27 Cars That Lose Value Fast and Could Drain Your Wallet

Last summer, I watched my neighbor Bill sell his three-year-old luxury sedan for nearly half what he paid. Ouch! Car depreciation isn’t just a minor concern but a financial tidal wave that can sweep away thousands of dollars faster than you can say ‘new car smell.’

Before signing on that dotted line, you might want to know which vehicles hemorrhage value quicker than others, potentially saving yourself from a serious case of buyer’s remorse.

1. Maserati Quattroporte

Bellissimo to broke in record time! Maserati’s elegant Quattroporte sheds up to 72% of its value within just 36 months. The initial $100,000+ investment evaporates quicker than a puddle in the Sahara.

Exotic brands like Maserati face steeper depreciation due to reliability concerns and astronomical maintenance costs. The intoxicating roar of that Ferrari-built engine comes with a sobering financial hangover that few second-hand buyers are willing to risk.

2. BMW 7 Series

German engineering comes with a hefty depreciation price tag! The flagship BMW 7 Series loses nearly 70% of its value in just five years. That $85,000 executive chariot becomes a $25,500 used car faster than you can say ‘maintenance bill.’

Luxury features that wowed the first owner become expensive repair headaches for the second. Plus, newer models constantly introduce cutting-edge tech that makes last year’s innovations seem positively prehistoric.

3. Nissan Leaf (First Generation)

Pioneering often doesn’t pay! The first-gen Nissan Leaf blazed the electric trail but now leaves owners with scorched wallets, losing up to 71% of its value in five years. Early battery technology aged poorly, with significant range degradation scaring off used buyers.

Rapid EV technology advancements made these early models obsolete almost overnight. A 73-mile range seemed impressive in 2011 but looks laughably inadequate beside today’s 300+ mile competitors.

4. Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Royal treatment with a pauper’s resale value! Mercedes’ flagship S-Class drops roughly 69% of its value in five years. That $110,000 technological masterpiece becomes a $34,000 used luxury bargain before you’ve finished paying it off.

Loaded with bleeding-edge technology that ages faster than milk in sunshine. Each new model year makes the previous generation seem increasingly outdated, pushing resale values off a cliff.

5. Cadillac Escalade ESV

Size matters, especially when calculating depreciation! The mammoth Cadillac Escalade ESV drops about 56% of its value in five years. That blinged-out $95,000 status symbol becomes a $42,000 gas-guzzling reminder of financial choices past.

Appetite-suppressant fuel economy (averaging 14-17 mpg) makes this behemoth particularly vulnerable during gas price spikes. Add in the luxury tax of Cadillac-specific parts and repairs, and you’ve got a recipe for resale disaster.

6. BMW i3

Quirky doesn’t age well! BMW’s carbon-fiber electric experiment, the i3, drops a staggering 70% of its value in just three years. The funky $45,000 city runabout becomes a $13,500 used car conversation piece faster than you can say “range anxiety.”

Limited electric range (especially in early models) combined with unconventional styling limits the pool of interested second-hand buyers. The carbon fiber construction that seemed revolutionary now makes repairs prohibitively expensive compared to conventional alternatives.

7. Lincoln MKZ

Anonymity comes at a cost! The forgettable Lincoln MKZ hemorrhages roughly 67% of its value in five years. That $40,000 premium sedan becomes a $13,200 used car that still has people asking, “Is that a Ford Fusion with fancy makeup?”

Badge engineering (sharing platforms with less expensive Ford models) creates perception problems. Luxury buyers want exclusivity, not a tarted-up version of a common car, making the MKZ a depreciation disaster despite its comfortable ride.

8. Jaguar XF

British charm fades quickly! The elegant Jaguar XF loses approximately 66% of its value in just four years. Your $53,000 executive express becomes a $18,000 used luxury gamble while still looking relatively fresh.

Historical reliability concerns continue haunting Jaguar’s reputation despite actual improvements. The brand’s smaller dealer network also means fewer certified pre-owned options and less robust warranty support, further hammering resale values compared to German rivals.

9. Chevrolet Volt

Ahead of its time and behind on resale value! The pioneering Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid drops about 71% of its value in five years. The innovative $40,000 green machine becomes a $11,600 used car bargain despite its practical range-extended design.

GM’s decision to discontinue the model torpedoed residual values. Rapid advancements in battery technology and all-electric competitors made the Volt’s compromise approach seem unnecessarily complex to second-hand buyers looking for efficiency.

10. Audi A8

Flagship sinks fast! Audi’s luxurious A8 sedan plummets roughly 70% in value over five years. That $85,000 executive express becomes a $25,500 used luxury bargain while still turning heads with its understated elegance.

Complex aluminum construction makes repairs after even minor fender benders extraordinarily expensive.

The technological arms race among German luxury brands means features that were cutting-edge at launch quickly become yesterday’s news, dragging down resale values with each new model year.

11. Kia K900

Ambition exceeds resale value! Kia’s luxury flagship K900 loses a jaw-dropping 75% of its value in just three years. The $60,000 Korean luxury experiment becomes a $15,000 used car head-scratcher despite offering 90% of the S-Class experience.

Badge snobbery hits hard in the luxury segment. Despite objective qualities rivaling established luxury marques, the Kia badge lacks prestige, decimating resale values.

Limited production numbers also mean less market awareness and fewer specialized technicians familiar with the model.

12. Volkswagen Phaeton

Champagne ambitions with beer budget resale! The Volkswagen Phaeton—essentially a Bentley in VW clothing—loses up to 84% of its value in five years. This $70,000+ luxury stealth bomber becomes a $11,000 used car curiosity despite sharing DNA with vehicles costing three times as much.

The ultimate victim of badge engineering in reverse. Luxury buyers couldn’t reconcile the pedestrian VW badge with the premium price, while practical VW buyers couldn’t justify the extravagant maintenance costs.

13. Ford Fusion Energi

Plugging in to depreciation! The Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid loses about 63% of its value in just three years. This $35,000 electrified family sedan becomes a $13,000 used car despite its practical blend of electric and gasoline propulsion.

Limited electric range (only 21 miles) aged poorly as newer PHEVs offered double or triple the battery-only driving. The compromised trunk space, sacrificed for battery storage, further limits appeal to practical used car shoppers looking for maximum utility.

14. Cadillac XTS

Old-school luxury, new-school depreciation! The Cadillac XTS sheds approximately 66% of its value in four years. The $50,000 comfort-oriented sedan becomes a $17,000 used luxury barge while still offering a supremely cushy ride.

Caught between market segments without a clear identity. Neither sporty enough for luxury performance buyers nor distinctive enough to command brand prestige.

The front-wheel-drive platform (unusual in its class) further dampens enthusiasm among luxury purists who expect rear-wheel drive dynamics.

15. Fiat 500L

Quirky looks, quicker depreciation! The awkward Fiat 500L loses roughly 80% of its value in just five years. The $22,000 Italian oddity becomes a $4,400 used car curiosity despite offering unique styling and surprising interior space.

Polarizing design limits the pool of interested second-hand buyers. Persistent reliability concerns and limited dealer network further hammer resale values. The “L” might stand for “Large,” but it could equally represent the financial “Loss” owners experience when trading in.

16. Lincoln Navigator

Presidential-sized depreciation! The massive Lincoln Navigator SUV loses approximately 61% of its value in five years. The $75,000 luxury land yacht becomes a $29,000 used status symbol while still offering cavernous interior space and plenty of bling.

Thirsty V8 engines (later replaced by more efficient EcoBoost V6s) make older models particularly vulnerable to fuel price fluctuations.

Rapid refreshes in recent model years with dramatically improved interiors make previous generations look dated much faster than their actual age.

17. Jaguar XJ

The stately Jaguar XJ loses about 68% of its value in five years. The $75,000+ flagship sedan becomes a $24,000 used luxury bargain while still turning heads with its distinctive design.

Complex aluminum construction makes repairs prohibitively expensive after even minor incidents. The smaller dealer network means less robust certified pre-owned programs compared to German competitors.

Historical reliability concerns continue plaguing resale values despite actual quality improvements in recent years.

18. Mitsubishi Mirage

Budget new, bigger budget hit later! The humble Mitsubishi Mirage loses approximately 62% of its value in just three years. The $14,000 economy car becomes a $5,300 used bargain despite offering excellent fuel economy and a surprisingly long warranty.

Sacrifices in refinement and performance that seem acceptable when buying new become more glaring in the used market.

Dated interior materials and technology feel increasingly obsolete with each passing year, pushing values down faster than competitors with more modern designs.

19. BMW 5 Series GT

The oddball BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo loses roughly 72% of its value in five years. The $60,000+ luxury hatchback/wagon/crossover thing becomes a $17,000 used curiosity despite offering a flexible interior and raised seating position.

Neither fish nor fowl design confuses buyers. Too bulky to be a proper sedan, not practical enough to be a true wagon, and lacking the presence of a proper SUV.

The compromised styling alienates traditional BMW enthusiasts while failing to attract crossover shoppers.

20. Nissan Armada

Battleship size, battleship sinking value! The massive Nissan Armada SUV loses approximately 63% of its value in five years. The $50,000+ family hauler becomes a $18,500 used gas-guzzler despite offering cavernous space for passengers and cargo.

Appetite-suppressant fuel economy makes this behemoth particularly vulnerable during gas price spikes. Dated interior technology compared to domestic rivals further accelerates depreciation. The truck-based platform provides durability but lacks the refinement of more modern unibody competitors.

21. Infiniti Q70

The Infiniti Q70 (formerly M) sheds approximately 69% of its value in five years. The $50,000+ executive sedan becomes a $15,500 used luxury alternative despite offering a powerful V8 option and understated elegance.

Lack of brand recognition compared to German rivals hammers resale values. Dated infotainment systems age poorly against rapidly advancing technology in the segment. The anonymous styling that appeals to some new buyers limits broader appeal in the used market.

22. Lincoln MKT

The distinctive Lincoln MKT loses approximately 70% of its value in five years. The $45,000+ luxury crossover becomes a $13,500 used oddity despite offering a spacious interior and available EcoBoost power.

Polarizing whale-like styling severely limits mass-market appeal. Popular with commercial fleets (particularly funeral homes) which further dampens retail resale values. The awkward three-row configuration offers less practical space than more conventional SUV competitors.

23. Volkswagen CC

The sleek Volkswagen CC loses about 64% of its value in four years. The $35,000 “four-door coupe” becomes a $12,600 used fashion statement despite offering European driving dynamics and upscale interior appointments.

The compromised rear headroom that seems acceptable when purchasing new becomes a bigger issue for used family buyers. More expensive maintenance compared to mainstream sedans but lacking true luxury badge prestige creates a resale value no-man’s-land.

24. Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS drops approximately 65% of its value in five years. The $50,000+ sports sedan becomes a $17,500 used luxury bargain despite offering sharp handling and distinctive angular styling.

Caught in the prestige gap between mainstream and established luxury brands. Frequent and substantial redesigns make previous generations look dated faster than their actual age.

The performance-oriented driving dynamics that appeal to enthusiast buyers new become a harder sell to comfort-seeking used luxury shoppers.

25. Land Rover Discovery Sport

This car loses approximately 66% of its value in just four years. The $40,000+ premium SUV becomes a $13,600 used adventure-mobile despite offering genuine off-road credentials and British charm.

Persistent reliability concerns continue plaguing the brand’s resale values. Complex off-road systems that rarely get used by urban owners become expensive repair liabilities for second owners.

The smaller footprint compared to full-size Range Rovers limits the prestige factor that helps support stronger residuals.

26. Chrysler 200

The forgettable Chrysler 200 sheds approximately 68% of its value in just three years. The $25,000 sedan becomes a $8,000 used car afterthought despite offering decent features and available V6 power.

Rental fleet popularity decimates retail residual values. The discontinued model status after Chrysler pulled the plug further accelerates depreciation. Caught in the hyper-competitive mid-size sedan segment without any standout qualities to preserve value against established segment leaders.

27. Acura RLX

Forgotten flagship, unforgettable depreciation! The anonymous Acura RLX loses roughly 73% of its value in five years. The $55,000+ luxury sedan becomes a $14,850 used car head-scratcher despite offering advanced hybrid technology and quality construction.

Severe lack of brand recognition in the luxury flagship segment. Sandwiched between higher-prestige German brands and the parent company’s similar Honda models.

The conservative styling that ages well visually does nothing to preserve value against more distinctive luxury competitors.