12 Cars You Should Never Buy New
Last month, I nearly made a $15,000 mistake at a dealership before my mechanic friend yanked me away from the shiny new sedan.
Cars lose value faster than ice cream melts in July, with most dropping 20-30% in their first year alone!
Before you sign those financing papers, check out these vehicles that practically hemorrhage value the minute you drive off the lot.
1. BMW 7-Series
Holy depreciation, Batman! The BMW 7-Series sheds value faster than a German Shepherd sheds fur in summer. These executive barges lose nearly 43% of their value in just one year.
The tech features that seem cutting-edge today become yesterday’s news faster than you can say “infotainment system.”
Meanwhile, maintenance costs will have your wallet crying for mercy once the warranty expires.
2. Maserati Ghibli
Nothing screams “questionable financial decisions” quite like buying a new Maserati Ghibli.
Despite that exotic badge and seductive exhaust note, these Italian beauties plummet approximately 51% in value during their first year.
Beneath that gorgeous exterior lurks reliability issues that would make even the most patient owner pull their hair out.
The maintenance bills alone could fund a decent vacation to the actual Maserati factory in Italy!
3. Cadillac XTS
Grandpa’s favorite brand hasn’t quite kept its prestige. The Cadillac XTS loses around 38% of its value in the first 12 months – practically financial self-harm when purchased new.
While comfortable and spacious, these luxury boats can’t hold value against their German competitors.
Parts get expensive quickly, and that fancy CUE infotainment system ages about as gracefully as milk left on the counter overnight.
4. Jaguar XF
Gorgeous lines and British heritage can’t save the Jaguar XF from financial reality. These sleek cats lose approximately 40% of their sticker price within just one year.
Electrical gremlins become your unwanted roommates after the warranty expires. The maintenance schedule reads like a shopping list for someone with too much money and not enough sense.
Find a gently used one instead and let someone else absorb that initial value nosedive.
5. Lincoln MKZ
Fancy Ford, anyone? The Lincoln MKZ might wear upscale clothes, but it can’t escape its Ford Fusion underpinnings or its shocking 33% first-year value loss.
Buyers quickly realize they’re essentially driving a gussied-up Ford with fancier leather.
The tech features become outdated faster than smartphone apps, and resale value takes a nosedive that would make Olympic divers jealous. Wait a year and save yourself a small fortune.
6. Nissan Maxima
Marketing itself as a “four-door sports car” doesn’t prevent the Maxima from losing roughly 35% of its value faster than you can say “continuously variable transmission.”
Speaking of which, those CVT transmissions aren’t exactly known for longevity.
The Maxima occupies an awkward middle ground – not quite luxury, not quite economy. That identity crisis translates directly to its resale value, which drops like a rock in a pond.
7. Infiniti Q50
Sleek and powerful, the Infiniti Q50 sucks value from your bank account with its 38% first-year depreciation.
Despite the sporty handling and luxurious interior, it can’t compete with the brand recognition of its German rivals.
The tech interface feels dated almost immediately after purchase.
Repair costs creep upward as the miles accumulate, and parts availability can sometimes leave you waiting longer than you’d like. Let someone else take the depreciation hit!
8. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Nothing says “I’ve made it” quite like a new Mercedes – until you realize your E-Class just lost 36% of its value while you were busy showing it off.
That three-pointed star comes with a three-pointed depreciation curve: steep, steeper, and steepest.
Maintenance costs after warranty make ownership feel like a subscription to pain. The technology that wowed you in the showroom becomes commonplace in economy cars within a few years.
9. Kia K900
Kia’s ambitious luxury flagship might impress your neighbors until they learn it loses a staggering 45% of its value in just 12 months.
The K900 suffers from severe brand perception issues – people simply aren’t ready to pay big bucks for a Kia badge.
Despite offering similar features to cars costing twice as much, resale value plummets faster than a skydiver without a parachute.
The upside? Finding a year-old model feels like stealing, given how much car you get for the money.
10. Volkswagen Passat
Ah, German engineering at its most depreciation-prone! The Volkswagen Passat loses approximately 34% of its value in the first year – not the worst on our list, but still a financial face-plant.
Neither truly luxury nor truly economy, the Passat exists in automotive purgatory.
Maintenance costs trend higher than Japanese competitors, while the interior materials don’t quite hold up to the “premium” marketing. Skip the new-car smell and find one barely broken in.
11. Volvo S90
Swedish minimalism comes with maximum depreciation! The gorgeous Volvo S90 sheds approximately 36% of its value in just one year despite its safety innovations and stunning interior design.
Parts and service costs rival its German competitors without the same brand prestige.
The technology ages relatively well, but complex systems mean more potential failure points as the miles accumulate. Find a certified pre-owned model with the balance of the factory warranty instead.
12. Audi A6
The Audi A6 combines elegant design, cutting-edge tech, and a depreciation rate of approximately 35% in year one. That’s like throwing a third of your money directly into a German engineered paper shredder!
Maintenance costs climb faster than a mountain goat once the warranty expires.
The complex electronics that make it so appealing in the showroom become potential repair nightmares down the road. Wait for that first owner to take the depreciation hit instead.