Highest Resale

Why consider resale value?  There are many important factors to consider when purchasing an automobile.  One that is sometimes overlooked is car resale value.  It is highly probable that at some point you may wish to resell the vehicle, and it is important to know what equity you can expect from your investment.  One very helpful tool in comparing specific models and their qualities is the J.D. Power site at http://www.jdpower.com/autos/compare.asp.

Car resale value also plays into deciding whether or not it is going to be to your advantage to buy or lease.  When you lease, you are essentially paying for the amount of the car that you  “use up.”  So if the car you choose depreciates $4,000 in two years, you will be paying $4,000 plus interest.  Obviously in this situation, cars with the best resale value are going to be your best option.  For more detailed information on leasing go to http://www.intellichoice.com/lease/AboutLeasing.

Although each year will produce a different group of cars on the market with different top performers in car resale value, there are some manufacturers that have a consistent track record for a good value.  In the past, manufacturers that have made frequent appearances in the Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) have included Honda, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz. 



Best Resale Values for 2006:  These car resale values are based on a percentage of the retail price as shown in Automotive Lease Guide.

There are a wide variety of makes and models in the overall top 10 ranking vehicles for car resale value in 2006-2007.  For more details on these models, and for top resale values by class, go to http://www.cars.com.


Top Four Performers for Car Resale Value:  At the top of the list is the Mini Cooper Hatchback with a car resale value of 67.3%.  In addition to excellent resale value, this smaller car is fuel efficient, and the retro British styling is an added bonus for the visually oriented consumer.

The Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe is not far behind, with a car resale value of 62.9%.  Newly redesigned, this vehicle sports not only the considerable Porsche pedigree, but also the incredible performance of the Turbo S models and excellent handling.

In third place is a larger vehicle, the Land Rover LR3 SE, which holds a car resale value of 61.8%.  This vehicle also offers fully independent suspension, a five- or seven-passenger capacity, and a refined V8 power train. 

Just a tenth of a point away is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class E55 Sedan, with a 61.7% car resale value.  In addition to the Mercedes-Benz reputation, this sedan provides a seven-speed automatic transmission, and superior marks for refinement and quietness.    


Convertibles With Good Car Resale Value:  For drivers who enjoy a sunny weekend with the top down, there are two convertibles that made the top ten list of overall performance in car resale value: The Camry Solara SE and the BMW 650i at 61.5% and 61.3% respectively.  Although the BMW has a slightly lower car resale value, some consumers may find the RWD handling and the option of manual, automatic, or sequential manual transmissions to be an added benefit.


Coupes in the Top Ten List of Car Resale Value:  Two coupes made the list of top 10 car resale values, the BMW M3 at 61.1% and the Dodge Viper SRT10 with a resale value of 60.8%.  The BMW M3 has a 333-hp engine with excellent handling and construction.  The Dodge Viper SRT10 also ranks high in handling, with a more powerful 510-hp V-10 engine.



Trucks With High Resale Value:  Two trucks made it into the top rankings of car resale value and both were models from Toyota.  In addition to a resale value of 61%, the Toyota Tacoma boasts a V-6 engine, ample front-seat space, and solid construction.  The Tundra is not far behind with a resale value of 60.5%.  It is also recognized for its quiet engine and smooth ride.


Some of the Worst Car Resale Values for 2006:  On the other side of the coin are the worst performers for car resale value.  Three out of the ten worst are Fords-- the F-150, the Ranger, and the Taurus.  Chevy is next with two models on the list--the Colorado and the Silverado 1500.  Also missing the mark for car resale value are the Hyundai Accent, the Dodge Stratus, the Isuzu Ascender, and the Mazda B2300.  The worst is the Kia Rio, with a resale value of 24.8%.

Car resale value is just one of many factors that you will need to consider when purchasing an automobile.  Bear in mind that a car resale value is an estimate that can change due to circumstances such as the change in attitude towards larger vehicles due to recent increases in gas prices.  But it is equally important to remember that the underlying force driving a car’s resale value is consumer demand.  The better an automobile has performed, the better its resale value will be.  When you consider resale value, you are looking not only at the potential return you can expect to receive down the road, but also the probable quality of the vehicle you are purchasing.