The Five Best Luxury Cars on Craigslist (for under $10,000)

"Van Man, rocks the Man Van" (jacoboconnell)
08/12/2015 at 17:23 • Filed to: Craigslist, Challenge

A few days ago, I noticed that Tavarish hadn’t posted an eBay challenge in a while, so I took matters into my own hands and created the “Oppo Craigslist Challenge.”

Last week, I asked you to find me the best luxury cars on CL for under $10,000. You guys didn’t disappoint, and I received dozens of submissions. Now, I’ve compiled what are (in my opinion), the five best.

I’m sorry that I’m unable to post links, as some of the ads have disappeared.

2000 Lexus LS400

This is not Matt Farah’s Million Mile Lexus. This LS (courtesy of Nibby, Eggplant Wizard PhD) is the refreshed version of the second generation of Lexus’s flagship sedan. With an $8900 asking price and only about 66,000 miles, this LS looks to be in good condition for its age. The smooth V8 produces 290 horsepower, which is more than enough to pull this comfortable and refined cruiser around.

2001 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG

A CL on CL? Who would have thought of that? However, this is no ordinary Mercedes CL. Instead, this is the mad, 355 horsepower AMG version (courtesy of AMGtech). Granted, the later models produced another 138 horsepower thanks to a supercharger, but this model is no slouch, hitting 60 in well under 6 seconds. It’s still very luxurious, too, as it also features heated and cooled seats, a Bose sound system, and navigation. The only downside of this $9995 example seems to be the 128,000+ miles the car has traveled.

2006 Lexus GS300

This Lexus GS (courtesy of Miss Mercedes Smart Expert) may not seem like an obvious choice, but as soon as someone she it, I knew it was going on the list. Let me explain why: my friend’s dad has a GS330 of the same generation, and it is fantastic. It is exactly everything that you think about when you hear the word “Lexus.” It’s comfortable, it’s quiet, it rides nice, and it’s just a relaxed, easygoing car. It doesn’t hurt that this car costs only $10,000 and comes with tons of features. Like the CL, though, it has extremely high mileage: over 139,000. But don’t worry, it’ll still be reliable.

2004 Volkswagen Phaeton

This car (courtesy of Vicente Esteve) needs no introduction, mainly because it’s been trending on Jalopnik and Oppositelock for the past few days. For $8,397, you are basically getting a Bentley with a relatively low 88,000 miles. Admit it, you’ve always wanted a Phaeton. It is the ultimate in “stealth wealth,” for well under $10,000.

2001 Mercedes-Benz S600

There are exactly two reasons why this car is better than the Phaeton: 1) it’s a Mercedes S-class and 2) it has a V12. Yes, that’s right, folks! You can buy a 12 cylinder Mercedes (once again courtesy of AMGtech, who definitely isn't a Mercedes fanboy) for $9995. Unfortunately, this is another car with high mileage (127,000), but look at that LEGROOM. If you want to look wealthy for not much money, this is your car.

DISCUSSION (15)

MultiplaOrgasms > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/12/2015 at 17:27

No 1980s Mercedes 200D? This list is invalid.

dogisbadob > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/12/2015 at 17:31

I for sure my LS430 would make it :p

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > MultiplaOrgasms
08/12/2015 at 17:31

No one submitted one but you, and I can't read German.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > dogisbadob
08/12/2015 at 17:32

The LS400 was pretty close.

dogisbadob > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/12/2015 at 17:38

fair enough

MultiplaOrgasms > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/12/2015 at 17:49

Pictures say more than a thousand words.

coelacanthist > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/12/2015 at 17:58

No honorable mention for my shady up armored 7 series? So what if it belongs to a Mexican carte... err “company”

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > MultiplaOrgasms
08/12/2015 at 17:59

Can I reassure you by saying it would have made the list if it wasn’t on another continent?

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > coelacanthist
08/12/2015 at 18:05

If it makes you feel better, half the reason I made it a Craigslist challenge instead of Autotrader or something was to read hilarious ads like the one you posted.

coelacanthist > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/12/2015 at 18:13

Glad you got a chuckle as well :) I can’t find that ad anymore, I guess El Chapo wanted his car back when he got out.

MultiplaOrgasms > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/12/2015 at 18:41

Thaaaats racist

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/12/2015 at 18:46

There have been surprisingly few objections so far. I'm getting scared...

JR1 > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/12/2015 at 21:33

My heart literally aches for a V12 CL of that vintage. One day...

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/13/2015 at 02:09

Nice picks! (I say as in my head I jump for joy while yelling “I win I win I win!”)

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/13/2015 at 08:39

Haha. If you're making a list of good luxury cars, you can't go wrong with Mercedes.