Hooniverse Asks: What’s the most expensive car that you think is “worth it”?

The car pictured above is a Koenigsegg Jesko. It’s an apex machine capable of speeds over 250 miles per hour. The engine makes over 1,600 horsepower on E85. And the transmission shifts in about 25 milliseconds. Koenigsegg is building just 125 examples. All are spoken for, of course, and each one costs at least $3 million.

For those 125 buyers, the car is obviously “worth it”. Makes sense really, considering that used Koenigsegg examples can sell for three to four times the original asking price. In this case, then, the car is “worth it” because it can instantly deliver both a strong performance return and a financial one as well.

But what’s the most car out there that you think is “worth it”? Can you understand someone spending $100,000 on a vehicle? Do you believe no new car should cost over $25,000? What vehicle out there costs the most money yet meets your criteria as “worth it”?

For me, it would be something like the Mercedes-Benz E63 wagon, Audi RS6, or Porsche SportTurismo. The reason being that this represents my own personal pinnacle of a do-it-all type of vehicle. I can easily fit my family, haul stuff, and haul copious amounts of ass as well. The driving dynamics of each are stellar yet the vehicles also blend into the scenery as well.

Another good example might be a good sport utility vehicle or truck. One with a nice interior for family comfort, plenty of space, and still-engaging driving dynamics, at least with regards to off-road adventure.

How about for you though? What vehicle best answers the question posed here?

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42 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: What’s the most expensive car that you think is “worth it”?”

  1. Dave Wills Avatar
    Dave Wills

    It would have to be a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT or Trailhawk. Fast, versatile, spacious, and still capable of towing or going off highway if required.

    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      I can respect that answer for sure

  2. Wayne Moyer Avatar
    Wayne Moyer

    I can already hear the group I talk to a lot going “Why buy new? Do you know what i can get for the price of that new car used? Let me see what I can get on Craigslist for that three million with some mileage on it. Why it looks like I can get a slightly used movie ’69 Bullet Mustang for the same price owned by the same family. Sure it needs a bit of work but it will be more fun than that”.
    As for myself if I had the resources then I think the point of no return is in the $250k range. It seems that above they just seem to add stuff to justify the cost to make it more gaudy. I mean even the Koeniengengenengzeg’s one up themselves within a year or two. Heck a McLaren because last years news within a year or two as well. So does the top end Porsche. Don’t even get me started on the high end Ferrari’s that end up on the auction circuit that are a year or two old that were $400-500k a year ago.,
    So at 250k it seems a nice safe limit. I’d get a McLaren 570S Spyder and put the rest of the budget aside for repairs. It would be my daily driver and track toy.

  3. danleym Avatar
    danleym

    These days I think I’d really like to have one of these:
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f3c55765bf5f61b3bd740bc475283eb536d43f268e49c66179d27fd630fa4fa6.jpg

    And even though $600,000 is a stupid amount of money, if I had the means- not only to afford it but to actually use it to its limits, I think it would be money well spent.

    1. Wayne Moyer Avatar
      Wayne Moyer

      I wasn’t even considering an RV. There are a couple $400,000 Class A’s that are super nice. As well as the new Super C class RV’s that are in the 250k range. I mean you are getting a rolling home with a Class A. In a pinch that’s what I can use my 2005 34 footer for if needed. Otherwise it’s an excellent vacation spot.

    2. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      I’ll never argue against an EarthRoamer, even if they are INSANE-O expensive.

    3. Troggy Avatar
      Troggy

      A wife and two small kids, all with a love of camping. The only ‘cost no object’ vehicle for me would also be an RV or caravan at this stage.

    1. Fuhrman16 Avatar
      Fuhrman16

      This is the correct answer.

    2. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      There’s a limo version on UK eBay right now for like 25k!

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        This one?:
        https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-Classic-Toyota-Century-Limousine-Very-rare/174188735521?hash=item288e752c21:g:fR0AAOSwZDxeQ1Ty
        They look absolutely fantastic, and most seem to be in great shape, too. Norway changed its import rules a few months ago – earlier, 30 year old cars got away with 25% VAT and a little extra in taxes, now it’s 20 year old cars. Currently looking at 95-00 models that I could get over here for prices resembling a used wagon. Newer cars can trigger 150k$ of punitive taxes.

      2. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        This one?:
        https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-Classic-Toyota-Century-Limousine-Very-rare/174188735521?hash=item288e752c21:g:fR0AAOSwZDxeQ1Ty
        They look absolutely fantastic, and most seem to be in great shape, too. Norway changed its import rules a few months ago – earlier, 30 year old cars got away with 25% VAT and a little extra in taxes, now it’s 20 year old cars. Currently looking at 95-00 models that I could get over here for prices resembling a used wagon. Newer cars can trigger 150k$ of punitive taxes.

      3. crank_case Avatar
        crank_case

        Sounds about right, I’ve seen cheaper, but you’ve also got to remember the Century has changed a fair bit over the years even if they look visually similar. e.g. that limo is a UZZ V8 vs. the V12 the car got in 1997. It’s a V8 again now, but with hybrid assistance. I’d still take one of any generation.

  4. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
    SlowJoeCrow

    I think in many cases “it depends”, I see value in major performance improvements but not in minor gains at high price. So a package that adds $50k to a supercar and is mostly carbon fiber and noise isn’t worth it. something that removes 200 lbs. and adds 50hp might be. Same thing with trim and gadgets.I see a sensibly optioned F-150 XLT or even a Raptor as worth it but a King Ranch is basically upholstery and gadgets so not worth it.

    A Mclaren F1 is definitely worth it, and the base versions of modern Mclaren’s are probably worth it but I wouldn’t shell out for a limited edition that’s 1% quicker and 20% more expensive.

  5. mdharrell Avatar

    The most I’ve ever paid for a vehicle is $4500 but I’d consider going deeper into the four-figure range for the right Model T.

    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      Which one was at the top of your budget?

      1. mdharrell Avatar

        My 1980 KV Mini 1, although that was in 2007 so I suppose I might think about grudgingly acknowledging the existence of inflation in the years since then while contemplating future purchases. It’s still the winner so far in both absolute and adjusted terms, though.

        1. 0A5599 Avatar
          0A5599

          What about cost per (self-propelled) mile?

          1. mdharrell Avatar

            I long ago decided to fail to comprehend that as a valid metric. It’s more comforting this way.

  6. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    How about the RS3? Is the 5 cylinder warbler (plus 100hp) worth $15k or whatever the extra cost is?

    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      That’s a different and much more entertaining animal

      1. outback_ute Avatar
        outback_ute

        Sure but it brings an interesting perspective to the law of diminishing returns in performance, and the value attached to ‘intangibles’ like sound.

  7. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    I talk myself into and out of a C8 Corvette in some hypothetical but plausible future purchase. My inner Dave Ramsey keeps saying that it’s way more money than any normal person should spend on a car, but maybe a 2 year old 2022 model will be just right. We’ll see.

    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Too bad about the “as is, where is” conditions associated with buying one…

      1. Rover 1 Avatar
        Rover 1

        And the ‘ran when parked’ one.

        1. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          True, ~50 years won’t have done the batteries much good, but surely far from the biggest issue.

          Would be fun to see if it could still run!

          1. mdharrell Avatar

            Jumper cables won’t help. The rovers have silver-zinc primary cells, so they’re not rechargeable.

      2. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        That one was exported. They’re produced domestically (if your reference point is Earth).
        https://spacecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/04VM-SpaceCenterHouston-758-1024×684.jpg

      3. neight428 Avatar
        neight428

        Rust free, completely stock, stored in a climate controlled location…

        1. mdharrell Avatar

          Low miles, one owner, never driven in road salt…

        2. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          Climate-free location even!

  8. salguod Avatar

    I can’t get my brain in the neighborhood where a 6 figure or more vehicle is worth it. I keep thinking that I could have several lesser but still very interesting vehicles plus a barn to put them in for the same money.

    That said, I like the fantasy of spec’ing the perfect new NSX as a long term keeper. For whatever reason, they just aren’t selling now but in 20 years they’ll be commanding crazy money on BAT.

    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      I agree with all points here

    2. bv911 Avatar
      bv911

      ya know, as much as I want one of those F1’s, once the collectors drive prices well into seven (eight!) figures, I’d have to cross it off the list. I really love ’57 Testa Rossa’s:

      https://i0.wp.com/s3.amazonaws.com/scardigest/wp-content/uploads/1957-Ferrari-250-TR-Action.jpg?fit=750%2C304&ssl=1

      https://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1957-ferrari-250-testa-rossa/

      …and ’62 GTO’s:

      https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2018/06/0/0/1962-ferrari-250-gto-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1

      https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/MO18/Monterey/lots/r0117-1962-ferrari-250-gto-by-scaglietti/695912

      …but holy ?, FORTY EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS?? For a CAR??

    3. neight428 Avatar
      neight428

      Good answer. They are the Mary Ann of the auto world’s Gilligan’s Island.

  9. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    In terms of newish stuff – Pagani strikes me as the one supercar maker that really feels special, even in a world of Bugattis and Ferraris. Yes, it has a mercedes engine, but every other aspect of the car is pure craftmanship.

    F1 has been mentioned already, so in terms of older stuff (though I think you can technically buy a new one) – I’ll go with the LCC Rocket. Even in the modern era of super-focused trackday specials that are faster, there’s still something special about this 375kg vintage F1 car for the road. Absolutely would have one if I had the means to buy and maintain one. https://www.classicandsportscar.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_inline_single/public/2019-02/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20LCC%20Rocket%20%E2%80%93%20DSC_0389.JPG?itok=hagjxoSD