TOP 10 BEST VALUE HOLDER CARS

If you spend tens of thousands of dollars on a car, you want to get something back for your investment when it's over. Inevitably, the value of your car will depreciate, but you'd like it to have as much trade-in value as possible.

This doesn't just go for buying a car. When you lease a car, the amount it will be worth at the end of the lease is critical in determining your monthly lease payment price. It's called residual value, an important factor to keep in mind if you're shopping for a new car.

In a list compiled by Automotive Lease Guide, or ALG, the 10 cars expected to hold value the most over the next five years are an eclectic group (sedans and small sport utility vehicles, among others). What do these cars have in common?

Best Value Holders:

1. Volkswagen R32

MSRP: $32,990
Style: Performance
5-year residual value: 43 percent or $14,186
Engine: six-cylinder, 3.2-liter, 250 horsepower
Warranty: Basic -- 4 years/50,000 miles, powertrain -- 5 years, 60,000 miles
Special features: SIRIUS satellite radio, power glass sunroof, multi-function trip computer
Reasons it will hold value: It's a reasonably priced, low-volume car. It's a descendant/variant of the Volkswagen GTI, also known for its quality.

2. Jeep Wrangler

MSRP: $19,680
Style: SUV
5-year residual value: 42.9 percent or $8,443
Engine: Six-cylinder, 3.8-liter, 202 horsepower
Warranty: Basic -- 3 years/36,000 miles, powertrain -- lifetime limited warranty, certain restrictions apply
Special features: AM/FM radio with in-dash CD player & MP3 capability, Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System
Reasons it will hold value: It's cornered the niche market for people who like to do a lot of off-roading and has few competitors.

3. Mini-Cooper

MSRP: $18,700
Style: Hatchback
5-year residual value: 42.7 percent or $7,985
Engine: Four-cylinder, 1.6-liter, 118 horsepower
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
Special features: Four years of complimentary roadside assistance, toggle switch controls, fully electronic throttle
Reasons it will hold value: It's sporty, fuel-efficient, reasonably priced and covers a wide spectrum of customers. It also has a good reputation.

4. Scion XB

MSRP: Manual $16,370, automatic $17,320
Style: Compact station wagon
5-year residual value: 39.5 percent or $6,466(manual)/ $6,841 (automatic)
Engine: Four-cylinder, 2.4-liter, 158 horsepower
Warranty: Basic -- 3 years/36,000 miles, powertrain -- 5 years, 60,000 miles
Special features: Tachometer and trip meter, 60/40-split folding rear seat, AM/FM CD and iPod capability
Reasons it will hold value: It's relatively fuel-efficient, reasonably priced and it has more space than compacts with similar prices.

5. Honda CR-V

MSRP: $20,700
Style: SUV
5-year residual value: 39.4 percent or $8,156
Engine: Four-cylinder, 2.4-liter, 166 horsepower
Warranty: Basic -- 3 years/36,000 miles, powertrain -- 5 years/60,000 miles
Special features: XM satellite radio, Honda satellite-linked navigation system, digital audio card reader
Reasons it will hold value: It's fuel-efficient for an SUV, seats five and has plenty of storage room.

6. Toyota RAV4

MSRP: $21,500
Style: SUV
5-year residual value: 38.9 percent or $8,364
Engine: V-6, 3.5-liter, 269 horsepower
Warranty: Basic -- 3 years/36,000 miles, powertrain -- 5 years/60,000 miles
Special features: AM/FM 6-disc CD changer with satellite radio capability and MP3/WMA capability, 10 cup holders
Reasons it will hold value: By SUV standards, it's fuel-efficient. It seats five and has plenty of storage room.

7. Infiniti G35/G37

MSRP: $32,250
Style: Sedan
5-year residual value: 38.9 percent or $12,545
Engine: V-6, 3.5-liter, 306 horsepower
Warranty: Basic -- 4 years, 60,000 miles, powertrain -- 6 years/70,000 miles
Special features: XM satellite radio, tire pressure monitoring system, heated front seats
Reasons it will hold value: It's a great price for the product. The performance is similar to the BMW 335, but is approximately $8,000 cheaper.

8. Dodge Viper

MSRP: $87,460
Style: Sports car
5-year residual value: 38 percent or $33,235
Engine: V-10, 8.4-liter, 600 horsepower
Warranty: powertrain -- 3 years/36,000 miles
Special features: AM/FM stereo with CD player and CD changer, Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System
Reasons it will hold value: It's a low-volume sports car that has an exotic feel and is reasonably price compared to exotic sports cars.

9. BMW 1 Series

MSRP: $28,600
Style: Small luxury/small-family
5-year residual value: 37.8 percent or $10,811
Engine: Six-cylinder, 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
Special features: Two-way power glass moon roof, anti-theft AM/FM audio system with 10 speakers and satellite radio/MP3 capability
Reasons it will hold value: It has a very low volume and is smaller, lighter and cheaper than the BMW 3 series.

10. Nissan Rogue

MSRP: $19,430
Style: SUV
5-year residual value: 37.5 percent or $7,286
Engine: Four-cylinder, 2.5-liter, 170 horsepower
Warranty: Basic -- 3 years/36,000 miles, powertrain -- 5 years/60,000 miles
Special features: Drive computer, XM satellite radio, MP3/WMA capability
Reasons it will hold value: It's a fuel-efficient SUV and good for those wishing to downsize a bit.

SOURCE YAHOO AUTOS