Corvette tops list of 10 best resale value cars

As a teenager, my dad and I visited many car dealerships in search for my first car. During one of these trips, a salesman mentioned the Corvette as having a terrible resale value. It turns out he was terribly wrong.

The Chevrolet Corvette tops CNN’s list of the 10 best resale value cars according to Kelley Blue Book information. Chevy’s budget supercar retains an astonishing 50% of its value after five years. CNN attributes the high resale value of the Corvette to its great value as a new purchase. A used Corvette in good condition becomes even more appealing as it drops to a more manageable price range while still maintaining its supercar status. Although other cars on the list manage to one-up the Corvette with a slightly better five year retained value, the fact that the Corvette starts off with a high and manages to keep a high price after five years gives it its number one spot.

The Honda Civic Sedan takes the number two spot, managing to keep 52% of its value over five years. CNN believes the car’s success in the resale world comes from Honda’s “well deserved reputation for reliability.”

The rest of the list:

3. Infinity G37: 52%

“The Infiniti G37’s combination of cutting-edge design, performance and luxury are expected to lead to strong demand in the used market…”

4. Mini Cooper: 52%

“Parent company BMW has worked hard to keep the supply just slightly behind the demand, meaning prices have barely flagged.”

5. Scion tC: 52%

“Excellent reliability has helped make it a sought-after used car.”

6. Scion xB: 52%

“A redesign for 2008 moves the xB slightly more to the center with a bigger interior, more engine power and a more stable feel on the road. The changes are not expected to detract from its appeal in the new or used car markets.”

7. Toyota Corolla: 52%

“When it comes to choosing a ’safe buy’ there might be no car more deserving of the title than the Toyota Corolla,” said Jack Nerad, Kelley Blue Book’s editorial director.

8. Volkswagen Eos: 52%

“VW’s strong following should also make it a desirable used car.”

9. Volkswagen Jetta: 51%

“At base, Volkswagen is simply the most affordable European brand you can get in this country. And it has a hard core of fans who love the way VW’s look and perform.”

10. Volkwagen Rabbit: 51%

“Like a German version of the Honda Civic, the Rabbit offers European performance at an economy price.”

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