5 Used Luxury German Cars That Are Good Investment for Retirees
For You:
Check Out:
'German cars have a stellar reputation for a reason and that is they hold their value well over time,' said Lauren Fix, automotive expert at Car Coach Reports — emphasizing their engineering, build quality and resale strength.
Used models are especially attractive, as the biggest chunk of depreciation is already factored into the price. The five cars below were handpicked based on Fix's insights and supported by data from trusted automotive analysts.
In contrast, here are used luxury German cars retirees should avoid.
The BMW 2 Series blends sportiness with compact design, making it a great fit for retirees who want both agility and comfort. Lauren Fix included the BMW 2 Series among her top picks for retirees, citing its strong resale value at an estimated 61%. While BMWs are known for higher maintenance costs, this model remains manageable with average upkeep of $922 per year, according to RepairPal.
Trending Now:
It offers supportive seating, responsive handling and a refined cabin without the overwhelming tech found in larger luxury sedans. For retirees looking for reliability, retained value and the iconic BMW driving feel, the 2 Series delivers all three without financial regret.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class or 'G-Wagon,' is one of the few large luxury SUVs that holds its value exceptionally well over time. Lauren Fix cited the G-Class among her top five used German cars for retirees, estimating a 63% value retention. While maintenance and insurance can be expensive, these costs are balanced by strong resale performance and brand prestige.
According to RepairPal, the annual maintenance cost for a Mercedes-Benz G500 is around $1,461. Despite the costs, the G-Class provides unmatched presence, top-tier build quality and timeless design. Retirees looking for durability, status and value protection will find the G-Wagon delivers all three.
Audi's Q3 subcompact SUV provides a smooth ride, intuitive controls and easy maneuverability — three qualities ideal for older drivers. CarEdge reported only 38% depreciation over five years, making it one of the best performers in its class.
Lauren Fix backed the Q3 as a smart investment, estimating a 61% value retention and noting that Audi, like BMW, 'generally holds value well over time.' The Q3 also boasts low ownership costs for a German SUV. RepairPal put the Q3's average yearly maintenance at $956.
With a premium interior, comfortable ride and useful cargo space, the Q3 is ideal for daily errands, weekend getaways and everything in between. For retirees who want a luxury crossover that drives small but feels upscale, the Audi Q3 fits perfectly.
The Porsche 911 is more than just a race car; it's a worldwide icon that sells for a lot of money. Lauren Fix said the 911 was a great choice for retirement because it will hold 83% of its value, which is more than any other car she talked about. RepairPal said the yearly upkeep costs around $1,072, but that cost is balanced by the fact that it doesn't lose much value.
The 911 is perfect for retirees with the money who want something that works well and will be popular for a long time. It's elegant, well-known and good for the wallet, which isn't often found in expensive sports cars.
The Audi TT sticks out because it is small, stylish and fun to drive, all in a luxurious package. It's also one of the most valuable luxury cars in its class over time. Lauren Fix said that the Audi TT was one of the best used German purchases for retirement because it has a selling value of 70%, which was much higher than the average for the class. According to RepairPal, the yearly cost of repair is about $752, which is about right for a German sports car.
Audi stopped making the model in 2023, which makes it more likely that it will be popular as a modern classic in the future. The TT is a great choice for retirees who still want to drive quickly without giving up comfort or value.
More From GOBankingRates
5 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying
5 Cities You Need To Consider If You're Retiring in 2025
4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early
10 Cars That Outlast the Average Vehicle
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Used Luxury German Cars That Are Good Investment for Retirees
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Car and Driver
an hour ago
- Car and Driver
Mercedes-AMG GT Track Sport Teased as Winged GT3 RS Competitor
The Mercedes-AMG GT Track Sport is a new version of the German coupe the brand just teased for the first time. According to Mercedes, it will be powered by a V-8 and is being developed to set new record drives, presumably with the Nürburgring at the top of that list. Officially, the GT Track Sport is labeled a concept, but production is likely, as the brand says it offers a "glimpse into the future of the AMG GT family." To give you an idea of where the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe falls on the sliding scale between surgical and brutish in its demeanor, take a look at our most recent review, where we compared the 2025 GT63 S E Performance to a hippopotamus. Thankfully, despite the GT Coupe's brash nature, Mercedes-AMG hasn't given up on it and instead developed a new track-focused model aptly named the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Sport. Mercedes-AMG According to Mercedes, the new GT Track Sport is being developed "to set record new times," which we can only assume means the automaker is planning a Nürburgring attempt in the near future. No performance details are given, but with Mercedes seemingly targeting competitors like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, upgrades are sure to be plentiful. Given the on-track performance focus of the new concept, it's likely the GT Coupe ditches the 2+2 layout in favor of a strictly two-seat design. And while the entire car is shrouded behind a camouflaged curtain, the large front splitter and aggressive swan-neck rear wing stick out as performance upgrades. Mercedes-AMG There's no word on output yet, but we do know the GT Track Sport sticks to a V-8 mill under the hood. Between the GT55 and the GT63 trims, the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 setup in the current AMG GT lineup produces between 469 and 603 horsepower. Add in the hybrid batteries of the GT63 S E Performance, and the combined output surges to 805. Mercedes-AMG Mercedes-AMG Mercedes hasn't confirmed that the GT Track Sport is actually headed for production. The model is officially labeled as a concept, but given that Mercedes says the teaser offers a "glimpse into the future of the AMG GT family," we fully expect it to enter production. Here's hoping that, despite the car's name, the Mercedes-AMG team kept its cool long enough to fill out the requisite paperwork to make the GT Track Sport road legal. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Zefiro Methane subsidiary secures well plugging project in Ohio, US
Plants & Goodwin (P&G), a subsidiary of US-based private methane offsets originator Zefiro Methane, has secured a new orphan well-plugging project, Morrow 8, in Morrow County, Ohio, US. This initiative, funded by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), involves the plugging of four orphan wells in Morrow County and the excavation and capping of two additional wells in Gilead and Perry townships. The project was awarded to P&G following a competitive bidding process, with a winning bid of $522,233. In 2023, Zefiro Methane purchased a majority ownership stake in P&G, followed by 100% acquisition in September 2024. As of the end of June 2025, P&G expanded its Ohio operations with the Belmont 6 ODNR orphan well project in Belmont County. This follows a substantial $19.6m contract awarded earlier in the year for plugging and abandonment management. P&G CEO Luke Plants said: 'Zefiro continues to build on its strong historical success in Ohio, which is a key market in the environmental remediation services space given the number of wells that have been drilled across the state over the past several generations. 'The Columbus, Ohio, metro area has more than 2.1 million residents (per the 2020 US Census ), and the proximity of Morrow County to this population hub truly underscores how close the unplugged well crisis is to the communities in which so many Americans and their families live. 'We are pleased to have this opportunity to make a difference by way of taking on the Morrow 8 project, and we look forward to continuing to play an active role in cleaning up precious land, water and air resources one well at a time.' According to ODNR Director Mary Mertz, Ohio has increased its efforts to plug orphan wells, with 353 and 478 wells remediated in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 (FY24 and FY25), respectively. This marks a contrast to the 15 wells addressed in FY17. P&G has already remediated 28 wells in 2025 under Ohio's state-funded programme and currently has contracts for an additional 23 wells. Zefiro's interim CEO, Catherine Flax, highlighted the significance of environmental remediation services in Zefiro's shareholder communication, emphasising their role in driving shareholder value and complementing other business ventures such as the sale of emission offset credits to companies Mercuria and EDF Trading. "Zefiro Methane subsidiary secures well plugging project in Ohio, US" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hammered by US tariffs, Volkswagen's profit drops sharply
The biggest European carmaker, Volkswagen Group, saw its profit decline sharply in the first six months of 2025; the operating result came in at €6.7bn, 33% lower than a year ago. Sales revenue was roughly in line with the previous year's, at €158.4bn. According to the company's statement, the decline in income stemmed from increased US import tariffs, restructuring measures that cost €700 million and higher sales of lower-margin all-electric models. 'Excluding these items, the operating margin in the second quarter is at nearly 7%, representing the upper end of our expectations,' said Arno Antlitz CFO & COO at Volkswagen Group. Europe's largest carmaker is under pressure to cut costs as its net cash flow came in at -€1.4bn for the first six months of 2025. Volkswagen's share price was up by more than 3% around midday on Friday in Europe. Sales remain stable, and EVs could bring relief Due to the increased tariffs, sales in the US dropped sharply by 16%, but a 19% growth in South America, solid figures in Western Europe (+2 %), as well as Central and Eastern Europe (+5 %) compensated for this. Overall, new car sales in the EU dropped by 1.9% in the first half of 2025, year-on-year, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). Volkswagen's overall sales in this period increased by 2.3% in the bloc, led by Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra models. The car maker reported that order intake for EVs increased by 62%. 'In Europe, we expanded our leading position in electric mobility, with a market share of 28% and order books remain well filled,' said the CEO, Oliver Blume. Related Volkswagen and Chinese partner SAIC to close Nanjing production plant Exclusive: Chinese electric carmaker Zeekr eyes pan-European growth despite tariffs, acting CEO says What is in the cards for Volkswagen? The German carmaker updated its financial guidance for investors, adding that it expects sales revenue to be in line with the previous year's figure, instead of the +5% they previously projected. The operating return on sales is now expected to fall between 4% and 5%, down from 5.5% to 6.5%. The most pessimistic scenario assumes that US tariffs of 27.5% will continue to apply in the second half of 2025, the optimistic forecasts refer to US tariffs reduced to 10%. "There is high uncertainty about further developments with regard to the tariffs, their impact and any reciprocal effects," read the statement. The European Union and the United States are currently negotiating a trade agreement to settle tariffs between the countries before the 1 August deadline. Washington threatened the EU with 30% tariffs if there is no deal by that day. Meanwhile, the EU has also prepared its own countermeasures to deploy if the time comes. 'We are counting on the European Commission and the US government to reach a balanced outcome on the tariff issue,' said the CEO of Volkswagen on a call on Friday. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
