10 best cars to beat depreciation are an odd mix of models
No one wants to buy a new car knowing that it’ll be worth a pittance compared to what they paid for it five years earlier. Unless you fall into the sadist car-buying camp, you might want to stick to one of the nameplates that battle depreciation with the best. These models hold resale value better than most, and, as a bonus, there’s some diversity on the list.
Sports cars, pickup trucks, and sensible sedans make up the most depreciation-resistant vehicles
On average, a new car will scrub around 46% of its original value in the first five years of ownership. That’s dangerously close to half, and with the typical price of a new car in the United States flirting with $50,000, that’s a lot of value to lose. Fret not, though; these models fight depreciation to a much higher extent.
Porsche 911
No surprise here. Porsche’s perennially sought-after performance car holds its value better than any other popular nameplate. Few cars boast the same consistent fanbase, save for some enthusiast critique of Porsche’s decision to liquid-cool the 911 with the 996 model in 1997.
According to iSeeCars, the Porsche 911 will lose around 19.5% of its original value in the first five years of ownership. That puts the 911 firmly ahead of its competition and the industry average of 45.6%.
However, as with other coveted sports cars, specific iterations of the 911 increase in value over the years. For instance, the 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS started at about $123,500. Today, however, the typical sale price of the 997.1-generation performance staple sells for an average of $233,197, per Classic.com.
Porsche 718 Cayman
The Porsche 911’s smaller, hardtop sibling, the 718 Cayman, sits just under the 911 in terms of average depreciation. The 718 Cayman will lose around 21.8% of its original value in the first half-decade of ownership, 2.3% behind the 911.
Still, the lower cost of entry for the 718 Coupe means a lower overall loss. Based on an analysis of over 800,000 cars, the average loss of value for a 718 Cayman after five years is about $15,851, $8,577 less than its larger, more tenured sibling.
Of course, the existing Porsche 718 Cayman may continue to hold a special place with enthusiasts, especially considering the model’s upcoming discontinuation in favor of an electrified model in 2027.
Toyota Tacoma
You might think that the seemingly immortal Ford F-150 would take a top spot on the resale value list. But no, the best-selling truck in the US doesn’t hold its value quite as well as another, smaller pickup truck favorite, the Toyota Tacoma.
A typical Tacoma will slough off around 26% of its starting price tag in the first five years of ownership. That puts it ahead of the Ford Ranger and GMC Canyon by 8.7% and 12.1%, respectively.
It’s not just the Tacoma, either. The Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, and Chevrolet Colorado also hold value better than most full-size alternatives. “Midsize trucks tend to outrank their full-size counterparts, suggesting more buyers prefer the balance of capability, cost, and size offered by midsize models,” said Karl Brauer, an executive analyst with iSeeCars.
Chevrolet Corvette
Like the Porsche 911, America’s sweetheart sports car holds its value better than most. However, although the Chevrolet Corvette is in its eighth generation, not every Corvette timeframe is as commendable an investment as a comparable 911.
For instance, the average sale price of a fourth-generation Corvette, or C4, is about $20,703. But shrewd shoppers can get higher-mileage examples of the 1980s ‘Vette for under $10,000.
Still, the Corvette’s depreciation rate makes it an attractive purchase for buyers seeking to retain some resale value. At 27.2%, the Corvette doesn’t lose value anywhere near as swiftly as the industry average.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is something of a staple among sensible sedans, and its low depreciation rate doesn’t disappoint. On average, the Civic will lose about 28% of its original value over five years.
That said, the Honda Civic’s relatively low cost of entry means a low overall loss from MSRP. At just $6,987, Civic owners will lose the least cash of any model in the top 10.
Chevrolet Camaro
Ahead of the Ford Mustang, if not quite up to the resale value standards of the Corvette, the Chevrolet Camaro takes the No. 6 spot. At 28% depreciation over its first five years, the Camaro ties the comparably sober Honda Civic, although the typical starting price for the former is higher.
And the Camaro could continue to build collectibility as time goes on. Chevrolet recently discontinued the nameplate after six generations. Not unlike the Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster, the Camaro is rumored to return as an EV.
Toyota Tundra
Full-size trucks might not retain as much value as some of their smaller, more affordable counterparts. But that doesn’t prevent the Toyota Tundra from taking a spot in the top 10.
The Toyota Tundra typically scrubs off 29.1% of its original value in the first five years of ownership. That makes the Tundra the only full-size pickup truck in the top five trucks for resale value retention.
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang, America’s best-selling sports car, takes the No. 7 spot for its resistance to depreciation. The Mustang depreciates around 29.2% in its first half-decade, nearly $10,000 of its average cost of entry.
Now in its seventh generation, Ford has sold over 10 million Mustangs since its release in 1964. Today, the Mustang represents one of the largest ranges in used car prices, with some SN-95 models selling for well under $5,000 and other sought-after Shelby or screen-used models netting millions.
Porsche 718 Boxster
The drop-top sibling of the 718 Cayman, the Porsche 718 Boxster, also takes a top spot on the depreciation shortlist. At 29.6% the 718 Boxster retains quite a bit less value than its hardtop cousin, further illustrating the 718 Cayman’s value to enthusiasts as a rigid driver’s car.
While the Boxster nameplate has been around since the 996 911, the 718 model debuted in 2016. Even a first-year 718 Boxster holds its value exceptionally well, whereas a first-generation Boxster is a surprisingly affordable affair. Savvy shoppers can find a 986 Boxster for around $15,000 or less, depending on factors like condition and mileage.
Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Interestingly enough, the utilitarian Toyota Corolla Hatchback rounds out the top 10. That puts it ahead of its sedan sibling, the always-popular Corolla, in terms of five-year value retention.
On average, the Corolla Hatchback retains about 69.9% of its starting price, making it the only nameplate in the top 10 with a depreciation rate higher than 30%.
- Porsche 911
- Porsche 718 Cayman
- Toyota Tacoma
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Honda Civic
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Toyota Tundra
- Ford Mustang
- Porsche 718 Boxster
- Toyota Corolla Hatchback
