Used car prices skyrocketed in 2021 amid supply issues causing manufacturers to lower production of new vehicles. Wholesale prices have dropped in 2022, but many used cars are still being sold to customers at high prices. iSeeCars analyzed millions of used cars sold in 2022 and determined the models with the lowest depreciation over the last three and five years. 

Over the past five years, the national average depreciation has been 33.3% across all models. However, sports cars have seen less depreciation, according to the data, at just 22.6%. “We saw prices jump for sports cars after the lockdowns began, and they maintained their strong original value even as restrictions were lifted,“ said Karl Brauer, Executive Analyst for iSeeCars. Within the sports car segment, four models stand out by depreciating less than the average.

Porsche 911

Forget the sports cars segment; the Porsche 911 is one of the best vehicles for holding its value, period. Only two vehicles had lower depreciation figures over five years than the 911 in iSeeCars’ study: the Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. The 911’s average depreciation is just 14.6% — less than half of the national average. Over just three years, the 911 is one of a handful of models in the study to actually appreciate in value.

Due to a higher starting price, that low depreciation rate does correlate with a big drop in dollar value. iSeeCars’ data shows an average of $20,634 lower than the original MSRP. However, it’s one of the more reliable sports cars to buy. Data from Car Complaints shows just a handful of problems reported over the last decade.

Subaru BRZ

The Subaru BRZ may not have the long-term pedigree like the other models on this list (considering it debuted in 2013), but it stands out as one of the best sports cars for low depreciation. iSeeCars’ study shows an 18.9% drop in value over five years, the sixth-best figure in the study and nearly half of the national average. 

The BRZ has a reputation as an affordable sports coupe that’s a lot of fun behind the wheel. TrueCar rated it the second-best coupe for the money, and Edmunds named it the best sports car of 2022. That low depreciation also saw one of the smallest changes in dollar value compared to the original MSRP at an average of $5,985.

Ford Mustang

The iconic muscle car has been an integral part of the sports car segment for over 60 years. Additionally, it’s one of the best at keeping its value. The iSeeCars study shows just a 19.4% depreciation rate over five years on average. That means an average drop of $7,528 compared to the original MSRP for Mustang models after five years. The 2022 Mustang starts at $27,470, according to Ford, making it one of the more affordable sports cars. With good reliability ratings from the likes of RepairPal, the Mustang holds its value well over five years. 

Chevrolet Camaro

One of the Ford Mustang’s biggest rivals, the Chevrolet Camaro, is another excellent option for low sports car depreciation. The average five-year depreciation for a Camaro is 20.2% — still below the segment’s average and much lower than the national average. With a lower starting MSRP like the Mustang, that low depreciation means the average Camaro lost just $7,981 in dollar value over five years. That’s just over half the national average of $14,049.

Which sports car holds its value the best?

Overall, demand for sports cars has remained high despite the pandemic affecting automakers across multiple segments, according to HotCars. Many luxury and performance brands were better equipped to withstand supply issues, delays, and chip shortages. Regarding maintaining value, the 911 is the best for sports cars but comes at a higher starting price. If the starting price is a concern, the BRZ and Mustang are great value options.