Hi guys. I am coming from a strictly Japanese world. My Honda Accord 2005 just got stolen and I want to get another car. There has been a recent rave in car theft and the Japanese cars have been the target. I chose the VOlvo because they arent as flashy as the Toyotas and Hondas, yet they are more luxurious. Please tell me what the main differences are between the Japanese and Swede giants.
Thanks all.

Well that's a very open-ended question and hundreds of people will give you different responses, and a lot of them just as vague.

For starters, also as a previous owner of japanese only cars and coming from a family loyal to the Honda/Toyota/Acura/Lexus name (I'm the first since my dad's Dodge Dart to own something not japanese) you should have checked the theft rates. Since Japanese cars (specifically hondas) are the most purchased vehicles on the road their parts are often stolen and often so are the entire vehicles. Back when I had CarFax I would be able to give you an accurate number but if you check any car web pages database you'll see that japanese cars tend to top the list in the most unexpected ways. You expect to see Escalades, Hummers, Mercedes, or the likes up on that list (and you do) but instead you see a lot of Accords, Camrys, Integras, and Acuras.

Volvo is not nearly as often stolen because they have a long-standing image as simple, safety-boxes and therefore the demand for them is less.

Now, IN MY OPINION, as a previous japanese car owner that also switched to Volvo here are the top things that I found very very different:

1. Repair & Maintenance: These cars are not nearly as easy to work on yourself as a Honda or Toyota. There are also less mechanics out there for these swede cars, and the ones you will find are fairly expensive. Finding an honest mechanic with reasonable prices is just as hard and important as finding the perfect Volvo. Make sure you shop around for a good parts store and a good mechanic. But be wary that maintenance will be at least double what you paid for your ricer.

2. Uniqueness: This is a great thing in my opinion. One of the main reasons I chose Volvos were because it is a smaller market place. Whenever I see another Volvo driver on the road (especially an s60 or 850) I feel a small connection with them. I remember the day I decided NOT to get a honda: when one day in the parking deck of my apartment complex I stood up out of my girlfriend's Accord and counted all of the Honda's I could see without moving - eight. BMW's - three. Lexus - three. Volvo - one (850)

3. Handling and Ride Quality: Depending on the car you came from depends on the difference. Stock Volvo's tend to feel sort of like driving a small boat (only my experience with S60, S80, S40). The newer Volvos (especially S40) are getting sportier, but they tend to not feel sporty. My Accord, even though just a 4-banger, handled more like a sport car than my turbo S60. But don't let that deceive you: my S60 can get up and GO unlike that Accord could. With the right mods you can make the car feel like a sports machine - but they're not really built for that purpose. They're much more luxurious, have a softer and quieter ride. The ride quality is great - feels the same at 80MPH as at 30MPH. Unlike that Accord which bumped at 30 and felt like it would fly off the road with a good gust of wind at 80.

4. Mods: If you're big into mods the place to check out is ipdusa.com, and also volvospeed. If they don't have it or can't tell you where to get it chances are it doesn't exist. ipd has a great selection and the best mods out there, but to be straight and honest there aren't even 1/2 as many mods for Volvos available as there are just in body kits for Hondas. If you want to customize your volvo it'll take a lot more work and $$$ then would for your Accord.


5. Lifetime: I believe very strongly that Volvos are built to last longer than Hondas. BUT unlike Hondas you have to baby this swedish brick. My sister has drove her Accord over 30,000 miles with oil changes every 5k, tire rotation/balance/alignment, and nothign else. No servicing beyond that, and her car still runs great. I know my Volvo would never be able to do that. But honestly if you baby the car and take care of her you'll find she'll get you far - just look at all of the old Volvo's still banging out there on the road.

That's it for my essay....

Thanks a lot. Will put that into consideration. My problem is the part of the world I am in. I have been searching for a Volvo dealer to no avail. I guess I will have to make this site my home and be prepared to order parts when needed.

When you see a Honda, Lexus, Toyota, Nissan, Infiniti, Acura it is really hard to tell them apart from many other cars. You can also throw in the Mitsubishi, Isuzu brands into that mix. They all tend to look alot alike. When you see a Volvo you immediately know it. I was not really a Volvo fan until the 850 body style came out. After that they really started to grow on me. The S40, 60 and 80's are very good looking cars to me. I am totally in love with the C70.

I bought my S60 and subsequently the 850 (for my son) because I knew that with proper maintenance they would go forever. In closing I also agree with what rbodor said.

+1 for both of the posts, but you also have to factor in your inital concerns and that is the lack of mechs in nigeria. i am sure that if you spot another volvo in nigeria, and ask the owner where they get their cars serviced, you should be able to find support for your volvo. good luck.