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ecoXplorer is edited by Evelyn Kanter, a professional journalist with more than two decades of experience as magazine and newspaper writer and photographer, radio and television news producer and reporter, and guidebook author and editor -- all focusing on travel, automotive, lifestyle, the environment, and your rights as a consumer.
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 Toyota and Lexus brands offer best resale value according to KBB How much a vehicle costs when you buy it or lease it is just one part of the equasion. You also need to factor in how that vehicle rates for operating costs, maintenance costs and resale value. Since depreciation – or loss of value — is typically a car buyer’s biggest cost expense during ownership, you should consider the resale price after the typical ownership period of two years to five years.
Your new car typically loses around one-third of its value the moment you drive it off the dealer lot, meaning that a $50,000 new car today will only be worth just around $17,750 after five years. Some models and manufacturers hold their value better than others, based on supply and demand, as well as current and projected future market conditions and continued buyer interest. According to Kelley Blue Book, these 2012 cars retain the best value — and the highest resale price — after a period of ownership–
2012 best resale value overall by brand is Toyota, and the 2102 best resale value for a luxury brand is Lexus
2012 BEST RESALE VALUE BY VEHICLE CATEGORY
- SUBCOMPACT CAR: Honda Fit
- COMPACT SUV: Jeep Wrangler
- COMPACT CAR: Honda Civic
- MID-SIZE SUV: Toyota FJ Cruiser
- MID-SIZE CAR: Toyota Camry
- FULL-SIZE SUV: Chevrolet Traverse
- FULL-SIZE CAR: Nissan Maxima
- LUXURY SUV: Audi Q7
- NEAR-LUXURY CAR: Lexus IS
- HYBRID SUV: Lexus RX 450h
- LUXURY CAR: Audi A5
- MID-SIZE PICKUP: Toyota Tacoma
- SPORTS CAR: Chevrolet Camaro V-6
- FULL-SIZE PICKUP: Ford F-Series Super Duty
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE CAR: Chevrolet Camaro SS
- VAN: Honda Odyssey
- HYBRID CAR: Honda Civic Hybrid
- WAGON: Subaru Outback
- ELECTRIC CAR: Chevrolet Volt
List of top ten 2012 best resale value cars on next page
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The upcoming 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show is the biggest in years, with more than 50 North American and world debuts of new cars, SUVs and trucks.
 Green cars star at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto The intros show that the auto industry continues to be a surprise bright spot in the overall economy. Green cars, including electric cars, diesel cars and extended range hybrids are the big news, along with improved performance and design and decreased carbon emissions.
Fuel efficient, powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engines — The 2011 LA Auto Show includes nearly 20 highly-efficient, 40-mpg-plus vehicles, using internal combustion engines, including the world debut of the Chevrolet Spark. There’s a true renaissance underway for advanced four-cylinder engines, including turbocharged, which are becoming the fuel efficient choice for buyers and automakers, especially in the hotly contested small crossover segment, which features head-to-head competitive world debuts of the all-new 2012 Ford Escape and redesigned 2012 Honda CRV. Mazda also has a new entry in this category with the North American debut of its all-new 2012 CX-5 crossover.
 Concept cars at the 2011 LA Auto Show New electric cars — There’s also a garage full of new plug-in electric vehicles making their debut, including Mitsubishi’s all-electric i, the Ford Focus Electric, BMW’s i3 Concept, and an import from Croatia, the DOK-ING XD, which go on sale in North America with the 2012 models. Plus, of course, the award-winning Nissan Leaf all-electric and extended range hybrid electric Chevrolet Volt, already on the road, along with the CODA electric sedan.
Hybrids — Hybrids and plug-in hybrids continue to grow and highlights at the show include the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, the new Honda Civic Hybrid and the updated Honda Insight Hybrid. BMW will also have its groundbreaking, i8 plug-in hybrid sports coupe concept.
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The all-new 2012 Hyundai Veloster is a three-door, front-wheel-drive sporty hatchback that delivers up to 40 mph on the highway, 29 mpg in city driving, priced from $17,300 for the six-speed manual and $18,550 for the six-speed EcoShift dual clutch automatic transmission.
 Best 2012 cars under $20,000: Hyundai Veloster The 2012 Veloster shares a platform with the Hyundai accent compact sedan, but the similarity ends there. The Veloster cranks out 138 hp from its 1.6 liter direct injection engine GDI Gamma engine, which promises sporty, reponsive handling. There’s even an add-on ‘style’ package that enhances the performance feel with alloy pedals and a leather-wrapped steering wheel annd shifter knob, sunroof and foglights.
 The Veloster delivers 28/40/32 mpg with the six speed manual and 29/38/32 mpg with the DCT.
That’s a lot of car for a little money, and Hyundai expects it to put a crimp on sales of the Honda CR-Z, Scion tC, Mini Cooper, the redesigned 2012 VW Beetle, and the all-new 2012 Fiat 500, its major competitors in size, price or both.
In this digital age, buyers expect to be connected all times, even in a new car under $20,000, so Veloster comes standard with a multi-function seven-inch touch-screen display, technology with voice recognition and Pandora internet radio capability. The tech package option offers a back-up camera and automatic headlights.
Other best 2012 cars under $20,000:
See the next page for equipment highlights for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is GM’s newest addition to what’s called the 40 Plus mileage club. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic delivers an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway, it’s fun to drive, and has a starting price of just $14,995. No wonder sales of this well-designed subcompact are booming. Also, it just happens to [...]
Even the top-of-the-line fully loaded 2012 Toyota Yaris is under $20,000, and will save you money while you drive it, since it gets an estimated 30 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.
2012 Toyota Yaris: best buy new car under $20,000
Safety features — Equally important, the all-new Yaris is loaded with safety [...]
2012 Scion IQ a best buy under $16,000
Pardon the pun, but the 2012 Scion IQ is a smart buy. This feature loaded premium micro-subcompact four-seater starts at just $15,265.
The Scion iQ is only 10 feet long, making it the world’s smallest four-seater, but it’s big on safety and technology — including [...]
Until now, car makers have introduced new models at the world’s major auto shows, Frankfurt (September), Los Angeles (November), Tokyo (also November) Detroit (January), Paris (February) and New York (April), to headlines from gathered media, followed by crowds of the car buying public. Lexus and Infiniti are breaking the mold by introducing two important [...]
2012 Nissan Versa is least expensive car in North America at $10,990
The 2012 Nissan Versa is the least expensive car in North America, with a starting price of just $10,990 MSRP and a budget-saving fuel economy of 33 mpg combined city/highway. Now that I have your attention –
The 2012 Nissan Versa [...]
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Where’s Evelyn? March 2012
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February 2012
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January 2012
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In 2011
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Los Angeles Auto Show
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