Is it time to take Korean cars seriously?

[ZX10R NIN]

daemon said:

Subjectively, my two highest requirements were dynamically the best car (which we agree is the golf) as i was doing 25K a year and wanted to do so comfortably, and fuel economy (which again we agree is the golf) and the golf average 66mpg over the 30,000 miles or so that i ran it (brim to brim).

Like you, we have another car for fun.

So it was the correct choice for me personally.

Other peoples reasons vary but as you've just stated yourself, dynamically the golf is the best, however the Korean brands make up for their shortcomings with a longer warranty and a bit better spec.

I dont see why some people are getting in a flap about that. It is what it is.

The Focus is dynamically better than the Golf with a fit & finish there's not a lot in it economy again nothing in it.

Also we were also comparing the Optima to the Passat Octavia Insignia & Mondeo, with 19k to spend & it needing to have less than 100 miles on the clock what one would you choose & why?

I agree that everyone will want different things from their Purchase, but in reference to the OP's question I think the Koreans have arrived & should be considered as rivals to Skoda VW Ford Vauxhall Infiniti etc, yes the ownership package (warranty equipment levels service package) help but all of the above offer incentives to try to entice you from buying the base model Mercedes BMW & Audi.

As we agreed the Mondeo is the class leader with equipment & handling does that make the rest of them bad cars?

[daemon]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Focus is dynamically better than the Golf with a fit & finish there's not a lot in it economy again nothing in it.

Yup. I just cant reconcile the wheelbase of a focus. Looks too long to me.

ZX10R NIN said:

Also we were also comparing the Optima to the Passat Octavia Insignia & Mondeo, with 19k to spend & it needing to have less than 100 miles on the clock what one would you choose & why?

We've been over this. Your brother got a pre-reg car thats a year old on paper for £19,000. Theres any amount of year old (or even pre-reg if you want to be pedantic) dynamically better cars to chose from.

Unless there was some overriding reason / emotion i'd probably run with the mondeo.

ZX10R NIN said:

I agree that everyone will want different things from their Purchase, but in reference to the OP's question I think the Koreans have arrived & should be considered as rivals to Skoda VW Ford Vauxhall Infiniti etc, yes the ownership package (warranty equipment levels service package) help but all of the above offer incentives to try to entice you from buying the base model Mercedes BMW & Audi.

Yes indeed. And as i said back on page four, they currently compete by being a little cheaper, having longer warranties and better spec, to make up for dynamic shortfalls - particularly with the Optima which is probably one of the weakest cars in their range.

ZX10R NIN said:

As we agreed the Mondeo is the class leader with equipment & handling does that make the rest of them bad cars?

No, but why settle for something thats not as good?

[nickfrog]

I find recent Korean cars as reliable and as well made as the equivalent German and Japanese cars, with the bonus of longer warranties. The brokers' deals for cash are often better which negates the potential slightly worse residual performance.

[daemon]

nickfrog said:

I find recent Korean cars as reliable and as well made as the equivalent German and Japanese cars, with the bonus of longer warranties. The brokers' deals for cash are often better which negates the potential slightly worse residual performance.

You dont seem to have one in your current profile or as a previous car?

Have you recently changed?

[nickfrog]

Quite a few people at work have switched to Korean cars over the past few years from the usual VW/Ford/Whatever. Positive reports all round. I wouldn't mind a Korean car although wife is set on a CX-3.

[ZX10R NIN]

My brothers car is a 64 Plate that was registered Feb 2015 so that would make it just under 3 months old not a year old as you stated & at most a 64 plate will be 6 months old.

[sparkyhx]

daemon said:

sparkyhx said:

firstly define better car? and by who's definition.

what is important to one person is not important to another.
is it dynamics? well Golf would probably win on that,

I have said from page 4 "dynamically better". So we're in agreement, dynamically the golf is the better car.

sparkyhx said:

but how many people actually buy on that and get anywhere near exploring its limits.

The dynamics of a car are not about how fast it goes or how best it corners, its about how it drives and how it feels. Very important if you're doing big miles. No point in arriving at your destination drained or with back ache.

sparkyhx said:

Consumption - probably Golf

Subjectively, my two highest requirements were dynamically the best car (which we agree is the golf) as i was doing 25K a year and wanted to do so comfortably, and fuel economy (which again we agree is the golf) and the golf average 66mpg over the 30,000 miles or so that i ran it (brim to brim).

Like you, we have another car for fun.

So it was the correct choice for me personally.

Other peoples reasons vary but as you've just stated yourself, dynamically the golf is the best, however the Korean brands make up for their shortcomings with a longer warranty and a bit better spec.

I dont see why some people are getting in a flap about that. It is what it is.

sorry I disagree Dynamics isn't comfort, in fact quite possibly the opposite, you only have to look at the 'sporty' audi's and their quite appalling ride comfort.

I never said comfort was better in the golf - I clearly said nobody will ever know for sure unless they do a 5hr test drive.

In most instances people are buying blind when it comes to comfort.

.....but for me the Golf is a far worse car than what I've got.

otherwise you appear to agree with everything I've said.

just checked the websites - Hyundai I30 18.4k - equivalentish Golf 23k

My regular weekly return journey contains 24 left and right turns and 8 roundabouts and 420+ miles of motorway of which 130ish miles are at 50mph speed restricted. Dynamics is pretty damn low on my list.

Edited by sparkyhx on Tuesday 12th May 11:09

[ZX10R NIN]

daemon said:

ZX10R NIN said:

The Focus is dynamically better than the Golf with a fit & finish there's not a lot in it economy again nothing in it.

Yup. I just cant reconcile the wheelbase of a focus. Looks too long to me.

ZX10R NIN said:

Also we were also comparing the Optima to the Passat Octavia Insignia & Mondeo, with 19k to spend & it needing to have less than 100 miles on the clock what one would you choose & why?

We've been over this. Your brother got a pre-reg car thats a year old on paper for £19,000. Theres any amount of year old (or even pre-reg if you want to be pedantic) dynamically better cars to chose from.

Unless there was some overriding reason / emotion i'd probably run with the mondeo.

ZX10R NIN said:

I agree that everyone will want different things from their Purchase, but in reference to the OP's question I think the Koreans have arrived & should be considered as rivals to Skoda VW Ford Vauxhall Infiniti etc, yes the ownership package (warranty equipment levels service package) help but all of the above offer incentives to try to entice you from buying the base model Mercedes BMW & Audi.

Yes indeed. And as i said back on page four, they currently compete by being a little cheaper, having longer warranties and better spec, to make up for dynamic shortfalls - particularly with the Optima which is probably one of the weakest cars in their range.

ZX10R NIN said:

As we agreed the Mondeo is the class leader with equipment & handling does that make the rest of them bad cars?

No, but why settle for something thats not as good?

So you'll be telling your nan not to get a Passat then!

[Efbe]

nickfrog said:

I find recent Korean cars as reliable and as well made as the equivalent German and Japanese cars, with the bonus of longer warranties. The brokers' deals for cash are often better which negates the potential slightly worse residual performance.

I haven't heard German and Japanese reliability mentioned on a par in years!