9 Performance Cars Sporting the Best Resale Value for 2015

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Cars with high resale value should matter to consumers on both sides of an automotive transaction. If you are buying a new vehicle and hope to take less of a hit when you resell, the cars that retain their value more than the competition should be in your sights. On the other hand, consumers looking for a great buy on a used automobile should probably look elsewhere: these cars cost a pretty penny even after they age.

As the Kelley Blue Book (KBB) analysis of top resale values proves, there are performance cars that sell at 50% their original purchase price five years down the road. The new wave of American muscle cars (especially the crop from General Motors factories) is proving to be worth the investment.

Following our look at KBB.com’s top 10 vehicles in resale value, here are the nine performance cars that will retain the most of their original purchase price from the 2015 model-year lineup, according to Kelley Blue Book.

 

9. 2015 Porsche Cayman

At $52,600 with manual transmission, the base Porsche Cayman delivers serious performance (60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds) for the buck, but that’s retail value. On the resale market, you may get 58.0% of that price after 36 months of ownership. After 60 months, the 2015 Cayman will return 42.5% of its original price for owners who want to sell. KBB.com ranked it third in resale value among all sports cars on the U.S. market. With a top speed of 165 miles per hour using only 275 horsepower, it might be hard to part with a Cayman after such a short time in your garage.

 

8. 2015 Dodge Challenger

Maybe the most retro of the bunch in the American muscle car revival, the base Dodge Challenger ($26,995) is also the priciest model of the Detroit Three offerings. You can factor in the fifth seat if you want to rationalize the higher price, but either way the V6 edition (305 horsepower) delivers on the value front. According to the KBB.com projections, a 2015 Challenger will retain 57.8% of its original value after 36 months. In five years’ time, it should retain 45.8% of its value.

 

7. 2015 Honda Civic Si

The sporty Civic variant boasts 205 horsepower and 175 pounds-feet of torque while returning 31 highway miles per gallon. Many would consider the $22,890 MSRP fair on today’s market, but it stays a wise investment over time. After 36 months, Kelley Blue Book projects a 2015 Civic Si will retain 59.0% of it value. In 60 months’ time, owner could see a return near 45.0% of the original purchase price. It placed third for best resale value in the sporty compact car division.

 

Source: General Motors

6. 2015 Chevrolet Camaro V6

There are plenty of track-obliterating Camaros to choose from these days, but the V6 model ($23,705) gets you considerable muscle (323 horsepower) and impressive performance (60 miles per hour in 5.9 seconds) in a package that retains its value. Hitting the resale market, owners can expect 55.7% of the original purchase price after 36 months, according to KBB.com projections. Even after 60 months of styling and engine-revving, Camaro V6 owners can part with their rides for up to 46.3% of the original price. It topped the sports car class in Kelley Blue Book resale rankings for 2015 cars.

 

Source: Volkswagen

5. 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2015 Golf was Motor Trend’s Car of the Year and was named one of Car and Driver’s “10 Best” of 2015, so we don’t blink when we see Volkswagen racking up more awards. For its part, the GTI performance model ($24,785) placed second among sporty compact cars in resale value by Kelley Blue Book. You get 210 horsepower courtesy of the turbocharged engine with your upgrade to the VW compact hot hatch. After 36 months, expect a return of 59.0% on the car’s original purchase price. Its value only projects to drop to 46.2% after 60 months of ownership.

4. 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

In a most violent era for muscle cars, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat ($59,995) casts quite a shadow. By Dodge’s book, you should consider it “end of discussion” upon learning of the 707 horsepower and 645 pounds-feet of torque on tap. Performance stats pop off the screen: zero to 60 in “low 3-second” range; 10.8 seconds for the quarter mile; and a top speed of 199 miles per hour. KBB.com says that power will make it a valuable car long after you thunder off the lot. After 36 months, your old Hellcat should retain 59.5% of its value. That number holds at 46.5% after 60 months of ownership.

3. 2015 Chevrolet Camaro V8

Did we mention it was a great time for muscle car enthusiasts? The 2015 Chevy Camaro’s several V8 editions ranked second on KBB.com’s list of performance cars that retain their value better than the rest. That means whether you choose the 2015 Camaro SS with 426 horsepower ($30,200), the ZL1 with 580 horses ($55,505), or the Z/28 with 505 horsepower ($72,305), you are going to see an excellent resale value down the road. These V8 models retain 57.0% of their value after 36 months and 48.0% after five years of ownership.

2. 2015 Subaru WRX

This car can hardly win more popularity contests, and at $26,295 for 268 horses and all-wheel drive, you can see where the love for the Subaru WRX originates. It’s the first stop on many people’s list when they want performance value at retail, but studies show that value holds down the road. WRX received an ALG award for high residual value, while KBB.com ranked it as the top sporty compact car for resale value. After 36 months, expect it to snag 64.2% on the resale market. Even after five years of ownership, you can expect about half your investment with the WRX retaining 49.4% of its value.

1. 2015 Chevrolet Corvette

Few buyers of the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette are complaining about value for the money. Exquisite performance and 455 horsepower come standard in the base Stingray edition ($54,000), which has unanimous rave reviews and was named 2014 North American Car of the Year. Kelley Blue Book love the ‘Vette’s value enough to name it one of the site’s “Best Buys of 2015,” but the 2015 Stingray also topped the list of best resale value for any performance car. KBB.com projects this Corvete will return 64.3% in resale value after three years of ownership. After 60 months in your hands, you are likely to get 49.5% back on your investment.