Let’s face it: buying a new car is fun. But there’s one part of the deal that almost always sucks, and that’s depreciation. However, if you’re looking for some great value in a used car, depreciation is your best friend. On average, cars lose around 15 percent of their value each year. Some cars fare worse, and depreciate like they’re falling off a cliff. Which are the fastest depreciating cars? Check out the list below to find out!
Thanks to iSeeCars for compiling the information on depreciation in this list. To add some more value, we’re also including the manufacturer warranties into the mix.
10. Buick Enclave – 46.8% depreciation over 3 years
The Enclave starts at a base price of $40,000. Buick offers a 4-year/50,000-mile ‘basic’ warranty, with a 6-year/70,000-mile warranty on the powertrain. Should you buy this car three years old with average mileage, you’d still have some coverage for the first year of ownership.
9. Cadillac SRX – 47.2% depreciation over 3 years
The SRX starts at just $36,060. Cadillac, being another GM brand, offers the same warranty as the Buick. That means 4 years or 50,000 miles on the basic warranty. However, since the SRX has been discontinued, the opportunity to buy one still under warranty is about to close. 2016 was the final model year for the SRX.
8. Audi A3 – 47.9% depreciation over 3 years
The A3 is Audi’s entry model, starting at $31,950. The German automaker also offers a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty on their models, including this small sedan.
7. Volkswagen Jetta – 48.1% depreciation over 3 years
The Jetta starts at a mere $18,545, which means you can conceivably buy a 3-year-old version for under $9,000. Volkswagen also added value to their cars by stepping up their warranty to a 6 years or 72,000 miles, whichever comes first. Nearly half off a car with half its warranty left is a tasty proposition. Used values for the Jetta may also shift with the new 2019 model on the way.
6. Chrysler 200 – 48.4% depreciation over 3 years
The recently discontinued Chrysler 200 started at $22,115 when new. It also came with an industry standard 3-year/36,000-mile warranty. While the car looks like a good value on the surface, potential reliability issues may cost you more in the long run. This car may not be the best option out of warranty.
5. Ford Taurus – 49.7% depreciation over 3 years
Another spot, another soon to be discontinued car. The Ford Taurus starts at $27,690. For that money, you get Ford’s 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. For less than $15,000, the Taurus offers a lot of car for the money. It is, after all, a full-size car, slotted above the smaller Fusion, Focus and Fiesta, all of which are also going away soon.
4. BMW 3 Series – 49.8% depreciation over 3 years
The 3 Series starts at $34,900. It comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty. Pending really high mileage, you should still have a year of free fixes left. While the 3 Series is one of the most popular BMWs, owning one out of warranty can get expensive if things go wrong.
3. Mercedes-Benz E-Class – 49.9% depreciation over 3 years
The E-Class is on the pricier side of this list for base MSRP, starting at $52,950. Par for the course with the German manufacturers, the E-Class comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty as well. Again, even though it’s half-price, any issues will quickly eat into your savings.
2. Volkswagen Passat – 50.7% depreciation over 3 years
The midsize Passat starts at$22,995. Like its smaller sibling, the Passat comes with VW’s new 6-year/72,000-mile warranty. Also like the Jetta, the Passat is a pretty solid all-around car. It’s spacious and comfortable, and offers a lot of car for the money. While it’s tempting to own a new car, saving so much money buying a relatively-new Jetta is a hugely appealing prospect.
1. BMW 5 Series – 52.6% depreciation over 3 years
Coincidentally, one of the most expensive cars, starting at $52,650, is also at the top of this fastest depreciating cars list. The 5 Series also features BMW’s 4-year/50,000-mile warranty. So you could still have a year of warranty left with slightly under half-price BMW. Not terrible, but don’t expect to get your money back out of it if something goes wrong.
Which one of these is the best used purchase? It looks like if you want to score a bargain deal, you may want to look into the Jetta or the Passat. Let us know which of these cars you’d consider in the comments below.
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