2009 CARS: BEST RESALE VALUE

An important measure of a vehicle’s value – and appeal -- is what it’s expected to be worth three and five years down the road. These figures, supplied by Kelley Blue Book, are the estimated price a dealer would pay if you traded in the vehicle, expressed as a percentage of original sticker price.



To win best-resale plaudits, the model must first be selected as one of the top 25 vehicles in its category. Then we pick the vehicle with the highest 3-year resale value.


BEST RESALE VALUE: SEDANS UNDER $20,000

Scion xB
Sticker Price: (Manual tr.) $16,420
Dealer cost: $15,632
New Car Blue Book Value: $16,420
Five-year service cost: $2,926
One-year insurance cost: $1,284
Resale value after 3 years: 70% -- 5 years: 56%
City: 22 mpg -- Highway: 28 mpg



Its rep as an edgy, hip vehicle from a reliable carmaker like Toyota boosts the Scion xB’s 3-year resale value. The xB (redesigned last year) offers a capacious 22 cubic feet of cargo space and optional features such as touch-screen navigation and a DVD entertainment system.


BEST RESALE VALUE: SEDANS $20,000-$25,000

Mini Cooper S
Sticker Price: (Manual tr.) $22,600
Dealer cost: $20,405
New Car Blue Book Value: $23,052
Five-year service cost: NA
One-year insurance cost: NA
Resale value after 3 years: 76% -- 5 years: 61%
City: 26 mpg -- Highway: 34 mpg



With astronomical resale values -- the highest of any vehicle in Kiplinger’s listings -- the Mini Cooper S takes top honors in its category. Its stellar fuel economy and quirky, fun design has made it one of the most coveted cars of the past year. Note premium gasoline is recommended.

BEST RESALE VALUE: SEDANS $25,000-$30,000

Toyota Camry Hybrid
Sticker Price: $26,870
Dealer cost: $24,254
New Car Blue Book Value: $26,870
Five-year service cost: $2,893
One-year insurance cost: $1,576
Resale value after 3 years: 59% -- 5 years: 43%
City: 33 mpg -- Highway: 34 mpg



Camry Hybrid is among the most fuel-efficient midsize sedans on the market, with little difference between city and highway driving economy. That fuel-effiency is coupled with Camry DNA, so it has ample interior room and smooth drivability.


BEST RESALE VALUE: SEDANS 30,000-$45,000

Volkswagen Eos Komfort

Sticker Price: (Manual tr.) $31,480
Dealer cost: $29,360
New Car Blue Book Value: $31,008
Five-year service cost: $2,930
One-year insurance cost: $2,288
Resale value after 3 years: 62% -- 5 years: 47%
City: 21 mpg (premium) -- Highway: 31 mpg (premium)



Volkswagen’s hard-top convertible is a sporty blend of performance, style and fuel-efficiency (it wins top honors for fuel economy, too). The VW nameplate helps boost its resale value.


BEST RESALE VALUE: SEDANS $45,000 & OVER

Lexus IS F
Sticker Price: $57,435
Dealer cost: $50,641
New Car Blue Book Value: NA
Five-year service cost: $4,169
One-year insurance cost: $2,916
Resale value after 3 years: 60% -- 5 years: 44%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 23 mpg



The Lexus IS F is a luxury sport sedan from one of the world’s most desirable, and reliable, carmakers. It has a snazzy design and a 5-liter, 416-horsepower premium gas fueled engine plus functional and easy-to-reach controls in the cabin.


BEST RESALE VALUE: SPORTS CARS

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Sticker Price: (Manual tr.) $103,300
Dealer cost: $95,104
New Car Blue Book Value: $144,620
Five-year service cost: $4,077
One-year insurance cost: $3,719
Resale value after 3 years: 63% -- 5 years: 46%
City: 14 mpg -- Highway: 20 mpg



Chevy’s ZR1 is the second 'Vette in as many years to win Best Resale. This scream machine rips from zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds -- one of the main reasons it keeps its value better than its sports car peers. Note that dealers are commanding a significant premium over sticker price and premium gasoline is recommended.


BEST RESALE VALUE: SMALL CROSSOVERS

Honda CR-V LX
Sticker Price: $21,765
Dealer cost: $20,309
New Car Blue Book Value: $21,477
Five-year service cost: NA
One-year insurance cost: NA
Resale value after 3 years: 58% -- 5 years: 44%
City: 20 mpg -- Highway: 27 mpg



As the top-selling crossover in the U.S., the CR-V features straightforward design inside and out, a perky four-cylinder engine (so it doesn't sacrifice fuel economy) and smooth, carlike performance.




BEST RESALE VALUE: LARGE & MIDSIZE CROSSOVERS

Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTec
Sticker Price: $57,625
Dealer cost: $53,653
New Car Blue Book Value: $59,075
Five-year service cost: $6,754
One-year insurance cost: $2,680
Resale value after 3 years: 61% -- 5 years: 46%
City: 17 mpg -- Highway: 23 mpg



New for 2009, the BlueTec version of the all-wheel drive GL delivers good fuel economy and clean-enough emissions to be sold in all 50 states, while offering luxury accouterments and seating for seven adults (really).



BEST RESALE VALUE: TRUCK-BASED SUVs

Lexus GX 470
Sticker Price: $48,440
Dealer cost: $42,250
New Car Blue Book Value: $48,198
Five-year service cost: $4,626
One-year insurance cost: $1,489
Resale value after 3 years: 56% -- 5 years: 43%
City: 14 mpg -- Highway: 18 mpg



Positioned in the Lexus lineup between the RX crossover and the super luxe LX SUV, the GX holds a nice middle ground between size and power. Plus, it has all the comfort and safety you'd expect from a Lexus.


BEST RESALE VALUE: MINIVANS

Honda Odyssey LX
Sticker Price: $26,925
Dealer cost: $24,470
New Car Blue Book Value: $25,579
Five-year service cost: $3,337
One-year insurance cost: $1,257
Resale value after 3 years: 54% -- 5 years: 37%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 23 mpg



Honda reliability and five-star safety help boost the Odyssey's long-term value. The minivan also has 91 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded and can carry up to eight people.


BEST RESALE VALUE: WAGONS

Toyota Matrix
Sticker Price: $17,820
Dealer cost: $16,538
New Car Blue Book Value: $17,200
Five-year service cost: $2,634
One-year insurance cost: $1,489
Resale value after 3 years: 66% -- 5 years: 50%
City: 25 mpg -- Highway: 31 mpg



Redesigned for 2009, Toyota’s economical wagon is an across-the-board winner, sweeping three out of four awards for wagons. In addition to Best Resale, it wins Best New Wagon and Most Fuel-Efficient honors.