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Cars that Hold On to Their Value Longer

Contexto Latino

AFP
07/29/2005

We all know that as soon as you drive a new car out of the dealership, its value starts to drop. That trend continues over time.

All cars depreciate with time. The average is 65% over five years. Those included in this list, however, average a 50% loss of value over the same time period. Many buyers keep this in mind when they select a vehicle.

A car that retains its value is a better investment and makes trading for a new model more affordable, which translates into a trade up with a lower balance or for a greater value. It also is a clear signal of market acceptance and trust.

How do you know which ones will hold on to their value over time? The well-known Kelley Blue Book recently issued a report about this.

Among the top 10 are, among others, two Infiniti and two BMW models. The Volvo SUV is one of the most prominent ones. Thanks to its safety, adaptability and design features, it's the first one in its category and it's among the top three vehicles in the general chart.

Another model with excellent prospects is the Infiniti G35 coupe. Assembling its 3.5-liter engine is one of the best car manufacturers in the category, and the Infiniti coupe, with simple, pure and modern lines, is the well-deserved consumer favorite. The Z350, which has the same engine, is also among the top ten.

Lower-than-average depreciation is also shown by some Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche models, which complete the list.

Among the vehicles that have lost their spot in the ranking is the Chevrolet Corvette. Despite the new look of the model introduced a few months ago, this classic depreciates more than average, at least over its first few years. Keep in mind that this chart has a five-year outlook. Maybe if you keep your 2005 Corvette in good shape for 20 or 30 years, you may recoup or even make money on it.

Regardless of the model, certain accessories and optional features are key to retaining the vehicle's price. If a car without automatic windows is already out of the question, think about five years from now.

The same thing will happen with many elements that have been incorporated into the basic configuration.

Color also plays a role. Classic colors, such as white, black or silver, are easier to sell than green, burgundy, orange or yellow. Despite what you may think, some reds and blues don't affect value.

In general terms, any changes reduce their value or make it harder to resell it.

Los diez primeros	Clasificación por categoría
Acura TL BMW 5-Series Infiniti G35 Coupé Lexus GX 470 Mazda RX-8 Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 Cabriolet MINI Cooper Nissan 350Z Porsche Cayenne Volvo XC90	Sedán: Honda Civic Coupé: Infiniti G35 Convertible: Nissan 350Z roadster Luxury: BMW 5-Series Pickup: Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Sport Utility: Volvo XC90 AT058529