Weekly Top 3: The Most Ridiculously Priced Cars In The World
Most vehicles seem to be priced about right these days, but this week I've got three that are priced really, really wrong. Let's get straight to it, shall we?
3. Maybach Landaulet ($1.38 million).
At a base price of nearly $450,000, the Maybach 62 S is the most expensive sedan sold by Mercedes-Benz's ultra-luxury Maybach division. But wait till you get a load of the Landaulet. It's basically a 62 S with a front/rear dividing wall and a soft convertible roof that slides back at the touch of a button. The cost of these modifications? A cool million bucks. Imagine what the guys at Pimp My Ride could do with that.
2. Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class ($33,900).
This one's ridiculous in a good way. The C-Class sedan
starts at $32,900, and that's the base C300 with the fine-but-forgettable 3.0-liter V6. For a mere $1,000 more, you can get the far more functional and spacious C-Class-based GLK350
, which comes standard with the C-Class's uplevel 3.5-liter V6. This is really an unbelievable value (something one doesn't often hear about a Mercedes). To get that engine in a C-Class, you're looking at the $39,000 C350 Sport, and of course you'll be stuck with compromised cargo capacity and a relatively cramped backseat. As for the competition, the BMW X3
starts at $39,700, and the Volvo XC60
runs $37,200, and I prefer the GLK anyway. Best premium crossover bargain, thy name is Benz. Bigtime.
1. Lincoln MKS ($40,870).
Ford's got a lot to be proud of these days. It's weathered the economic storm, its products have been on the upswing (Flex, revamped Fusion), and it's got a couple potential game-changers just around the corner (Fiesta, new Focus).
Alas, it also has the most overpriced car under $50,000 in its stable. That would be the "flagship" Lincoln MKS, which actually received a $2,300 price hike
for 2010. The base front-wheel-drive MKS
now starts at almost $41,000 with its unpleasant 273-hp V6
. You know what the rear-wheel-drive Hyundai Genesis
starts at with its smooth 290-hp V6? $32,250, and it would beat the chrome off the MKS in a head-to-head matchup.
Yes, there's the new MKS EcoBoost model with its twin-turbocharged V6, but there's also the Genesis V8, which has 13 more horsepower than the EcoBoost (368 vs. 355), gets slightly better fuel economy (17/25 vs. an estimated 16/25), and costs $10,000 less ($37,250 vs. $47,790). You might object that neither Genesis can match the MKS's available all-wheel drive, but if that's what you're after, the Cadillac CTS DI AWD, Volkswagen CC VR6 4Motion and Acura TL SH-AWD (to name a few) are all superior cars for less coin.
Someday, the folks at Ford will have the resources and resolve to build a world-class Lincoln luxury sedan. For the time being, they're slapping eye-watering price tags on tarted-up Tauruses and hoping no one will notice.
Any other nominees?
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor
- Posted by
- Josh Sadlier May 15, 2009, 3:00 AM
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- Car Buying, Weekly Top 3
I am pretty sure that by the time you get out of the dealership, Mercedes GLK class will run you close to 50K. I've learned over the years that base price means adding at least 5K to it to get a more appropriate out the door price. As for Lincoln MKS, I also feel it is overpriced and I am looking forward to seeing the new Ford Taurus which is based on same platform as MKS and should cost much less.
Other cars that I feel are overpriced are:
Honda Accord
Lexus RX330
Even being a Ford guy, I've been concerned about the price of the MKS. Then again, I haven't taken the opportunity to explore one. Other vehicles charge more, so I'm keeping my mind open.
I agree with euroman. The out-the-door price of the Mercedes is probably a lot higher and the out-the-door price of the MKS is probably a lot lower.
I'd like to add a couple:
- BMW 1 series. What??? Yea, it seems reasonably priced at first glance, but the out the door price at my local dealer is about $50K.
- Smart. I was passing through a dealer lot last night. They had a "near new" (USED) Smart on sale for $22K. This probably wins the prize for the most ridiculously priced vehicle.
The problem with most dealers is that they order overloaded cars with a bunch of extras for sale. Try to get a basic BMW, Audi, MB or even VW. Good luck!
"The problem with most dealers is that they order overloaded cars with a bunch of extras for sale. Try to get a basic BMW, Audi, MB or even VW. Good luck!"
I guess my luck is really good. I walked in and said "Tell me about your European Delivery program". No probs getting access to a stripped base model that way.
My father was interested in a MB S-class, so I hopped on cars.com. Dealers routinely wanted $7000 above the KBB price (ironically the price estimator used on the same cars.com listings) for a 7 year old car!
I've always thought spending over $50 grand for a pick-up truck was a bit over the top as well.
As I said yesterday... compare the MKS to an E-class. Instead of a tarted up Hyundai.
That's who they were aiming at. You get slightly more comfort for $10-15k less.
^Tarted up Hyundai. Classy.
If Ford is actually trying to compete with the E-class then the MKS is a sadder effort than it seems at first blush.
Had been excited by the CTS; then I realized that, to get a few options on the AWD, DI that come standard in other cars (most notable, the G37x) jacks it up to close to $50k; hard bargaining still can barely get me close to $43k.
The dealer makes the claim that it's supposed to compete with the BMW 5 series (i guess that's what GM is aiming at?); does anyone really think that? A 5-series?
Acura RL (why would anyone buy one over a TL?).
All Saabs.
BMW 1 series is definitely overprices, as stated by brn. Why would anyone buy a 1 over a 3-series? They are about the same price but you get a lot more of a car in a 3 series.
And how about mini coopers? $25K for a used model. That's ridiculous.
As far as Acuras go, why did they make them all so ugly is beyond me. By the way, do you know what they call Acura TL in Europe? Honda Accord. Yes, that is correct. So, why are we buying Accords in Acura's badge and paying 10K more for them?
"By the way, do you know what they call Acura TL in Europe? Honda Accord. Yes, that is correct."
No, that is incorrect. Please research your facts before stating them. The European Honda Accord is the Acura TSX over here, not the TL. Acura brought it over here because people wanted a smaller package but still have entry-level luxury. And it worked, since the TSX was one of the best selling Acuras for a few years.
wildbill, just adding to your list that our honda accord is the European Honda Inspire....
Now for my comment:
I have three cars I'd like to nominate to this list:
#1 is the Bmw X3. Its $39k, based on the previous E46 BMW 3 when in maybe a year or two, we will have a whole new 3! Then add to that the only difference between the 04 model and 09 model is the Standard Sunroof, new body panels, and new engine. That sounds like maybe $1k extra dollars, not the $9k.
#2 is the Nissan Armada: A fully loaded Nissan Armada is over $50k... A base Infiniti QX56 (same truck) with the the fully loaded Armadas options as standard equipment. Add to this the fact the it is more expensive than everything else in its class and is the most unchanged (except for the 2008 refresh)
#3 is the Acura RL. A fully loaded acura TL with the same engine as a RL costs less and gets 99% of the features.... Not to mention the TL is the same size (if not larger), better looking, and newer design. Did I mention it was cheaper?