An Earnhardt Guide to Used Luxury Car Shopping

Many shoppers want a premium ride, but they want to get it without spending too much. That’s why luxury used car dealers in Arizona are popular. Customers want to get more for their automotive dollar, and they want the best that money can buy .

Earnhardt Auto Centers is among the largest luxury used car dealerships in Phoenix. With 21 dealerships, we have the ability to offer a broad spectrum of the top brands. You can compare a BMW, Volvo, and Lexus on our website and discover which premium SUV is right for you. Here’s a guide to what we’ve learned about premium rides.

What Qualifies as a Used Luxury Car?

Industrial analyst JD Power defines luxury vehicles as the ones with “significantly better equipment, performance, materials, comforts, technology, or features”. Some critics might go further and suggest that the only true luxury cars are the ones where you have hand-sewn appointments and exclusive materials.

With so many dealerships, Earnhardt staff see all of the brands. Our procurement experts look for the best used luxury vehicles that are available. That’s why you’ll find everything from Audi to Volvo in our large selection of used luxury cars. Here are some brands that have achieved rankings in the U.S. News and World Report list of luxury manufacturers.

Choose a Used Cadillac

Today’s Cadillac has recaptured its iconic status as America’s luxury vehicle. The Cadillac Escalade sets the standard for other large luxury SUVs, and you can bet that a used one is a real prize in our inventory. When you test drive a used Cadillac, you can examine the craftsmanship and get a sense of the high performance engines. In the used Cadillac lineup, the iconic Escalade takes care of big families on the go while V editions give driving enthusiasts something to cheer about.

Love Your Used Lexus

When this brand started, it reflected a more staid approach to design. Now it is considered one of the top ten by U.S. News. Leading safety technology has premiered again and again on this brand. It also excels at dash technologies. Last but not least, Lexus started offering hybrid technology sooner than many counterparts. This makes it more likely that a used Lexus will have the tech you want. It’s definitely a star of JD Power reliability studies, which should make it very appealing to used car buyers.

Pick a Pre-owned Genesis

Still a relative newcomer, the Genesis brand has made waves for its generous features and remarkable craftsmanship. If you haven’t tried out this one, you are missing out. Buying one pre-owned takes the price down and you are adding value to value. Compare a used Genesis to a similar luxury car and find out what we mean. The list of features and stylish amenities is longer and richer for the money. Now, that’s a good used car deal!

Make it a Used Mercedes-Benz

This brand has been a household term for luxury for many decades. Offering sedans, sports cars and SUVs, there’s a used Mercedes to suit many different types of drivers. The Mercedes C-Class has been called the most popular luxury ride by JD Power. Often ranking in the top ten, the Mercedes E-Class comes in a sedan, coupe, convertible and wagon. Finding a deal starts by chatting with our online staff about the used Mercedes you’d like to find.

Believe in a Used BMW

If you love a speedy ride, BMW has you covered. After all, these beauties are tested on winding European mountain roads and later on the Autobahn. BMW has many models considered among the Top Ten in their luxury class. This includes the 3, 4 and 5 Series. When more are bought new, this means used BMW shoppers have a better chance of finding what they want in the preowned marketplace. If you don’t see something you want in our online inventory, you should reach out via chat and let us know what type of used BMW you want.

Why Do People Buy Used vs. New

The obvious answer is to save money over a new one, but there are more answers than this. Buying used allows you to get more for your automotive dollar. The reason that luxury vehicles command higher new prices is their combination of high-quality appointments, cutting-edge technology, and performance engines.

When you choose a used luxury car, it’s likely that your money is buying you something better, something more durable, and certainly something with a good resale value. Furthermore, owning a luxury car is a status symbol. It’s like putting on designer clothes every day.

If you buy it preowned, what does it matter? Every vehicle has a history once it is driven off the lot. You’ve just avoided the steepest depreciation by buying it used.

When you are shopping, you want to look for a higher trim level of a luxury car just as you would with an affordable model. Some luxury makers -- such as Lexus, Genesis, and Cadillac -- have major conveniences on the base edition. However, most tend to hold them back. This is especially true of high-end makers such as BMW, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. So shopping used, you should aim for a second-tier trim at a minimum.

Where Should You Shop for Used Luxury Cars?

If you want a good deal on the right preowned luxury vehicle, check out a dealership with a large online inventory like Earnhardt Auto Centers. You’ll have more choices and be better positioned to find the right one at the right price.