Summary
- Key Takeaways:
- Mafia-status cars tend to have at least four seats, a big trunk, extra power, subtle styling, and a slightly elevated status.
- These cars are often seen in movies, music videos, and have gained a reputation among mafia and underground culture for their coolness and street cred.
Say hello to my little friend! Well, maybe not so little. Mafia status cars tend to be a little on the larger size. They need a little room, for… things. The kind of things nobody needs to know about. Capisce? All joking aside, there are trends within all areas of the automotive industry, so why not recognize that some of the stylish cars from yesteryear, inevitably wound up in the hands of some seriously dangerous people or groups? Every car has a purpose, and for some they have multiple. Just don’t ask what’s in the trunk.
Some of the luxury cars listed are what you might call ballin on a budget, while others are just straight up ballin. Either way, they are sure to be found alongside mafia members. Here, there are options for everybody, with manufacturers from all over the world creating mafia-worthy machines. Some of the vehicles here can even be found in movies depicting the mob, or underground culture in music videos, and sometimes both. If you’re looking to up your street cred, these are some of the cars you might want to check out. Only the coolest of cats would dare drive one of these beauties listed.
Mafia-status cars tend to have:
- At least four seats and a big trunk
- Some extra power under the hood
- Subtle but classic styling
- Black exterior paint
- A slightly elevated status
RELATED: Proof That Reliable Luxury Cars Do Exist
10 1995 BMW 750iL
Average Used Price: $2,400
For the sophisticated mafia man or woman, the 1995 BMW 750i with its smooth, but powerful V-12 meant it had the effortless power well suited for any swift getaway needs. Being a BMW meant it had handling prowess baked into the chassis. Surely BMW didn’t have such a customer base in mind when building the third generation of their flagship vehicle, but the recipe was all there. All the mafia needed was an armored version, and they would surely be set for at least a little while of thug-related shenanigans.
Performance
Engine | 5.4-liter V-12 |
Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | RWD |
Power | 322 horsepower |
Torque | 361 pound-feet |
0-60 MPH | 6.4 seconds |
Luckily BMW did make such a vehicle. On top of the already superb 750iL, the armored version added a host of upgrades ready to protect occupants from active attacks. The upgrades included: reinforced panels, bulletproof glass, a deployable windshield, a closed circuit air system, a fire suppression system, and an early version of run-flat tires. This is the perfect combination of features for organizations centered around dangerous situations.
9 2001 Cadillac Seville
Average Used Price: $2,500
Nothing says mafia, gangster, or baller like a Cadillac. We had to include one here and the Seville might as well be a part of the family. 300 horsepower, front-wheel-drive, a four-speed automatic transmission, and get this, a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. Yes the Seville could tow a small trailer if needed.
Performance
Engine | 4.6-liter V-8 |
Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | FWD |
Power | 300 horsepower |
Torque | 300 pound-feet |
0-60 MPH | 7.4 seconds |
This Northstar-era Cadillac made a name for itself in mafia-related films, and music videos, and continues to turn heads in public.
8 2005 Chrysler 300 C
Average Used Price: $4,900
The one that made Chrysler cool. The 300 C with its 5.7 liter Hemi V-8 and clear Rolls-Royce inspired looks basically invented the term baller on a budget. The mafia must have instantly loved the 300 C as it provided a classy look, and a beefy engine for much less than the real Phantom. Everyone wanted a new Chrysler 300 when this car arrived on the scene.
Performance
Engine | 5.7-liter V-8 |
Transmission | 5-speed automatic transmission |
Drivetrain | RWD |
Power | 340 horsepower |
Torque | 390 pound-feet |
0-60 MPH | 6.3 seconds |
Hellcat era aside, this was a definitive peak for the Mopar enthusiasts. If an example is found in good condition, it would be a baller, a blast from the recent past and, shockingly, a great automobile in which to cruise around in. This era of the 300 C was exceedingly luxurious for it’s time, and they tend to age well, when properly maintained. Whether it’s a trunk full of speakers, or somebody’s cousin, you can’t go wrong with a Chrysler 300 C.
RELATED: 10 Boring Looking Cars That Pack A Monster Engine Under The Hood
7 2004 Mercury Marauder
Average Used Price: $4,750
The modern hot rod of the mafia world. The marauder is quintessential mafia. Only found in black with only the most subtle hints of performance upgrades making it the ultimate sleeper. Aside from the fancier wheels and larger chrome exhaust outlets, you wouldn’t know about it’s hotted up V-8 engine that the Ford team threw in its engine bay.
Performance
Engine | 4.6-liter V-8 |
Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | RWD |
Power | 300 horsepower |
Torque | 316 pound-feet |
0-60 MPH | 7.5 seconds |
It was a 4.6 liter producing 302 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque, propelling the Mercury forward through a four-speed automatic transmission to 60 miles per hour in a mildly spicy 7.5 seconds. With a big brake kid, and a staggered set of BF-Goodrich tires, the Marauder offered near Mustang GT speed in a mobster, full size sedan-style package.
6 1982 Lincoln Continental
Average Used Price: $7,000
The Lincoln Continental is a must-have mafia car. In just about any generation, the Continental has represented countless VIPs. The older they get, the more of a reputation they have, just like the mafia they carry to and fro. The Lincoln Continental has a cool about it that has nothing to do with performance or speed. It’s all about calm, cool, and collected here. For this generation of Continental, the chassis was a stretched variant of Ford’s Fox platform, and utilized a 5.0 liter carbureted V-8, later to be replaced by a fuel injected version, with an optional V-6, and later an inline-6, BMW-sourced diesel was available to attract a growing interest in the fuel at the time.
Performance
Engine | 5.0-liter V-8 |
Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | RWD |
Power | 131 horsepower |
Torque | 229 pound-feet |
0-60 MPH | 10.8 seconds |
Really though the 5.0 V-8 was the one to have as this is still an American icon. Although it is known as one of the smaller Lincoln Continentals, the 1982 model introduced some new tech to the auto world; self-sealed tires, and charged-gas shock absorbers. A Mustang underneath, with classy Lincoln extravagant interior materials. The Continental, was, and still is a sight to behold. The mob has surely had its fair share of Lincoln Continental.
5 2000 Lexus GS430
Average Used Price: $7,000
Japanese gangsters slyly ruled the streets in Lexus cars, but the GS430 from Y2K was arguably the most mafia-styled of them all. It had all the ingredients, slick style, ample cabin space, and a sleeper of a 4.3 liter V-8 under the hood. 5-Series who? Like something out of a music video, the GS430 is quintessential early 2000s. Lexus had a design stronghold, IS, GS, and LS models proved to be strong contenders as the, then relatively new, brand started flooding the market.
Performance
Engine | 4.3-liter V-8 |
Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | RWD |
Power | 283 horsepower |
Torque | 307 pound-feet |
0-60 MPH | 5.7 |
The luxurious LS was a genuine German fighter while the IS and GS were something more their own. The GS 430 brought attitude and swagger, whereas the LS was all serious business trying to win the hearts of S-Class owners, this would be more appropriate for a Japanese Yakuza wanting the space of a sedan, with the bombproof Lexus V-8, while still having some street cred.
RELATED: 10 Bargain Lexus Models That Offer Luxury And Reliability On The Cheap
4 2001 Jaguar XJR
Average Used Price: $12,000
Jaguar’s 2001 supercharged 4.0 liter V-8 XJR is so sinister, so unbelievably cool, it’s almost too nice for the mafia to inevitably destroy. With inch-thick wood on the interior, a classic Jaguar body, and potent power, the XJR was fit for the job of the mafia.
Performance
Engine | Supercharged 4.0-liter V-8 |
Transmission | 5-speed Automatic |
Drivetrain | RWD |
Power | 370 horsepower |
Torque | 387 pound-feet |
0-60 MPH | 5.4 seconds |
In black, it was a fast cat all the baddies dreamed of. The 370 horsepower Jag had plenty of oomph to hustle around town or eat up miles of road for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The XJR brought sophistication to the mafias of the world. There’s a reason Jags are always used as villain cars in James Bond films. Fear not, for your British super-sedan has arrived.
3 1996 Chevy Impala SS
Average Used Price: $12,200
The 1996 Chevy Impala SS is straight-up a scary car to begin with. It’s low, and wide, and loud. American mafia members must have loved the Impala SS for the massive trunk space, rumbly Chevy Smallblock, and the fact that it could blend in with cap cars of the era.
Performance
Engine | 5.7-liter V-8 |
Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | RWD |
Power | 260 horsepower |
Torque | 330 pound-feet |
0-60 MPH | 7.0 seconds |
The LT1 V-8 is good for 260 horsepower and mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with specific gearing, the SS Impala was able to sprint to 60 miles per hour in about seven seconds, a respectable time for the era, for sure, making it quicker than competitors. While delivering a strong muscle car punch, the Impala was considerably cheaper than its competition but stronger in real life.
2 2003 Maserati Quattroporte
Average Used Price: $25,700
You knew this was coming. The fifth generation Quattroporte was basically built for mafia duty, with its near timeless design, ample interior room, a thumping Ferrari-sourced V-8 under the hood. It is a very Italian Maserati in the first place, the Quattroporte shines as a near perfect mafioso automobile to handle any uh, problems.
Performance
Engine | 4.2-liter V-8 |
Transmission | 6-Speed automatic transmission |
Drivetrain | RWD |
Power | 400 horsepower |
Torque | 333 pound-feet |
0-60 MPH | 5.3 seconds |
Mafia groups tend to originate from Italian descent, so the Maserati Quattroporte, in spirit, makes the most sense here. If you’re driving one of these, you are undoubtedly respected by not only car enthusiasts, but your local mafia passerby as well.
RELATED: A Maserati Quattroporte GTS On The Streets Of Paris; It Can't Get Any Better Than This
1 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom
Average Used Price: $140,000
The one and only. The king of kings. The Rolls-Royce Phantom specifically the introduction of phantom 7 brought a level of baller that is unquestionably top tier. The higher-class mafia surely found themselves at home in such a stately machine. A Rolls-Royce is for those who don’t care who’s looking, but don’t mind if everyone is looking all at the same time.
Performance
Engine | 6.75-liter V-12 |
Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | RWD |
Power | 453 horsepower |
Torque | 531 pound-feet |
0-60 MPH | 5.5 seconds |
With its 6.75 liter V-12 producing 453 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque, you might think the Phantom would be a mighty quick machine, but the massive sedan weighs in at over 5,600 pounds and over 5,800 pounds in the extended wheelbase version. The Rolls-Royce Phantom (generation 7) had a lifecycle of 14 years from 2003-2017 with a refresh coming in 2012. There are “relatively” affordable examples out on the used market if you have some money to blow to achieve Rolls-Royce level of mafia/baller status.
