ok, currently i'm driving a car with a 244hp 3.5 liter V6 engine. my lease is up this month and i'm getting another car. i have narrowed down the choices to 2.

choice #1 is a 271hp 3.5 liter V6 engine
choice #2 is a 190hp 2.4 liter 4 cylinder (do you call it a V4?)

choice #1 is what i prefer, mainly because i've already got a V6 and i'd like to stick with it. i'm afraid that going down to a 4 cylinder would be too big of a change and i won't like it. however, choice #2 is roughly $2,200 cheaper. so, i would be saving money by getting the smaller engine (obviously).

all you gear heads out there, i'd like to know just how much of a difference choice #2 is going to be when compared to the engine i have currently. is it going to be as drastic a difference as i think it is?

i plan to test drive both of them, but i'd like to know your opinions.

we are financing at 3.9% so $2,200 over 60 months is basically about $50/mo.

4/14/2009 9:36:07 AM

Quote :

"do you call it a V4?"

no b/c the cylinders are in a line.

Quote :

" all you gear heads out there, i'd like to know just how much of a difference choice #2 is going to be when compared to the engine i have currently. is it going to be as drastic a difference as i think it is?"

if you drive hard/pass people/carry friends/want to keep up with traffic, then i'd recommend getting the larger engine. if not, then don't worry about it.

it seems like your decision is based on money and not functionality. if you want the power/same lifestyle, get the v6. if you want less power and a cheaper overall cost, get the 4 cylinder.

seems like common sense.

[Edited on April 14, 2009 at 9:50 AM. Reason : b]

4/14/2009 9:46:30 AM

i'm just wondering if it's really that big a difference. 80hp doesn't seem like a huge difference, but 4 cylinder vs V6 does.

4/14/2009 10:09:19 AM

You are comparing two engines with about 30% difference in power. 80hp is quite a difference between the two.

Are option 1 and 2 the same car with different engines? Or are they two different cars altogether? 190hp is plenty for a commuter and, depending on the car, I wouldn't call it "slow." You should be comfortable merging on the highway and such.

You've got to pay to play. The question is, do you mind forking out the extra money for comfort/fun or would you rather save that money and spend it on something else?

And typically it's I4 for Inline 4.

Also, generally speaking, two engines with the same displacement will usually net similar performance. A 2.5L I4 and 2.5L V6 now days will both probably have around 200 hp. The v6 in this case has more power because it has 46% more displacement than the 4 cylinder (3.5L versus 2.4 liter). It's all about displacement.

[Edited on April 14, 2009 at 10:31 AM. Reason : .]

4/14/2009 10:24:24 AM

It's the difference between a 2009 Honda Accord EX-L and a 2009 Honda Accord EX-L V6.

Honestly, I think the bigger engine is more important to me than the money. $50/mo ain't much in the grand scheme of things. Though choosing the I4 will probably make my insurance just slightly cheaper.

I shall test drive them both. And keep you updated!

4/14/2009 10:48:08 AM

Those engines are 80 hp apart. That's a pretty big difference. Just as big a difference is the torque. The 2.4L has 162 ft-lbs of torque and the 3.5L is 254 ft-lbs. The 3.5L aught to feel a lot more powerful, especially when the car's loaded down.

The reality is the 4 cyl would do perfectly fine. You've just gotta decide if you want the nicer motor.

IMO you should buy the V6. If you buy the V6 and keep it a little longer than a leased car then it'd pay for itself...unless you have a good reason to be leasing a vehicle.

4/14/2009 10:50:46 AM

Nope, we're buying this time around. Leasing was a good option for me two years ago because it was $200/mo for a brand new Honda Accord EX V6, and I was driving a 9yr old Chevy Cavalier that likely wouldn't last much more than another year before starting to have issues.

This time around, we're married, we both make good money, and we're going to start a family in the next few years. Buying the car and paying it off in 5 years (or less) is a better option for us, because at least I know that the car will last a good 7-10 years after it's paid off. Another lease would just put me right back in this position 3 years from now.

[Edited on April 14, 2009 at 10:57 AM. Reason : .]

4/14/2009 10:56:34 AM

I'll put it this way...There are a lot more factors than just that 50 bucks a month extra. You need to compare rated fuel economy for both of them, and weigh that against how many miles you typically drive in a year. Also...the V6 cars typically cost more to insure. I've heard a lot of folks talk about how much more the V6 Accord is to insure over the 4-banger.

I wouldn't mind owning a V6 Accord, but my experience with the 4 cylinder Accord has been nothing but favorable, even from the power perspective. All said, 2200 bucks isn't really that much different, if all other factors weigh in favorably.

The 4 coupled with an automatic isn't nearly as spirited (by the seat of the pants judgment) as the 4 with a 5-speed. I know...I have an '03 with 5 speed, gf has an '07 with auto. I'll take my stick any day.

4/14/2009 11:03:07 AM

I did look at the fuel thing, and it's 31mpg highway versus 29mpg highway. Which ain't much.

I drive 14 miles roundtrip to work, 5 days a week, and it's all city roads. I stay off of 40!

I am currently insured on a 2007 Honda Accord V6, so getting a 2009 will not make my insurance go up at all, I think we figured it to be $30 every 6 months or something silly like that.

I am way too uncoordinated to drive a stick shift, so the 5-speed is out.

4/14/2009 11:06:06 AM

Decision made, then.

One more thing: if you plan on owning this car for the long haul, you really should look at projected maintenance costs. The V6 has a timing belt. The 4 does not.

4/14/2009 11:11:09 AM

Yup, I'm in it for the long haul. Hubby says if he (meaning we) spends this kinda money on a car for me, then I'm damn well gonna keep it until the wheels fall off.

Aren't Hondas generally really great in the long haul though? Compared to, say, a Ford or a Chevy?

[Edited on April 14, 2009 at 11:13 AM. Reason : .]

4/14/2009 11:12:52 AM

V6 is the way to go if you plan to keep the car over the long haul. I'd love to get my hands on the V6 with 6 speed manual.

4/14/2009 11:35:22 AM

Quote :

"Aren't Hondas generally really great in the long haul though?"

generally yes, but they have made some lemons and will fight tooth and nail to screw you over.

4/14/2009 12:23:10 PM

I drive both my Mom's '08 V6 Accord EX and my fiancee's Dad's '09 4cyl Accord a good bit.

The difference is night and day.

I have a great idea, test drive them both!

4/14/2009 12:27:05 PM

Get the v6. You know you want it. Be happy.

4/14/2009 12:27:22 PM

If you really want some fun, get the Accord V6 Coupe! Or a Nissan Maxima... 290 hp 3.5 liter V6

Quote :

"You are comparing two engines with about 30% difference in power."

That's an ambiguous and confusing statement.

The V6 has 43% more power than the I4.
The I4 has 30% less power than the V6.

4/14/2009 12:34:28 PM

Quote :

"If you really want some fun, get the Accord V6 Coupe! Or a Nissan Maxima... 290 hp 3.5 liter V6 "

haha

the Coupe is out of the question because we are going to have kids eventually and i'm not putting the kidlings in the backseat of a 2dr car.

the Maxima is SO out of the question, because sticker on that bad boy is fucking $35k at least. i saw one on the lot this weekend that was like $43k or some shit.

i can barely barely justify the $26k invoice that i'm getting on the Accord EX-L V6, so no way in hell i'm going as high as the Maxima

4/14/2009 12:38:30 PM

^^ true. My bad.

I saw a new maxima on the road. It was actually pretty cool looking.

[Edited on April 14, 2009 at 12:43 PM. Reason : .]

4/14/2009 12:42:42 PM

Quote :

"I drive both my Mom's '08 V6 Accord EX and my fiancee's Dad's '09 4cyl Accord a good bit. The difference is night and day. I have a great idea, test drive them both!"

I plan to test drive them both. And now I know it really is night and day, straight for the horse's mouth. Sorry to call you a horse.

I'll test drive them both next week!

4/14/2009 12:43:20 PM

^ Have fun and congrats on the future babies.

4/14/2009 12:47:05 PM

maintainence will be at least marginally more expensive on the V6. I haven't looked at the latest Honda 6 cylinders, but changing plugs on V6 engines for example can be much more time consuming than on 4 cylidners (and thus more labor to get it done).

4/14/2009 1:56:01 PM

Have you checked to see if it is worthwhile to buy the leased vehicle?

4/14/2009 2:45:36 PM

Well, the vehicle I'm leasing would cost me $17,500 (give or take) and I would probably get about 8% if I financed it (which I have to do). Ultimately, I don't want this car for the next 10 years, and that's what it boils down to. I've wanted leather and sunroof since I got my first car 11 years ago, and at this point in my life I can afford to get it, so that's kinda what I want to do. My car has cloth seats, no sunroof - but other than that, it's a great car. So I'm inclined to go for those two little luxury items I've never had before, and spend $texas to get them. I'm convinced that keeping the car 10-12 years will make it worth it in the long run.

That, and the 2009 Honda Accords are so much sharper than the 2007 ones.

4/14/2009 2:50:23 PM

Fair enough.

4/14/2009 2:56:09 PM

I am honestly shocked that no one has come into this thread and railed on me for one thing or another. Every time I've posted about cars in the Garage I've caught hell.

4/14/2009 2:58:30 PM

lol. Back in the day you would have had at least four people telling you to buy a RX-7 and put $13k in mods on it. Fortunately some people grew up (a little).

4/14/2009 3:01:12 PM

I'm buying an overpriced car and financing the whole thing (minus about a 20% down payment).

I'm buying a new car.

I'm turning in a lease. (Oh the humanity of leasing a car?!?!)

I'm not buying used, paying cash up front, or otherwise doing something crazy-thrifty with my cash.

Yup, I'm shocked I haven't gotten yelled at!

4/14/2009 3:06:36 PM

why not just not get a brand fucking new one and actually get all the options you want while paying less?

[Edited on April 14, 2009 at 3:33 PM. Reason : lol, just read the posts above mine...haha, good stuff]

4/14/2009 3:32:25 PM

Quote :

"lol. Back in the day you would have had at least four people telling you to buy a RX-7 and put $13k in mods on it. "

dude, that's so 90's. It's all about the c5 z06 now from what I hear .

4/14/2009 3:46:28 PM

I wish the e30 fad would come back. Those were the glory days of T-Dub. It was post e36 M3, less snobby, and more real IMO than any other era.

4/14/2009 3:50:56 PM

I would love to own an e30 325i .

There's something aesthetically pleasing about them, on top of a peppy 168hp powerplant

[Edited on April 14, 2009 at 4:26 PM. Reason : .]

4/14/2009 4:23:17 PM

actually, i was gonna say

** if you want sportiness (better throttle response and more spirited driving/handling), go for the 3.5 litre V6 Altima (also 270 hp) or the 3.7 litre V6 Mazda 6 (also 270 hp).

** if you want youthful looks and styling (exterior AND interior), the new Mazda 6 is way ahead of the other two... very aggressive/muscular and sporty looking, but at the same time gorgeous. it looks like a sports car with its bulging fenders and long wheelbase, and in profile they have made it look like a "4 door coupe" ala Mercedes CLS. comes with optional 18 inch wheels (not available on other 2). it also has the most cargo space of the 3. Altima also looks far sportier and youthful than the Accord. Accord looks like a bland traditional block, whereas the other two are streamlined wedges, with better lights and body detailing as well.
|
oh, and the Mazda 6 interior is very very nice... the center console and dash are a must-see!

** if you want the best resale value and reliability, go for the 3.5 V6 Accord.

and there is also the subaru legacy which i didn't compare.



[Edited on April 14, 2009 at 5:40 PM. Reason : ]

4/14/2009 5:26:13 PM

Or here's a better plan.... Buy used, and pay cash.

4/14/2009 5:35:49 PM

^i've been waiting all day for that

4/14/2009 5:37:36 PM

Why, because it's the intelligent response?

4/14/2009 5:38:11 PM

because it's the typical Garage response

4/14/2009 5:41:51 PM

also 0EPII1, i drove a new Altima in Denver earlier this year as a rental, and totally hated it. they've got this fucking push-button start thing. as long as the fob is in the car, you push the button and it starts. when the fob gets too far from the car, the car locks. it's fucking weird, but not in a good way. so the Altima is out.

as for the Mazda 6, i thought those were actually smaller inside than the Accords. at least, from the looks of it, they're smaller. i haven't actually looked at the specs. and i also kinda figured that the Mazda 6 was much more expensive than the Accord. but again, i haven't even looked at the specs on them to know anything about the Mazda 6. i do know it's a nice looking car, very sporty like you said. i'd consider it, if the price was comparable, if the inside of the car wasn't smaller than the Accord, and if i could get 3.9% for 60 mons.

4/14/2009 5:44:59 PM

you are giving reasons w/ out research. You aren't sure of the size or the price.

4/14/2009 5:49:28 PM

y would you pay cash now??? it's a buyers market and interest rates are lower than ever.

4/14/2009 5:50:50 PM

Quote :

"you are giving reasons w/ out research. You aren't sure of the size or the price."

isn't that what i said? i don't know how big it is on the inside, but from the looks of them, they are smaller than the Accord sedans. i also don't know the price, but recall pricing them 2yrs ago when i was looking into my Accord and found them pricier than the Hondas.

did you take your Dick Pill today?

i did a quick glance, and it looks like the higher end Mazda 6's (with all the options) are actually close in price to the Accord. i may have to test drive one of those bad boys...

[Edited on April 14, 2009 at 5:54 PM. Reason : .]

4/14/2009 5:50:57 PM

i guess no thread in the gayrage can stay clean

anyway, thumper, thanks for actually considering what i said, instead of "I SAID ACCORD, MOTHERFUCKER... WHAT PART OF ACCORD DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?", as a lot of gayragers would have.

is the Altima out just for the reason you stated? if so, that's a bit weird to me. what about the styling, interior, and performance? did you like those? and you probably rented the 4 cylinder mode, right? anyway, it is your decision.

the Mazda 6 is just as big as the Accord, with like 1 inch less head room front and back, because of its sporty roofline. otherwise, they are the same size, and actually has a bigger trunk (biggest in class), as i said before. and the price is basically the same as well. Accord, Altima, 6, and the Camry are all direct competitors, so their prices differ only by a couple to few percent from each other. BTW, i didn't talk about the Camry because it is ugly, uninspiring, and boring, not just to me, but to most young people. however, if you want the best reliability, you should go with a Camry. and if you like the looks of it, you should go drive it and see how it feels. it, too, comes with a 3.5 V6 with 270 hp.

on the mazda website, if you go to the gallery of the mazda 6, you will see one exterior shot which will definitely get your heart racing. it is of a gorgeous aquamarine type blue color, the only blue one in the gallery. check it out. looks ready to eat many german sedans in that picture... no way the Accord could ever look like that.

and there is another shot of a side profile of a red one at speed... simply amazing. then compare with the mental images of the Accord.

good luck!

4/14/2009 6:35:17 PM

see, this just looks really hot to me. that's the one i want, btw. it's got black leather interior.

Quote :

"is the Altima out just for the reason you stated? if so, that's a bit weird to me. what about the styling, interior, and performance? did you like those? and you probably rented the 4 cylinder mode, right? anyway, it is your decision."

honestly, yeah i mean, i like the way the car looks, no doubt. it was comfortable, it drove just fine (in the slush and snow of Denver in February) and you're right, it was probably the 4 cylinder. i could probably test drive one of those as well. unfortunately i've been driving an Accord for 2yrs and i really like it, so getting me to change my mind at this point might be tough.

Quote :

"the Mazda 6 is just as big as the Accord, with like 1 inch less head room front and back, because of its sporty roofline. otherwise, they are the same size, and actually has a bigger trunk (biggest in class), as i said before. and the price is basically the same as well. Accord, Altima, 6, and the Camry are all direct competitors, so their prices differ only by a couple to few percent from each other. BTW, i didn't talk about the Camry because it is ugly, uninspiring, and boring, not just to me, but to most young people. however, if you want the best reliability, you should go with a Camry. and if you like the looks of it, you should go drive it and see how it feels. it, too, comes with a 3.5 V6 with 270 hp. "

good to know about the size of the Mazda. guess I gotta test drive that too

Camry is out, but only because there are 2 people in my office who have a brand new Camry, and it's a small parking lot. i don't wanna get something they've already got, no matter how much i like it. i don't even wanna go drive it, haha.

all these test drives, gosh i don't have that much time ya'll. my lease is up (and i have to give them my car) on april 28th. and considering we are going to the wine festival this saturday, and the dealerships are closed sunday, that leaves me only one weekend to do all my test drives.

4/14/2009 6:43:39 PM

well that's gonna be one hell of a weekend!

and make sure to see that pic of the blue mazda 6 on their website as i mentioned in my previous post, and the red side pic in speed.

4/14/2009 6:50:51 PM

umm OMG...they're offering 0% financing for 36 months...well shiiiiiiit

that red one is pretty fucking sweet and i could get a spoiler!!!

i may change my mind...

[Edited on April 14, 2009 at 6:58 PM. Reason : .]

4/14/2009 6:54:43 PM

aha

so you still like the pic of the accord you posted better?

(and did you see the blue one?)

p.s. as i said earlier:

Accord looks like a bland traditional block, whereas the other two are streamlined wedges, with better lights and body detailing as well.

damn, why am i doing this for free... mazda should pay me!



[Edited on April 14, 2009 at 6:59 PM. Reason : ]

4/14/2009 6:58:17 PM

i just remembered the problem i had with the mazda 6. that bright orange glow on the dash board is fucking hideous at night my friend Trebinor had a mazda 6 years ago and those orange dash lights were terrible.

yeah the red one is hot, the blue one is hotter...they're all much sportier and sexier (can a car be sexy?) than the Accord. however, those dash lights are a deal breaker. are they always orange? can you get 'em in a different, not-so-invasive color?

4/14/2009 6:59:45 PM

hmmm... good point.

i don't know! go to mazda and ask them if they have different light colors for the instrument panel. i am curious too.

4/14/2009 7:01:44 PM

have you ever sat inside a mazda at night? as soon as i saw the pics of the interior it all came back to me. it's like having a yellow stoplight glaring in your face

4/14/2009 7:02:37 PM

i actually have, and in another car with similar bright glowing lights inside.

initially might be very annoying, but you never know if your body/mind will adapt to it in a short time. there are stimuli that are very annoying initially, but the body adapts to them quickly, and some are slightly annoying initially, but you never get used to them.

one way to find out would be to rent one for a week or two, and to take it out every night. see if you get used to it or not

4/14/2009 7:19:56 PM

i don't have a week or two

i think i'ma stick with my first choice.

4/14/2009 7:24:45 PM