via an electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
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- Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz
5. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
MSRP: $105,500
Invoice: $98,115
Fuel Economy: 16 mpg City, 24 mpg Highway
Real Cost Of Ownership: $129,588 (SL550 2dr Convertible, 5.5L 8cyl with 7-speed Auto)
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class two-seat roadster is now in its sixth generation, with 60 years of sports-car heritage re-imagined in a modern, technology-laden luxury automobile. For 2013, the SL-Class is comprised of three models, the SL550, the SL63 AMG and the SL65 AMG. The SL550 is powered by a 429-hp 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 engine mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted shift paddles.
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- Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz
4. Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
MSRP: $114,100 - $211,000
Invoice: $106,113 - $196,230
Fuel Economy: 15 mpg City, 24 mpg Highway
Real Cost Of Ownership: $142,558 (CL550 4MATIC 2dr Coupe AWD, 4.7L 8cyl Turbo with 7-speed Auto)
The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is perfect for those who want a luxurious and athletic coupe. Available in four models the CL-Class is a two-door grand touring coupe, with seating for four. The CL550 4Matic, CL600, CL63 AMG, and CL65 AMG all include Active Curve Bi-Xenon headlights, sunroof, and a Harman Kardon LOGIC7 audio system. The CL550 4Matic is powered by a 429-hp 4.6-liter V8 engine and seven-speed automatic transmission with Touchshift manual shift control.
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- Image Credit: BMW
3. BMW ALPINA B7
MSRP: $122,600 - $129,500
Invoice: $112,970 - $119,320
Fuel Economy: 14 mpg City, 22 mpg Highway
Real Cost Of Ownership: $153,150 (SWB 4dr Sedan, 4.4L 8cyl Turbo with 6-speed Auto)
The BMW ALPINA B7 brings state-of-the-art technology, refinement, performance and exclusivity to the full-size luxury sedan class. ALPINA is a name famous in Europe for adding performance touches to BMWs, the name is not well-known in North America. Available in short and long-wheelbases, as well as rear or all-wheel drive xDrive models, the B7 is powered by a direct-injection, 500-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 bolted to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control.
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- Image Credit: Audi
2. Audi R8
MSRP: $114,200 - $210,300
Invoice: $106,206 - $195,579
Fuel Economy: 11 mpg City, 20 mpg Highway
Real Cost Of Ownership: $193,429 (5.2 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD, 5.2L 10cyl with 6-speed Manual)
The Audi R8 is the company's first mid-engine super car. It is designed with extreme performance in mind and with other high end sports cars in its sights. The R8 is loosely based off of the Lamborghini Gallardo platform, and is powered by either a 420-hp 4.2-liter V-8 engine borrowed from the RS4, or the 5.2-liter V-10 borrowed from the Gallardo, making 525-hp in this application.
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- Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz
1. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
MSRP: $189,600 - $196,100
Invoice: $176,328 - $182,373
Fuel Economy: 14 mpg City, 20 mpg Highway
Real Cost Of Ownership: $245,469 (2dr Coupe, 6.2L 8cyl with 7-speed AM)
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is the modern interpretation of the classic 300SL from the '50s. Mercedes managed to keep the iconic gull-wing doors (coupe), which only adds to the car's exotic flair. The SLS AMG is available as a coupe or convertible soft-top. A naturally-aspirated 563-hp 6.2 liter V8 sends power to the rear wheels through an all-new rear-mounted AMG SPEEDSHIFT seven-speed automatic transaxle.
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