What Costs You Can Expect When Buying a Used Luxury Car Luxury cars are fancy, which makes them awesome. Even better? Thanks to the magic of depreciation, you can buy a used luxury car for a steal of a deal at just a few years old and with highly reasonable mileage. Go for an older, higher-mileage machine, and you might even find a flagship luxury cruiser for what its original owner paid in tax. Or, maybe, you’re considering a brand new model from the showroom floor. Whether you’re shopping a new or used luxury vehicle, being aware of all ongoing costs required to keep it ticking is a great idea. Nothing ruins your luxury car experience quite as bad as finding out after the fact that you can’t comfortably afford to keep it on the road. Here are a few commonly overlooked costs associated with owning and running a luxury vehicle. Keep these in mind when laying out your new (or new-to-you) luxury motoring budget. Fuel: If you’re moving from a Kia Forte into a BMW 3 Series, remember that you’ll likely be burning more fuel and a pricier fuel grade. Many luxury cars require premium fuel at every fill, meaning you’ll be paying a few bucks more to fill your tank. This adds up over time, adding to your running costs. When considering your budget for a gas-fueled luxury car, be sure to determine what grade of gasoline it requires and budget to fill it with appropriate fuel every time. If you’re considering a BMW, Audi, Lexus, Mercedes, Acura, Volvo or any other luxury-branded car, chances are that it needs to be fed premium-grade gasoline. Though most luxury cars won’t be harmed by running cheaper “regular-grade” gasoline, doing so will reduce engine performance and fuel efficiency, sometimes drastically. Insurance: Many variables come into play regarding insurance rates and insurance costs on a luxury vehicle may be more than a mainstream model. Trevor McVey is with Rivet Insurance Brokers Limited, in Sudbury, Ontario. He says “for a luxury car or higher-end vehicle, the insurance costs aren’t that much more than a regular car, but the big thing to look at is the deductibles the company will place on the Collision and Comprehensive coverages for the vehicle.” Deductibles range from company to company, though shoppers should be on the lookout. “Normally, the deductible is $500 to $1,000, but on a higher-valued vehicle, this could climb to $2,000 or more. Some companies also limit coverage to drivers over 25 years old,” McVey says. “It’s one of those things — the shopper has to have their broker shop the market for the best rate and coverages. Sometimes, the online do-it-yourself quotes will look better, until you see the coverages and deductible amounts. Vehicle owner needs to make sure they’re aware of the coverages.” Translation? When shopping for insurance, do your homework, and read the fine print, especially around deductibles.