| Cars, unlike parcels of land, do not appreciate in | | | | Toyota Prius. As a fact, there is an overwhelming |
| value over time. They normally depreciate. | | | | demand for this particular car. Toyota parts for |
| Moreover, vehicle owners have to know the cars | | | | Prius were further improved by several upgrades |
| that hold value best. Which cars do not easily | | | | that include extra batteries, stealth mode, |
| depreciate? According to the Consumer Reports' | | | | chargers and solar panels. A used Prius can be had |
| depreciation ratings, import brands lead in car | | | | at approximately $22,000. The top 10 best cars |
| resale value while the domestic models are on the | | | | for depreciation are Toyota Prius, Mini Cooper |
| adverse position. | | | | ($17,500 to $25,500), Scion xB ($14,000 to |
| It was found out that those affordably priced | | | | $15,000), BMW M3 ($49,000 to $56,500), Lexus |
| cars like the Toyota Prius hybrid, Scion vehicles | | | | RX ($36,000 to $46,000), BMW 6-Series ($72,000 |
| and Mini Cooper hold their value better than | | | | to $79,000), Lexus GX ($46,500), Acura TSX |
| sports and luxury vehicles in the market. The | | | | ($30,000), Scion xA ($13,000 to $13,500), and |
| best cars are made by either Japanese or | | | | Honda Civic & Civic Hybrid ($14,500 to $24,500). |
| European nameplates. On the other hand, the | | | | The worst car in depreciation is Ford Freestar, |
| worst cars with high depreciation are mostly | | | | which has replaced Ford Windstar. Last year, the |
| domestic brands, which are commonly used by | | | | sales figure of the car was down by 20 percent. |
| rental companies and fleets. | | | | Now it has a depreciation value of $19,500 to |
| The best and worst cars in depreciation are rated | | | | $29,500 far below the average. Next to Ford |
| by Consumer Reports based on the difference | | | | Freestar are Ford Crown Victoria ($24,500 to |
| between the MSRP of a 2004 model when new | | | | $27,500), Buick Rainier ($31,500 to $33,500), |
| and its present retail value. The average | | | | Lincoln Town Car ($42,000 to $50,500), Dodge |
| depreciation was approximately 45 percent over | | | | Caravan/Grand Caravan ($18,500 to $27,500), |
| the first 3 years. Those cars that belong to the | | | | Mercury Grand Marquis ($25,000 to $29,500), |
| top 10 are above average while those at the | | | | GMC Envoy ($26,500 to $37,000), Ford Explorer |
| bottom are below average. The Manufacturer | | | | ($26,500-$36,000), Buick Rendezvous ($25,000 to |
| Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) of the cars were | | | | $28,500), and Chrysler Town & Country ($21,500 |
| rounded to the nearest $500. | | | | to $36,000). |
| The best car depreciating rating was given to | | | | |