Which Performance Sedan/Wagons Depreciate The Least?

"Porsche was my first word" (porschewasmyfirstword)
07/23/2017 at 17:32 • Filed to: Chrysler, Crossfire, performance sedan, performance wagon, depreciation, Audi S6, Audi RS6, AMG, BMW M, M3, M6, M5, C32 AMG, C55 AMG, BMW 6, E63, Mercedes CL, C215, Alfa Romeo, Brera

Which performance sedan/wagons depreciate the least?

I’ve been searching mobile.de (Germany’s Autotrader) for used performance oriented cars lately. A real sports car is not in the mix because a need to haul my surf board or/and my mountainbikes around a lot of the time*. On top I want a smooth ride on long stretches.

I found that Audi’s S/RS-models seem to be hit hardest by depreciation (Audi S4 B6, Audi RS6 C5). The C32 and C55 and other Mercedes AMGs (except S-Class and CLK of course) hold value pretty well, but BMW M’s are even more expensive. At least here in Germany.

Budget is of course tight and will be forever, cause I keep a) maintanance in mind and b) don’t want to spend to much money on the car so I can still afford travelling, fuel, nice food, good furniture and probably a high maintance lady (aren’t they all?).

What’s your take on this? What car would you choose? You are not limited to one car, but let’s keep the budget under 10k and none of the cars should need to much wrenching (to run, optics aside) in the first place.

Edit: preferred solution at the moment is having to or three cars. A S500/S600 with LPG conversion for the long stretches, a hot hatch like the BMW 325ti compact for DD and some additional fun. Roadster duties will be carried out by a Toyota MR-2 W3.

*found no roof rack for neither a Alfa Romeo Brera nor a Chrysler Crossfire. (Don’t start to hate, I love that Art Deco touch the Crossfire has.) Mercedes CL 500 (C215) and BMW 645 (E63) the same.

By Jeremy from Sydney, Australia - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire ZH, CC BY 2.0, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (29)

LongbowMkII > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 17:42

Lexus

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 17:43

A modded civic

Alfalfa > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 17:49

Volvo 850R/first gen V70R.

They’re already at rock bottom depreciation. Can’t lose value if it doesn’t have any!

Porsche was my first word > Alfalfa
07/23/2017 at 18:15

first gen V70R.

Thought that in the first place, too. But I can find a Audi S4 with 40 more hp, better built quality and same mileage for the same price. It’s even priced as the cheaper RS6's!

Weird world.

Porsche was my first word > LongbowMkII
07/23/2017 at 18:17

Lexus

I’d love to drive first Gen. Lexus IS300 SportCross. Way overpriced. Can buy a C32 AMG or a RS6 for that money.

Good idea though. They are just not that common here as in the US.

Porsche was my first word > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
07/23/2017 at 18:24

civic

Ugh, FWD.

In that case I’d prefer a BMW 325ti compact. I know it wasn’t on sale in the US ( the E36 predecessor was), but it’s a 190hp RWD (6-speed manual of course) car based on the E46 platform. Unfortunately ugly as fuck. And already picking up in value. A low mileage (under 125k miles) are hard to come by. Or for the asking price of the BMW you can buy a W220 S-Class with same mileage, just a little bit older.

Kinja'd!!!

Alfalfa > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 18:25

Seriously? Damn. That’s certainly not the case in my area. Granted you can even find a decent B4 S4, you’ll be paying at least double what you would for a good R.

Porsche was my first word > Alfalfa
07/23/2017 at 18:32

Seriously?

Absolutly. 10k min for the Volvo, 8-9k min for the Audi. However the Audi may be one or two years older, but with comparable mileage.

Maybe it’s because Volvos (like Lexus’, Saab, Subarus) are more common in the US as are high performance figure cars. Americans just buy more high power vehicles because of the lower fuel prices.

My citroen won't start > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 18:32

Kinja'd!!!

Porsche was my first word > My citroen won't start
07/23/2017 at 18:43

On list, be sure. But the only option is the 3.2 V6 Q4. Because I despise AWD.

Only 6 on sale (on Germany’s Autotrader) right now, almost entering Audi S4 Avant territory (mileage/price).

But I keep a close eye on them.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 18:50

I’d get the e46 and get it up to like 300 ish hp and make it the compact m3 that never was

Alfalfa > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 19:05

Damn. You’ll be hard pressed to find one over 3k here unless it’s a T5-r. I bought my 850 glt for scrap value.

LongbowMkII > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 19:07

“Way overpriced” exactly haha

shop-teacher > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 19:13

They’re pretty uncommon here too.

DipodomysDeserti > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 19:18

Subaru WRX without a question.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 19:37

The WRX literally does not depreciate I swear. I’m looking at buying a brand new one for only a thousand or two thousand more then a 3 year old car with 40000-50000 miles.

Porsche was my first word > Alfalfa
07/23/2017 at 21:16

850 glt for scrap value.

I know. I’m a bit in love with the Allroad/XC-Styling. So I went and looked for a Volvo XC70. Under 125k miles you need to be willing to pay at least 5k (and Euros that is) for a decent one. I was stunned.

Porsche was my first word > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
07/23/2017 at 21:38

I’d get the e46 and get it up to like 300 ish hp and make it the compact m3 that never was

That, my friend, is a decent project. As it’s based on the E46 the M3 engine should fit in just fine.

That said the engine found in the E90 330i with 268hp should fit in just fine. It’s N/A, so no worries abou the cooling stuff, but it makes 30 percent ore torque. Hopefully the drivetrain can handle that.

Maybe I could even fit the regular fascia and lights.

Expensive, but very tempting!

Porsche was my first word > shop-teacher
07/23/2017 at 21:40

They’re pretty uncommon here too.

Lexus in general or first gen. IS?

Porsche was my first word > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
07/23/2017 at 21:47

The WRX literally does not depreciate I swear.

I know. A bit like the Lancer Evolution.

There is one nearby for a decent price. Maybe I need to take a test drive.

Porsche was my first word > DipodomysDeserti
07/23/2017 at 21:48

Subaru WRX

Somehow it slipped through. I will test drive one for sure.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 22:01

Sportcross. There’s only a few thousand of them. My parents have Toyota/Lexus speciality shop with over 5000 customers in a heavy, heavy Lexus populated area and only one of those are a Sportcross. We have more green GX470s then Sportcross.

Porsche was my first word > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
07/23/2017 at 22:24

Sportcross

Maybe it’s worth the search. The pick up in value is almost guaranteed if one takes good care of it.

Porsche was my first word > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
07/23/2017 at 22:39

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Just found out http://www.quarrymotors.co.uk offers a complete M3 conversion package

E46 M3 S54B32A Complete Engine Conversion Package. From £3995 + VAT
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S54B32A Stats

Power: 343 bhp (256kW)

Torque: 365 Nm (269 lb-ft)

Displacement: 3246CC

0-60MPH: 5.1 Seconds

Engine Type: 6 Cyclinder Straight

Transmission: 6 Speed Manual

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 22:41

Oooooooooo. I like this. A lot

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Porsche was my first word
07/23/2017 at 22:45

Exactly.

shop-teacher > Porsche was my first word
07/24/2017 at 01:00