Study: Imported Cars Offer Best Resale Values

Yet another reason to seriously consider buying a new used car rather than a brand new car.

Study: Imported Cars Offer Best Resale Values

By Shawn Langlois

SAN FRANCISCO (Dow Jones) -- As it seems with most things in the automotive world these days, foreign carmakers dominate the domestics when it comes to resale value, according to a recent Kelley Blue Book study.

In fact, even as the Big Three lay claim to more than half the U.S. market, only one car built by an American manufacturer -- the 2006 Chevy Corvette -- made this year's list of the Top 10 vehicles in terms of best resale value.

The survey covers the new crop of 2006 models, excluding low-volume vehicles and those carrying a price tag of more than $60,000.

The average vehicle, Kelley Blue Book said, retains only about 35% of its original value after five years. The cars garnering kudos on this list keep closer to 50% of their initial purchase price.

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