40 Vehicles Not Worth their Sticker Price

39. 1962 Studebaker Avanti

1963 Studebaker Avanti   Up 87%
When it was first launched late in 1962 as a 1963 model, the Avanti was described as “America’s only four-passenger high-performance personal car.” It was a sleek, exceptionally fast, completely futuristic design that sold for $4,445 or about $200 more than the less practical 1963 Chevy Corvette. Production problems plagued the line and the expected 20,000 units for the year turned out to be 1,200. Between the two years that the car was in production, only 4643 cars were built. Today, those originals in good condition go for over $33,000.

38. 2007 Saturn Sky

Autoweek

2007 Saturn Sky   61%
The Saturn Sky was a very un-Saturn like sports car that debuted in 2006 as a 2007 model. Fast, it stuck like glue to the road, and while the steering was a bit heavy, the Saturn Sky turned in impressive performance data. The Saturn experiment of providing easy to buy, small family cars finally took a chance (out of desperation) on something other than what turned out to be less than reliable coupes and sedans. The Sky started out with a boom but the company couldn’t justify remaining in business and closed in 2011. The 8 2010 Skys that were built in 2010 were bought by a Minnesota dealer and sold as used cars. If you can find one today in decent shape, expect to pay $7,000 to $10,000.

37. 2003 Chevy SSR

classiccars.com

2003 Chevrolet SSR   48%
Everything old is new again. The retro-looking Chevrolet SSR which only lasted from 2003 to 2006, is actually gaining in value today which accounts for the unexpectedly favorable depreciation rate for a 16-year-old car. The original concept was to design a car based on a 1948 Chevy truck. Brilliant yes? Most people didn’t think so and despite a huge marketing effort to include being the pace car at Indy in 2003, the SSR didn’t sell.

36. 1996 Acura SLX

Top Speed

1996 Acura SLX   90%
Remember 1996? Upscale SUVs were thought to be the next hot market. Acura didn’t want to be left out so they introduced the $33,000 luxury SLX SUV. If you think the 1996 SLX looks a lot like the 1996 Isuzu Trooper (which sold for $6,000 less) that’s because that’s what it was. Acura ordered 5,000 and simply badged them as Acura. This strategy didn’t work out so well and the SLX was discontinued in 1999. If you are looking for a big doorstop, and if you can find it, a SLX goes for under $3,000 today.

35. 2013 Hyundai Tucson

Car Gurus

2013 Hyundai Tucson   50%
The Hyundai Tucson is almost a clone of the Kia Sportage yet has a faster depreciation rate. The reasons are pretty much the same as those of the Kia. Light on passenger and cargo space, harsh ride, limited visibility, and engine noise. Toss in substandard materials used in the interior and you have a mixture that results in a loss of value. The Tucson was originally priced around $22,000 and can be had today for $11,000 or less.

34. 2013 Kia Sportage

McGrath Imports

2013 Kia Sportage   46%
Proving that if a manufacturer has to pick between Sport and Utility, they should pick Sport, the 2013 Kia SUV handles like a sports car and has a “high” ride. It’s light on interior passenger and cargo space has limited visibility and a tight suspension that feels every bump. Even so, compared to the Utility of the Dodge Durango, the Sportage has a better depreciation rate. And 2013 appears to be the optimal year with projected depreciation significantly reduced in the coming years.

33. 2013 Dodge Durango

Atlanta Autos

2013 Dodge Durango   54%
The Dodge Durango started out as a mid-size SUV but was redesigned in 2013 as a full-size, 8 passenger SUV with an emphasis on Utility and not so much on Sport. It is cavernous and if you need a van-like ride, the Durango is for you. It dropped half its value quickly however, it is projected to level off after its 6^th year. Originally priced at about $35,00, you can find them now for under $16,000.

32. 2013 Honda Pilot

Hendrick Toyota Concord

2013 Honda Pilot   39%
Honda made a decision to eliminate the a la carte selection of options and tied them to packages which in turn were tied to engine selection. In short, you didn’t get to customize your ride. The net result is people paid a premium to get the options they really wanted but paid for additional features they didn’t care about. The Pilot is a strong full-size SUV. It doesn’t have the dash that some of the competitors or even the utility, but overall it is a solid ride. If aren’t choosy about the equipment you get, you can find these in the preowned lot for about 60% off the original MSRP.

31. 2013 BMW X3

Autoblog

2013 BMW X3   66%
The good thing about the 2013 BMW X3 is that it isn’t likely to dump much more depreciation. The first five years saw the value drop like a stone. But when you start out with a plan that charges extra for paint color, then you know there are a lot of features that were overpriced and counting on brand name to sell itself. The X3 is a hot, sporty SUV it was just way overpriced for the value. Today you can pick one up fully loaded (original cost $60,000) for around $20,000.

30. 2015 Cadillac SRX

Florida Fine Cars

2015 Cadillac SRX   47.2%
If your heart is set on a new Cadillac SRX, turn on the left side of your brain and check out the used car market in your area. This crossover hasn’t found its bottom price yet. The 2015 reported a 47% depreciation but a 2016 can typically be had for a 50% discount. It’s not a bad vehicle, it’s a Cadillac after all, it just hasn’t found its audience yet. Grab one while you can.

29. 2016 Mercedes-Benz M Class

2015 Mercedes-Benz M Class   46.2%
Mercedes-Benz joins the top fastest depreciation club along with BMW. In this case, Mercedes-Benz discovered that the brand name only added so much to the MSRP. Competing in the upscale SUV market is tough and other brands simply offered more value. The 2015 model year was the last for the M Class but not for the vehicle. MB simply changed the name to GLE Class and chopped the price by nearly 50%.

28. 2015 BMW X5

2015 BMW X5   44.3%
This BMW SUV suffers from the same problem that most BMW sedans do. In the ISeeAutos.com surveys on depreciation, the BMW brand almost always winds up in the top 10% of fastest depreciating vehicles. There were more 2015 BMW X5 SUVs leased than sold. That’s a common sales approach dealers use to get the monthly payments down. Three years later the market is flooded with returns and dealers have to seriously deal to get them off their lots. If you have the time to hunt, you can find one for 50% off.

27. 2015 GMC Acadia

Car Gurus

2015 GMC Acadia   33.8%
This version of the GMC Acadia is big (it can seat 8), and heavy (2 ½ tons). The v6 engine leaves this behemoth underpowered and fuel inefficient. Entering an on-ramp or climbing a steep grade fully loaded is a challenge. Toss in less than stellar build in the cabin with heavy use of hard plastic, seats that don’t support adult legs, and a hit or miss climate control system and you have complaints waiting to happen. The FWD versions can now be found on used car lots offered at 66% of the new cost.

26. 2015 Kia Sorento

Car Gurus

2015 Kia Sorento   34%
2015 wasn’t a particularly good year for three-row SUVs but the Sorento faired better than most even though it had shortcomings. For example, The Sorrento’s third-row could not accommodate two adults and its towing capacity was less than others in the class. In fact, kbb.com recommended the GM Yukon and Honda Pilot as better vehicles. Both of those SUVs appear here on our list of biggest depreciation rides. That said, the Sorrento is still a decent SUV and if you shop the lots carefully, you can buy this ride that originally cost over $25,000 for less than $15,000.

25. 2016 Buick Encore

Car and Driver

2016 Buick Enclave   42.8%
You won’t find a lot of SUVs or crossovers on this list because of America’s love affair with those model types. But every now and then you’ll find a really nice ride with great features that has been cursed by the depreciation gods for one reason or another. The Buick Enclave is one of those. Buick has been actively trying to change its “your grandfather’s car” image with new body styles. The Enclave for some reason missed the mark. You can buy this three-year-old $27,000 ride for about $16,000.

24. 2016 Chevy Traverse

Car Gurus

2016 Chevrolet Traverse   36%
The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse can’t decide what it is. It tries to be a big three-row, high ride, SUV but have the ride and handling of a family sedan. KBB gives it a 3.9 out of 5, mostly because it doesn’t excel in any single area and there are better values in the same class. That probably accounts for the 36% depreciation after 2 years. The good news is, if you are set on a Traverse, the 2016 and 2017 models are predicted to have less depreciation over the next few years than earlier models.

23. 2017 Hyundai Genesis

Car and Driver

2017 Genesis G80   34.2% first year
The Genesis may be the best value in the entry-level luxury sedan class. Winner of multiple J.D. Powers awards for performance and owner appeal, the Genesis is being favorably compared to Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Infiniti. The fact that it is priced significantly lower than any of those should guarantee success. But it hasn’t. 2018 saw sales only slightly better than half of what was sold in 2017. It might be Hyundai’s decision to only sell the ride from a limited number of Genesis dealers rather than Hyundai dealers. Whatever the reason, if you are in the market for a great luxury ride, check out the used car lot for some major bargains on a used Genesis.

22. Smart Fortwo

Motor Trend

Smart ForTwo
Motor Trend describes Smart ForTwo as a “puzzling combination of mediocre features without really being the best at anything important.” Easy parking and high fuel efficiency are the two selling points but the 3 cylinder, 1.0L engine only puts out 70 hp and of course the cabin is about the size of a bumper car. New, an entry-level Smart ForTwo sold for about $13,000. Today, you can find these models for under $5,000. The 2013’s 62% depreciation rate after 5 years is about the average for all years of the model.

21. 2018 GMC Yukon

2018 GMC Yukon GL   32.8% first year
The GMC Yukon GL is big, heavy, and a gas guzzler by today’s standards. Other than that, this is a well equipped, well built full-size SUV. Maybe it’s the fuel efficiency that scared people off but that fear tends to climb and decline based on the price of gas. A year ago gas was $3.50 and today it’s a dollar less. Whatever the reason, the Yukon GL is on used car lots selling for about $21,000 less than it did new. If you’re looking for a monster ride, the Yukon may be a great used find for you.

20. 2018 Volvo S80

2018 Volvo S80   32.6% first year
The last of the Swedish car companies (although it is now owned by the Chinese) you’d think the Volvo would retain its value because they have a reputation for lasting forever. The 2018 Volvo S 80 isn’t experiencing that. Maybe it’s today’s emphasis on styling. The S80 is an example of stoic, boxy, Volvo design. It screams conservative. It is an excellent highway cruiser and of course superbly safe, but America isn’t buying it. The $44,000 new price has been reduced to about $29,000.

19. Jaguar XK

Jaguar XK Series
Jaguar’s XK has always been about dramatic designs that leave you drooling with desire. They should have spent a little more time in engineering a ride that could stay running without requiring a live-in mechanic. They priced it like it was in the same ranks as a Porsche (2013 sedan $85,000, convertible $91,000) without adding the reliability and value. Maintenance and repair costs are legendary and only the brave will shell out $24,000 to buy a five-year-old model.

18. 2013 Jaguar XJL

Motor Trend

2013 Jaguar XJL   66.4%
This extended wheelbase version of the Jaguar XJ has a tough time finding buyers in the preowned market. For those of you who are counting, a 66% depreciation translates to a $50.000 loss in value. That’s the problem for all expensive luxury rides. The high initial price limits the number of potential buyers so when it’s time to trade it in or sell it, there still isn’t a crowd willing or able to come up with the price you want even if you drop it $50k.

17. 2013 Chevy Impala

Car Gurus

2013 Chevrolet Impala   58%
Another case of bad timing. Chevy decided to do a major redesign of the Impala in 2015. For owners of the 2013 edition, their ride was immediately identifiable as being dated. In 2013 the Impala was also a favorite of car rental companies who added to the “old look” preowned inventory as they retired the units and replaced them with 2014 and 2015 models. The outdated look and high number of units in the used market caused the hapless 2013 to drop value like a rock. But again, now it’s a solid ride and a great used bargain.

16. 2015 Acura RLX

Car Gurus

2017 Acura RLX   47%
The Acura RLX is the flagship of Acura and is a testbed for new technology to see how it will be received by the public. The 2017 model introduced an advanced AWD system that resulted, in part, in better fuel efficiency and improved acceleration. Aside from the somewhat boring, conservative design, the RLX faired well compared to the Lincoln Continental, Cadillac CTS, and Infiniti Q70 competitors. But, even with that, a two-year-old RLX loses 47% of its new value.

15. 2015 Lincoln MKZ

Car and Driver

2015 Lincoln MKZ   77%
This Lincoln has a couple of things going against it. All sedans and upscale sedans, in particular, suffer from the massive interest in trucks. Throw in the fact that the American made Lincoln MKZ lacks the elan that European luxury rides have and you have a formula for accelerated depreciation. The original MSRP was $36,095. Four years later it has retained a paltry 23% of its value and you can pick one up for  $8300 or less.

14. 2015 Jaguar XF

Jaguar XF   30% First Year
Luxury sports cars that develop enthusiasts like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche tend to retain their value because they have a built-in market of avid fans. Rarely can you find one of these brands that are only a year old in the preowned market. The Jaguar XK doesn’t have a fan base. It cost more than a house in many parts of the country but doesn’t deliver on the performance or elan expected from an ultra-expensive sports car. Wait a year and not only will you find units on the market, but they will be about $30,000 less than if you had bought new.

13. 2016 Kia K900

Motor Trend

2016 Kia K900   38.9
This is just a case of bad timing. Kia decided to take on the luxury market (mostly European) at a time when it was best known for its affordable Optima and Soul models. The K900 looks like a luxury ride, is plenty powerful,  but doesn’t have the suspension or handling of the European models. And it was priced much higher than Kia buyers were used to paying. That may be the primary cause for its depreciation. It’s a solid car and a good buy on the used car lot.

12. 2015 Audi A 6

Motor Trend

2015 Audi A6   56%
Buyers looked to the 2015 Audi A6 to be an improvement over the A5. What they got was a Front Wheel Drive vehicle with a less powerful engine and a CVS transmission. A letdown from the A5’s rear-wheel drive and eight-speed transmission. The A6 was dressed better than the A5 and it had a superior audio system but it just wasn’t enough to justify the higher cost. Today you can find them perused at less than half their original MSRP.

11. 2014 Mercedes-Benz E Class

Motor Trend

2014 Mercedes-Benz E Class   67.2%
The MB E Class is in a race with the BMW 5 Class for the fastest depreciating model. Both of these rides are exceptionally popular with people who prefer leasing to owning. That means every year, more Mercedes-Benz E Class rides enter the preowned market. It’s a nice automobile, there’s just too many of them on the market and that drives the resale value down. Obviously good news for folks who want an E Class but can’t afford a new one.

10. 2017 BMW 6 Series

Top Gear

2017 BMW 6 Series   68.3%
Another bad idea. The first two generations of the 6 Series were either coupes or convertibles. This fourth generation is a four-door sedan, even the trim called Gran Coupe. But aside from changing the body style their market had become accustomed to, they dumped a gas-guzzling 10-cylinder engine into it. That engine didn’t add to the performance and the maintenance and repair issues mounted up. Even though these are now “cheap” luxury rides, we’d recommend you stay away from them.

9. 2018 Ford Fusion Energi

edmunds.com

2018 Ford Fusion Energi    69.9%
This one is just a bad idea. The original MSRP was about $33,000 and today you can buy them all day long for $16,000 or less. The Energi is a Ford Hybrid that simply doesn’t perform compared to the competition. The standard Fusion is an excellent selling family ride but the hybrid is just a dog. While it has a huge battery pack that takes up room in the trunk, it can only go 21 miles on electric only. Compare that to Chevy Volt at 53. Enough said.

8. 2008 Mercedes-Benz S Class

classiccars.com

2008 Mercedes-Benz S Class
This is the sedan that ambassadors and heads of state of lesser countries cruise around in. Originally in the $70,000 range, there are literally a couple of thousand on the used car market with a price tag between $13,000 and $16,000. Given the luxury items and the massive back seat, the question will become whether you should drive it, or be driven. Your choice Mr. Ambassador.

7. 2016 BMW 7 Series

Motor Trend

2016 BMW 7 Series    71%
Ready for this? The BMW 7 Series is a driver’s car. It’s absolutely a sweet luxury ride with amazing handling and performance…and exceptional snob appeal. It’s that sense of exclusiveness, I’ve got something you don’t, that allows for the massive markup on these vehicles. But three years later, that “exclusiveness” value has paled. Somebody’s young kid has already spilled a milkshake on the leather, and where it was once the envy of the parking lot, now it’s just another BMW…particularly if you park next to a new Porsche Panamera. But this is great news if you are looking for a fabulous used luxury ride. You’ll be amazed by the selection of “cheap” BMW 7 Series rides available.

6. 2014 Caddilac CTS

Motor Trend

2014 Cadillac CTS   51.4%
The 2014 Cadillac CTS is something of a mystery. Motor Trend gave it a five-star rating when it came out. Aside from the slow infotainment system, even the entry-level trim came standard with a bunch of luxury and convenience features. Should have been a winner right? It wasn’t. According to IseeAutos.com, the Cadillac CTS dumped 51.4% of its value over three years, the most of any car they looked at. The good news is you can get one of these loaded to the gills for less than $25,000.

5. 2014 Caddilac ATS

Motor Trend

2014 Cadillac ATS   50.4%
The ATS is Cadillac’s attempt to break the strangle hold on entry-level luxury sport sedans held by the Germans. Performance-wise, this ride has some fun pluses going for it. Chief among those is a fun to drive turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The Performance trim handled really well and made for a satisfying sports ride. Unfortunately, the non-performance features like the slow and clumsy CUE infotainment system drug customer satisfaction down. The ATS is one of the best sports sedans buys available today thanks to a 50.4% depreciation. Plan on picking one up for under $20,000.

4. 2014 Mercedes-Benz C Class

Mercedes-Benz of Austin

2014 Mercedes-Benz C Class   48%
In terms of depreciation, the only thing worse than being the first model in a new generation is being the last model in the generation. That’s particularly true when the manufacturer announces a redesign early in the model year and that’s exactly what happened to the 2014 C Class. Why buy a 2014 when a new, more advanced model will roll out in 12 months or less. That led to some pretty good discounts off the showroom floor which translated to a 48% depreciation 3 years later. Once again, if you want a JV Mercedes-Benz, you can pick a C Class up today for about $20,000.

3. 2014 BMW 5 Series

Motor Trend

2014 BMW 5 Series   48%
A sweet upscale German ride that was the victim of a bad marketing decision. In 2014 BMW pushed a big campaign to lease these units and it was amazingly successful. Of course, three years later when these professionally maintained German sedans were returned, they flooded the pre-owned luxury car market. In other words, the law of supply and demand kicked in and dealers had to lop off big dollars to get these cars off their lots. That’s great news if you are in the market for a nice, upscale sedan. Count on the price being under $30,000 for a low mileage unit.

2. 2011 Chevy Volt

CNet

2011 Chevy Volt   71%
Hybrids suffer from the same skepticism regarding range as EV rides. When Volt launched it was full of standard equipment as a means to sway (or distract) people worried about range. It looked like they had a winner based on first-year sales, but like EVs, hybrid technology continues to improve making newer models more reliable and more desirable. Chevy redesigned the Volt in 2016 which resulted in significant pure electric range. That made the first generation worth even less. The 2011 Volt has lost 72% of its value.

1. 2010 Nissan Leaf

Auto Blog

2010 Nissan Leaf   72%
Timing is everything. When the Nissan Leaf launched, the EV market wasn’t considered mainstream. It seemed the whole world was suffering from range anxiety. The Nissan Leaf was the first to roll out an EV with a 101 mi range and that was great news…that year. But with EV technology advancing in leaps and bounds, and everybody fielding new and advanced models, some approaching a 400-mile range, the Leaf looks pretty pathetic by comparison and that would explain its 72% depreciation rate.