Top 10 Luxury Vehicle Value-Holders

The only American car on this list finishes on top. Auto Appraisal Group's Larry Batton says that American cars generally lag imports in residual values, but the Corvette's an exception. "It's an icon. And it's also historically an image-maker, which keeps it in demand, and keeps value high," he says. ***

"Green doesn't mean slow anymore," says Black Book National's Ricky Beggs of the speedy GS 450h, one of two hybrids on our list. "The technology here makes the car both quick and efficient." Kelley's Ibara thinks the hybrid will have a higher residual value than the conventional GS: "We think that the relatively small increase in list price ($2,500) ensures that the car will sustain its higher residual," he says. ***

Auto Appraisal Group's Larry Batton says "expensive, fast and impractical" usually bodes well for resale value. This brutish vehicle has all three: Its six-figure price tag is outrageous; the AMG engine has nearly 500 hp; and it averages about 12 mpg. ***

Kelley Blue Book ranks the Acura MDX as the SUV with highest resale value, including non-luxury models. Recently redesigned, the midsize MDX blends power, practicality and luxury extremely well. The MDX has also been reliable. Consumer Reports calls the 2007 model a "good bet." ***

The BMW 6 Series is a modern classic, whether or not you like its progressive styling. The convertible version is made in fewer numbers than the coupe and its $7,000, or 9.5 percent, price hike over the coupe provides a value-retention advantage when it's time to sell, as evidenced by the fact that the convertible made this list over the coupe. ***

Infiniti's M series is rather staid-looking; all the more surprising when you realize the sheer speed that skulks within. Kelley Blue Book's Eric Ibara says the M45's relative exclusivity gives it a value retention edge over the G35, "which you see all over, and is easy to lease for a reasonable amount." ***

This is Lexus' entry-level model, but its performance doesn't show it: A taut, muscular exterior and a V6 with more than 300 hp give it personality and panache. There's also real value here: It's loaded with useful, high-tech features, like adaptive bi-Xenon headlights and radar cruise control, but avoids superfluous luxury items. ***

Toyota's largest sedan lacks sex appeal ***

Any BMW 7 Series is good and will hold value well. But this one, with a 500-hp supercharged V8, special suspension and styling add-ons engineered by European performance tuner Alpina, really resists dollar-shedding. It's extremely rare ***

This ranking shows that being green pays off when it comes time to sell. The MSRP might seem high, especially compared to a glitzier Lexus IS 250, but the price increase over a standard Accord is justified and bodes well for value retention. The Accord's widely acclaimed reliability is another boon. Consumer Reports rated the Accord Hybrid its 2007 Top Pick in the family-sedan category, with "Excellent" predicted reliability. ***