Top 10 vehicles with highest resale value

"You need to balance the supply with the demand and have a lot of discipline with the pricing," he says. "Producing too many cars and creating an environment where you have to discount the vehicles is the single biggest thing that's going to erode your residual values."

All of those precepts of value retention apply very clearly in our ranking.

None of the top 10 models are overproduced. In fact, quite a few are offbeat, unique and even limited in supply. For instance, the Volkswagen R32 is a limited edition of the Rabbit, of which only 5,000 will be sold in the United States for 2008.

Even less exotic models on our list, like the, Mini Cooper, Jeep Wrangler, Scion xB and Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible are specialty models in their own right. They might not be scorching performers or ultra-rare, but they are offbeat enough to be in shorter supply than the average vehicle. The same goes for the Honda Civic Hybrid, which is produced in far fewer numbers than the conventional Civic.

Cars like the BMW 1 Series, Infiniti G37 and Mini Cooper reach their pinnacle positions by a combination of brand reputation and desirability, Blair says. "The 1 Series is another example of a nicely styled vehicle with good driving characteristics."

For the little Cooper, fuel-efficiency currently gives a boost to resale value, says Andrew Cutler, a spokesman for Mini. The Environmental Protection Agency rates the base Mini Cooper at 28 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

What's more, Mini tries to create an engaging brand experience that makes owners feel like members of a special club. Cutler calls it "an expressive brand personality."

"They then tell their friends how cool it is and invite them to join the club," he says. "This brand experience, coupled with the car's performance, safety and efficiency, keeps customers engaged for a longer period of time than has been seen with other niche vehicles."

No matter how unique, reliable or appealing a vehicle is, the resale value of a particular model always depends on its condition. Even if you don't buy one of the top 10 performers, you can maximize the worth of your car by keeping it in optimal condition.

Michael Calkins, manager of the approved auto repair program for AAA, stresses the importance of routine maintenance and following manufacturer recommendations. "Keep all service and repair records as proof of maintenance when it comes time to sell the vehicle," he says.

And don't underestimate the importance of seemingly small measures, liking washing a vehicle regularly and waxing it twice a year to protect the finish. These work cumulatively to help preserve a car and thus enhance its second-hand value. "Keep the interior clean, and vacuum it regularly to prevent grit from wearing the carpets," Calkins says. "Use floor mats to protect the carpets, including special winter mats in climates where they are justified."

A garage helps prevent sun and weather damage, but if you must park outside regularly, he recommends a protective cover and window tinting, especially in the south.

"Park in places and ways that will help prevent door dings, and have a paintless dent repair technician periodically remove the dings that are bound to happen anyway," Calkins says. "Run your air conditioning at least five minutes every month, even in winter, to circulate lubricant and keep the seals in good shape. Use your parking brake regularly to prevent its cables and mechanisms from seizing."

Whether you own or plan to buy one of the top value-holders on our list or some other vehicle, the effort invested in the little stuff day-to-day will be rewarded when it comes time to sell.

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