9 Used Luxury Cars That Are a Bad Investment for the Middle Class
Used luxury cars might seem like a smart investment. Sleek designs, premium interiors, powerful engines and prestigious badges can create the illusion that you're buying appreciating assets. And for a handful of rare or collectible luxury vehicles, that's exactly what happens.
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However, for most luxury cars, reality tells a different story. A recent study from iSeeCars found that many luxury vehicles experience some of the steepest depreciation rates on the market, draining your money through brutal maintenance costs and reliability headaches.
Here are a few used luxury cars the middle class should steer clear of, based on the latest iSeeCars data.
The Jaguar I-PACE leads the list of worst depreciators, losing a staggering 72.2% of its value in just five years, translating to roughly $51,953 wiped away. Despite its cutting-edge design, the I-PACE's rapid depreciation and potential out-of-warranty repair costs make it a risky choice for middle-class buyers.
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The BMW 7 Series promises luxury, but delivers a sharp drop in value — about 67.1% gone in five years, costing you roughly $65,249. Earlier models were also infamous for high-pressure fuel pump failures, causing pricey repairs and widespread recalls.
The Model S electrified the luxury market, but its depreciation rate might shock you at around 65.2% lost within five years, about $52,165 in value. Though electric cars have fewer moving parts, out-of-warranty battery replacements and specialized repairs can quickly add up.
This full-size luxury SUV loses about 65% of its value in five years, shedding more than $53,500. High fuel costs and maintenance expenses further erode its appeal for buyers who want to save money.
The Ghibli offers Italian style and speed, but it comes at a steep price. It loses nearly 64.7% of its value in five years, wiping out over $70,000. Add expensive maintenance and reliability concerns and it's clear this Maserati is better admired than owned.
Another Maserati makes the list. The Levante SUV drops around 63.7% of its value within five years, equating to a loss of nearly $65,000. Coupled with high maintenance and repair costs, it's a luxury SUV that can quickly become a financial burden.
The Range Rover radiates prestige and adventure, but loses around 62.9% of its original value within five years, according to iSeeCars. Frequent engine, suspension and electrical issues mean costly repairs are almost guaranteed.
Audi's flagship sedan boasts tech-rich features and elegant styling, but it depreciates 62.7% in five years, losing about $57,724. Complicated electronics and delicate air suspension systems make it an expensive car to maintain once out of warranty.
The Escalade ESV delivers bold presence, but its 61% depreciation rate after five years — a loss of nearly $57,000 — quickly cuts its value. High running costs, from fuel to repairs, make this SUV a luxury best avoided if you're watching your wallet.
While used luxury cars can be tempting, the specific models we've highlighted often bring steep depreciation, high repair costs and financial strain that most middle-class buyers can't easily absorb. When it comes to these vehicles, steering clear is the smarter financial move.
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USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Waymos are being torched in LA. Why burning EVs isn't a good idea.
Waymos are being torched in LA. Why burning EVs isn't a good idea. Waymo taxis were set on fire during L.A. protests. It's unclear whether they were called or if protesters simply took advantage of their presence Show Caption Hide Caption Protesters set Waymo cars on fire in Los Angeles anti-ICE protests Footage showed flames and thick smoke as demonstrators set Waymo cars on fire during an anti-ICE protest in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon. Multiple Waymo self-driving robotaxis were set on fire in Los Angeles during protests there. Other cars were also put to the torch but the Waymos have garnered special interest, partially because they're something new on the scene and partially because as electric vehicles, they raise different and specific concerns if their batteries burn. Here's what we know and what experts worry about. How many Waymos burned? From social media and photos, it appears that at least five Waymo self-driving robotaxis were set on fire on Sunday, June 8 amidst immigration protests in downtown Los Angeles. Protesters smashed windows on the cars – all Jaguar I-PACE electric SUVs – as well as spray painting them with anti-ICE and anti-Trump slogans. Some were also set on fire. The burning cars, whose base sticker price is $73,000, according to Car and Driver, sent plumes of thick black smoke billowing into the blue Los Angeles sky, making for stunning photos that have figured prominently in many media feeds about the protests. What's Waymo doing about the attacks on its cars? Waymo has suspended service to the affected area of downtown Los Angeles. A Waymo spokesperson told USA TODAY on Monday morning, June 9, the company has removed its vehicles from downtown Los Angeles and is currently not serving the area "out of an abundance of caution." The spokesperson said the company is still operating in Los Angeles, which covers 500 square miles, and is working in coordination with the Los Angeles Police Department. What other cities have Waymos? Waymo are available for rides in Austin, Phoenix, Los Angeles, parts of Silicon Valley and all of San Francisco. They're expected to start in Atlanta, Miami and Washington in 2026. In April the company announced its first foreign venture, with testing beginning in Tokyo. According to the company, more than 250,000 trips a week are taken in its driverless robotaxis. Waymo is owned by Google's parent company, Alphabet. Are people targeting Waymos specifically? It's not clear if the Los Angeles protesters were specifically targeting Waymos or if the cars just happened to wander into the area and because they have no drivers, they were perceived as more vulnerable or they simply didn't know to drive away. The Waymos that burned all appeared to be empty, meaning no passengers were potentially at risk. There have been suggestions online that protesters might have called Waymos to the area specifically to set them on fire. However that would mean Waymo would know the name and contact info of the people who'd called them, making the scenario less likely though certainly not impossible. Waymo would not say how its cars came to be in the area. There have also been suggestions that the Waymos were targeted because they are festooned with cameras, meaning they might be used to identify protesters engaging in illegal activity. However many modern cars are equipped with cameras, so Waymos aren't that different from most newer vehicles on the road. In cities where Waymos are available, which include San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin and Phoenix, the cars are very much like human-driven taxis. They're a frequent sight as they drive around on their way to pick up passengers, or to park as they wait for their next ride request. That means they're often wandering around on city streets, especially in popular and busy areas – like downtown Los Angeles. So it's quite possible the Waymos that were attacked were just going about their business and happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's also true that Waymos are very conservative in their driving habits and won't drive threateningly if surrounded by people. So while a human driver might rev their motor or honk or drive aggressively to get out of a potentially dangerous situation, a Waymo would just calmly try to go on its way – making it an easy target. What happens when an EV burns? Electric vehicle fires can burn hotter and more intensely than gasoline-fueled cars, if their batteries catch fire. 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There are important distinctions between electric vehicle (EV) fires and traditional gasoline-powered vehicle fires, both in terms of combustion characteristics and potential health hazards, said Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez, deputy director of the Sylvester Firefighter Cancer Initiative at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. EV fires can release gases such as hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and metal-based particulates. 'These emissions differ in composition from those generated by gasoline combustion, which primarily include carbon monoxide, benzene, and other hydrocarbons,' he said. The health concerns from EV fires arise for anyone nearby, particularly bystanders downwind of the smoke plume who may inhale toxic combustion byproducts, Caban-Martinez said. But firefighters are at special risk due to the frequency and intensity of their exposure to EV fires. 'Firefighters often work in close proximity to the fire, are involved in prolonged suppression and overhaul tasks, and may experience cumulative exposure over the course of their careers. Repeated exposures, even at low doses to hazardous substances released during EV fires can increase the risk of long-term health effects, including respiratory disease and cancer,' Caban-Martinez said. Putting out a fire in an electric vehicle requires different techniques If an electric vehicle's battery catches fire, different firefighting techniques can be required to quench it. Firefighters are trained on these techniques and the National Fire Protection Association offers emergency response guides to most alternative fuel vehicles. Today most EVs are built with what are known as "cut loops" or "first responder loops" that allow firefighters and first responders to easily cut and disconnect the high-voltage system outside of the high voltage battery, to reduce the risk of electric shock and possible fire. Note: this can only be done safely by trained professionals with the appropriate tools and gear. EV fires are more difficult to put out than ones in gasoline-powered cars and require different firefighting techniques, which firefighters are trained on. The biggest difference is that an EV battery fire cannot be put out with the type of firefighting foam used to smother other fires. If an EV battery is on fire, it does not require oxygen to burn because it is self-sustaining, so the foam cannot stop the fire. Instead, the battery must be cooled to stop the fire and end thermal runaway. 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Motor 1
3 hours ago
- Motor 1
Every Hot Hatchback You Can Buy In 2025
Hot hatchbacks don't have the same stranglehold over the affordable performance segment that they once did. At least, not in the US. As recently as the mid-2010s, we were spoiled for choice with options like the Fiat 500 Abarth, the Ford Focus and Fiesta STs, the Mazdaspeed 3—and so many more. These days, the market has dwindled to just a handful of options. Icons like the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen GTI live on. Beyond that, we've been forced to stretch the definition of a "hot hatchback" by including luxury liftbacks from Audi and Porsche, as well as electric options from BMW and Hyundai. Sadly, hot hatchbacks just aren't as desirable in the US as they once were. But, there are still some excellent options if you know where to look. Acura Integra Type S Photo by: Acura Price: $54,095 320 Horsepower The Integra may look like a sedan, but it is in fact a hatchback. And with the Type S badge, it's a pretty hot one at that. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the Integra Type S sends 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, paired exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission. It takes just 5.2 seconds for it to reach 60 miles per hour. Unfortunately, the Integra Type S is also one of the pricier options on this list, with an MSRP of $54,095 for 2025. Audi S5 Photo by: Audi Price: $63,995 362 Horsepower Audi's lineup will look drastically different over the next few years. The longstanding A4 sedan, for example, is gone. In its place is a new A5 with a liftback design—or, a hatchback design. While there's no RS5 (yet), the new Audi S5 has a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 mild-hybrid with 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, which sends it to 60 miles per hour in 4.7 seconds. If you want to get your hands on a new S5, prepare to dish out at least $63,995 for the luxury five-door. Audi S7 / RS7 Price: $87,590 / $130,490 444 / 621 Horsepower The Audi A7 range may not be around for much longer, so get it while you still can. Even though the base A7 packs a turbocharged V-6 with a modest 335 horsepower, it's the S7 and RS7 Performance models you really want. The S7 makes 444 hp from a turbocharged V-6, while the RS7 Performance packs a whopping 621 horsepower from its twin-turbo V-8. Neither of these performance cars is cheap, with the S7 starting at $87,590 and the RS7 Performance asking $130,490. BMW i4 Price: $59,075 396 Horsepower One of only two electric "hatchbacks" on this list, the BMW i4 comes standard with 335 horsepower and up to 318 miles of range, depending on how you spec it. The all-wheel-drive xDrive40 model gets even more oomph with 396 hp and up to 287 miles of range. But if it's the hottest i4 you're after, the M50 model puts down 536 hp, which sends it to 60 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds. Sure, that also drops the range figure to 267 miles—but that's a small price to pay. Speaking of price: The base i4 starts at $59,075 while the M50 model is $71,875. BMW M440i Gran Coupe Photo by: BMW Price: $64,375 386 Horsepower No, you can't get the cute little 2 Series hatchback here in the US; the next-best thing is the X2 SUV. But, BMW does technically have a gas-powered hatchback in the M440i Gran Coupe . The sportiest version of BMW's 4 Series Gran Coupe makes 386 horsepower from a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, and comes with your choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. With AWD, it takes just 4.3 seconds for it to reach 60 miles per hour. The M440i Gran Coupe starts at $64,375. Honda Civic Type R Photo by: Honda Price: $47,045 315 Horsepower The beloved Honda Civic Type R soldiers on into 2025 with minimal changes. Not that that's an issue. The feisty five-door still makes 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. A six-speed manual is the only gearbox option, and power is sent to the front wheels. For 2025, Honda asks $47,045 for the Civic Type R. Hyundai Ioniq 5N Price: $67,675 641 Horsepower Only the second electric "hatchback" on this list, the Hyundai Ioniq 5N packs a powerful punch with its 84.0-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors pumping out 641 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque. That sends the electric hatch to 60 miles per hour in just 3.4 seconds—supercar speed. Of course, Hyundai won't let you walk away with a new Ioniq 5N for cheap; it starts at $67,675 with destination. Check Out These Lists Every Three-Row SUV You Can Buy in 2025 The Best Performance Cars of 2025 (So Far) Mazda3 Turbo Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 Price: $34,635 250 Horsepower Mazdaspeed is gone, and it probably isn't coming back anytime soon. RIP. That said, Mazda does still have a hot-ish hatchback in its lineup: The 3 Turbo . With a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine making 250 horsepower, it's just powerful enough to keep things interesting. It takes the Mazda3 Turbo 6.0 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour, but sadly, it's only available with an automatic. You can get one for $34,635 for 2025. Mini Cooper JCW Photo by: Mini Price: $39,375 221 Horsepower The Mini Cooper has been the quintessential British hatchback since its introduction to the market in the early 2000s. Though it's not as small or lightweight as it was 20-plus years ago, the Cooper hardtop's relatively low weight and simplicity make it a joy to toss around corners. These days, the Cooper JCW is the one to get, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four making 221 horsepower, sending power to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission—sorry purists, there's no manual available right now. Porsche Panamera Photo by: Porsche Price: $104,795 348 Horsepower Designating the Porsche Panamera a hot hatch might be stretching the definition of the term a bit, but considering its hatch out back and sporty intentions, we think the car has earned its place here. There's a bevy of different engines to choose from, ranging from a base turbocharged V-6 making 348 horsepower, all the way to the Turbo S E-Hybrid, powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 hybrid making 771 horsepower. No matter which trim you go for, you're in for a lovely driving experience—this is a Porsche, after all. Toyota GR Corolla Photo by: Toyota Price: $39,995 300 Horsepower The Toyota GR Corolla is a hot hatch in the truest sense. It takes a normal, economical package and turns it into something exciting and fun to drive. There are widened fenders, new bumpers, and, most importantly, a turbocharged three-cylinder making a nice, even 300 horsepower. Thrust gets to all four wheels via a six-speed manual or, for 2025, an optional eight-speed automatic. While the auto is nice, we suggest going for the manual, as it delivers the purest experience. It's also the cheapest option, starting at $39,995. Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Price: $34,110 220 Horsepower Surprised to see a Prius on this list? You shouldn't be. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid (formerly the Prius Prime) may not look very sporty, but it's hiding some serious performance under that sleek, aerodynamically efficient body. The plug-in hybrid system makes a total of 220 horsepower, enough to launch the car to 60 miles per hour in just 6.4 seconds. We'd say that's more than quick enough to qualify the car for hot hatch status. Best of all, you can pick one up for just $34,110, which is pretty cheap for any plug-in hybrid, much less something as efficient as the Prius. Volkswagen GTI Photo by: Volkswagen Price: $33,670 241 Horsepower The Volkswagen Golf GTI might not be the dominant figure it used to be, but if you're shopping for a car that checks all the boxes, it's hard to ignore. Volkswagen's punchy five-door looks great, drives well, and delivers enough comfort to be used every day. Under the hood is a 241-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four spinning the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. You can pick one up for as little as $33,670, making it a relative bargain in a world of ever-ballooning new car prices. Volkswagen Golf R Photo by: Volkswagen Price: $48,325 328 Horsepower If the GTI is for the everyman, the Golf R is for the purists. Save for some minor changes to the bumpers and trim, it looks the same as its less extreme sibling. But it's hiding a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder, delivering 328 horses to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. That bump in power and extra set of driven wheels means a 0-60 time in the mid-four-second range. The upgrades will cost you, though, to the tune of $48,325. Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Miami Herald
6 hours ago
- Miami Herald
India to Get New Spy Planes to Counter Nuclear Rivals Pakistan and China
India is preparing to bolster its intelligence and surveillance capabilities with the acquisition of advanced I-STAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) aircraft, in a major boost to the Air Force's ability to counter challenges posed by Pakistan and China, according to news reports. Newsweek has reached out to India's Defense Ministry and the Pakistani government for comment. The reports follows the worst confrontation in decades with Pakistan and underlined India's plan to strengthen aerial reconnaissance and to reduce reliance on foreign arms. Pakistan performed strongly in air combat in May with the help of jets from China, which is another strategic rival of India's and is also locked in territorial disputes. Tensions remain high between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, despite U.S. diplomatic efforts that helped bring about a ceasefire. The project, at an estimated cost of 10,000 Indian Rupee (approximately $1.2 billion), involves integrating indigenous sensor systems onto foreign-made airframes and is expected to be reviewed by the defense ministry, according to news agency ANI, citing defense officials. The systems for I-STAR have been developed by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) which integrates advanced airborne surveillance platforms for the Indian military. The I-STAR could mark a leap in the Indian Air Force's (IAF) ability to conduct precision strikes and monitor enemy movements. High‑altitude surveillance planes will allow the IAF to conduct target enemy radar sites, mobile air defense units, and command posts-including from stand‑off ranges, according to The Economic Times. India has fast-tracked the modernization of its air power-jets, drones, and advanced systems-following its recent armed exchange with Pakistan, where it caused damage but was also challenged by Pakistani air defenses. India accelerated its defense buildup with $4.6 billion in emergency procurement, advancing stealth jet development, a $470 million drone deal, and a $7 billion purchase of 26 Rafale naval fighters, according to Reuters. In March, Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, said new Delhi "can no longer overlook" threats resulting from the military ties between Pakistan and China, especially in advanced cyber and electronic warfare tools, according to India Today. Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi said in March, according to India Today: "There is a high degree of collusion that we must acknowledge. In the virtual domain, it is nearly 100 per cent. Physically, most of the equipment present is of Chinese origin. The two-front war threat is a reality." Christopher Clary, Non-resident fellow at the Stimson Center's South Asia program wrote in an analysis in May: "This crisis involved the use of several weapons systems, often in innovative ways, which neither India nor Pakistan possessed at the time of their last crisis in 2019. While this crisis provides a baseline for the next India-Pakistan crisis, the pace of military technological change means that the contours of that next crisis might be meaningfully different. Both sides' perceived setbacks and failures will serve as a major driver for defense acquisitions and doctrinal innovation." India aims at acquiring three aircraft from foreign manufacturers including Boeing and Canada's Bombardier for the spy planes, ANI reported. Related Articles India Holds Major Air Drill Near Pakistan After Giant DogfightFBI Working With India to Disrupt Chinese Fentanyl Network-Kash PatelG7 Invite for Modi Signals India's Growing Weight for Democratic AllianceWorld's Highest Rail Bridge Opens to Reshape Nuclear Rivals' Power Map 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
