Everyone has a dream car, that sleek sports coupe or polished classic you spend years thinking about, just waiting for the right time to make it a reality. But before you go signing the dotted line and doing some cartwheels in the parking lot, it’s worth considering the wisdom of your purchase. After all, most luxury cars are built to look nice, but not all of them are built to last. If you’ve been dreaming about an unreliable model, you just might find yourself waking up one day without the car and wondering if it ever really happened!
But don’t fret! You can’t decide which car to fall in love with, but you can decide which to buy. And there are plenty of reliable luxury cars that are well worth their price tag. Before we get into that though, let’s get specific about the kind of vehicles we’re talking about here.
What is a luxury car?
What makes a car a luxury car? The price it carries is certainly a good place to start but cost alone does not qualify a car as “luxury”. Most luxury vehicles are made with higher-quality materials, an Italian leather interior, or a higher-performance engine, for example. They also include more amenities such as better sound systems, safety features and telematics. Truthfully, “luxury” is in the eye of the beholder, but if you’re looking at a car that’s built to be cut above average vehicles, it’s probably considered a luxury car.1
What makes a luxury car reliable?
Like most cars, the reliability of a luxury car is highly dependent on the driver. Failing to perform regular maintenance or putting excessive strain on the vehicle through aggressive driving habits will shorten any car’s lifespan.2 Some cars handle the wear and tear better than others, however. Generally speaking, cars from the most reliable luxury car brands hold up well on the road (i.e., they’ll make that long road trip without issue), have improved safety features, and better fuel mileage.3
Are luxury cars worth it?
It’s hard to put a price tag on the feeling of owning a luxury car. Factor in the improved performance and driving experience you get from it, and that extra money starts to feel like less of a big deal. Ultimately, a lot of the “is it worth it” debate comes down to personal preference. If you’re someone who places a lot of value on the experience of driving, then your answer could be “yes”.4
Finding the most reliable luxury cars
So, how can you find the most reliable luxury cars? Spoiler, it’s not always by looking for the highest price tag in the most exclusive publications. Some of the best low-maintenance luxury cars are also on the lower end of luxury price, and you can find them using everyday third-party resources. Consumer Reports, CarEdge, Car and Driver, J.D. Power and others all track factors in the auto industry such as luxury car reliability.
Luxury car insurance
Accidents happen, and they don’t discriminate based on a car’s cost or reliability rating. Like any car, even the most reliable luxury cars can still run into trouble from time to time. And when luxury cars run into trouble, repairs can get pricey. That’s why it’s doubly important to protect that dream car with a reliable insurance plan.
“But wait, won’t it just cost me extra to insure my expensive luxury car anyway? Might as well take the risk, right?”
You might be surprised! That more expensive cars are more expensive to insure is a common car insurance myth. The cost to insure your car is based more on the cost of repairs than the purchase price, and not every luxury car is more expensive to repair. Check out Nationwide’s auto insurance resources to learn more and get a free car insurance quote today.
1https://www.cars.com/articles/what-makes-a-car-luxury-426608/, Accessed November 2021.
2https://www.thedrive.com/cars-101/41322/most-reliable-luxury-cars, Accessed November 2021.
3https://www.caranddriver.com/research/g32878986/most-reliable-cars/, Accessed November 2021.
4https://www.autotrader.com/car-shopping/luxury-cars-are-they-worth-extra-money, Accessed November 2021.
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