1. The best mid-engine sports cars with low depreciation

2. Why mid-engine cars?

3. The mid-engine market overview

4. Understanding depreciation trends

5. Final thoughts

The best mid-engine sports cars with low depreciation

If you’re in the market for a mid-engine sports or supercar but don’t want to lose a fortune to depreciation, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore the cars that hold their value well and those you should avoid if resale value matters to you.

Why mid-engine cars?

Mid-engine cars offer one of the most exhilarating driving experiences, but they can also be a financial risk. Some models depreciate by over 30% per year, while others maintain their value exceptionally well. We’ll focus on the latter – the slowest depreciating mid-engine sports and supercars.

The mid-engine market overview

Mid-engine cars range from affordable options like the Porsche Cayman to high-end Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Prices start as low as €4,600 for older models and go up to €920,000 for top-tier supercars. Excluding the ultra-luxury models above €920,000, the median price for a mid-engine car is around €160,000. With 108 different models available across various generations and price points, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Understanding depreciation trends

To help you make an informed decision, we divided the mid-engine market into four price categories:

• Entry-Level: Cars below €66,000
• Lower-Middle Segment: Cars between €66,000 and €112,000
• Upper-Middle Segment: Cars between €112,000 and €208,000
• Top Tier: Cars above €208,000

Let’s dive into each category to see which models are the safest investments.

Entry-Level (Below €66,000)

Best Performers:

• Porsche Cayman & Boxster (All Generations)
• Alfa Romeo 4C
• Lotus Evora
• BMW i8
• Corvette C8 Stingray

Among these, Porsche models consistently retain their value. The 987 Cayman and Boxster models, for instance, have shown remarkable price stability. Prices for the 981 GTS even increased by 5% last year.

On the other hand, BMW i8s and Corvette C8 Stingrays continue to depreciate rapidly. If you want a value-conscious buy, avoid these models.

Lower-Middle Segment (€66,000 – €112,000)

Top Choices:

• Porsche 718 Boxster & Cayman (S, GTS, 4.0 GTS)
• Audi R8 (First-Generation V10)
• Ferrari 360 & F355
• Pre-facelift Lamborghini Gallardo

Porsche continues to dominate with 718 Boxster and Cayman models, showing minimal depreciation. The Ferrari 360 and F355 also hold their value well, making them solid choices for enthusiasts.

Avoid the Corvette C8 Stingray if resale value matters to you, as it continues to experience high depreciation.

Upper-Middle Segment (€112,000 – €208,000)

Best Value Retainers:

• McLaren 650S & 570S
• Porsche 718 GT4 & Boxster Spyder
• Acura NSX

• Lamborghini Huracán LP 580 & LP 610

While McLaren models typically depreciate quickly, the 650S and 570S have recently stabilized, making them less risky buys. The 718 GT4 and Boxster Spyder remain strong performers, along with the Acura NSX and Lamborghini Huracán, both of which show slow and steady depreciation.

Models like the Corvette Z06, Lamborghini Urus, and Maserati MC20 saw significant depreciation in this segment, making them less attractive investments.

Top Tier (Above €208,000)

Top Performers:

• Lamborghini Aventador
• Ferrari 458 & 488 Pista
• Lamborghini Huracán Evo (RWD & AWD)
• McLaren 675LT

The Lamborghini Aventador remains one of the best investments in this segment, showing almost no depreciation. The Ferrari 458 and 488 Pista also perform exceptionally well, with some models even appreciating in value. The Huracán Evo models and McLaren 675LT have also demonstrated price stability.

Models like the Ferrari SF90 and 296 GTB, however, are experiencing higher depreciation, making them less ideal if you’re concerned about resale value.

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for a mid-engine sports car that won’t lose significant value, consider the following:

• Under €66,000: Porsche Cayman & Boxster, Alfa Romeo 4C, Lotus Evora
• €66,000 – €112,000: Porsche 718 Cayman & Boxster (S, GTS, 4.0 GTS), Ferrari 360, Audi R8 V10
• €112,000 – €208,000: McLaren 650S & 570S, Porsche 718 GT4, Lamborghini Huracán LP 580 & LP 610
• Above €208,000: Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari 458 & 488 Pista, McLaren 675LT

Depreciation rates for many of these models are well below the market average of 6%, making them safer choices for value-conscious buyers. However, long-term price trends are unpredictable, so it’s always wise to research thoroughly before making a purchase.

Inspired by the analysis of our friend @fourwheeltrader. Make sure you check his other videos https://www.youtube.com/@fourwheeltrader/featured.

Are you already a proud owner of a Porsche Cayman, Porsche Boxster, Chevrolet Corvette and Laborghini? If so, check out our selection of parts for this car at the following link:

https://octoclassic.com/product-category/porsche/cayman

https://octoclassic.com/product-category/porsche/boxster

https://octoclassic.com/product-category/chevrolet/corvette

https://octoclassic.com/product-category/lamborghini

Photos sources: wallpapersafari.com, szbk.pl, caranddriver.com, Automobile, autobild.es