Autocar - First for car news and reviews

Used car value expert EurotaxGlass’s has released its list of the top 10 slowest-depreciating cars of 2008.

The Mini topped the table for the second year in a row, with the Mini One D proving the best investment over three years.

Despite topping the list of 55-plate cars with 37,000 miles on the clock, the Mini has still lost nearly eight percentage points compared with the same table last year, retaining 63.2 per cent of its value.

The Citroen C1 occupies second place on t...Read the full article

Im guessing this data is based on sales dating back to 2005. Will these supercars still be returning such high percentages now the recession has really kicked in? - I doubt it. There will be far less demand for these cars so the prices will have to come down accordingly.

A couple of interesting figures in this report.

Firstly, the difference in retained value between the C1/Aygo/107 triplets.  Who says brand status stands for nothing!

Secondly, the only "normal" car in the list, that either isn't a supercar or an economy car, is the SEAT Leon.  A well deserved placing for this highly under rated car.  Still want that VW Golf?!?!

 

The worst-performing car, according to the Glass’s survey, is the Alfa Romeo 166, with a three-year-old model retaining just 12 per cent of its original value. That makes a 55-plate Alfa Romeo 166 3.2 V6 Lusso worth just over £3500.

 Hmmm, if I can find a 3 year old 166 V6 Lusso for $3,5k I'll go buy one tomorrow.  If anyone out there has bought one for that price I'll buy them a keg of beer.

I have an irrational hatred of the modern Mini.

Just thought I would share that with you.  As you were.

I'm going to replace my family's 2 cars with V6 Alfa 166's!! Am assuming Glass's are using franchise trade values, as the auction/private values are NOTHING like these percentages. Anyone paying 65% list for a 3 year old Mini on typical mileage must be insane. Ex-Motability Fleet Minis in excellent condition with sub-25k mileages don't defleet at anywhere near 65%. Also the list is not adjusted for spec and the supercar figures are utterly pointless because the data upon which Glass's bases their info contains literally tens of sales figures.

3 year old 2.0 and 3.0 166's are going for £7-9k sticker price trade. Doubt even the most desparate dealer would stoop to a 50%+ discount!!

julianphillips:

Anyone paying 65% list for a 3 year old Mini on typical mileage must be insane.

It is worse than that - if the 'trade in' value that they are referring to is the real trade in value, i.e. what the dealer is actually paying for the car then a 3 year old Mini is going to cost a lot more. Assuming they cost £11,000 ish new then the trade in will be around £7K (using the quoted 63%)- probably be on a forecourt for £9K - or 81% of the original list price!

What is so great about Minis with their IMAX dashboard layout?

Read this about the OneD.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-one-diesel/155480-mini-one-d-head-gasket-faults.html

Seems to remind me a bit too much of Citroen AX diesels from the 80s but without the economy.

Percentages make it sound better for the more expensive cars...

While 55% might seems impressive, the average 911 Carrera driver would have lost over 27k in three years.

A Murcielago owner would have lost close to 80k!.

It would be interesting to see a breakdown of the best/worse manufacturers and also the best/worst in various market sectors (SUV, sports, family etc...) 

DelgadosKnee:

I have an irrational hatred of the modern Mini.

I also suffer from that complaint, but then I have owned several BL minis and having been a passenger in the BMW breed, the NVH, performance and grip don't compare, BUT... Minis they ain't.

As for residuals, those commanded by a Rover Mini defy belief for 10 year+ old cars. It'll be interesting to see what happens to those of BMW "Minis" in the long term.

Then again, I don't think comparison can be drawn in terms of the "Real Mini" and it's "fathered by a long line of batchelors" cousin...

You should start a thread with your highlighted quote as a title and see what happens...

As I was...... Still missing my 1275 GT...

 

More financial smoke and mirrors!! Porsche 911 Coupe 3.6 Carrera 2dr: Year 0 £63,070 Year 1 £38,943 Year 2 £34,677 Year 3 £30,541 So, irrespective of the depreciation index, the actual cost of depreciation is £32.5K!! Enough to buy 9 three year old Alfa Romeo 166's ;-) How on earth can you compare a Citroen C1 with a Porsche 911 in the same table? The depreciation index is only of any use if you are comparing similar types of cars, or cars in the same purchase price bracket.