The curse of a gearhead is that we cannot stop perusing the classifieds and playing about with new-car configurators, as the lure of a new car is always looming in our minds.
Besides the obvious space issue, there’s another reason that stops car lovers from buying everything they desire – and that’s depreciation. It’s a well-known fact that a new car can lose a considerable amount, even 25% of its value by the time you’ve driven off of the dealers’ forecourt. So, how can we avoid this?
By picking one of the used cars below; they’ve already suffered a chunk of depreciation, and due to their desirability in the market, (usually because they’re sports and performance cars) now offer a great opportunity to buy and then sell again without losing a sizable chunk of your original investment.
We have collected data from sources such as Autopadre and Bring A Trailer to provide you with these 10 used cars with excellent resale values.
10 2011 BMW 128i
Starting Price In Good Condition: $11,225
BMW has long been paraded as master manufacturers of ‘ultimate driving machines’, and the inline-6 1-series of the 2010s is one of their modern gems. A short and stubby chassis makes for sharp and darting handling characteristics, while inside you find all the usual refinements expected of a premium brand.
Pricing
|
Trim |
Avg. Used Market Range |
Original MSRP |
|---|---|---|
|
128i |
$11,225 |
$30,000 |
Over the last decade, prices have dropped accordingly and performance-orientated models like the 128i and even 135i can now be had for as little as $11,225. Not only that but because of the following these cars have now adopted, you can expect to lose no more than $1,684 to depreciation after a 5-year ownership.
9 2010 Lotus Elise
Starting Price In Good Condition: $38,250
Perhaps though, you want something a little more hardcore than the BMW above, in which case, this Lotus should tick the box for you. By 2010, the Elise was in its third generation and still followed the same recipe of a lightweight construction, rev-happy inline-4, and a spartan, driver-focussed interior.
Pricing
|
Trim |
Avg. Used Market Range |
Original MSRP |
|---|---|---|
|
Base |
$38,250 |
$47,250 |
13 years ago, the Lotus Elise would set you back a considerable chunk of money – no doubt easily pushed over $50,000 with a couple of choice options. Owners from new will be pleased to see that very little money has been lost over those years, and those looking to buy one now should also be so confident as the Elise is not expected to depreciate any lower than its current value.
8 2006 Nissan 350Z
Starting Price In Good Condition: $9,883
Sports cars needn’t be reserved for the wealthy though, as the Nissan 350Z here shall prove; this V6-powered Nissan is beloved by tuners, no doubt thanks to the Fast & Furious franchise, and represents excellent value for someone looking to get into their first performance car.
Pricing
|
Trim |
Avg. Used Market Range |
Original MSRP |
|---|---|---|
|
Base |
$9,883 |
$27,650 |
It’s hard to believe that the 350Z is now approaching 20 years old, and it’s also just as hard to believe just how much of the original value has been retained. Most cars will lose more than this in their first 5 years, for example. Smart examples are available from $10,000 upwards, and we think prices will stay pretty stable for some time now, so a safe purchase will deliver great resale figures.
7 2004 Mazda Miata NB
Starting Price In Good Condition: $4,175
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is beloved the world over, having been in continuous production since 1989 now. The second-generation, or NB Miata, sports a scintillating 1.8-liter inline-4 that revs high and just begs to be thrashed, but how does it stand up as a safe investment in today’s market?
Pricing
|
Trim |
Avg. Used Market Range |
Original MSRP |
|---|---|---|
|
Base |
$4,175 |
$24,900 |
No doubt thanks to the huge production numbers, the mighty Miata has lost a considerable chunk of the original value, but as more and more have been parted out, crashed, or scrapped, good examples now represent a very safe investment that will return what you paid, or perhaps even more, after a few years of happy motoring. Buy a clean one and keep it in great condition, and the Mazda will be sure to thank you with strong resale figures.
6 2009 Honda S2000
Starting Price In Good Condition: $16,500
Gearheads will require no introduction to this particular sports car, as the Honda S2000 is one of the most beloved modern two-seaters, no doubt thanks to a 9,000 rpm rev limit and perfect weight distribution. An absolute joy to own and drive, but will it leave you feeling down in the dumps after taking all your money?
Pricing
|
Trim |
Avg. Used Market Range |
Original MSRP |
|---|---|---|
|
Base |
$25,500 |
$36,660 |
The quick answer is no – Honda’s raucous S2000 is actually appreciating in price, so you’ll need to act fast, or you could actually end up needing to fork out more than the original MSRP to buy a great example. The trick here is to buy a well-maintained and original example and avoid modified examples that will appeal to a smaller market when selling.
5 2004 Audi TT
Starting Price In Good Condition: $6,600
Let’s scale back down and look at another turn-of-the-century modern classic, but one that’s available for a lot less cash this time. The Audi TT 8N ticks a lot of boxes, with cool styling, a retro touch to the interior, and a great selection of engines, ranging from a turbocharged 1.8-liter to a 250 horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engine.
Pricing
|
Trim |
Avg. Used Market Range |
Original MSRP |
|---|---|---|
|
1.8T |
$5,000-$9,000 |
$33,250 |
|
3.2 Quattro |
$7,000-$12,000 |
$42,900 |
|
Roadster |
$6,000-$10,000 |
$35,250 |
As can be seen in the table above, prices have dropped considerably since launch, which is why we think it makes for an absolute bargain in 2023. Prices for super examples are on the move now, and there’s no way that a clean TT won’t retain most or all of its value over a few years now, guaranteeing you a great resale value when the time comes.
4 2013 Caterham Seven
Starting Price In Good Condition: $27,500
If the Lotus above took your fancy, then perhaps this will too. It’s clear to see that the British still know how to make a proper sports car. In fact, the Caterham has barely changed since the original Lotus design in the 1960s. Impeccable handling is the attraction here, with the driver sitting low and exposed to the elements, driving a Seven is a truly immersive experience that enthusiasts will pay a pretty penny for.
Pricing
|
Trim |
Avg. Used Market Range |
Original MSRP |
|---|---|---|
|
160 |
$27,500 |
$39,850 |
Very few cars can boast such impressive resale values as Caterham, with many buyers happy to pay near-new prices for a lightly used example, to avoid sitting in queues to get a new one. The fact is, owners do nominal mileage in these cars, and care for them to a great degree, so there really isn’t much difference between a new or used one in condition. This helps us to make sense of the impressive resale values.
3 2011 Honda CR-Z
Starting Price In Good Condition: $14,150
The Honda CR-Z appeals to a very different driver – one who prefers cutting-edge styling instead of nostalgia, and a plethora of gadgets and gizmos inside. This Honda really stands out from the crowd and has very few direct competitors, so it’s no surprise that it has a dedicated following of die-hard enthusiastic fans.
Pricing
|
Trim |
Avg. Used Market Range |
Original MSRP |
|---|---|---|
|
Base |
$14,150 |
$21,750 |
Despite having been on the road now for over a decade, the CR-Z still retains two-thirds of the original MSRP price – which is rare to see for a modern-day car like this. It’s rare to see one of these stylish Hondas on the road these days, and we think this exclusivity will help keep the strong resale values for years to come.
2 2012 MINI Coupe John Cooper Works
Starting Price In Good Condition: $19,500
Anything with a MINI badge will have a strong fan following, and these John Cooper Works Coupes are certainly no different. A powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder motor sits up front, and an impeccably trimmed cabin features pleated leather seats, a glossy dashboard and plenty of performance touches too, such as the Cooper stripes and 18″ alloy wheels.
Pricing
|
Trim |
Avg. Used Market Range |
Original MSRP |
|---|---|---|
|
JCW |
$19,500 |
$31,200 |
Prices for the lower-end models trail considerably lower, but the JCW is rare and a real treat to drive. It’s no real surprise then, that they command up near $20,000 each time they come up. Fans of the Coupe will always be happy to pay strong money for a solid example, so there’s no need to worry about losing a load during your ownership experience.
1 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL R129
Starting Price In Good Condition: $10,500
Some will argue that the original SLs of the 1950s and 1960s were some of the most influential and desirable sports cars of the 20th century, but one thing that’s for certain is that the ’90s R129 offers serious value, and they’re hot property at the moment. Plush interiors, handsome styling, and a great selection of engines make this out to be one fantastic all-rounder for sports and luxury car fans.
Pricing
|
Trim |
Avg. Used Market Range |
Original MSRP |
|---|---|---|
|
SL320 |
$10,500 |
$79,600 |
Comparatively extortionate when new, the R129 SL was first sold for a mighty $80,000, and virtually $70,000 of that original value has been knocked off. The current price paid is almost offensively low for such a great car, there’s just no way that a well-maintained and smartly presented example will ever lose money! Buy a nice one, look after it, and we have no doubt in our mind that you’ll easily recoup your money when the time to sell comes.
