Luxury Car Roulette: Mercedes-Benz S430 vs BMW 750li vs Audi A8L vs VW Phaeton

A quick look in your local craigslist for $5k cars is an experience not too far from dangling in a La-Z-Boy recliner above a hungry sarlacc pit with nothing holding you up but a harbor freight bungie cord that's on fire.  Sure, its a great way to get your adrenaline flowing while being super comfy, but that warm feeling in your gut isn't just the two week old Mexican food leftovers that you probably shouldn't have eaten...it is also the fact that most sub $5k cars for sale or total junk. Salvaged late model Japanese economy cars are everywhere...but there is hope.  And that hope lies in the over priced German luxury tanks that have depreciated into poor man's territory and the only downside is a threat of doom from lurking expensive repairs.  Just don't say it was my idea to drive one of these cars.  They all came as a tip from FuelTruck.  So if your wife needs someone to blame...blame the tipper. Which would you pick?  Mercedes-Benz S430 vs BMW 750li vs Audi A8L vs VW Phaeton

Strange Brew: 1972 Dutton Phaeton

I really want to like this next car because it is a rare and cool looking etc etc...but I just can't shake my first impression...which was that it looked like something that Herman Munster built after binge watching the entire 4 seasons of the original Transformers cartoon while exceptionally high on barbiturates. It cool...but I'm not sure what the neighbors will think. Find this 1972 Dutton Phaeton offered for $3,500 in Tampa, FL via facebook marketplace. Tip from David S.

Lotta Ways This Could Go Wrong: 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton W12

The Volkswagen Phaeton was a big luxury cruiser built by Volkswagen on a shared platform with the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur.  The Phaeton shared engines with the Audi A8, but attempted to offer a Mercedes S-Class luxury experience at an E-Class price.  Today the Phaeton offers luxury and prestige for the price of a used Kia and maybe you won't get stuck with a huge maintenance bill for rebuilding the W12. Find this 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton W12 offered for $8500 near Dallas, TX via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

The Mrs: 1978 Dutton Phaeton Series 1

Sometimes a picture says a thousand words.  Sometimes, a lady with hands on her hips says a million words.  Today, we've got a little of each -- and for this next car I am going to let the seller's wife take it from here:  Honey, are you comin to dinner?  Your dinner is gonna be cold -- I swear he spends more time in the garage with that '78 Dutton Phaeton Series 1 he's tryin a-sell on craigslist for $5,000 than his gran-kids, who aren't even that far from Kansas City.  Tip from Zach Z.

Not Commando: 1950 Willys Jeepster Convertible

After WWII was over and Willys-Overland Motors returned to non-war production, they realized there was a big hole in their product lineup between the compact CJ (Civilian Jeep) and heavy duty Jeep Wagon & Jeep Truck.  To fill this gap, Willys introduced the Jeepster, a slab sided roofless thing that was technically the last Phaeton (topless car with zero weather protection -- but it appears that most Jeepsters today have tops that are dealer or aftermarket created pieces) to be built by an American automaker.  Find this 1950 Willys Jeepster Convertible here on eBay bidding for $7,700 with 1 day to go, located in Woodbury, NJ.

10k: Long Wheelbase, Short Engine: 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton W12

The Volkswagen Pheaton was the product of an insane era when Volkswagen AG (short for Aktiengesellschaft, which translates in the original German to coil pack baker) was shipping cars like free beer at Oktoberfest.  The concept of the $100k Volkswagen is attributed to none other than Ferdinand Piëch, who has a car collection like Jay Leno and a kid collection to rival the Duggars (seriously, Piëch is the automotive world's Wilt Chamberlain, with 12 kids from 4 different mothers).  Recently we've all been bombarded with reports of Papa Piëch getting booted from the VAG board for trying to oust Martin Winterkorn as CEO, but the truth is it probably had something to do with the Pheaton.  Find this 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton W12 offered here on eBay currently bidding for $8,400 with one day to go, located in Waco, TX.  Tip from Rottenland.

10k: Seller Submission: 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton V8

The Volkswagen Phaeton was a big luxury cruiser built by Volkswagen on a shared platform with the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur.  The Phaeton shared engines with the Audi A8, but attempted to offer a Mercedes S-Class luxury experience at an E-Class price.  Today the Phaeton offers luxury and prestige for the price of a used Kia and maybe if you pick the more common V8 model you won't get stuck with a huge maintenance bill for rebuilding the W12.  Find this 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton V8 for sale in Corpus Christi, TX currently bidding for $5,100 reserve-not-met and $11,000 buy-it-now.  Seller sub from Dain MC.

15k: 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton W12

The Roman poet Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) wrote in Book II of his epic poem Metamorphoses about the god Phaeton who was bold and brave, but in an attempt to prove his godliness, drove a flaming 'sun chariot' out of control and Zeus (the big cheese of the gods) had to destroy him with a lightning bolt to save the earth from imminent destruction.  In stunning parallel - a vehicle called the Phaeton was bold and brave, but threatened to ruin the Volkswagen/Audi Group USA profits with its out of control build and warranty costs and had to be struck down with a thunderbolt by VW Chairman Ferdinand "Zeus" Piëch.  This 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton W12 is for sale at a dealer in Springfield, MO via ebay at $17,500 buy-it-now.