V12
MB Enthusiast
No point, just useless ramblings.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using MBClub UK
Sent from my GT-I9300 using MBClub UK
That comment wasn't directed to you, but seeing as you want to have a pop I'll take it in the spirit that you took it.
You start a thread about a Hyundai - fair enough.
Someone ( me) pops his head up and says he wouldn't buy one, hardly a seismic gesture. Sure they'll be reliable, sensible, practical etc. Simply don't appeal to me.
Badge snobbery, yes, a bit. Take it you are immune to the power of branding and advertising then? You'll be wearing George from Asda and shopping at Netto whilst smelling of Brut. Perhaps.
Sanctimonious, well at that I'll take a little offence but you are mistaken if you think I give a ****.
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You clearly have no soul...
... and then there is hifi ...
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Is Kia the new Skoda ?
People were very critical of the VAG Skoda marque at first ...
People were very critical of the VAG Skoda marque at first ...
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What's your opinion of the KIA then ? That was the car the OP mentioned ...
Ted
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I had a look at one of these and found them to be a good looking and (on a cursory inspection) well made car - definitely one that I would consider.
The only problem is, that it is in a VERY competitive market, where it costs no more to run a premium car than a mainstream (Mondeo/Insignia) due to depreciation,and you have to ask what its future value would be, although DM is considering PCP/lease.
One thought....
You buy a new Mercedes tomorrow. DM buys the Optima.
When your warranty runs out, you need the reassurance of a manufacturers warranty so you buy another. The Optima is still covered.
When your second Mercedes warranty has run out, you buy your third. The Optima still has a year to run.
You really can't ignore that.
Oh, and on my Kiyundai (whatever you like to call it), I got three years servicing and first MOT for a sniff under £300. That is no outlay other than tyres/brakes etc for the next FOUR years. I don't know if this applies to the Optima, but it certainly covers C'eed/Rio etc.
There is a similar scheme for £500 for five years. Again six years cost free motoring.
The only problem is, that it is in a VERY competitive market, where it costs no more to run a premium car than a mainstream (Mondeo/Insignia) due to depreciation,and you have to ask what its future value would be, although DM is considering PCP/lease.
One thought....
You buy a new Mercedes tomorrow. DM buys the Optima.
When your warranty runs out, you need the reassurance of a manufacturers warranty so you buy another. The Optima is still covered.
When your second Mercedes warranty has run out, you buy your third. The Optima still has a year to run.
You really can't ignore that.
Oh, and on my Kiyundai (whatever you like to call it), I got three years servicing and first MOT for a sniff under £300. That is no outlay other than tyres/brakes etc for the next FOUR years. I don't know if this applies to the Optima, but it certainly covers C'eed/Rio etc.
There is a similar scheme for £500 for five years. Again six years cost free motoring.
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My experience of Kia cars is limited to a rental Picanto in Spain just over 4 years ago, and riding in my cousin's 5-door hatch (can't remember the model ID there, but it's basically the C'EED over here) in Canada last year. I was impressed by both.
The Picanto was brand new when I picked it up and very tight, but roughly 1,000km later and it had loosened up nicely and it was a pleasant enough drive. If I was in the market for a small car of that type I'd give it serious consideration.
Its difficult to tell what a car's really like from the passenger seat, but my cousin's car seemed pretty good too. The general standard of trim fit and finish was good, although perhaps not quite up there with the best, but for someone who wants a trouble-free car as transport rather than a personal style statement, it struck me as making a good deal of sense with its low initial purchase price and long warranty.
European manufacturers really should pay attention to what's on offer from both Kia and Hyundai. They underestimated the threat from Japanese cars in the 1960's and 1970's and look where that lead.
The Picanto was brand new when I picked it up and very tight, but roughly 1,000km later and it had loosened up nicely and it was a pleasant enough drive. If I was in the market for a small car of that type I'd give it serious consideration.
Its difficult to tell what a car's really like from the passenger seat, but my cousin's car seemed pretty good too. The general standard of trim fit and finish was good, although perhaps not quite up there with the best, but for someone who wants a trouble-free car as transport rather than a personal style statement, it struck me as making a good deal of sense with its low initial purchase price and long warranty.
European manufacturers really should pay attention to what's on offer from both Kia and Hyundai. They underestimated the threat from Japanese cars in the 1960's and 1970's and look where that lead.
I have an '06 plate Picanto auto and it has been an excellent little car. It bears comparison with 1970's/80's Japanese cars I think as it certainly does not have the most luxurious finish, but it has that same feeling of 'unburstability' of old school Japanese stuff. Yes, it is a bit squeaky/rattly, but it just goes. Since new, it has had the switch for the electric mirrors replaced.....and that's it. The autobox (a Jatco unit) is much smoother than my E280 and previous E220 - like the rest of the car, it just works and does what it says on the tin.
Even when it was new, my older model Picanto felt like it was a generation behind the European offerings. I've not looked closely at the new Picanto, but by all accounts, it is now up there with European standards and is a serious rival to the mainstream makers in dynamic terms as well as price.
Even when it was new, my older model Picanto felt like it was a generation behind the European offerings. I've not looked closely at the new Picanto, but by all accounts, it is now up there with European standards and is a serious rival to the mainstream makers in dynamic terms as well as price.
grober
MB Master
A couple of video reviews.
Kia Optima Saloon Video Review What Car?
Kia Optima saloon video | CarBuyer
plus Autocars Review
Kia Optima Review | Autocar Their verdict:-
The Kia Optima is not a bad car – it is endowed with enough quality in the looks, practicality, economy and affordability departments to earn admirers – and were it segregated from our top five in this category, it would appear more than adequate for its role. But as a newcomer to an already overdeveloped arena, the Optima just doesn’t feel up to standard across the board.
Deficiencies in refinement, interior finish and ride may not frustrate all of its potential buyers, but to anyone familiar with the household models from Europe and Japan, they will rankle as issues already exorcised by most of its rivals.
With an agreeable price, satisfactory performance and abundant equipment, the Optima will delight some company car devotees, but ultimately Kia has produced another moderately pleasant also-ran rather than a class-leading competitor.
Kia Optima Saloon Video Review What Car?
Kia Optima saloon video | CarBuyer
plus Autocars Review
Kia Optima Review | Autocar Their verdict:-
The Kia Optima is not a bad car – it is endowed with enough quality in the looks, practicality, economy and affordability departments to earn admirers – and were it segregated from our top five in this category, it would appear more than adequate for its role. But as a newcomer to an already overdeveloped arena, the Optima just doesn’t feel up to standard across the board.
Deficiencies in refinement, interior finish and ride may not frustrate all of its potential buyers, but to anyone familiar with the household models from Europe and Japan, they will rankle as issues already exorcised by most of its rivals.
With an agreeable price, satisfactory performance and abundant equipment, the Optima will delight some company car devotees, but ultimately Kia has produced another moderately pleasant also-ran rather than a class-leading competitor.
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I must say that some of the Kia"s pass a striking resemblance to Saab's
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Except they are still being made...
And if you swapped the KIA badge for a Saab one and kept everything else the same they would sell very well.
For now the thing that will hold them back in badge snobbery and I am sad to say that its that fact that would stop me buying one, if I was looking for a car in that market sector.
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