Names hang on to value; MALCOLM TUMBRIDGE helps turn the tables on depreciation

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), May 21, 2008

DEPRECIATION is one of the few things that can still make grown men cry. If you have a weakness for nice cars and think your penchant will cost you dear, then think again.

Depreciation is a two-sided coin.

Turn the weakness into strength by choosing when to buy and sell your cars.

Here are three cars that suffer patchy depreciation. You can buy after a big drop and sell before the next one.

ALFA ROMEO GTV (1996-present) Great styling, performance and value. Dare to be different and get a coupe which is significantly cheaper than an Audi TT, regard it as a budget buy and you won't be disappointed.

Most economical: 2.0 - 34mpg Best used buy: 3.0 V6 Lusso lots of power and specification.

Buy from: Enthusiast Alfa seller and good independent dealers.

UsedCarExpert.com buyers checks: 10 Price: Buy a 2003 registered car with around 53,000 miles for pounds 6,700 and sell in 12 months for pounds 6,300. But keep it and see it hit just pounds 4,700-pounds 5,000 pretty quickly.

BMW 3 Series (1998-2005) Great to drive and look at with a rock solid image which continues to keep prices high. Avoid some of the base models which are under equipped and may be difficult to sell on.

Most economical: 1.8 TD - 50.4mpg Best used buy: 320d ES.

Buy from: BMW dealers for peace of mind and auction for value.

UsedCarExpert.com buyers checks: 14 Price: Buy a 2004 registered 320d for pounds 11,500 with 54,000 miles and you can keep it for up to 18 months and only lose 10% SAAB 9-3 (1998-2002) Good performance, comfortable and low prices. Lots of models to choose from including the pretty convertible. Hatchbacks are the cheap, big value buys.

Most economical: 2.2 TiD - 45.6mpg Best used buy: 2.0 Eco is quick and lots around.

Buy from: Saab specialists, private/business sellers with full histories.

UsedCarExpert.com buyers checks: 12 Price: Buy a 2005 registered Saab 9-3 2.0t for just pounds 10,100 with 49,000 miles and lose just pounds 800 over a year. Keep it two years and lose over pounds 2,000.

Depreciation and mileage source: Used Car Expert price magazine.

CAPTION(S):

GOOD RETURN - from top, the Alfa Romeo GTV O4, the BMW 3-series Y-reg, and the Saab 9-3 2001