At the car dealership, we all look for elegance, comfort, and practicality. We also want to know we’re getting a good deal. However, many people don’t consider how much money they will get back when they eventually sell their vehicle.
The cars on this list all have something to offer, but they also depreciate quickly, meaning buying them brand-new might not be the best idea.
1. Maserati Ghibli
Maserati is one of those luxury Italian car makers that’s all about the high life. They produce cars that are opulent, fast, and super comfortable. But if you’re thinking of buying a Maserati Ghibli, there are a few things you should know.
For starters, the car’s value drops by a whopping 44% after just five years. That means that if you buy a brand new Ghibli, you’re going to lose a lot of money pretty quickly. If you go for a used one that’s only two years old, though, you could save as much as $15,336 compared to buying new.
2. Volvo S60
The Volvo S60 is the car for those who value comfort over thrills. It’ll cost you anywhere between $43,645 and $58,595 to buy a brand-new 2024 model, depending on what trim and options you choose. After five years, the car will depreciate by 40%, meaning it’ll be worth around $28,058 if you decide to sell it. If you plan to keep the car for three years, you’ll lose around $8,818 due to depreciation.
3. Cadillac CT4
The Cadillac CT4 is a great way to get into Cadillac’s line of sport sedans. If you buy a new one, it’ll lose 32% of its value over five years, but you can sell it for around $35,112 after that time period. Alternatively, you could save $9,099 by buying a used CT4 that’s only two years old. Plus, it’ll still have plenty of life left. If you keep it for three years, you’ll only lose around $7,646 due to depreciation.
4. Audi SQ5
The SQ5 boasts a formidable 349-horsepower V6 but doesn’t quite stack up to its rivals in the same class. A new model will cost you around $63,754, but the resale price after five years is only $32,000—a depreciation of almost 50%.
5. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
With an impressive engine and streamlined design, the CLA offers a luxury feel in a four-door coupe model. However, with a five-year depreciation rate of 52.8%, your money is probably best spent on a different model.
6. Audi A7
A successor to the Audi A6, this model is stylish but impractical, sacrificing rear visibility for an arced roof. At $79,684, it’s a hard purchase to justify; worse, its resale value after five years is just $40,774.
7. Nissan Leaf
The Leaf has been innovative in the electric car market for several years. Unfortunately, it is now known for its low resale value. Advancements in electric vehicles come fast, as new technology and engineering changes as we learn about these advancements. A five-year-old leaf could have outdated technology. The Leaf’s five-year depreciation is 44%, which means you could get a used Leaf for a great deal.
8. BMW 4 Series
The BMW 4 Series has everything you could want and love from a BMW. It is stylish, sleek, and packed with performance parts under the hood. The problem is that you will lose about half of the money you have paid over the course of five years. For $62,000 on the lot, you’ll be lucky to get back $34,000.
9. Mercedes-Benz E Class
Mercedes is known for making some of the most beautiful and luxurious cars on the market. Any style you want, whether it be a sedan, coupe, sports car, or sports utility vehicle, Mercedes has a model for you. But you need to know how fast these cars depreciate. After that warranty is over, you will find a depreciation rate of 45%.
10. BMW X5
BMW’s X5 is one of their sport utility vehicles that will have their drivers loving the open road. It performs like a BMW but offers all the room and space of a sports utility vehicle. This luxury ride will set you back $73,000. The bad news is when you are ready for the newest model, you will only be projected to get about $39,000 back.
11. Porsche Panamera
When the Panamera emerged, car enthusiasts were enthralled with Porsche’s new advancements. It was a sedan, a very new idea to the typical coupe style of the older Porsche. Of course, the new idea came with a hefty price tag. The Panamera sold for $142,000, but over the course of five years, it was valued at $77,000. There are better returns on investment than this model.
12. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
This Mercedes model was once said to have rivaled the Rolls Royce. It is not a bad comparison; the S-Class is full of sophistication and upper class. The four-door sedan seats each passenger comfortably as it is bigger than the standard sedan. However, buying a used model could be the best practice here. Most owners have not driven these cars for over a year or two. They depreciate fast at a rate of 46%.
13. Audi A6
Like the other luxury cars on the market, Audi knows what consumers want, and they deliver. Some of the nicest and most capable cars on the road, Audi drivers rave about these well-crafted machines. That is, until it is time for maintenance. The high cost of performance parts and skilled mechanics make this car expensive, leaving them to depreciate fast at 46.2%.
14. Porsche Cayenne
Porsche released their sports utility vehicle, and car lovers were in awe. Who would have thought the company that built speedy roadsters could make a bigger family car? Unfortunately, buyers had a different view of the Cayenne five years later as it lost half its value.
15. Audi Q7
Another luxury car brand with a sports utility model is the German Audi. The Q7 will keep you and your family comfortable and safe while maintaining Audi’s peak performance. A new Q7 has a price tag close to $70,000, which is pretty expensive in the comparable field. But again, Audi loses its appeal after five years, depreciating 47.3%.
16. Jaguar XF
Every time I see a Jaguar on the road, I am surprised that the company is still putting out cars. They are a rare sight to see on the highway. That being said, they are still known for glamour and elegance. However, more drivers prefer sport utility vehicles, causing this full-size sedan’s appeal to dwindle. A five-year used model will cost about $29,000, while a new one is closer to $60,000.
17. Audi A8
If you want to drive Audi’s luxury four-door sedan, your best option might be looking second-hand. These vehicles are known to take your money and give little back. After five years, you will have lost 51% of your money.
18. Infiniti QX80
This full-size sports utility vehicle will seat up to eight people, and you will feel like you are driving on a cloud. It’s built for comfort and to keep your family entertained on long road trips with its many entertainment features. But it is expensive. A brand-new one can cost up to $77,000, while older models fall into the $36,000 price range.
19. BMW 7 Series
This is the car many think of when they think of BMW. Their biggest sedan is what you would imagine the CEO of a big company to be picked up in by a professional driver. You get what you pay for; these come new at $107,000. But, if you are smart, you can find a used one for as little as $50,000.
20. Land Rover Range Rover
Land Rover might have set the benchmark for luxury sport utility vehicles in the marketplace. They have made durable and stylish rigs for several decades. However, buying new could be bad news. While these provide superior performance, they deprecate fast at a rate of 56%.
21. Mercedes-Benz GLS
The GLS is the S-class version of their sport utility line. This massive vehicle is capable of towing and keeping your passengers as comfortable as possible. You, however, won’t be as comfortable knowing that it is one of the most deprecating cars on the road, dropping in value at a rate of 62%.