YACT: Honda Accord - Mazda 6 - Volvo S40

[777php]

Sorry guys for YACT, but my GF's parents are looking for a new car and I need some opinions of the resident car experts and those who have been car shopping/buying recently.

They have a budget of around 25k and have a few restrictions. They would like it to be either a Euro car or Japanese, they have had issues with their past domestics and would like to get away from them for a while. It must have enough power to get them up a steep hill as they live at the top and .....

The biggest issue for them is safety, they prefer a car with side impact airbags and that has scored well in the safety tests. All three cars did very well in the Higway Safety Institute 40mph crash, scoring G's in every category except for the Mazda 6 and Volvo scoring A's in the head restraint area. (G > A > M > P)

Price of course is another issue, the Accord EX w/ side airbags and Mazda 6 S w/ side airbags cost pretty much the same at or around 22k, as quoted from various websites. The Volvo is in at 24k with all the same options minus little things such as moonroof and power seating. However, in the newspaper today I saw an ad for a 04 S40 for $21,500 making it cheaper than the Accord and Mazda 6.

While the S40 may be cheaper upfront will it be more expensive in the longrun? (Gas, Maintainence, Repairs) It is a European car so I'm afraid that repairs will be much more expensive than the Accord and Mazda.

Lastly, are there any alternatives to the three that I have chosen that fit the criteria? I personally like the TSX but it is too expensive and I have not yet looked at the new Camry.

For those who may have purchased any of the three cars listed how much did you pay and what options did you get.

BTW, they live in the Bay Area (East Bay)

Thanks guys

 

[edro]

Only one of those cars will last to 300,000 miles without a problem... I think you know which one it is.

 

[Chadder007]

Honda.....I think they are cheapening the S40s up for the new models about to come out.

 

[tweakmm]

That's a damn cheep price for an '04 Volvo:Q Is that how much they are going for?

edit: ok, I need to read a little more closely, it has 24k miles on it.

 

[777php]

Originally posted by: tweakmm
That's a damn cheep price for an '04 Volvo:Q Is that how much they are going for?

edit: ok, I need to read a little more closely, it has 24k miles on it.

no, it's brand new. I was surprised when I saw the price too.

 

[gunblade]

I heard that Mazda 6 got rusty easily. That alone prevents me from further considering it.

Can any owner of 6 here say otherwise ?

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: gunblade
I heard that Mazda 6 got rusty easily. That alone prevents me from further considering it.

Can any owner of 6 here say otherwise ?

that isnt much an issue considering the location...

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: Chadder007
Honda.....I think they are cheapening the S40s up for the new models about to come out.

Cheapen how? The base S40 is priced right around $25,000, which makes it a close competitor to the TSX. Just a warning, the new S40 won't be available until a bit into 2004 and is noticeably smaller than the Accord - might even be smaller than the Mazda6.

I prefer smaller cars, and for the content and exterior/interior design I would pick the S40 over the others. The C-segment platform has been getting high marks in the Mazda3 and Ford C-maxx, so I see no reason why the S4 won't rank high on the "fun-to-drive" scale.

Next I would pick the Mazda6 because of the design and content for performance. The Accord a third choice, as I find it too boring (though it's build quality and tight interior fit/finish and excellent fuel economy make it obvious why it's one of the best selling sedans in the U.S.).

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: tweakmm
That's a damn cheep price for an '04 Volvo:Q Is that how much they are going for?

edit: ok, I need to read a little more closely, it has 24k miles on it.

The ad was probably for the old model, which is getting replaced in January/February with the new platform. Base price for the new S40 will be just under $25,000.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: edro13
Only one of those cars will last to 300,000 miles without a problem... I think you know which one it is.

Not the mazda. Nor the volvo actually. 😛


Just buy an accord. Build quality is fantastic, both engines are plenty strong. If they're the kind of people who keep a car ten years, IMO that basically puts the other two cars out of the running.

The 6 is a pretty car, but build quality is just not as good as the accord. Interior is kind of cheap. As for volvo, I've seen passing evidence that their quality has gone downhill since their RWD days, which wasn't even as good as honda to begin with. My family has owned a 1988 740 volvo and a 1989 accord and the accord was built better and aged better. Also parts are cheaper and easier to find for a common car.

 

[MustangSVT]

i dont know about s40 .

but between accord and mazda6, Accord is definate winner.

Better everything, much better interior .