Depreciation-busting sports cars
.jpg "Saving money doesn’t have to mean scrimping on looks or performance. We reveal six of the best sports cars which hold their value the most.")
The Nissan 350Z retains around 50 per cent of its value after three years
15 January 2009
Buy a car which retains its value and you’ll save money when it’s time to sell.
We round up six of the most affordable depreciation-beating sports cars.
New research from Auto Trader has found the Lotus Elise among some of the least-depreciating sports cars in Britain.
We look at some of their rivals to help you beat long-term car depreciation.
Advertise your car on Auto Trader now
Lotus Elise S
Price new: £24,950 – £34,550
Price used: £16,495 – £25,500
Retained value: 82 per cent after one year*
The entry-level Lotus Elise S provides lots of bang for your buck – 0-60mph in under six seconds, a maximum speed of 127mph, low kerb weight of 860kg – for £24,950.
Figures from Auto Trader indicate the Elise retains an average 82 per cent of its value after 12 months.
Read the Lotus Elise review by What Car
View more depreciation-beating sports cars:
Audi TT
Price new: £25,210 – £35,390
Price used: £10,990 – £27,999
Retained value: 60 per cent after three years
The Audi TT Coupe blends glamorous looks with fast performance, and can go from 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds. Opt for the 2-litre diesel Quattro and you’ll reach a frugal 53.3mpg in return for reduced power.
Expect the TT to retain between 58 and 60 per cent of its new value after three years (or 36,000 miles).
Honda S2000
Price new: £28,155 – £28,705
Price used: £11,994 – £25,000
Retained value: 48 per cent after three years
Honda’s svelte S2000 is a two-seater sports car with a dazzling exterior and snug interior – its 2-litre engine produces 237bhp and can rev to 9,000rpm.
Features include 17-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, bright High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, leather seats and an electric roof as standard.
Read our review of the Honda S2000
Mazda MX-5
Price new: £15,750 – £21,100
Price used: £6,000 – £14,880
Retained value: 49 per cent after three years
As one of the most successful roadsters in the UK, Mazda’s small, slim and sporty MX-5 is almost twenty years old and still going strong. The 2-litre MX-5 can go from 0-60mph in under eight seconds and reach a top speed of 130mph.
New MX-5s are likely to retain around 50 per cent of their original value after three years (or 36,000 miles).
Read our review of the Mazda MX-5
Nissan 350Z
Price new: £28,800 – £31,300
Price used: £11,750 – £21,500
Retained value: 49 per cent after three years
The Nissan 350Z is a true modern-day sports car – and looks the absolute business. Its 3.5-litre V6 engine produces 309bhp, reaches 62mph from standing in 5.5 seconds and can go onto an electronically-limited 155mph.
Its edgy styling and raw power make it a winner, and it should hold on to around 50 per cent of its original value after three years.
Read our review of the Nissan 350Z
View the Nissan 350Z in action:
Mini Cooper S
Price new: £16,245 – £20,995
Price used: £9,800 – £18,500
Retained value: 60 per cent after three years
It may not be a ‘sports car’ strictly speaking, but the Mini Cooper is one of Britain’s least-depreciating motors, due to high demand. The 1.6-litre Cooper S model can go from 0-60mph in 7.1 seconds, has a top speed of 140mph and retains around 60 per cent of its value after three years.
On top of this it has a combined fuel economy of 45.6mpg and costs £120 per year to tax, making it a decent car for the real world.
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Disclaimer: Auto Trader cannot guarantee the above advice will always save you money. Used prices based on the lowest and highest prices from private adverts for models up to three years old. Prices correct at time of press. Retained value is how much value the car had retained after three years.
*This figure is the average retained value of a Lotus Elise S after one year.
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