If you’re wondering whether to sell your luxury car, your first question may be, “ What is considered a luxury car? ” You’ll want to be sure that your selling price has more value than your sentimentality for it. But not everyone agrees on the definition of a luxury car. There are no set guidelines for the distinction, but more of a “I’ll know it when I see it” feeling.

In our opinion, not all luxury cars are created equal. Luxury vehicles aren’t the same as classic cars, but they are the stuff of legend. A luxury car is unique, a symbol of success and status, and fun to drive. When you’re in a luxury car, you can almost feel that it’s yearning to exceed the speed limit. By a lot. Here are a few more ways to identify a luxury car.

Brand

Some of today’s lower-end brands produce models they consider “luxury,” but they just can’t compete with the brands producing the world's most prestigious vehicles. So what are the luxury car brands you can count on to produce vehicles worthy of sporting the luxury label? Porsche, Land Rover, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Tesla, Cadillac, Lexus, Infiniti, Jaguar, Mini, Maserati, Bentley, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and certain types of American automobiles, such as Corvettes and Vipers.

Performance

A luxury vehicle will have high-end features far beyond the necessities. They’ll boast turbocharged engines and the latest technology. Distinctive luxury car features often have a reputation for quality and reliability too. They’ll have a smooth ride, and above all, speed. For instance, the Bentley Mulsanne Speed can go from 0-60 in 5.1 seconds.

Price

In 1990, the government did try to define a luxury car by price by implementing a “car luxury tax.” They defined these vehicles as costing more than $30,000. The tax (and the definition) was phased out by 2002. It’s important for owners to note that lower mileage means higher resale value.

Wow Factor

A luxury car is characterized by intangibles, too. Many exterior luxury car features are visually appealing, actually eliciting “wows” when it drives by. They often have attention-getting exterior colors and a lavish, upscale interior that could be mistaken for the cabin of a private plane.

Maybe the best way to identify a luxury car is by the adjectives it calls to mind. Some will include “world-class,” “sophisticated,” “sleek,” “powerful,” “giving me goosebumps,” and—let’s face it—sometimes “midlife crisis.”

If you have more questions about what is considered a luxury car, contact us for a free quote. If you decide to sell your luxury car, the kind of convenient concierge service that Nahas Motorcars offers is second to none. No matter where you are in the country, we come to you, and the entire process can take about 20 minutes. We can pay—and even take care of loan payouts—on the spot, because wasted time is a luxury you can’t afford.