12 Reasons to Buy (and Avoid) a Luxury Car in Retirement

Thinking about rewarding yourself with a luxury car after retirement? Before you make that big decision, it’s worth weighing both sides. From comfort, safety, and status to maintenance costs and practicality here are 12 reasons why a luxury car might be the best (or worst) purchase you make in retirement.

Lexus ES 350

Honestly, the ES 350 might be like the perfect retirement car, and I’m not just saying that because my neighbor has one. Around $43,000 to start, and it’s just… reliable luxury, you know? The seats are crazy comfortable – like, my lower back actually feels better after long drives, which never happens in my current car. Toyota reliability underneath all that luxury, so you’re not gonna be dealing with surprise $2,000 repair bills when you’re trying to stick to a budget. The ride is smooth as butter, it’s whisper quiet, and the controls aren’t trying to be too clever. I mean, the only downside is it’s kinda boring to drive, but maybe that’s exactly what you want when you’re 68 and just want to get places without drama.

Mercedes S-Class

So the S-Class… this is where I start going “but do you really need this?” because we’re talking like $115,000 minimum, which is just… that’s a lot of money when you’re retired, right? But man, if you can afford it, this thing is basically a living room on wheels. The massage seats, the air suspension that makes every road feel smooth, the crazy quiet cabin… it’s like riding in a luxury hotel. The problem is, and this is a big one, maintenance costs are absolutely brutal. We’re talking $1,500 oil changes and $800 brake pad replacements, and when something electronic goes wrong… oof. It’s gorgeous and incredibly comfortable, but unless you’ve got serious money, it might stress you out more than pamper you.

Genesis G90

Now this is interesting… the G90 is like $75,000, which sounds expensive but compared to the German stuff with similar features? It’s actually kinda reasonable. Plus that 10-year warranty, which is huge when you’re on a fixed income. The interior is legitimately luxurious – real wood, soft leather, those massage seats that actually work. The ride quality is incredible, like S-Class smooth but without the S-Class maintenance nightmares. My only concern is the dealer network isn’t as established yet, so if you live in a smaller town, getting service might be a pain. But honestly, for the money, it might be the smartest luxury choice for retirees right now.

BMW 7 Series

The 7 Series is… it’s complicated, you know? Around $95,000 and it’s got all this crazy technology that might be overwhelming if you’re not into learning new systems. Like, do you really need gesture controls and a touchscreen in the back seat? But the comfort level is undeniable – those seats are amazing, the ride is smooth, and when everything works, it’s fantastic. The problem is BMW maintenance costs and… honestly, some of the tech feels like it’s designed for younger people who grew up with smartphones. If you’re comfortable with technology and have the budget for upkeep, great, but it might be more car than you actually need.

Cadillac CT6

Wait, did they discontinue the CT6? I think they did… man, that’s frustrating because it was actually pretty good for retirees. When it was around, it was like $60,000 and had this nice balance of luxury and comfort without being too complicated. This is what annoys me about car companies – they make something that works for older buyers and then kill it off to chase younger demographics. The CT6 had comfortable seats, a smooth ride, and controls that made sense. Now Cadillac doesn’t really have anything in that sweet spot for retirees.

Volvo S90

The S90 is around $55,000 and it’s got this whole Scandinavian minimalism thing going on, which I actually think works really well for retirees. Clean, uncluttered interior, incredibly comfortable seats – Volvo has always known how to make great seats – and it’s packed with safety features. The ride is smooth and refined, not sporty, which is probably what you want. Plus, Volvo’s reputation for safety is huge when you’re thinking about… well, you know, age-related reaction times and stuff. The maintenance isn’t too crazy compared to German brands, and it just feels solid and well-built.

Lincoln Continental

Actually, I think they stopped making this one too… ugh, seriously? The Continental was perfect for retirees – around $50,000, those incredible 30-way adjustable seats, super quiet ride, and it looked properly luxurious without being flashy. This is exactly what I’m talking about – automakers keep killing off cars that make perfect sense for people with money who want comfort over sportiness. The Continental was like a modern Town Car, and now it’s gone. So frustrating.

Acura RLX

And this one’s discontinued too! The RLX was around $55,000 and it was like… reliable luxury that wasn’t trying too hard. Honda reliability with premium features, comfortable for long drives, not too complicated. Now Acura’s whole lineup is focused on being sporty and appealing to younger buyers, but what about people who just want a nice, dependable luxury sedan? It’s like they forgot that retirees exist and have money to spend.

Buick LaCrosse

Wait, this one’s gone too… okay, I’m seeing a pattern here and it’s really annoying. The LaCrosse was like $32,000 and perfect for older buyers – comfortable, quiet, easy to see out of, simple controls. Buick used to understand the retirement market better than anyone, and now they’re trying to be young and hip with SUVs. The LaCrosse wasn’t exciting, but it was exactly what a lot of retirees needed – affordable luxury that just worked.

Chrysler 300

At least this one’s still around! The 300 starts around $33,000 and it’s like… luxury on a budget, sort of. It looks expensive, rides smooth, and has a big comfortable interior. The thing is, it’s basically a Dodge underneath, so parts are cheap and any mechanic can work on it. The interior feels a bit plasticky when you look close, but from the driver’s seat, it’s pretty comfortable. For retirees who want something that looks impressive without breaking the bank, it’s not a terrible choice. Just don’t expect Mercedes-level refinement.

Genesis GV70

Okay, switching to SUVs because honestly, they’re easier for older folks to get in and out of. The GV70 is around $42,000 and it’s got that Genesis luxury but in SUV form. The seats are comfortable, ride height is perfect, and it’s got all the safety tech without being overwhelming. The warranty is still that amazing 10-year deal, which gives you peace of mind. It’s not too big, not too small, and it feels premium without being pretentious. I think this might be the sweet spot for retirees who want luxury but also practicality.

Lexus GX 460

And finally, the GX 460… around $58,000 and it’s like the tank of luxury SUVs. Toyota Land Cruiser underneath, so it’ll run forever, but with Lexus luxury on top. Super reliable, comfortable, and it can handle any weather or road conditions. The downside is it drinks gas like crazy – we’re talking like 15 mpg – but if you’re mostly doing local driving, maybe that doesn’t matter as much. It’s also pretty big and truck-like, so if you’re used to sedans, it might feel overwhelming at first.