You can ruthlessly negotiate your new car deal down to the penny, but it could be a waste of time if the car doesn't retain much value down the road. New car shoppers often overlook this fact, only to be rudely awakened later. If you purchased the car, your concern is resale value; if you leased it, residual value is what to look for.

You might be surprised to learn high reliability scores don't always create a parallel with high value. To forecast which models are likely to hold the greatest chunk of their original sticker price, a lot of variables come into play -- even intangibles, like public perception and educated guesswork. Making things even more interesting is the fact that a few newer and high-demand rides actually experience a short-term spike in value.

To make the grade for our review, we first considered picks reported by respected sources like the Kelley Blue Book and the Automotive Lease Guide (the latter as reported on Cars.com). Then we cast aside the minivans, trucks, SUVs, and extremely limited-production rides like Ferraris and Maybachs. From there, we selected cars that have already proven their worth.

We set three years as the benchmark for our value-retention study, so the rides spotlighted are 2002 models (with the exception of the Infiniti G35 Coupe, which debuted in 2003 but was included based on desirability and predicted high resale). In cases where more than one body style was offered, we specify the qualifying configuration(s). Finally, we narrowed the field to cars that reward in combined doses of performance, design, engineering, and character. That gives us a nice variety of please most automotive tastes.

We present them below, so let's dig in! All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars.

#1 - Infiniti G35 Coupe2003 MSRP: $29,250 2005 average retail: $27,500 Resale value percentage: 94% James Bond hasn't touched a Japanese car since 1967's You Only Live Twice, but the up-and-coming agent would do well to have Q outfit him with an Infiniti G35 Coupe. An immediate hit upon its 2003 arrival, the G35 delivers robust performance with an understated sense of sophistication. That can't be said for its less suave, boy-racer cousin, the Nissan 350Z. With that dynamic styling inside and out, I think the G35 is less likely to look dated when the secret missions are complete, and trade-in time arrives or the lease is over.

#2 - Mini Cooper Base/S Hatchback2002 MSRP: $16,300 - $19,300 2005 average retail: $15,750 - $19,250 Resale value percentage: 97% - 99% The original Austin Mini is a rare sight on American roads, but BMW's modern interpretation is everywhere. Demand has been strong from day one. Despite this saturation, we still can't get enough of the Mini Cooper. Yeah, we're secure as men, but we still pledge allegiance to it. You think it's just a chick car? Forget about it! From sorority girls to grandparents to driving enthusiasts like us, there's a Mini for everyone. It starts with the cheeky, mild-mannered standard model, and goes on to the hyperactive, supercharged S. Thanks to the recent addition of the convertible and the expected introduction of a longer-wheelbase model, resale of everything Mini will probably stay Maxi for some time to come.

#3 - Toyota Prius2002 MSRP: $19,9952005 average retail: $17,805 Resale value percentage: 89% We can't look at a Prius without thinking of the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme song. And with Larry David's ride of choice in big demand, that track is on Repeat in our mental iPods. Already in its second generation, the Prius is considered by many to be the standard among gas/electric hybrids: funky, frugal and user-friendly without being so counter-mainstream as to alienate potential buyers. No, it won't set the drag strip on fire, but you can keep up with traffic just fine. And you can breathe easy, content in the knowledge that Prius sips only enough gas to get by and emits far fewer emissions than most anything on the road.

#4 - Chevrolet Corvette Coupe/Convertible2002 MSRP: $41,680 - $50,430 2005 average retail: $30,300 - $35,400 Resale value percentage: 70% - 73% And now for something entirely the same: the latter-day Corvette makes yet another best-of list. Yeah, yeah, I can hear it now. But trust me; I've driven 'Vettes old and new, and I continue to be impressed by the evolution of this automotive icon. One more area of excellence is resale value. Beginning with the fifth-generation C5 and continuing to the present, more guys are attracted to these cars -- guys who might otherwise shop the imports. With broadened appeal and a highly competent car, the Corvette represents the rare occurrence of a domestic car with exceptionally high resale value.

#5 - Porsche 911 Coupe/Targa/Cabriolet2002 MSRP: $67,900 - $179,900 2005 average retail: $49,800 - $133,500 Resale value percentage: 70% - 77% After four decades, automotive journalists are tempted to invent superlatives to describe the Porsche 911. Are there any adjectives that haven't been used to praise this car? Doubtful. It's the everyday exotic; one of the greatest sports cars to turn a wheel yet within the reach of mere mortals. From the time of its unveiling, the 911 has been at or near the top of its game in terms of design, engineering and performance on the track and street. And because most are relatively easy to care for compared to their peers, demand for used models isn't likely to subside. Even the most basic 911 is intensely satisfying, and among the best for value retention.

#6 - BMW 5-Series Sedan2002 MSRP: $35,950 - $53,9002005 average retail: $28,500 - $35,465Resale value percentage: 66% - 79% To drive a 5-Series BMW only for prestige is as thoughtless as wasting good wine on cheap take-out food. In either case, the offender is missing the point. The 5 has become the standard for mid-size, mid-range sports sedans. The level of acceleration, braking and handling defies physics; no four-door car this size should perform so well in so many ways. Yet it does. You don't even need to drive the top-shelf M5 to experience this -- there's plenty to be enjoyed even with the base 2.5 liter model. To those who still haven't warmed to the recent design direction of the company, these are among the most appealing BMWs to own.

AZhitman wrote:#1 - Infiniti G35 Coupe2003 MSRP: $29,250 2005 average retail: $27,500 Resale value percentage: 94%

#2 - Mini Cooper Base/S Hatchback2002 MSRP: $16,300 - $19,300 2005 average retail: $15,750 - $19,250 Resale value percentage: 97% - 99%

Maybe I'm a bit dense... but how is 94% > 97-99%?Don't get me wrong.. I'd take the G35 in a heartbeat over a mini... I'm just questioning the rankings... Seems to me the mini has the higher value percentage.

AZhitman wrote:James Bond hasn't touched a Japanese car since 1967's You Only Live Twice,

The greatest Japanese car of all time, of course.







Hm..well, ok, maybe second to the Hakosuka

The Mini ranked lower because the S actually retains WAY more value, they failed to mention the resale on the base model sucks.

very cool for the g35

I know how it is with the Mini's though, I've looked at lightly used S models, they're as expensive as brand new ones, its insane.

Great, this just points out that I STILL can afford any of them...
Modified by Kenrik at 8:51 PM 3/14/2006

HashiriyaS14 wrote:Hm..well, ok, maybe second to the Hakosuka

You forgot the Ken&Mary!

But I'll let it slide this time.

That S2000 shouldn't be far off from that chart. Over the past 4 years it's averaged 9.25% decline per year...according to NADA avg retail. On the sad side, my explorer is 23% per year.

That is somewhat of a biased report I think, considering all the other cars are 2002 and the G35 is 2003 it's had 1 less year to lose resale value.

Greg, where is that from?

Eric

MinisterofDOOM wrote:You forgot the Ken&Mary!

But I'll let it slide this time.

I actually would rather have the 2000GT than a Kenmari, but that's personal preference.

Oh, and Rocky Auto (google it) has a great Kenmari selection, normally. If you ever actually want to buy one (like $10-15k for a non-GTR), that's the place to go.

el5y wrote:That is somewhat of a biased report I think, considering all the other cars are 2002 and the G35 is 2003 it's had 1 less year to lose resale value.

Greg, where is that from?

Eric

Actually, they accounted for that as well. The G was intro'ed early (way before most 2003 models) and the others were less than 6 months behind.

It was published in an industry RSS feed I subscribe to...

Thats good to see. I don't doubt for a minute, that the new GTR will have a nice resell value like the Z06 vette. But hey... why would you want to sell your GTR?

Good to hear! I knew I was making the right choice at the dealership. My only wish is more HP...

joe603 wrote:Good to hear! I knew I was making the right choice at the dealership. My only wish is more HP...

That is what we all wish for.