| Understanding the residual value of used cars can | | | | make or model of luxury car. The buyer of the used |
| help you make buying decisions that can save you a | | | | BMW 330 receives not only a car more likely to |
| great deal of money down the road. The residual | | | | retain a high residual value, but a car that holds an |
| value is the percentage of the manufacturer's original | | | | overall higher combined value in terms of style and |
| value that a car retains after ownership. | | | | general ownership happiness. |
| If a particular model of used BMW has a lower | | | | The Mercedes held 3 spots in the top ten with its |
| residual value than another used BMW model, it may | | | | CLK class (#1 spot at 65%), the E Class (62%), and |
| be a sign that there are issues that negatively impact | | | | the SL Class (61%). Other models in the top 10 were |
| a particular model. The residual value is also based on | | | | the Volvo XC90 (62%), the Infinity G35 (61%), the |
| the level of demand for a particular vehicle, offering | | | | Land Rover LR3 (61%), the Acura MDX (60%), the |
| insight into how easily you'll be able to sell it. | | | | Lexus ES 330 (60%), and the Lexus GX 470 (60%). |
| Residual values are published every year and very | | | | Any of these used luxury cars is a great buy in |
| useful for used luxury car shoppers to determine the | | | | terms of a high resale value. The lowest ranking car |
| approximate value of particular models. The residual | | | | overall in terms of residual value in 2005 was the |
| value equation can't consider every factor in | | | | Dodge Neon with a 26.1% residual value. |
| determining how well a car will hold its value. For | | | | How 2005 used BMW's ranked according to Kelley |
| example, an unexpected dive in manufacturer | | | | Blue Book |
| popularity could greatly reduce demand for a | | | | In a recent study published by Kelly Blue book called |
| particular vehicle although the quality and reliability are | | | | the "Kelley Blue Book of Residual Values," experts |
| still strong. | | | | measured the actual value that various cars held over |
| With a little research about the residual value of | | | | time. In this study, the used BMW 5-Series won a |
| various BMW models, you can learn to save yourself | | | | top spot for retained value. Leading with 1st place for |
| headache during ownership as well as money when | | | | its ability to retain value was the BMW Mini Cooper. |
| it's time to resell. If you're in the market for a used | | | | Kelley Blue Book also forecasted that used BMW |
| BMW, refer to this guide to see how these used | | | | models across the board will retain their value best |
| luxury cars stack up in terms of residual value. | | | | over the next 5 years. |
| How today's used BMW models stacked up against | | | | Almost all of the top slots in the overall survey were |
| other luxury cars in 2005 according to Automotive | | | | awarded to luxury vehicles. No matter which type of |
| Lease Guide | | | | use luxury car you choose, it's much more likely to |
| Among used luxury cars, the BMW 330 series won | | | | retain its value than a non-luxury vehicle. If you're |
| the #2 slot in terms of highest residual value (62%). | | | | looking for a used luxury car with top grades, the |
| This means that those selling a used BMW 330 will | | | | used BMW 330 series, 5-Series, and Mini Cooper are |
| get a higher percentage of the original purchase price | | | | winning choices. |
| than those who purchased just about any other | | | | |