Top Five 2010 Models for Resale Value

If you are buying a new car one of the biggest mistakes that people make is not investigating the projected resale value of their intended purchase. This will show you how much money you will get back out of your investment come resale or trade in time and that money might be a vital part of your budget one day.

Try to imagine five years into the future and you are looking to buy another new car. Do you know what your financial state will be that far ahead? Of course you don't. So the value of this car you are buying now may have an impact on the car you can buy in the future. So even if the car you want isn't on this list, always check the residuals before you sign on the dotted line.

Note: These resale value estimations are taken from Kelley Blue Book and are based on percentage of value left after a five year period. While some of the cars below may be inexpensive to buy, a greater percentage of their value is left at the end of this period than cars costing even 5 times as much.

Mini Cooper (44%)

This car is not only an international sales success but also tops the resale value charts in Europe. Not only is the Mini utterly adorable but it is also a piece of brilliant automotive engineering. Doors close with a reassuring thud of solidity while some of the minor controls could be a bit more user friendly. All Cooper and Cooper S models have quick, fuel efficient engines and a suspension that begs you to take corners at speeds you would have never attempted in your old SUV. Fun and phenomenal resale values. What more can you ask for?

Scion xB (42%)

This boxy wonder has the best resale percentage of any Toyota product and is followed in close succession by the Scion xD, Toyota Corolla and the super-economical Prius. Perhaps it is the unique personality of the "hip to be square" xB that affords it king of the hill status. Whatever it is, the xB promises Toyota-like reliability, unmatched utility for a vehicle of its size and just that little hint of stylishness. That is, if anti-style is really a "style."

2010 VW Golf (38%)

This little hatchback has one of the best resale value percentages of any German car. Take that BMW. Owners of the Golf will no doubt be able to tell you that this fun to drive little hatchback also has a heady dose of utility thanks to that gigantic cargo area. Look at it as more of a mini-SUV and you get the picture. Except this SUV is actually quite fast and has a tight Autobahn ready suspension designed to take corners with aplomb. The VW Golf is often times overlooked in the subcompact market but that is really a shame as this is all the car most people will ever need.

Honda Civic (37%)

Not only is this vehicle a true economy car icon but it is one of the smartest used car buys on the market today. New car buyers are not only afforded an economical, spacious and fun to drive runabout but they can also rest easy knowing that they aren't throwing their hard earned money out the window at the time of purchase.

Whether in 2 or 4 door form as a hybrid, EX or Si model, the Civic always affords drivers an inexpensive entry into the realm of world class Honda engineering. As if you needed any more reason to buy a Civic you can know this for sure-the Honda Civic will never let you down.

Honda Fit (36%)

As one of two Honda products on the "best resale value" list (as compiled by Kelley Blue Book), this subcompact five door is a perfectly "fit" place for you to put your money. Not only is the Honda Fit frugal and deceptively spacious but it is also a blast to drive. Featuring a fizzy and efficient 1.5 liter 117 horsepower VTEC four cylinder engine, the Fit has enough get up and go for both city streets and freeway on-ramps. Admittedly, the manual transmission makes the Fit a much more fun to drive car so go that route if you can.

But no matter which transmission you choose, the Fit clings onto value as securely as a gecko lizard to a window. It is also truly affordable with a base MSRP around $14,000. This car has redefined the subcompact class and is a runaway sales success for very good reason.

Source: Kelley Blue Book