Automotive Forums

I am very close to signing a lease for the volvo, which is about $389/mth with $2200 down.  Not sure if thats even a great deal or not, thats with a $1000 trade in also.   Now I ended up looking at some Accords and the v6 runs about 250/mth with about $1200 down.  Both are fully packed with all options.  I had a real nice feeling about the volvo, now I'm having my doubts.  
Seems like the accord has more power 244hp to 218hp.  It's my first new car, I'm probably getting ripper off, what do you guys think?

Daoshai  

Lease pricing always mystifies me.  If all things were equal, a $30K Accord should demand a somewhat similar lease payment to a Volvo S4.  But apparently, Honda is offering deeply discounted lease payments--this is the third time I've heard of someone scoring outrageously low leasing deals on a loaded Accord.  

If you're already prepared to pay almost $400 a month to lease a car, then you can evidently afford it.  Obviously, there are plenty of decent cars you can chose that are less expensive and carry lower lease payments.  But it won't be an AWD S4.  

I guess my point is that the two cars are very different.  

The accord is bigger, softer, and less stylish.  It's also more common.  But you're right about its equipment level.  A loaded V6 Accord is richly appointed, comfortable, very quick, and even rather sporting. And you may actually find the accord a bit faster.  it's not only more powerful, but it's also lighter than the smaller S4, and isn't burdened with the extra driveline friction of AWD.

But I doubt your decision will come down to a few tenths advantage in 0-60 acceleration time.  The volvo earns its "premium" status with an excellent interior, Mazda's now-famous chassis, plenty of luxury items, and AWD.  Is it worth double the payment?  If you can afford it.  But if you want to save some money, you probably won't be unhappy with a V6 accord.  

However, have you considered something like a Mazdaspeed3, Subaru Legacy GT, or VW GTi.  All of those are very well equipped in the $30K, range, and all are very quick, sporting, stylish cars that, I think, are more exciting than the S40, as good as it is.  And in the case of the VW, $30K buys you a very loaded example, complete with VW's incredible DSG transmission.