Mazda 6, Honda Accord, Volvo S60 or Subaru Legacy?

Was on a few weeks ago looking for a car around the 23k bracket. Got lots of helpful recommendations (lots of Subaru Legacy fans around apparently). Anyway have whittled down the search to these four - hope a little bargaining and a trade in might get them near the 23k price.

Does anyone know how they'd match up in terms of running expenses, miles per gallon, and which car retains the best resale potential. I'm looking at something like a...

Honda like this...
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=393886

Or a Mazda6 like this...
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=405536

Subaru Legacy like this...
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=331786

Or a Volvo like this...
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=353130

Lex Luthor

If I had a choice I'd go for the Honda, but I'd prefer one in black and the 2.2CTDi engine

colm_mcm

I think the Volvo will get you more snob value, also it is less common than the Mazda or Honda

Sizzler

Id go for the Honda by a long chalk. Much better resale value and overall a better a car all round, great reliability and hold their value REALLY well.The ONLY thing I dont like about that model is the fact the alloys look way too small for the car.

Out of the pics you sent, the mazda looks like a farmers car with the tow bar and prob has the bollix driven out of it, the volvo aint great on looks or in the long run on the financials, and the subaru doesnt really have anything going for it IMO!

Honda wins

fletch

Personally I would go with the Honda too....Volvo looks a bit dated now IMO...Mazda just looks nasty with those wheels, Subaru design is instantly forgettable (altho admittedly the Accord aint much of a looker)....Honda is the only 2005 reg car...looks mint and has low mileage, still looks better than the Subaru, should be totally reliable

crosstownk

Have you driven the Volvo? Once you drive it you'll be convinced. I've driven the D5, 2.0T and T5. These cars are so comfortable.

No question about it - I'd pick the Volvo - I wouldn't even look at the others.

colm_mcm

the Honda may be technically brilliant, but the Volvo has some sort of indefinable class that the others lack

unkel

I'd go for the Honda. It's the only 2005 model of the four. That alone will keep depreciation at bay compared to the other three

Besides, it's already depreciated over 20% in just a year. Good for you, not for the first owner

You don't state your mileage, but if it is high(ish), you might be better off with a diesel

pburns

I bought a 2004 Mazda6 Sports Touring last year (the model you posted is the base 'Comfort' model & it's diesel). The Sports Tourers which are listed are all more than I paid for mine 12 months ago so values haven't dropped off the face of the earth...

I get mid-to-high-30s MPG from the 1.8

This is a 2.0:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=339277

Legacy would be hard on juice & was never popular here because of this & lack of a diesel version.

Like the Volvo's looks. Dunno what diesel engines are like.

Honda - the stance of the car is all wrong. Even big alloys can't fill the arches.

Borzoi

pburns wrote:

ILike the Volvo's looks. Dunno what diesel engines are like.
.

The Volvo T5 Diesel is a superb pice of kit, and the S60 is a top class car. Test drove it myself ealier in the year when I was looking at buying for myself. It was top of my list.

The Accord is alao a very nice motor, lovely spec.

Depending on the mileage your going to do, the higher it is, the more reason to go diesel. As an example, out of my old Saab 2.0T Petrol, roughly 27mpg, new Saab 1.9TDi 46mpg. And fuel isn't getting any cheaper!

Mc-BigE

Have you ruled out german cars like BMW 320d 150bhp or Audi a4/a6 tdi 130bhp these ares are now in the mid to low 20k euros depending on age.

JackieChan

Have to agree with Mc-BigE,
There are cracking 1.9tdi 130bhp Audi A4 engines.
There are quite a few coming in to Ireland from ex UK fleets.
They have better spec than the Irish ones for the money your paying and probably in better condition if you compare the roads they'd be driving on.
JC

Mc-BigE

Mc-BigE wrote:

Have you ruled out german cars like BMW 320d 150bhp or Audi a4/a6 tdi 130bhp these ares are now in the mid to low 20k euros depending on age.

No, have a 1996 Audi A4 myself and the initial thought was to get a newer model. But seems like I'd have to go back to about 2002 to stay within the price bracket and want something newer.

drdre

i would pick volvo as they are really comfortable cars.BUT do remember the maintence costs and service cost.they cost a bomb.make sure you find out before you buy one.

phoenix_nights

If you want a comfortable and reliable car which will hold its value why not got for a 94/95 E200 (W124). You can service the car yourself and it will give you many many miles of comfort.

Mc-BigE

Deleted User wrote:

No, have a 1996 Audi A4 myself and the initial thought was to get a newer model. But seems like I'd have to go back to about 2002 to stay within the price bracket and want something newer.

yeah, if you want newer than 02 than the 320d and a4 (b6/7 model) would
be more like 25-30k euros.

I sold my audi to a work friend in Jan06 and went off and found a 320d touring with 50K miles for 24K euros cash (after knocking over 1.5k off the show price)

The car drives like new and feels as solid as the day it left the factory.
to be honest anything newer will cost you and still has a lot of depreciation to do.

Anyway its up to you at the end of the day!

I lot of people trade in at 4 years because there afraid of NCT, but don't let that put you off, you can get good deals because of that.

BnA

The one bit of advice I would give you is that if you are going to go for the Volvo.... definately go the the UK.

I have had my eye on getting one (2001 ish) for a while and I've been watching prices in the UK.

For example, look at this 2004 Diesel in Car Giant. It's the same as the one you have marked in Carzone that is selling for 29k. http://www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/search3.asp?Id=264047

That will cost you about 25k in total when you have it registered and payed for boat, plane etc.... And that is buying from Car Giant who are a very good company with a good solid reputation. If you wanted to be a bit braver and tackle the Autotrader or even E-Bay, you could save another 1 or 2 grand.

jayok

Already owning two Honda's I would be biased towards the Accord. Although on first looks I actually prefer the Subaru

I've never driven the Volvo or Mazda but I did have the Accord for a long weekend where I drove from Dublin to Cork, Cork to Belfast and finally Belfast to Dublin. And I never felt tired. It is a very comfortable car and the economy returned was a, I thought, a reasonable 40 MPG (mostly motorway driving). Service interval on the Accord is every 20,000 kms (12,500 miles) and it's about €180-€200 per go. I came close to buying the Accord but I couldn't justify it for just City Driving.

But for some reason I still like that Subaru....

phoenix_nights

BnA wrote:

For example, look at this 2004 Diesel in Car Giant. It's the same as the one you have marked in Carzone that is selling for 29k. http://www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/search3.asp?Id=264047

That will cost you about 25k in total when you have it registered and payed for boat, plane etc.... And that is buying from Car Giant who are a very good company with a good solid reputation. If you wanted to be a bit braver and tackle the Autotrader or even E-Bay, you could save another 1 or 2 grand.

Not wanting to hijack the thread but BnA what exactly is CarGiant ?

BnA

phoenix_nights wrote:

Not wanting to hijack the thread but BnA what exactly is CarGiant ?

http://www.cargiant.co.uk/

Car Giant is a Used Car Supermarket outside London. They claim to have 5000 cars in stock and 2000 on display at any one time. They do their own AA type test on all their cars. They also offer warranties with most cars.

Their selection is huge and their prices are good. A good bit cheaper than most dealer prices. Maybe a small bit dearer that a private sale but a lot more peace of mind.

They have a good reputation. I have heard a lot of good reports about them and no bad ones. Two people that I know personally have bought Audi's off them (an A4 and an A6) and would happily go back again. I also know that a few people on this site have bought off them in the past as well and were very happy.

ninty9er

For me it'd be the Volvo or maybe the Honda 70:30 the other 2 don't even factor in this choice. the Mazda has hub caps ffs and the plastic on the interior is brutal.

The Volvo will depreciate more quickly, but you'll already benefit from this if buying secondhand

what about something like this: I know that it's on the top price end and is only 03 but seriously what a carhttp://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=370711What a car!!

crosstownk

D5 Volvo S60 is a great engine - if you do decide on a Volvo be aware that the petrol versions are quite heavy on petrol. I had a 2.0T Auto and it only got 300 miles to a tank!!!(urban). Motorway driving was considerably better though.

ninty9er

ninty9er wrote:

I know that it's on the top price end and is only 03 but seriously what a carhttp://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=370711What a car!!

Yeah, but have a feeling that the roads in Soth Kerry might be a bit too much for it (like Saabs, noone drives them around here because they have a rep of falling apart) and at the age of 31 I might be a bit young for the Jag and I'm guaranteed to get stick. It sure is a nice looking car, has the executive look, and the right size at 2.1 litres.

Think I'm off to look all over the place for Honda Accords tbh. Thanks for all the help folks.

ninty9er

Deleted User wrote:

Yeah, but have a feeling that the roads in Soth Kerry might be a bit too much for it (like Saabs, noone drives them around here because they have a rep of falling apart) and at the age of 31 I might be a bit young for the Jag and I'm guaranteed to get stick. It sure is a nice looking car, has the executive look, and the right size at 2.1 litres.

I know Listowel is north, but the car is for sale in Kerry. Add to this that the car is based on the Mondeo platform, making it unlikely to fall apart. (this takes the shine off slightly though)

The X-Type was designed for the younger market to compete with the A4 and IS200. I'm 19 and I'd have no problem being seen in it if i had that sort of money, but for me it's still the Volvo. Some engines are Bi-Fuel and can use LPG at around 94c a litre at the moment I think