Car situation: which car would you get?

After my accident on Thursday, DH and I are left with a dilemma. My car is not likely totaled, but we were planning on buying a new car next year anyways, so we're thinking of just going ahead and doing that now...

Right now, we've narrowed it down to two options...

1) Buy a new accord, one of the lower level ones, and just trade in my damaged car (we got offered $1000 from VW for it, I'm hoping we could score the same deal at honda), and get the new car w/i a week.

2) Buy my step-father's 2004 volvo S60, which is coming off lease in Nov. I'd have to fix my corolla to drive in the meantime, and then would have to drive to ny to exchange the cars. The car, however, is in excellent condition, only has 24,000 miles, and all the bells and whistles. It would also likely be slightly cheaper (maybe by like $1000 or so).

Which one should I go for? My first two cars I just bought from family and friends for cash since they were used and older... I've never actually had a car payment :P TIA!

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

volvo..hands down

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

I would get a brand new car that has a warranty and not somebody's problems.

You cannot go wrong with an Accord. I've had several and they are truly the most reliable and retain their value.

Good luck.

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

Honestly, both cars are fantastic, but does the Volvo still have a warranty?

And with 24K miles on it, is the price worth it?

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

OH, and one more thing...if you went wtih the accord, since it's your first new car, don't skimp out too much. We bought a CRV LX and in all honesty, for another 20 bucks a month, we should have gone with the EX with remotes on the steering wheel and tinted windows. I regret that we didn't go for it.

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

Hmm, I'm not sure about the warranty... I think that could be worked out though since my step-dad has worked w/ this dealership several times over the last 10+ years (I believe that the new Volvo he'll be buying will be the 5th he's bought from the same guy). Bah! I hate making decisions!

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

You can buy a warranty through the dealership. I am more than likely buying my grandmother's Lexus, off lease in Nov, and we will purchase a warranty through the dealership. I think it depends on the price of the volvo. Have you looked online and compared what people are selling the same model and year with the same mileage for?

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

Well, it's already a 4 year old car even with low mileage.

I would get a new car. The Honda Accord is an excellent car.

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

Volvo by far!

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

I would go with the volvo. The age isn't important, it's the mileage. Based on the mileage, it's a 2 year old car. The first 2-3 years is when you lose most of the value. By getting the volvo, you've avoided the initial plummeting depreciation. Brand new cars can still be lemons (yes, even Hondas...). With the Volvo, you know it's reliable. Plus, you'll have more safety features on the Volvo, which is definitely worth waiting for, IMO.

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

New car.

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

Normally, I would say new car - but in this case I would go with the Volvo.
It's a better, more expensive car that you are getting for less money.
You can sell the car you have now, after you have fixed it. And selling privately will always get you more $$$ than a trade in.
Plus, you can get a new warranty or rollover the one that's already on it. It has low mileage and you know the cars history.

Volvo - hands down.

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

I would get the new car.

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

I just traded in my 8 year old Accord. Just because it was a Honda I got a really good trade-in value. I never had issues with the car and drove it for 115000 miles (and I am not the best at maintenance.) I loved my Honda but had to get a bigger car for family (I had a coupe.) I also think the new Accords sedans are roomier inside which will come in handy if you decide to expand you family. You won't have to automatically get a new car.

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

Accord

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

I'd go with the new car, the prices of both sound pretty similar and it probably will end up costing less just to get the new car now instead of fixing up the Corolla in the meantime and waiting.

Since they changed the body on the Accord as well, you can get a great deal right now on leftover '07s if you want to go that route as well.

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

That's a hard one... but I think I'd go for the new car.

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

Volvo!!

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

I just returned a Saab 9-3 off lease. It was my first and last lease. I just felt like it was wasted money and I worried over every scratch or pebble that hit it.

I actually bought a 2004 Volvo S60 AWD with 23,000 miles and I love it. It drives beautifully - even better than the Saab.

Is there ANY way that you could do without fixing up your car while you wait for your father's lease to be up? Would he consider letting you have the Volvo now, pay the last two months of the lease and then buy it from him?

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

Also keep in mind that the 4 year old Volvo will soon be out of it's initial warranty. You'll probaby have to purchase a new one soon. Then you should also consider what it will cost to maintain a Volvo. European cars are generally more expensive to maintain than Japanese cars.

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

I would get the Volvo if it were me. I know a few people with older volvos and they seem to last forever. Try www.warranty direct for an extended if the dealership won't sell you a longer warranty.

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

Re: Car situation: which car would you get?

I'd go with the brand new car - You get to choose everything to YOUR taste, and the process of getting it sounds like less of a headache than going with the volvo -

And you're buying a Honda, it's not like it's a piece of garbage !! -