5 Popular Cars That Depreciates The Least (With Pictures)

Although depreciation is inevitable as all cars lose value, it is logical to have a car that retains value in a long term.

This article would walk through 6 popular cars that depreciate the least on an average of 5 to 10 years with the few problems still associated with them.

Table of Contents

1. Jeep Wrangler

Critics and users have praised the Jeep Wrangler for its ability to withstand any kind of weather or terrain. It is a suitable choice for on-road and off-road driving.

The Jeep Wrangler will lose 22% of its value after 5 years and has a resale value of $33,656 as stated by caredge.com.

Like any other vehicle, the major yardstick to determine its durability is to answer the general question, “how many miles can it last?” This simply means how far can the car go having no major problems?

Based on Miles

The Jeep Wranglers can last 100,000-400,000 miles.

This varies according to the maintenance and how often the car is used. However, based on the reliability rating, the Jeep Wrangler ranks 2.0 out of 5.0. Car owners have complained about some major problems they have faced with the Wrangler.

They include:

#1 Bad Axle

The axle of a car is the rod or shaft that connects the pair of wheels to align them.

The Wrangler has a poor weld between the control arm and the axle. This has resulted in drivers losing total control of wheels because of this disconnection.

#2 Too Expensive

Car reviews stated the Wrangler cost more than it’s worth.

It Is also not fuel efficient as it burns too much gas. According to hotcars, the Wrangler cost 77 cents per mile. This is a serious concern for some individuals, as it directly affects their pockets.

#3 Overheated Engine

Because of the hilly terrains or extremely bad weather the Wrangler drives through, it causes extra wear and pressure on the engine.

Car owners have complained about their engines catching fire because of overheating. More than 30,000 vehicles had this problem.

Check our list of the good and bad years for the Jeep Wrangler here.

#4 Bad Electronics

The Wrangler also has a low-reliability rating for in-car electronics.

They often get damaged and need frequent maintenance.

Car owners grumbled about the cost of maintenance as it is significantly more expensive compared to its counterparts and they take a longer time for repair.

2. Porsche 911

Porsche cars have high expectations for performance and longevity. The Porsche 911 has met these expectations. Owners describe this car as unproblematic and indestructible, with a high resale value as a bonus.

According to caredge.com, the Porsche 911 will depreciate 15% after 5 years and has a resale value of $178,971.

Based on Miles

The Porsche 911 can go 100,000 miles with no major problems, even with rigorous driving. With proper maintenance, it can last 150,000 miles with no major problem. Nonetheless, as all cars come with glitches, the Porsche 911 is certainly not an exception. They include:

Oil and Water Leakage

According to RepairPal, a major complaint about this car was the oil and coolant leakage. They widely saw these issues in models made from 1999 to 2010. However, it majorly affected the 3.4 L 6-cylinder engine and often appeared on an average of 74,600 miles.

The oil leakage came from the oil separator, while the coolant leakage came from the reservoir. These problems have caused severe damage to the Porsche’s engine.

Expensive Repair

This was another problem posed by the Porsche 911. According to RepairPal, the estimated average cost to repair this car is $1192 per year. This is because the parts were majorly found and shipped from their central depot.

Bad ABS Electronic Module

This is a general phenomenon in all Porsche models, as they often get damaged. The ABS module is the processor or brain of the entire antilock braking system. The ABS warning light would, however, alert you of this failure. It is nothing to be worried about as it can easily be repaired or, in some cases, rebuilt.

3. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

The major difference between a Jeep Wrangler and a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is the number of doors. The former has 2 doors with a four-passenger capacity, while the latter has 4 doors with a five-passenger capacity.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is still a fine choice for car owners today. This car model tops the list for retaining value. According to caredge.com, the Wrangler unlimited will depreciate 22% at 5 years. It also has an impressive resale value of $33,656. This is basically a good investment.

Based on Miles

Car experts estimate the Wrangler Unlimited to depreciate over a range of 10 years, all depending on its usage and maintenance. With good routine maintenance, it can cover 100,000-400,000 miles. Still, there are some common problems associated with the Wrangler Unlimited. They include:

Electronic Issues

The Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) of the Wrangler Unlimited often gets damaged. This compartment controls the whole electrical system of the vehicle.

For instance, the key fob could malfunction and disconnect with the wireless control and vehicle system. The car may refuse to start or lock suddenly. This can be very frustrating, but thankfully, they are usually easy to fix. According to motorbiscuit.com, it would cost around $1,500 to fix the TIPM.

Manifold Problems

A damaged exhaust manifold results in poor firing, and torque and fuel loss. A common sign from the Wrangler Unlimited is a ticking sound from the engine. This has to be replaced urgently to avert bigger problems for the driver and passenger.

Water Leakage Into the Vehicle

Owners complained about water leakages from both the driver and passenger sides. Sometimes it could be as much to form a pool of water reaching 2 inches. Unfortunately, there has been no permanent solution to this problem, as repair shops only try to replace the seal around the doors, hoping to minimize the leakage.

4. Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck, and it’s rated as the best truck against other models to retain value. NADA recorded that the Toyota Tundra returns 71.6% of its value over 5 years. Perhaps you are looking for a return on investment in trucks. The Toyota tundra should be one to consider.

Based on Miles

The Toyota Tundra can comfortably reach 200,000 miles before needing a major repair. RepairPal gives the Tundra a reliability rating of 3.5 out of five. This is above the average range of other full-size trucks. However, the problems associated with the Tundra include:

Faulty Air Pumps

Tundra owners have complained bitterly about their engine stalling because of this problem. In some other cases, it produces poor gas mileage because of improper combustion.

Air pumps are basically responsible for supplying clean air to the exhaust system and once this is clogged, it becomes an issue.

Bad Ball Joint

This part connects the wheels to the steering and allows for smooth driving. Unfortunately, with some makes of the Toyota Tundra, these joints are prone to wear faster. This is highly hazardous to drivers, as they can lose control of the truck while in motion.

Manifold Failure

The exhaust manifold is vulnerable to leaks in the Tundra, which causes a lack of engine power and acceleration. Another problem was the high consumption of gas and poor gas mileage. Some individuals also complained that the cost of replacement and maintenance was on the high side.

5. Toyota Tacoma

This is another model of your Toyota pickup truck. We know Toyota cars for their reliability and longevity. According to caredge.com, Tacoma will depreciate at 33% after 5 years and has a resale value of $28,011.

Based on Miles

The Toyota Tacoma is estimated to reach 200,000 miles conveniently, with no problem. Some could reach 300,000 depending on the age, maintenance and usage. Although the Toyota Tacoma got a 3.0 out of 5.0 rating in reliability, they still have some significant shortcomings. They include:

Cracked Parking Lights

Users found this issue in models produced from 2006 to 2011. This issue came about from the material used to cover the light lenses. It was unable to take the heat when the light bulbs came on.

Fortunately, this was a minor problem as the light lenses will just need a replacement.

Faulty Air Pumps

With the make of the Toyota Tacoma, they often had problems with the air pumps. Most times they get clogged by debris which blocks clean air from the engine. More often than not, this resulted in their engine stalling, fuel loss and emission from the exhaust.

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