10 best and worst cars for depreciation

[Bishop13]

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...preciation.htm

Originally Posted by Consumer Reports

Top 10

1. Toyota Prius
Ongoing demand for this thrifty gas/electric hybrid and excellent reliability give the Prius the best depreciation rating among all currently sold models. In addition, many owners are hanging onto them, so good luck trying to find a used Prius. $22,000.

2. Mini Cooper
This trendy, fun-to-drive retro-hatch/convertible has generated a cult following reminiscent of Volkswagen’s Beetle. While the reliability of early models was below average, it has improved to average in recent years, according to CR’s Annual Car Reliability Survey. $17,500 to $25,500.

3. Scion xB
This boxy wagon has love-it-or-hate-it styling, but it provides a spacious interior, stingy fuel consumption, good reliability, and a low price. Scion is Toyota's youth-oriented brand. $14,000 to $15,000.

4. BMW M3
The limited-edition, tuner-developed M3 is the perennially popular high-performance model in BMW’s 3-Series line. A fanatical following and legendary performance mean that used M3s command premium prices. About $49,000 to $56,500.

5. Lexus RX
Among the top SUVs in Consumer Reports Ratings, the RX is plush, quiet, and comfortable while providing better-than-average reliability and good crash-test results. The RX400h hybrid is among the most fuel-efficient SUVs we’ve tested. $36,000 to $46,000.

6. BMW 6-Series
Available as a coupe or convertible, the 6-Series is based on the 5-Series platform. But its more limited production helps keep its resale value high. $72,000 to $79,000.

7. Lexus GX
A different SUV from the Lexus RX, the GX is a traditional truck-based, off-road-ready vehicle. It has above-average reliability, a well-appointed interior, and good frontal offset crash-test results. But resale values might not continue to hold up as well for the GX as demand softens for body-on-frame, V8-powered SUVs. $46,500.

8. Acura TSX
Providing a nice balance of sportiness and comfort, the well-rounded TSX provides above-average reliability, good crash-test results, and a long list of standard safety equipment. $28,000 to $30,000.

9. Scion xA
The small xA hatchback looks much different from the larger xB but shares its low price, good reliability, and excellent 30-mpg fuel economy. $13,000 to $13,500.

10. Honda Civic & Civic Hybrid
A longtime Consumer Reports recommended model, the Civic offers outstanding reliability, good fuel economy, and good crash-test results. While the Hybrid version returned an excellent 36 mpg overall in our tests, even regular Civics do well in our fuel-economy tests, with 29 mpg for the automatic. $14,500 to $24,500.


Bottom 10

1. Ford Freestar
The unrefined Freestar is among the lowest rated minivans tested by Consumer Reports and has had below-average reliability of late. Resale values of the Freestar are likely to speed up their slide following Ford's recent announcement to discontinue production. $19,500 to $29,500.

2. Ford Crown Victoria
This large sedan is an example of how fleet sales can lower resale values. As a perennial favorite of rental companies, police departments, and cabbies, the Crown Victoria can't hold its value in spite of good crash-test results and decent reliability. $24,500 to $27,500.

3. Buick Rainier
With just 690 units sold in August '06 compared with 12,901 of its Chevrolet TrailBlazer sibling, the Rainier SUV gets the double whammy of costing more money and depreciating faster. $31,500 to $33,500.

4. Lincoln Town Car
A recent Consumer Reports study found the venerable Town Car (last redesigned for 1998) to have the most generous incentives of any vehicle on the market. An old design with heavy discounts is not a good combination for resale. $42,000 to $50,500.

5. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan
These minivans are rated midpack in Consumer Reports testing, below newer and better models. The heavily discounted, aging Caravan remains a strong seller in the category, probably contributing to an oversupply. $18,500 to $27,500.

6. Mercury Grand Marquis
The Grand Marquis is a twin of the Ford Crown Victoria, sharing its dated, 20th-century design. Like the Ford, it has had average reliability and good crash-test results, but it’s at the bottom of Consumer Reports’ large-sedan test ratings. $25,000 to $29,500.

7. GMC Envoy
Like the Buick Rainier, the Envoy is a twin of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer. Both the Envoy and TrailBlazer are among the lowest-performing midsized SUVs in Consumer Reports’ test Ratings in addition to unimpressive crash test results and poor reliability. $26,500 to $37,000.

8. Ford Explorer
The high-volume Ford Explorer has a history of poor depreciation that is expected to continue, despite a freshening for 2006. The midlife update did reduce noise levels from both powertrains, as well as improve interior fit and finish. $26,500-$36,000.

9. Buick Rendezvous
Derived from GM’s minivans, this SUV has had average reliability but mediocre performance in our tests. It will be discontinued by the end of 2006. $25,000 to $28,500.

10. Chrysler Town & Country
This minivan is a twin of the Dodge Grand Caravan, and shares the Dodge’s below-average reliability and midpack Ratings in Consumer Reports tests. $21,500 to $36,000.

Hmmm....anyone notice a pattern with the 'Bottom 10' list??

[Driver]

Wait a minute. The Scion xA is in the top ten as well? I so did not see that coming.

Anyways, the bottom ten doesn't surprise me that much. I didn't even know they were still making the Buick Rendezvous though.

[RAV4EVR]

Originally Posted by Driver

............... I didn't even know they were still making the Buick Rendezvous though.

Nobody wants a Rendezvous = Steepest depreciation = No more production = Most GM/Ford vehicles..............

I will take my bullet shield out now as I have woken the GM/Ford spirits from the early 1900s......... LOL !

[losfosho]

5/10 aint bad at all!!!!

Yea the bottom 10 doesnt surprise me!!!

[Mayur]

Toyota took all the odd numbers in the top 10 lol.

[HL2k]

Where the hell is the Camry

[Dana_15]

^^^I agree. I'm surprised the Tacoma isn't on there either. Prius, no surprise. I thought the Town Car would be the worst one, they sell for around 45...you can get one two years old for about 20-25 OUCH

[Matrix1]

Originally Posted by RAV4EVR

Nobody wants a Rendezvous = Steepest depreciation = No more production = Most GM/Ford vehicles..............

I will take my bullet shield out now as I have woken the GM/Ford spirits from the early 1900s......... LOL !

Rav4EVR

That toyota in your Signature looks mint....is it yours?

When i was a teenage I had one of those with a Chevy 327 small block in it.
Fun little sleeper it was.....till I sank it in a swamp.

It was fun pulling up at lights and blowing people off the line with it, sounded real
good with dual thrush pipes exiting out in front of the rear wheels.
I had almost forgot I owned it until I saw your sig....Thanks for the memories !


John R

[RAV4EVR]

Originally Posted by Matrix1

Rav4EVR

That toyota in your Signature looks mint....is it yours?

When i was a teenage I had one of those with a Chevy 327 small block in it.
Fun little sleeper it was.....till I sank it in a swamp.

It was fun pulling up at lights and blowing people off the line with it, sounded real
good with dual thrush pipes exiting out in front of the rear wheels.
I had almost forgot I owned it until I saw your sig....Thanks for the memories !


John R

U swamped it??
Wasn't it repairable?

I am planning on getting it since the 1980s... . Right now, it is only in my dreams... Well very deep sleep dreams...
Just when I think I am ready, another disaster takes my money....

The car in my sig was my father's. He sold it long time ago.

[Matrix1]

Originally Posted by RAV4EVR

U swamped it??
Wasn't it repairable?

I am planning on getting it since the 1980s... . Right now, it is only in my dreams... Well very deep sleep dreams...
Just when I think I am ready, another disaster takes my money....

The car in my sig was my father's. He sold it long time ago.

Yes it was repairable, ended up blowing the motor.Replaced it with a 350 but it was never the same.
Sold it and moved on......Lesson learned....never go four wheeling after a week of heavy rain with Bald Tires.....Bad combination.

John

[94CoupeV6]

WOW what a surprise...the worst ten are AMERICAN CARS?! WTF is going on? NO WAY! And those JAP CRAP Toyota's have 5 of 10 of the top ten cars?!

Doesn't surprise me at all...but to the American's who think American made cars are the only ones worth buying, think again.

[kdhspyder]

Originally Posted by HL2k

Where the hell is the Camry

There's too much volume on the Camry's for it to hold a top spot. the market still is normally on a 3-4 replacement cycle. There are just too many camry's on the road for it to be as scarce as say the Prius.

Interesting point about the two Scions. One of the best features about these in addition to the original low price is that younger buyer who would like to switch vehicles like he/she switches say sneakers can do it with the Scions. Buy it for $15,000, or less, drive it for 15 mo's and trade it for $12,000, that's $200/mo.