I keep my vehicles a long time, so I don't care about depreciation.

Here's the deal on my 2018 XT5.

It listed for $52,000. I was able to purchase it new with 28 miles on the odometer for $42,000 from Andrews Cadillac in June 2018 because it had sat on the floor of Cool Springs Mall in Franklin/Brentwood Tennessee (the distance from the Cadillac plant in Spring Hill, TN) for 6 months behind a secure railing as an advertisement for Andrews, and the company had already taken depreciation and advertising expense on it. This lowered the price $6,000. It was still in original factory condition without any blemishes, and it was still eligible to be titled as new. Cadillac offered a $2,000 loyalty discount for existing Cadillac owners. Andrews also offered $2,000 discount for loyal customers because of my prior business with them. Cadillac had 0.99% financing, so I elected to finance it with $12,000 down in lieu of outright purchase because I typically average 12-18%/year on my investments, thus my interest expense was minimal.

My XT5 will now sell for $21,000 (maybe more), or half of what I paid 8 years ago, and I have had zero mechanical problems. My maintenance has been limited to oil changes, wiper blades, air filters and one set of tires at 45K miles, which was done somewhat prematurely because of a big rebate program offered by Michelin. The vehicle is still in tip-top condition with no blemishes in or out, and no known maintenance issues. It truly still looks showroom new.

It even has its original battery. I always carry a high-energy battery backup unit with light, 12 & 120V outlets and air compressor built in, so I can take a gamble with battery failure. A new battery is $340.

Because we do little stop-and-go driving, the brake pads do not yet need replacement, and there is no wobble/pulsating when braking due to warping of rotors, so a $460 brake job has been kicked down the road for at least another couple of years. I drive a comfortable distance behind other vehicles (i.e., no tail-gating), so I don't have to continually hit the brakes like a lot of other drivers do, and I almost never have to panic stop, so my brakes can last 60-80,000 miles. (You can always spot a tail-gating jerk in moving traffic ... you see their brake lights come on 10 or more times a minute ... I bet you do that )

Let's recap here: $20,000 in depreciation over 8 years is $2,500/year. $0 extra maintenance. Still viable for the foreseeable future, and my depreciation over the next few years will still be minimal. I will then trade my 2012 BMW X3 in for a new vehicle (probably another Cadillac SUV or maybe a Mercedes), and keep my existing XT5 as a second big vehicle. I will continue to keep my 1999 MB and 2003 BMW Roadsters forever. I may acquire a 5th sport vehicle in the near future for the fun of it ... maybe a MB convertible, used Bentley convertible, maybe a used Ferrari or Maserati. There are some really good buys at Mecum and Jackson-Barrett auctions.

A Cadillac XT5 will depreciate 57% after 5 years.

A Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 will depreciate 52% after 5 years.

A BMW X3 will depreciate 55% after 5 years.

Luxury Midsize SUVs Average 55% depreciation after 5 years.

Maintenance on a Cadillac XT5 after 3 years will be significantly lower than Mercedes and BMW.

The smart thing to do is buy a luxury SUV with lower mileage after about 3 years and keep it 5 years. The annual depreciation in those 5 years is minimal compared to the depreciation in the first 3 years.

Maintenance on a Cadillac XT5 after 3 years will be significantly lower than Mercedes and BMW. I have 2 of the 3, so I know. I have also had several MBs over the years, and the maintenance is typically much higher than a Cadillac.

You know nothing about vehicles, resale value and maintenance costs because you flip your vehicles after 2 or 3 years while they are still in warranty, so hush. Trade-ins always bring less than outright sales, and that is extra hidden depreciation.

Ta-Ta and Tootles, creep.