Luxury car depreciation

2. Bentley Arnage

Bentley strikes many as a defining character of automotive prestige, and there isn’t one model in the lineup that can be bought new for less than $100, 000. Wait a few years though, and owning a Bentley soon becomes far easier for those not endowed with hundreds of thousands to spend on a new car; the Arnage sedan (a predecessor to today’s Mulsanne), can easily be found for less than $40, 000 — effectively shedding about $160, 000 off their showroom price. That’s still pretty steep for many, but considerably easier than the condo-like price it commanded when new.

3. Maybach 57

Take the largest, most expensive Mercedes-Benz sedan available, add an even more refined interior, effectively double the price, and you’ve got yourself a Maybach. As a new car, these things would run for over 0, 000, placing them on the same plane as the largest and most extravagant vehicles from Rolls-Royce; now, a 2004 Maybach 57 with just 29, 000 miles can be purchased for $87, 000, a decrease of about $213, 000, or about eight and a half Volkswagen GTIs.

4. Cadillac STS-V

The Cadillac (NYSE:GM) CTS-V is often cited as the poster child of the brand’s performance chops, but the STS-V wasn’t exactly a slouch either. With rear-wheel drive, a big V8 up front, and a luxuriously appointed and spacious cabin in between, it was the weapon Cadillac needed to take on the likes of the M5. When new, it ran roughly , 090, though examples can be found these days for as little as , 000, representing a loss in value of about , 000 — enough to buy yourself a new Cadillac off the showroom floor.

5. Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Under the Audi (VLKAY.PK) brand, the Phaeton W12 likely would have done very well; however, people were not surprisingly jumping to part with the $94, 600 that it demanded as a Volkswagen, even if it had a 6.0 liter behemoth under the hood. Due to its struggle in the U.S. market (in did enjoy more success in its native Europe), the Phaeton W12 can now be bought for as little as , 000, and still with less than 80, 000 miles on the clock — a reduction in value of a hopping , 000.

6. Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG

There are few roadsters in the world that can outperform the massive Mercedes-Benz (DDAIF.PK) SL65 AMG on the road, but when it comes to resale value, that’s not exactly the case. The SL65 is very, very fast — the 2005 model in particular used a

7. Aston Martin Rapide

The Aston Martin One-77 will likely prove to be one of the most valuable cars the brand has ever produced in time, but the Aston Martin Rapide S, not as much. According to Top Gear, the Rapide — which starts at a lofty $250, 000 or so — will lose about $160, 000 worth of its value over just three years, or over $50, 000 every year. Granted, it’s more of a ritzy family sedan and less of a collectible, so it may not be such a huge deal for owners.