Not-so-special-edition cars - Resale value surprise (1) (2024)

Car shoppers who pony up for special edition cars hoping that fancy paint and performance upgrades will bring a higher resale price may be making a bad bet.

In trade-ins, special edition cars usually end up worth a smaller percentage of their original sticker price than regular versions. Even when they hold up better, they still don't retain their value well enough to make up for the added original cost, according to data from Kelley Blue Book..

At the request of CNNMoney.com, Kelley Blue Book looked at 14 different special edition vehicles produced since 2001. In all cases, the special edition version lost more value, in dollar terms, than the standard version. Most lost more in percentage terms, as well.

Kelley Blue Book's analysis was based on the new cars' sticker prices. Buyers usually pay less than sticker price for new cars but often pay closer to - or even more than - the sticker price for special-edition versions. That means the actual dollar gap between special-edition and plain-vanilla versions may be even wider than KBB's figures suggest.

Some of these cars might eventually be worth more than the standard car as collectibles, said Larry Batton, president of the Auto Appraisal Group. But, he said, "You're not going to have any evidence of them holding their value better until later down the road."

Following are a few examples:

Last updated February 01 2008: 4:58 PM ET

Not-so-special-edition cars - Resale value surprise (1) (2024)

FAQs

Do special edition cars hold value better? ›

In trade-ins, special edition cars usually end up worth a smaller percentage of their original sticker price than regular versions. Even when they hold up better, they still don't retain their value well enough to make up for the added original cost, according to data from Kelley Blue Book..

What makes a car a special edition? ›

Just what is a special edition car? Special editions are usually built in limited numbers but that can often be all they have in common with each other. Some offer buyers a way of saving money, some are used to celebrate an occasion and some special edition performance models are just built for hom*ologation purposes.

Are first edition cars worth it? ›

Those first cars, the exclusive limited edition models, can often be worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, but considering the engineering and design work which has gone into creating these automotive works of art, there are many who would still say that they are worth every penny.

What cars hold their value beat? ›

Trucks, EVs and a Minivan With the Best Resale Value
  • 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. 5-year resale value: 50.1% ...
  • 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E. 5-year resale value: 37.9% ...
  • 2022 Tesla Model X. 5-year resale value: 57.6% ...
  • 2022 Toyota Sienna. ...
  • 2022 Ford Maverick. ...
  • 2022 Toyota Tacoma. ...
  • 2022 Toyota Tundra. ...
  • 2022 GMC Sierra HD.
Mar 15, 2023

What make of car holds its value the most? ›

2. Subaru. Subaru ranks first (#1) in retained value after 3, 5 and 7 years of ownership. Read our analysis and view the Subaru depreciation curve here.

Are rare cars worth more? ›

Rarity. Classic cars are like any other collector's item—the rarer a thing is, the more valuable it'll be to collectors. For instance, you may adore the Ford Mustang, but millions of that muscle car have been produced since its creation. This means it's not exactly rare, which can equate to a lower value.

Are modified cars worth more? ›

They definitely will not increase the resale value if you're trying to sell it to a dealership, who may not even accept a car that isn't stock. However, there are some uncommon instances when high-quality mods that are properly done will increase a vehicle's value, to certain buyers.

Do rare cars go up in value? ›

Historical Significance Will Increase Value

Very often a collector car goes up in value due to its significance in automotive history. This could be a vehicle that was created for hom*ologation, commissioned to be a race car while being required to make a street legal version.

What is the number one rarest car? ›

Rarest Cars In The World
Ferrari 250 GTO36 Units
Ferrari J5010 Units
Apollo Intensa Emozione10 Units
W Motors Lykan HyperSport7 Units
Bugatti Type 41 La Royale6 Units
15 more rows
May 31, 2023

What is the rarest car to ever exist? ›

Following is a list of some of the world's rarest cars ever made and sold.
  • 1927 – 1933 Bugatti Type 41 Royale Kellner Coupe. ...
  • 1951-1953 Jaguar XK120-C. ...
  • 1954 Oldsmobile F-88. ...
  • 1956 Aston Martin DBR 1. ...
  • 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. ...
  • 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California SWB Spider. ...
  • 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO. ...
  • 1970 Porsche 917.

What is the rarest old car? ›

25 of the Rarest Classic Cars in the World
  • 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California SWB Spider. Estimated value or price: $17.16 million. ...
  • 1964 Ford GT40. Estimated value or price: $6.93 million. ...
  • 1951 Pegaso Z-102. ...
  • 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. ...
  • 1970 Porsche 917K. ...
  • 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. ...
  • 1954 Oldsmobile F-88. ...
  • 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato.
Sep 10, 2020

Do first editions increase in value? ›

Speaking generally, first editions will hold the most value if they are first editions, first printings. Depending on who has published the book and what formats it has been published in, you'll be looking for hardcover books mostly.

Why is 1st edition more expensive? ›

To put it simply, a first edition book is the first version of a book that was commercially distributed. These initial printings are so precious because this is the closest a collector can get to the source.

Are all first editions worth money? ›

Generally speaking, a first edition of a book often will have significantly more value than subsequent editions, but that's not always true. There are a number of factors to consider, and in the case of some books, it's not necessary the first edition that has the most market value.

What car loses its value the fastest? ›

The top car with the fastest deprecation is the BMW 7 Series. This car has an average deprecation of 72.6% over the course of five years, representing an average value reduction of nearly $74,000. The second is the BMW 5 Series, which has a five-year depreciate rate of 70.1%, or over $47,000 in value.

What is the best sell car of all time? ›

1. Toyota Corolla (50 Million+ units sold by 2021) Since its debut in 1966, the legendary Toyota Corolla has been destined for greatness and has sold over 50 million units through 12 generations.

What brings down car value? ›

Each mileage milestone you pass can dramatically reduce the value of your car. The first one is 30,000 to 40,000 miles, which is when the first routine services are usually scheduled, according to Edmunds. The next milestone is 60,000 to 70,000 miles when more expensive car components tend to start failing.

What year does a car lose the most value? ›

Cars lose the most value in the first year, and depreciation continues for about five years. A car can lose up to 20% of its value in the first year, and over the first five years fall to around 40% from the original price. That means it loses about 15% of the value each year after the first year.

What makes a car less valuable? ›

Along with mileage, the other major contributors of a vehicle's resale value are its current condition and past accident history. Many sellers tend to overvalue their car and rate the condition more favorably than it warrants, but even minor damage like scratches and dents can lower the vehicle's resale value.

What makes a car go up in value? ›

Many factors figure into the value of a used car, but mileage and condition are the most important. After that, options, location, and color are influencing factors.

What year car is considered a collectible? ›

According to Hagerty, cars from 1900 to 1979 are considered either Antique or Classic. If the car is manufactured in 1980 or later, it is considered a collector car. The Classic Car Club of America is even stricter in their description of classics.

What age car is collectible? ›

Are there any requirements to qualify a vehicle as a collector car? Yes. The vehicle must be insured as a collector car and must meet one of the following requirements: The vehicle is at least 35 model-years old.

Which car mods add value? ›

9 Car Mods That Can Increase Resale Value
  • Body Kit: A body kit can give your car a whole new look and make it stand out from the rest. ...
  • Exhaust System: ...
  • Wheels and Tires: ...
  • Lights: ...
  • Interior: ...
  • Paint: ...
  • Transparent GPS Mount: ...
  • Leather Seats:
Mar 23, 2022

What is the most popular car modification? ›

One of the most popular car modifications include stepping up the fuel pressure and consequently, the flow of fuel to the engine. This will steadily increase the power of your engine. However, care should be taken to set the ratio of fuel to oxygen right to ensure appropriate fuel burning.

Why are 90s cars so expensive now? ›

That's because, as the cars have been getting older, so have the people who were teenagers or maybe in their early twenties when these models first came out. They may have wanted them back then, but couldn't afford them.

What are the next collectible cars? ›

These are the 10 collector cars to watch in 2023
  • Range Rover L322. ...
  • Classic AMGs. ...
  • Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. ...
  • Lamborghini Diablo. ...
  • Audi TT. ...
  • Fiat Panda 100hp. ...
  • Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. ...
  • Early Mercedes G Wagons.
Jan 1, 2023

Why 90s cars are better? ›

They were created with longevity in mind. Not only were they easier to work on, but the engine bay was not hiding behind a plastic cover. Parts were more mechanical, which meant they rarely broke and when they did, they were easier to fix.

What car is only 2 in the world? ›

KOENIGSEGG Is An ULTRA Boutique Automobile Manufacturer For The Super Rich. KOENIGSEGG made only 2 TREVITA'S for the World, and this is No. 2 of 2. In addition it is the only USA Spec TREVITA Built in the World.

What was the 1 car ever made? ›

On January 29, 1886, Carl Benz applied for a patent for his “vehicle powered by a gas engine.” The patent – number 37435 – may be regarded as the birth certificate of the automobile. In July 1886 the newspapers reported on the first public outing of the three-wheeled Benz Patent Motor Car, model no. 1.

What is the most illegal car? ›

10 cars that are illegal in the US
  • Lamborghini Sesto Elemento. ...
  • Lamborghini Strosek Diablo. ...
  • TVR Tuscan. ...
  • TVR Sagaris. ...
  • Lotus Elise Series 1. ...
  • Morgan Le Mans '62 Prototype. ...
  • Jaguar XJ220-S. ...
  • Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R.
Jan 13, 2023

Are there any cars that no longer exist? ›

So, while thorough research has turned up a number of Motorama cars as "presumed scrapped"—among them the 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Nomad, the 1955 Buick Wildcat III, the 1955 Pontiac Strato-Star, and the 1958/1959 Oldsmobile F-88 Mk III—one of the few Motorama vehicles we can say with relative certainty no longer exists ...

What is the rarest exotic car? ›

With just 9 units produced and a price tag of over $8 million, the Lamborghini Veneno is one of the rarest and most exclusive supercars in the world.

Which vintage car is the most expensive? ›

1. The world's most expensive car: the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe became the most expensive car ever sold in 2022, having sold at auction for an eye-watering €135 million - the equivalent of £114.4 million.

What old cars are making a comeback? ›

Start your engines — here are our top five classic cars that are coming back:
  • Dodge Challenger SRT8. The first-generation Challenger hit the open road in 1969 and was available as a two-door hardtop coupe or convertible. ...
  • 2008 Shelby GT500KR. ...
  • 2005 Ford GT. ...
  • 2002 Ford Thunderbird. ...
  • 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

What is the rarest car color? ›

Car color statistics
  • 24% of cars on the road in 2021 were white.
  • Only 1% of cars are pink or purple.
  • 34% of cars on the road are in shades of grey and silver.
  • Over the last ten years, the popularity of silver and blue cars has increased within America, while red car popularity has reduced.

How do I know if I have a 1st edition? ›

Identifying the first edition of a book

The publisher may actually state the words 'first edition' or 'first printing' on the copyright page. Another common method of identification is the number line – that's a line of numbers on the copyright page. Usually, if a one is present in the line then it's a first edition.

What is special about first editions? ›

First editions are prized because they are as close as a reader can get to the source. This is the way the book first appeared to readers, with the original cover art, and sometimes even the original typos.

Are limited editions actually limited? ›

The Size of an Edition Never Changes

With limited editions, artists restrict the total amount of artworks produced in the edition, so that each individual work will retain its value over time.

What's the value of a first edition? ›

How much are first editions worth? As with any books, the value of a first edition is determined by its 1) collectibility (characteristics that make it desirable), 2) its scarcity (see what makes a book rare, and 3) its condition.

Why do people want first editions? ›

Why? Primarily because a first edition is the physical manifestation of a particular moment in the life of a novel, and it can also reflect a significant time in the wider culture. To begin with, writers often participate in the production of the first edition.

What is the most expensive first edition? ›

4 Most Expensive Books
1. First Folio - William Shakespeare - $6.1 Million2. The Tales Of Beedle The Bard - $3.98 Million
3. Birds Of America - $11.5 Million4. The Codex Leicester - $30.8 Million

Is first edition better than second edition? ›

At any rate, for a collector, the first edition/first printing is the most desirable. It's the edition the author actually saw through production and the closest in time to the writing, and therefore the edition most likely to represent the author's intent.

Are signed first editions a good investment? ›

A signed first edition from a well-known and celebrated author can hold more value than an obscure or unknown writer. Works by authors such as Stephen King or Haruki Murakami are highly sought after by collectors, as they are known to be highly desired.

Do limited edition cars gain value? ›

New cars depreciate as soon as they leave the dealer lot. Limited production cars appreciate after they leave the dealer lot. However, rarity doesn't always equate to value. Most limited production vehicles are reserved for high end supercars that the average person can't afford.

Do exotic cars appreciate in value? ›

Not all supercars appreciate. In fact, a majority of them will lose value over time. However, keeping a pristine example through the decades can turn even the most average supercar into a valuable collector's item.

Do modified cars lose value? ›

Making modifications to your car can increase its speed and performance, but it can also lower the resale value if not done correctly.

Why do luxury cars have no resale value? ›

Cons of owning a luxury car

Depreciation - New luxury cars are more expensive so their depreciation is more marked. Your particular model may also suffer lower demand because of a high turnover rate from buyers or because it has become outdated — which could lower the resale value when you sell it.

How much should you put down on an exotic car? ›

On average, 20% of your car's value is a good place to start, but it also depends on the type of car you're buying and your personal financial situation. Monthly Payments – These will be determined by your down payment and loan term, so they're one of the most important factors if you want to keep costs low.

Can you daily drive an exotic car? ›

Practicality: Exotic cars are not always the most practical choice for daily driving, as they may lack cargo space and passenger comfort. Many exotic cars are designed for performance rather than practicality, meaning that they may not have the features necessary for everyday use.

Is it hard to sell exotic cars? ›

Selling exotic cars is hard, and unless you're well-versed in setting prices to sell and negotiating with experienced, you're likely to lose more money than you stand to make. Plus, you have to take into account your exotic car's depreciation and the payments you'll make in the time it'll take to close a deal.

Is it hard to sell a modified car? ›

You may have difficulty finding a buyer willing to pay the total price for a modified car. Many buyers prefer unmodified vehicles because they're easier to resell. If you find a buyer, they may try to lowball you on the price. You may have to disclose any modifications made to the car when selling it.

What car loses value the most? ›

Most will look at value after five years when comparing car depreciation figures.
  • Mercedes-Benz S-Class. ...
  • Volvo S60. ...
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class. ...
  • Maserati Ghibli. ...
  • Audi A6. ...
  • Nissan Leaf. ...
  • BMW 5 Series. ...
  • BMW 7 Series.
Jan 18, 2023

At what age do cars lose the most value? ›

Cars lose the most value in the first year, and depreciation continues for about five years. A car can lose up to 20% of its value in the first year, and over the first five years fall to around 40% from the original price. That means it loses about 15% of the value each year after the first year.

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