Depreciation has a dramatic effect on both leasing costs and trade-ins

Here's a look at how it is figured, when it matters and the 10 best and worst when it comes to retained value. The car-shopping site Edmunds.com says the cars that hold their value best are also among the most expensive -- cars such as BMWs, Mercedes and Acuras. They lose a little less than half their value after five years and 75,000 miles. The percentages that follow the model show the estimated residual value after five years; the smaller the percentage, the more depreciation is projected to occur and the lower would be the residual value. Here are the top 10 from Edmunds with the percentage of retained value: Retained value after 5 years
Top 10 Bottom 10
BMW Z8 54% Hyundai Accent 20%
Mercedes Benz C class 54% Kia Spectra 22%
Mini Cooper 53% Chevrolet Cavalier 23%
Porsche 911 53% Dodge Neon 23%
Porsche Boxster 53% GMC Sonoma 23%
Lexus SC430 52% Dodge Intrepid 24%
Acura TL 52% Pontiac Sunfire 24%
Honda s2000 52% Pontiac Grand Am 24%
Dodge Viper 52% Chevrolet S-10 24%
Lexus GS300 52% Dodge Stratus 24%
These Edmunds.com depreciation percentages are based on the national True Market Value (TMV), a proprietary Edmunds.com calculation that is different from the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). The TMV is based on transactions throughout the country, and Edmunds.com believes it is more in line with what consumers are actually paying than is the MSRP.