Supercars and super sportscars while being faster than ever these days, are also made in the greatest numbers yet. The variety to choose from is the broadest there’s ever been, too and they’re also more expensive than ever. The issue of depreciation of these cars is a thorny one, both for the manufacturers and quite obviously, those that buy them. Insurance firm Hagerty has run the numbers on the US and European markets and worked out what cars have depreciated the most and by how much. So let’s count some of them down, in order of percentages lost in the first three years.
The 10 fastest depreciating modern supercars
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Porsche 911 GT3/GT3 RS – 13 per cent
Given the cult status of the 911 GT3, we find it surprising to see it and its hardcore RS sibling on Hagerty's list of cheap second-hand supercars. Speculators, you only have yourself to blame, apparently. Inflated initial prices and the popularity/availability of the model in the following years means there’s supply that outstrips demand. The so-called “lightning in a bottle” 911 R moment had dollar signs in buyer’s eyes. If ever there were an excuse to forget about values and just go out and drive...
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Lamborghini Aventador – 16 per cent
For a pretender to hypercar status like the Aventador, would you imagine it dropping 16 per cent of its value within the first three years? Actually, according to Hagerty, yes. Top-level Lambos are no stranger to losses in their first years of life. Even now, Murcielagos can be had for under £100,000! Couple that with the fact that the Aventador is by far the most numerous Lamborghini V12 and honestly, we’re actually surprised further drops haven’t been found.
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Audi R8 V10 – 16 per cent
Honestly, in the supercar market, the Audi R8 has almost everything standing against it in terms of holding value. Relatively little model heritage, a badge that’s not so exotic and high production numbers to boot. In spite of all this, the car that on release was first described by some as ‘a big Audi TT’, drops only 16 per cent after three years according to Hagerty. They’re doing much better than some more exotic marques that have been around for 70 years or more...
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Ferrari 488 GTB – 16 per cent
Namely, a certain Maranello manufacturer that wears a prancing horse atop its snout. According to Hagerty, the Ferrari 488 GTB seems to lose 16 per cent of its purchase price within the first three years. Contrast that to the hardcore Pista variant which tended to gain over five per cent within the first year.
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Ferrari 812 Superfast – 18 per cent
The Pista gets an exception because it’s (vaguely) limited and the hardcore variant. The standard 488 gets a pass because it’s the first of the modern mid-engined cars to controversially go turbocharged. The 812, though, is the classic long-bonneted V12 Ferrari GT on full song, putting out 800PS (588kW) and revving to 9,000rpm. What’s its excuse for appearing on Hagerty's list? It doesn’t have one and still, it depreciates by 18 per cent over the course of three years.
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Mercedes-AMG GT – 20 per cent
Now we’re getting into Hagerty's big league of cheap supercars. Two Germans start and end the final five, with a trio of Brits in the middle, starting with the AMG GT. Like the R8, it’s a higher-level super sportscar with a slightly more conventional badge. It’s also built in strong numbers, in a class Mercedes hasn’t occupied before. The result? AMG GTs after three years drop 20 per cent of their value on average.
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McLaren 720S – 23 per cent
Now we’re getting into the spicy stuff. McLaren and depreciation are keywords in a few big-hitting articles over the last couple of years. Happily, the figures Hagerty has come up with for the 720S, which is, let’s not understate, still one of the very best supercars you can buy are a bit more favourable than some headlines would have you believe. In three years on average a 720S is losing 23 per cent of its value. Why McLarens depreciate like they do can be attributed to a number of reasons. Questionable reliability, its previous build-to-stock strategy, its relative newness in the road car scene. We don’t know but the cars are excellent and definitely deserve to hold their money better. That also means that second-hand McLarens are absolute bargains...
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Aston Martin DBS Superleggera – 25 per cent
As are many Aston Martins. For whatever region, this highly storied and historic marque can’t build cars that hang in there on the second-hand market according to Hagerty. The latest case in point is the DBS Superleggera flagship, following right in the footsteps of the Vanquish. One of the strategies for recovery that new CEO Tobias Moers has implemented, as reported in recent interviews, is getting rid of that same build strategy that McLaren used. Build-to-order rather than build-to-stock could help Aston up. Time will tell but for now, a DBS Coupe is dropping 25 per cent of its value in the first three years.
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McLaren 570S – 25 per cent
As is the McLaren 570S. Like its big brother the 720, it is an excellent, near class-leading supercar. Like the 720, there are questions about reliability. The difference? There are even more 570s on the market. It’s also just been discontinued, with the new hybridised McLaren Artura coming to all but take its place. What Hagerty have emphasised is that none of these early years values have any bearing on what the car’s standing in the market will be when it gets closer to classic age. Yes, 570s could be an auction darling in 30 years, there’s no telling.
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Porsche 911 GT2 RS – 30 per cent
Another very weird one. This limited-series top-end performance Porsche, the 911 GT2 RS, has lost 30 per cent after three years. Good lord, how did that happen? The answer is flippers and dealers selling cars for way over list. The lesson? Stop paying over list! As for the rest? Step away from the configurator. In reality the cars sold in Europe at the list prive have, in may cases, gained value, but Hagarty's US-based numbers come from actual sale price.
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