Bet You Can't Guess The Top 10 Cars With The Highest Resale!

The models on our list retain a higher percentage of their original purchase price than any other car you can buy. But high gas prices are having a dramatic effect on prices — so much so that in just a matter of weeks, the list of the top 10 vehicles with the highest resale values will look different.

"Economy cars are improving," says John Blair, chief executive officer of Automotive Lease Guides (ALG), a market research firm headquartered in Santa Barbara, Calif. "The outlook for small, fuel-efficient vehicles is much brighter today versus a year ago. And the outlook on SUVs has changed dramatically in the other direction."

Top 10 Resale Values In US

1. 62.7% Mini Cooper
2. 60.6% Infinti G37
3. 59.6% BMW 1 series
4. 59.0% Jeep Wrangler 4x4
5. 58.8% VW R32
6. 57.9% Honda CR-V
7. 57.8% Scion XB
8. 56.8% Honda Civic Hybrid
9. 56.4% Nissan Rogue
10.  56.4% VW Beetle Convertible (Tie)
10.  56.4% Audi S5 (Tie)
 

2ndbimmer - 8/8/2008 10:22:22 AM

-3 Boost

people buy scions? who the hell wants a mini ice cream truck. so fugly...
I do understand the jeep wrangler. it really is the most versatile and fun vehicle to own. i miss mine so much, when my 335i sedan lease is up, i might go back. but, it is my personality. i love the outdoors.
the nissan rogue is a huge surprise. i guess when you look at affordability and utility...

Agent004 - 8/8/2008 4:11:21 PM

+3 Boost

A nicely optioned 135i from BMWUSA.com: $43,870
The monthly payment on a 3 year, 10k/year lease: $795
The total amount of money over 3 years: $28,620

So of the $28,620, $17,548 is actually paid towards the depreciation of the car going by the 60% resale value, meaning $11,072 is paid towards interest rate and tax.

Ouch.

JRobUSC - 8/9/2008 12:23:01 PM

+1 Boost

so either lease it through a bank other than BMW Financial Services (were you really expecting BMW to offer subvented leases on a sold out car?) or don't lease it in the first place. Buy it instead and recoup the benefits of the high resale value, just like Mini owners (which top the list for resale but have never had any lease support from BMW whatsoever).

ericisamazing335 - 8/8/2008 10:26:05 AM

+6 Boost

how do they know the resale of a 1 series? it hasn't even been out for a full year, same with the s5. theyre good cars and all, but still

800over - 8/8/2008 10:41:43 AM

+3 Boost

It's all estimated...doesn't make any sense...the resale value in the article is after 3 years. So the Nissan Rogue has been out for 3 years? By the time 3 years rolls around they admit in the article it could be different. So whats the point of guessing what % is now?

Neverfollow - 8/8/2008 11:28:44 AM

+2 Boost

I can't believe you just asked that question. The book is called the Automotive Lease Guide! Most leases are 3yrs long. Based on the best information available right now, these are the cars they predict will be worth the most after 3 years of normal use. The value percentage is what they are going to base the residual of said leases on. The higher the value, the lower the monthly payment for that vehicle. That amount is contracted the day you sign the agreement, not 3 yrs from now, thus the prediction.

800over - 8/8/2008 3:38:51 PM

+1 Boost

Neverflow....and those numbers are based on guesses. And are often wrong. Anyone care to buy a 2004 Ram coming off lease for it's buyout? No way its worth way less. All I'm saying is that the list should not include vehicles with no resale history. These predictions do not take into account trends and price changes and even market conditions. They take a snapshot of the current market and suggest that it will remain that way for 3 years. I predict that in 3 years half the vehicles on the list are no longer on it.

AlexTx - 8/8/2008 10:33:05 AM

+5 Boost

Audi is there.... with the S5.

To Eric: try to find a new S5 right now....

JRobUSC - 8/9/2008 12:27:35 PM

+1 Boost

Hey, Staar is back, and true to form already at -13 and counting. Nice job.

Moderators, how are we coming on that "once your total boost level reaches -500 you're banned" idea that someone else had the other day? Given it any thought? Or are we still of the mindset that trolls running rampant and driving away actual readers and enthusiasts from your site is a good thing?

lewishamiltonpimp - 8/8/2008 10:43:14 AM

+3 Boost

Yup. No idea how they know the resale of a 1 series, the Nissan Rogue or the S5.

AgentOrange - 8/8/2008 11:04:17 AM

+3 Boost

Professional financial handicappers determine residual values for leasing companies...

Agent009 - 8/8/2008 11:16:55 AM

+7 Boost

Actually I am shocked the Prius isn't there...

bagwell - 8/8/2008 11:53:19 AM

+6 Boost

same here....go try and buy a 2004+ Prius for under $20K

Audiphile - 8/8/2008 12:33:47 PM

+2 Boost

I noticed that all of the vehicles on the list are fuel-efficient except for two - the Jeep Wrangler and the Audi S5. And I too am surprised that the Prius is not on the list. Heck, the VW Jetta TDI should be on there as well, but I don't think specific versions of a model are on the list.

0to60 - 8/8/2008 1:47:33 PM

+3 Boost

G37!!! No where near fuel efficient!

charlik05 - 8/8/2008 1:24:43 PM

+1 Boost

they are probably basing these numbers of current leases. since a lease has a predetermined residual they are just using that as a model and probably comparing that to the number of cars sold.

nozferatu - 8/8/2008 1:48:42 PM

+3 Boost

The Mini is an overrated piece of shit. I realized that when I went to see one up close and drove it.

The dealer was asking $39k for a loaded Clubman...they are out of their freaking minds.

People who buy these cars seriously have a screw loose.

85bmw745i - 8/8/2008 3:52:12 PM

+1 Boost

I don't think i9t is over-rated nor a piece of shit. the interior is very well crafted, however $39k is freakin insane! someone needs to set fire to that dealership.

nozferatu - 8/8/2008 1:49:13 PM

0 Boost

Plus....anyone who's willing to pay MORE for a used one than new one is even more retarded.

mark06902 - 8/8/2008 3:41:31 PM

-2 Boost

I'm Sorry, but this list is absolute Horse*&%$. I leased a BMW 335 coupe in February. My residual is 62. That slots it at worst #2 on this list. And yet it isnt even on here. Where on earth did these numbers come from?

As for the 1 series, that's made up or something. The sales staff told me the difference in lease payments is quite small because of its lower residual value vs. the 3.

ghosthunter - 8/8/2008 9:03:20 PM

+1 Boost

high residual is the key to keep your monthly lease low.
however, just because they set the residual to be 62%, it doesn't mean they will be able to sell that car for 62% of the MSRP after 3 years.

gsh23 - 8/8/2008 8:19:44 PM

+1 Boost

yah this is weird. mini consistently ranks at the bottom in JD studies. and it shows up as #1 highest resale? and people said lexus marketing was good...bmw is even better!

1M32NV - 8/8/2008 10:33:53 PM

-1 Boost

Whoever mentioned benz and audi is obviously on another planet - those cars have the lowest resale value because they're so unreliable. I'm even surprised 2 VW's made it on the list - I swore off of them after 10 years of grief... As for benz, my sister bought an R350, $62k list, she paid $54k, and after 1 year, 5 times in the shop and 7,000 miles Galves says it's worth $25k. Where they get this number i have no idea. BMW blows them away, with mini or not...

DieselRules - 8/9/2008 1:28:26 AM

0 Boost

This list is missing the obvious higher resale value cars. Mercedes and VW DIESELS beat every other car in the US.
2005 Passats TDIs are selling for up to $30k used (and they cost $28k new!)
In California some are going for over $32k ... or $5k APPRECIATION after 4 years.

But the grand-daddy of high resale is the VW Camper Van.
What other vehicle retains 60% of its original price at 15 YEARS OLD???
At 20 years old, a VW Camper Van will still fetch 50% of its original price, while everything that age from Japan or Detroit has (long ago) been recycled.

bmwdrvr - 8/9/2008 11:27:25 AM

+1 Boost

well for one those things are depended upon the market and dealers trying to make an extra buck, not actualy expected resale values..........not to mention if your going to include resale value oddities there are other cars that should go on the list like the Toyota Supra which can still sell for 30,000 or the fact that used Plymouth/Chrysler Prowlers are fetching 45,000 which was their price new....or the fact the BMW Z8 is still selling for a 100,000 in many places

PerformanceGuy - 8/11/2008 1:29:38 PM

+2 Boost

Good job Infiniti for making an amazing looking and performing car that holds its value really well!!