European cars just don't hold their values generally speaking

[theking]

...from what I've seen over the years particularly certain models from Mercedes, BMW and Porsche...

so I'm not surprised to see this:

This 500-HP Sleeper Sedan Is Now Worth Less Than A Honda Civic

There are fast cars. There are luxury cars. And then there are the rare few that check both boxes, quietly waiting in the classifieds while the rest of the world lines up for crossovers. This story isn’t about something new or flashy. It’s about a bona fide sleeper car that once wore an $80,000 price tag, packed over 500 horsepower under the hood, and could outrun sports cars without breaking a sweat. Plus, it did all of this while looking like it belonged in a corporate parking lot. Today? It can be yours for less than the price of a base-model Honda Civic.

This is the kind of sedan that makes enthusiasts pause, tilt their heads, and wonder how it slipped through the cracks. It’s a forgotten flagship from the golden age of German V8s, and right now, it’s hiding in plain sight. Let’s take a look at the best under-the-radar deal in the world of performance sedans.

A 500-HP Sleeper Sedan Worth Less Than A 2025 Honda Civic: Meet The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

Before turbochargers and all-wheel drive became standard fare in the AMG lineup, there was the W211 E63. Built for just a few short years, the 2009 model marked the end of an era. Big, naturally aspirated engines and rear-wheel-drive simplicity defined this era. There was no forced induction and no digitally piped exhaust notes. The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG was the last of its kind, a true luxury bruiser that didn’t need gimmicks to dominate the left lane.

Launched in the final year of the W211 generation, at the heart of the 2009 E63 AMG was just a massive 6.2L naturally aspirated V8. The M156 engine delivers 507 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission and sends all its power to the rear wheels. The result is a sedan capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 4.3 seconds and limited to 155 mph. Still, that power is more than enough to make this a 200-mph sedan if the owner so decides.

The W211 E63 stands out because it blends serious performance with understated design. There’s no oversized wing, no aggressive vents, no flash for the sake of attention. From a distance, it could pass for a regular E-Class. However, once you see the 2009 E63 AMG keep up with the sports coupes and quietly blend back into traffic, you won't soon forget it.

With the W211 generation, AMG widened the track, stiffened the suspension, and upgraded the brakes, giving the car confident handling without sacrificing comfort. Inside, the cabin reflects Mercedes’ priorities at the time. It's full-blown Mercedes comfort inside the 2009 E63 AMG with quality materials, subtle luxury, leather, wood, soft-close doors, and massaging seats. There’s no touchscreen overload either, just well-designed controls and a focus on the driving experience.

Sticker Shock: What a 2009 E63 AMG Really Costs in 2025 (And Why That’s Wild)

In 2025, a base-model Honda Civic will set you back just over $25,000. For that, you get a front-wheel-drive economy car with around 158 horsepower and a boring spec sheet that screams "commuter." The Sport Touring Hybrid, the top-level 2025 Civic trim, starts at just under $32,000. Yes. It's efficient, affordable, and dependable. But it's certainly not moving the needle or heart rate for anyone who enjoys driving. Plus, that's still a whole lot of cash for a new ride that simply screams, "BORING!"

But let's take a step back for a minute. Here's where things can really start to get interesting. For roughly the same money, and sometimes less, you can buy a 2009 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. That's a full-size executive sedan with 507 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and a 6.2-liter V8 that was hand-built by AMG engineers. It can still sprint from 0 to 60 in about 4.3 seconds and was originally priced at around $87,000 when new. While you won't be saving any money at the fuel pump, we'd argue that having that kind of power and presence under your feet is a pretty solid trade-in.

2025 Market Prices: How Much Does A 2009 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Cost?
Today? You can find solid 2009 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG examples trading hands for as low as $15,000, with most averaging just under $25,000, depending on mileage and condition. Per Classic.com, the average auction price for a 2009 W211 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is $23,367.

That kind of price drop is wild on its own. But what makes it even more surprising is that this isn't just some aging luxury car coasting on badge appeal. The W211 E63 is a proper performance sedan. It's fast, sounds incredible, and still turns heads, or at least the heads of gearheads who know what they're looking at. It may not have modern tech or a touchscreen the size of a laptop, but it has something you can't opt for on a Civic: authentic character.

And that's the real kicker. In a world where new car prices keep climbing, and performance gets buried under driver aids, the idea that you can own a 500-horsepower AMG for compact car money feels almost too good to be true. But in 2025, it's very real and very much attainable. You just have to be willing to buy used, learn the quirks, and appreciate the value of old-school engineering done right.

There are plenty of solid W211 examples floating around the online auction circuit, too. Just take a look at this flashy gray 2009 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. With just 84,000 miles on the clock, this sleeper sedan was recently auctioned off for only $23,500 on Bring A Trailer.

Another solid example is this sleek white 2009 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. This sedan only had 84,000 miles on the odometer, too. But some lucky buyer was able to recently snag it on Car & Bids for only $19,550. These two examples alone just prove you can get a whole lot of AMG for some Civic money.

Sleeper Status Secured: Why The W211 E63 AMG Is A Future Classic

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG checks every box on the future classic list. It's the last naturally aspirated E-Class AMG, the only W211 to get the legendary 6.2-liter M156 V8, and one of the final big-power German sedans without forced induction or all-wheel drive. That alone makes it a standout.

But beyond the spec sheet, it's the balance that gives the W211 staying power. It walks the line between luxury and, quite frankly, lunacy. It's quiet enough to fly under the radar but loud enough to wake the neighbors when you lean into the throttle. It doesn't scream for attention, and that's exactly what makes it cool.

Collectors are already starting to take notice, too. Clean, unmodified examples are becoming harder to find, and prices for the nicest ones are holding firm or quietly climbing. With modern AMGs going hybrid and digital, the appeal of a raw, rear-drive, hand-built V8 is only going to grow.

This isn't just a fast used car. It's a time capsule from an era when AMG was still carving its identity in naturally aspirated steel. For those who know what it is, the W211 E63 isn't just worth buying. It's worth preserving.

The W211 E63 AMG isn’t the only high-powered sleeper floating around the used market for Civic money. If you're the kind of buyer who digs big power, subtle looks, and a price tag under $30K, here are two more sleeper sedans worth hunting down.

Another 500 Horsepower Sleeper Sedan: The 2006–2010 BMW M5 (E60)

At launch, the E60 M5 was BMW at its boldest. Under the hood sits a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V10. Yes, a V10! This V10 specifically makes 500 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with a 7-speed SMG transmission and rear-wheel drive and can sprint from 0 to 60 in about 4.1 seconds.

2025 Market Price: How Much Does A 2006–2010 BMW M5 (E60) Cost?
When new, it topped $85,000. Today, well-maintained examples can be found in the low $20K range. Per Classic.com, the average auction price for a 2006 to 2010 BMW M5 (E60) sits at around $28,281. However, there are a number of examples that have been bought for much less. Just take a look at this sleek black 2006 BMW M5. As a highly original example, with only 50,000 miles on the odometer, this sleeper sedan was recently snagged for just $18,750 via Hagerty.

However, you'll want to set aside a maintenance budget because when things go wrong, they really go wrong.

A 400+ Horsepower Sleeper Sedan Worth A Second Look: The 2005–2010 Chrysler 300C SRT8

If the German options feel too high-strung, the 300C SRT8 delivers American grunt with old-school swagger. Powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI V8, it pumps out 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. It can hit 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds, which helps it bring a muscle car attitude to the full-size luxury game.

2025 Market Price: How Much Does A 2005–2010 Chrysler 300C SRT8 Cost?
When it comes to high-powered sleeper sedans, the Chrysler 300C SRT8 is close enough to join the club in our book. Especially at the prices they are going for.

Per Classic.com, the average auction price for this sleeper sedan sits at around $20,932. You can find clean examples for $12,000–$18,000, but they’re only getting harder to find. Just take a look at this sharp silver 2006 Chrysler 300 SRT-8. With only 70,000 miles on the clock, this sleeper sedan recently sold for just $16,500 via Mecum.

So, while there are deals out there waiting to be found, you'll have to act fast if you want to get your hands on one of these sleeper sedans before everyone else catches on.

These cars don’t wear their horsepower on their sleeves. But for enthusiasts who know what to look for, they’re the kind of deals that make you wonder why more people aren’t paying attention. For now, the market’s sleeping on them. That won’t last forever.

[theking]

Some Maserati models fall in that category too:

Hertz Is Selling Maseratis For Volkswagen Prices

Hertz is trying to offload dozens of four-cylinder Maseratis at exceptionally low prices. Many Maseratis are priced under $40,000 and have fewer than 15,000 miles on the clock. The rental company has been trying to move these luxury SUVs for several months now.

[Boost]

Not a lot of people have the know how to work on a BMW, Porsche, Audi, Lambo, Ferrari, Merc etc etc...  Expensive repairs will lower the value of a car because it becomes less desirable or the demands go down. A v10 BMW is a gold mine if you know how to maintain it. I remember seeing people doing timing belts on Civics and Toyotas back in the day. You never had to do that for a BMW,, they were timing chains and the water pump was right in front of you on a BMW. Thermostat took like 1hr to do and that included setting up the car and jacking it car up, draining and filling. lol

I hated working on my Celica and MR2, but my M3 was a breeze. Only thing was that German cars required different tools and people shy away from that. Germans are pioneers for technology while the JDM market focused on perfecting whats already there for reliability.

I ain't complaining though, cause it makes the market great for enthusiasts like me who can wrench a little. I mean you can keep driving around in a 25k Civic or you can drive around in a Porsche 996/986 for the same price. its only 25k because its a 2025. a civic of the same year would be in the junkyard. 

[theking]

I ain't complaining though, cause it makes the market great for enthusiasts like me who can wrench a little. I mean you can keep driving around in a 25k Civic or you can drive around in a Porsche 996/986 for the same price. its only 25k because its a 2025. a civic of the same year would be in the junkyard. 

Speaking of "Porsche", this one seems like a good deal especially when compared to its original MSRP of $52K back in 2003. Not my kind of car but for those that like it, seems like a good deal at 1/5 of it's original price  :

[Boost]

Speaking of "Porsche", this one seems like a good deal especially when compared to its original MSRP of $52K back in 2003. Not my kind of car but for those that like it, seems like a good deal at 1/5 of it's original price  :

I like these Boxsters too. Cheap thrills for a good price. These years have the IMS issues but you can change the IMS as a preventative maintenance. It does involve removing the engine and doing in-depth work. You can however find some for sale thats already been done. I would love one with a turbo kit and the Milesworks widebody kit.