Value is an infinitely subjective quality, and value in a car can be measured by a raft of different aspects. Of course, the best value car in the world would have both the best fuel efficiency and the best performance, the most controlled handling along with the cheapest-to-replace parts, and would be available in all different colors (at no extra charge), in a variety of body shapes, and with hundreds of different interior options...And obviously, that would not be a single car, but a whole range of them!
We have compiled this list if the best value luxury and classic cars in Hong Kong and all over the world based on factors like the satisfaction of people who own the car, a standard reliability index, and the total cost to run, including things like insurance, maintenance, fuel costs, depreciation, financing fees and taxes. Of course, emotional attachment - the 'just love it' factor, is also taken into account, through the owner satisfaction scores. These cars may not be the most fuel efficient, the punchiest, or the smartest in their classes, but they provide an excellent mix of features and have wide market appeal.
In the Midsize crossover utility category, the Ford Edge gained a rating of 877/1000 on the total quality index (TQI). The cost of ownership is quite reasonable - over 3 years, the Ford Edge will cost you around $9,000US, while over 5 years, it will cost around $51,000US. It is considered vey reliable, and it comes with innovative features like a tire pressure monitoring system, roll stability control, comes with privacy glass, and has modern features like an mp3 input jack that are infrequently found, even today.
The Mercedes Benz CLS class has gained consistently good scores in the empotional attachment category. This classic Mercedes Benz is said to have a blend of athleticism and sumptuousness - a strange yet enticing mix, creating a masculine and luxurious feel. A lot of the undferlying structure and hardware is the same as in the E-class, which gives the CLS good heritage. It has a seven speed gearbox, meaning that performance nuts will be extremely pleased with the CLS. Those seven gears also have 382 horsepower and 391 pounds per foot of torque, making the CLS a classic sports car.
The Lexus LS 460 is recognized as one of the best luxury cars to own, and has one of the highest satisfaction ratings around, with owners giving it 922/1000 on the scale. One of the most groundbreaking and impressive features is that Lexus take care of maintenance and repairs during the first three years of ownership; this also significantly reduces the cost of ownership in the first three years. The three year cost is $17,000 or thereabouts, while the five year cost is just over $98,000. However, it has a voice activated navigation system, and other quirky extras like a push button ignition to start and stop, a headlamp washer and knee airbags for front passengers.
The Mercedes Benz SLK class is another classics from the German fathers of luxury and performance. Its true cost to own is relatively low for all its luxury, at only $12,000 or thereabouts for three years. Over five years the SLK class is estimated to cost $76,109. The SLK was the first car to popularize the steel retractable convertible top, rather than the usual fabric soft top, with the inferior security and pigeonholed styling.
These classic cars from Mercedes Benz, Lexus and Ford show that value in luxury cars really is possible, no matter what end of the scales you like to drive at. |
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