Which Used Cars Hold Their Value Best?

"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars) 03/18/2014 at 21:39 • Filed to: None

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Now that I've sold the BMW, I'm on the hunt for next project to flip. There's a multitude of cars I'd love to buy: neat 90s imports to obscure 80s sports cars, but I'm a responsible spender. Everyone knows buying a Fiat X1/9 is one step above giving your money away.

So, I'm asking you oppo, what used cars are the best value holders? Personally, I nominate two: The Jeep Wrangler and the Mini Cooper S

There's no real rhyme or reason behind it, but the used resale values on these cars are great. They've retained more than half of their MSRP over a span of ten years.

I'm open to any and all cars that hold value, but I obviously prefer the fun and interesting ones.

Go!

(EDIT: Let's make this available for normal people to buy. I'm 20, I can't buy a 993 or a Ford GT. <$15,000-$20,000)

CPT Speedbump > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:41

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Value holders.. Classic American Muscle?

CPT Speedbump > CPT Speedbump 03/18/2014 at 21:41

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CTS-V's seem to be holding value really well too

Brian Silvestro > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:42

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I'm pretty sure 993s have never depreciated at all, ever.

CRider > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:44

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The Wrangler and Tacoma are some of the best vehicles. The Raptor holds it's value like gold, and the FJ Cruiser is also one of the best. Basically off road vehicles and the Tacoma. The Ford GT is actually appreciating, so it wins by default.

RMudkips > Brian Silvestro 03/18/2014 at 21:44

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I don't think I've seen a 993 in the wild, or at least recognized one as such.

Brian Silvestro > RMudkips 03/18/2014 at 21:44

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I think I've only seen one, they seem to be so rare.

AthomSfere > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:45

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Honda, and Acura. Want a fun one? The Civic Si (8 years old for an 06) or a TL Type S. I would also guess you could say the same for an S2000 and NSX. Geez, the NSX is 20 years old and still worth better than 30% of its new price!

I have bought 2 Honda's and sold them for more then I paid, and the only mods I did was add miles over 1-2 years each. They appreciated!

Also bought a brand new Fit in 08, sold it back to the same dealership in 09 and only took a $1k loss.

Jay Lauer > CPT Speedbump 03/18/2014 at 21:45

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I guess I should amend the article to things normal people can afford. One sec.

Nibby > Brian Silvestro 03/18/2014 at 21:46

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Gas'd up yesterday.. one of these popped up next to me.

Sn210 > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:46

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I always thought the VW R32 did a good job of holding its value. Original msrp in 2004: $29,100
This one is for sale, ten years and ~100k miles later, for $16,500

Dsscats > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:47

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This is easy! Not cheap...

jkm7680 > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:47

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Subaru Wrx? Either that or somewhat overpriced, some bad shape examples for around $7000. The Wrangler deffinately though.

Get a Chrysler Conquest! I'm on a mission to force them on everybody.

hethoughtofcars > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:48

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Jetta TDI Sportwagen. Here in the Pacific NW VW TDIs simply don't depreciate. It's insane. You buy one new for $28k and 50,000 miles later it is still worth somewhere in the $20s

Minis are also decent investments, I leased a Clubman in 2010 (price around $25k) and they still wanted almost $20k at the end of the lease!

Jay Lauer > Sn210 03/18/2014 at 21:48

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You hit the nail on the head there. I have no idea why, but they hold value like insanity. For half the price, you could just get a 3.2 Audi A3 quattro, which is the SAME car.

Jay Lauer > CRider 03/18/2014 at 21:49

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Well I amended the article. While you're correct about the Raptor and the GT, I'm 20 and sure as shit can't afford them.

Jay Lauer > Brian Silvestro 03/18/2014 at 21:50

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993 is without a doubt my favorite 911. I'd definitely DD one when I'm late 20s or so. I've amended the article to <$15k-$20k

CPT Speedbump > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:50

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You can find Classic American Muscle cars for cheap...just gotta be lucky :) 66' Fastback (not mine) in my garage is all original bought from the first owner for 10 k, and in fantastic (not perfect, but nearly) condition :)

Brian Silvestro > Nibby 03/18/2014 at 21:50

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-you.

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:50

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'85 Porsche 911 Targa. You can find them for 8-12k with some work needed and sell for 22-25k.

CPT Speedbump > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:51

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And if normal people can afford it, is it reallyyyyy holdings it's value? O.o

Jay Lauer > hethoughtofcars 03/18/2014 at 21:51

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TDI are definitely great. With gas prices getting close to diesel now, the MPG of the diesel is hard to ignore. I'm definitely keeping my eyes peels for VW diesels.

Brian Silvestro > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:52

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Hmmm pretty much any pre 1975 Alfa.

Nerd-Vol > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:53

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The STis and Evos have held their value really well.

hethoughtofcars > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:54

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They are having a sale on Passat TDIs, which is the first time I can ever remember TDIs being included in a VW sale... It's always "Get this crazy awesome deal on 5 new Volkswagen models!*"

*Does not include TDI models

Jay Lauer > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/18/2014 at 21:54

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Ahh, I forgot you do this too. The trick is just finding a cheap 911. There's not too many around me, but I'd sure as hell love to own one.

Jay Lauer > CPT Speedbump 03/18/2014 at 21:55

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Normal people can afford Wranglers.... and Mini Coopers..

Jay Lauer > Nerd-Vol 03/18/2014 at 21:56

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Exactly. I'm definitely holding out if I can find one that needs engine work. It would be my third Subaru, but I have no complaints there.

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:57

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These sonovabitches.

Nibby > Brian Silvestro 03/18/2014 at 21:57

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It was in this color actually. Looked fucking amazing. I wish I snapped a picture.

Tekamul > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:57

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400k mile beaters

Because you pay $500 for them now, then sell them in a year when you're sick of their shit....for $500!

Jay Lauer > Brian Silvestro 03/18/2014 at 21:58

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Haha I have to DD these cars normally. I can't suffer the heartache of having to fix an Alfa every morning.

Brian Silvestro > Nibby 03/18/2014 at 21:59

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I understand if you were overwhelmed by the awesome.

CPT Speedbump > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:59

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Valid point, but they've not retained nearly as good ;) If looking at Jeep's though, be sure to inspect whatever roof option they have, as a lot will leak/ have issues.. as is..obvious, lol, I almost got a nice JK but it's roof held and leaked water..so.. 350Z it was

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:59

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Be willing to travel and ship. That helps in finding great deals. I found a 996 without an engine for $3k 5 minutes from me, and I missed the winning bid by 5 mins. There were a few I saw for under 12k in the tri-state area and further up north.

Brian Silvestro > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 21:59

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Shit.

80CobraKid > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 22:01

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Toyota Tacoma. Seriously, hard to find one under $10k

Jay Lauer > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/18/2014 at 22:05

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Damnnnnnnn I would hop all over that $3k deal. I normally allow myself to drive up to 6 hours to look at a car. But, I'm also a little sore still after driving six hours to look at shitbox S4 that the owner neglected to mention had a failing transmission.

Shipping's kind of meh with me. I have to see the car in person before buying. But I definitely like searching Craigslist with the term 'needs' for all of the broken cars for super cheap.

I just like hearing the car ideas, and air-cooled 911 is a great one. I'll keep a lot out, but I'm also find following the Subaru recipe for a hat-trick. It's seems like an oddly good money tree to shake.

Jay Lauer > Brian Silvestro 03/18/2014 at 22:06

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That's what makes this question difficult.

Brian Silvestro > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 22:08

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RX7?

Jay Lauer > CPT Speedbump 03/18/2014 at 22:14

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Yeah, I've driven numerous Wranglers before, it's all pretty much expected. I'm not much of a truck person at all, but the Wrangler is just unbelievable fun.

Jay Lauer > wbizarre - OEM fetishist 03/18/2014 at 22:16

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That, I would've never thought of. Must be their reliability?

CPT Speedbump > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 22:16

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Right!!! That's why I almost got one, over a Z!! Fun as shit to sit behind the wheel of, lol

Jay Lauer > 80CobraKid 03/18/2014 at 22:20

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Proceeding to look now to confirm. Shit, you're right.

80CobraKid > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 22:21

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Probably one of the best small pickup trucks you can buy, yet holds its value better than a Ferrari.

Jay Lauer > 80CobraKid 03/18/2014 at 22:28

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But WHY? It's a great pickup, I always just thought everyone only wanted American, so they'd plummet. It seems if you have a 4x4 or 4-door with a stick, you have a gold mine.

80CobraKid > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 22:42

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Exactly, because that's exactly what people want. Reliable, versatile, rugged.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 22:54

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Maybe someone said it already, but may I nominate like Lexus LS, GS?

Jay Lauer > 80CobraKid 03/18/2014 at 22:58

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Oh, its a great truck. But everybody buys American instead.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Jay Lauer 03/18/2014 at 23:07

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Wranglers do hold up well. A couple years ago I was looking at one, something fun to run around town with and even 10 year old ones were still up there. Pending the owner remembered to keep the tops up there isn't much to wear out.

Loping Camshaft > Jay Lauer 03/19/2014 at 02:52

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So maybe you're looking for ideas for a car for yourself? Not many fun cars that you'll be able to get for $20k that won't depreciate a bunch. You're going to look for stuff that's not going to lose any value. If you're on a budget, maintenance costs will eliminate stuff like an old 911 or an E46 M3. Here's my list:

WRX

Wrangler (especially if you can get an LJ and/or Rubicon)

Various Hondas (S2k, Si, TSX, TL-S)

Various GM V8's should be OK too (GTO, C5, CTS-V)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Jay Lauer 03/19/2014 at 07:14

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Retaining half their MSRP over 10 years? That's not holding their resale value at all. That's throwing away half of your money in a decade. Any new car will do that.

Hell, buy an X1/9 for £1500 and, provided you take care of it, it will still be worth £1500 in 10 years. Might even be worth more.

Now that's holding resale value :)

If you really want to be money-conscious, buy a car that's at the bottom of it's depreciation curve, but has been really looked after by the previous owner. Minimal hassle, and even if you scrap it afterwards you've only lost ~$2000.

Jay Lauer > Loping Camshaft 03/19/2014 at 12:05

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Lolol every single one of those cars I've either owned or is on my list. An S2000 would be cool if I could find it broken. Also, I'd consider E46 M3, but I just sold an E46 and maintenance sucks. I'm considering STIs too since people are really found of blowing up the motors in them