Manufacturers and dealers expect a glut of luxury cars coming off-lease in the next few years. So if you are looking for a luxury car without the luxury price tag, be sure to check out the following vehicles.
Prices are for 2- to 3-year-old cars with 41,000 to 52,000 miles on them.
Cadillac Seville (manufacturer's suggested retail price new, $42,655 to $48,765; '98s, $25,760 to $30,909; '97s, $20,411 to $25,040). Since its introduction in 1992, the Seville has been General Motors' premium ride. The SLS model appeals to drivers who want a traditional Cadillac, the STS to buyers who want a sportier car.
Both vehicles come with V8 engines. Caddy stiffened the body in 1998 to reduce road noise and vibration. Average annual service costs for both '97 models run $759. For the '98s, costs run $1,005 for the SLS and $982 for the STS.
Infiniti Q45 (MSRP new, $49,440 to $51,140; '98s, $27,613 to $32,240 ; '97s, $23,047 to $27,362). If you like a Euro look and feel, you'll probably want a 1996 or earlier Q. Infiniti revamped the car in '97, moving away from British-inspired styling.
The '97 also has a slightly less powerful engine — 266 hp compared with 278 in '96. But because the newer models are 160 pounds lighter, they have about the same power-to-weight ratio. Annual service costs run about $1,006.
Jaguar XJ6/8 (MSRP new, $56,950; '98s, $34,165 to $38,580; '97s, $26,935 to $31,719). With only 43,000 XJs sold from 1997 through 1999, Jags are the scarcest vehicles on this list. You'll probably have to search extensively to get a good deal. The residual for a 1997 XJ6 is about 50 percent.
Jaguar replaced the 1997's 245-hp V6 with a more powerful, 290-hp V8 in 1998. The Jag's stylish exterior is complemented by its interior and smooth ride. Service costs average $1,707 a year for the '97s and $1,303 for the '98s.
Lexus LS 400 (MSRP new, $54,550; '98s, $36,070 to $40,692; '97s, $31,000 to $35,100). The LS 400's long wheelbase guarantees a roomy interior.
The 1997 model is powered by a 260-hp V8, the 1998 by a 290-hp V8.
The Lexus Web site, www.lcpo.com<, recently listed 418 precertified 1997 and 1998 LS 400s in dealer inventories around the country. These cars are the cream of the crop, with 1997 asking prices from $29,900 to $39,000. Service costs average $766 a year for the '97s and $687 for the '98s.