Why do Maybachs hold their value?

"Jagvar" (Jagvar)
04/21/2014 at 13:17 • Filed to: None

The cheapest Maybach in the country right now (or just about) is a 2004 57 with around 50K miles. It's listed for a hair under $80K. But when you look at its competition, nothing holds its value the same way. At the same age and mileage, these cars cost much, much less:

- Bentley Arnage: ~$55K

- Bentley Flying Spur: ~ $50K

- Mercedes S-Class: ~$15K

Eighty grand is an awful lot of money to spend on a 10-year-old car, even if it is a Maybach. So why are they still so expensive after all these years? Why haven't they sunk into semi-affordable territory?

DISCUSSION (12)

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Jagvar
04/21/2014 at 13:19

That kind of money could put you in a Phaeton! Well, after you replaced the shocks and timing chain

jkm7680 > Jagvar
04/21/2014 at 13:21

It might be the Mercedes maintenance, compared to the Bentley maintenance

Mercedes maintenance is expensive, but Bentley maintenance has to be much more than that of Mercedes.

Just guessing, but it's the only logical explanation that I can think of.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Jagvar
04/21/2014 at 13:25

I wonder what the reliability is on a Maybach? I figure it's got to be fairly decent, since luxury that doesn't start or get you to your destination isn't much luxury at all. 50k isn't a lot of miles for a modern car, especially one that has such a "precision build" heritage. What is the highest mileage seen on one?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Jagvar
04/21/2014 at 13:29

Kinja'd!!!

Jalopnik actually had the Maybach in its list of fastest depreciating cars a while back. After just a decade it had lost about 2/3 of it's original value.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Jagvar
04/21/2014 at 13:55

Ah, but Rolls-Royces holds their value even better. The cheapest Phantom? A 2004 w/ 37k miles, yours for the low low price of $128,500

thebigbossyboss > Jagvar
04/21/2014 at 13:55

Boy those S classes sure are cheap. I should buy one then go broke trying to maintain it.

nurik.xix > Jagvar
04/21/2014 at 14:02

If I had to guess, I'd blame this one on scarcity. Maybach of that vintage simply didn't sell as nearly well as their competitors (mercs and bentleys). When you have a small supply, prices are gonna rise to compensate.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jagvar
04/21/2014 at 14:51

The original MSRP for the Maybach was considerably higher than the Bentleys, correct?

Jagvar > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/21/2014 at 14:58

True. The original MSRP for the Arnage was ~260K, and the Flying Spur was ~185K. The MSRP for the Maybach was ~340K.

It seems these things were always overpriced.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jagvar
04/21/2014 at 15:04

I always thought they were, too. Just a car for the super-rich to show off with (I paid more than you did...). After 10 years, the Maybach has retained 24% of original value, the Arnage has retained 21%, the Flying Spur 27%, and the S-Class: 17% (assuming 90K new).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jagvar
04/21/2014 at 16:26

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Jagvar
04/21/2014 at 22:48

Given my cousins stories keeping a 10 year old C class on the road. I can't imagine why a Maybach depreciates. (sarcasm).