Is it time to take Korean cars seriously?
Discussion
I do find Kia and Hyundai quite fascinating because I can think of few other manufacturers where you can look at a car and quite so blatantly find yourself thinking "1-Series read end" and "Golf bonnet" etc.
There's nothing wrong with them so I'm not really sure what there is to "take seriously", they're not my cup of tea but I'm boring and drive a Golf (and not even a cheap R on a lease) - but I wouldn't look down on them compared to similar priced Fords/Vauxhalls/Nissans/Toyotas etc.
There's nothing wrong with them so I'm not really sure what there is to "take seriously", they're not my cup of tea but I'm boring and drive a Golf (and not even a cheap R on a lease) - but I wouldn't look down on them compared to similar priced Fords/Vauxhalls/Nissans/Toyotas etc.
GreenArrow said:
I was at a motorshow in Bournemouth yesterday and sat in a lot of mainstream cars, including plenty of Kias and it really opened my eyes to how far the Koreans have come. In terms of build quality and interior ambience, there is really little to separate Kia from Skoda, Ford, Vauxhall, Nissan etc. In terms of styling, I'd say the current Kia range is a lot more pleasing on the eye than most of the French stuff and plenty of Ford, Vauxhsll, VAG and Jap cars. I didn't get a chance to drive anything but cant imagine there's much in it on the road either, but I doubt many people on here would seriously consider anything Korean. When you look at the Honda, Toyota and Nissan ranges you could argue that Kia have a stronger line up for family buyers than the big Jap firms so I believe the Koreans might even overtake the Japanese as the big volume far east players. However, its got to be said that they don't YET build many sporty cars, the Pro'Ceed GT being the only thing remotely hot hatish. So do you think that's all it needs now, an investment in range topping drivers cars and then we will all take them serious?
Typically they're not "best in class" (or usually anywhere near it), but they make up for that with extended warranties, better spec and some quite pleasing designs.I guess you pays your money...
I don't really see the point in them:-
(1) Not much cheaper than the best in class cars (once you take into account residuals).
(2) Poor engines (in almost every case).
(3) Dull as f
k.
A petrolhead wouldn't buy one for the pleasure of driving it; and the average steering wheel operative just wants a nice badge.
(1) Not much cheaper than the best in class cars (once you take into account residuals).
(2) Poor engines (in almost every case).
(3) Dull as f
k.A petrolhead wouldn't buy one for the pleasure of driving it; and the average steering wheel operative just wants a nice badge.
They have their place. I think we'll be enthusiastically greeting some Korean metal in the way many people didn't predict we would about Japanese cars.
I don't think I'd buy a ProCeed GT though. Good first try, but it's too expensive to buy one over a Fiesta ST and too impractical/heavy/slow to see off a Focus ST. Unless they're very cheap second hand, I don't see what attracts people.
EDIT: I've just realised there is a Ceed GT (ie 5 door) too. Now that might make sense to some... Not sure it's my cup of tea but I'm surprised they're not pushing that more given the trend towards 5 door models elsewhere in the hot hatch sector.
I don't think I'd buy a ProCeed GT though. Good first try, but it's too expensive to buy one over a Fiesta ST and too impractical/heavy/slow to see off a Focus ST. Unless they're very cheap second hand, I don't see what attracts people.
EDIT: I've just realised there is a Ceed GT (ie 5 door) too. Now that might make sense to some... Not sure it's my cup of tea but I'm surprised they're not pushing that more given the trend towards 5 door models elsewhere in the hot hatch sector.
Edited by blearyeyedboy on Sunday 3rd May 16:18
daytona365 said:
Go back forty odd years, and people were saying. Is it time to take Japanese cars seriously?......Actually they weren't even that polite !
Forty years ago it WASNT time to take japanese cars seriously. They had terminal rust and were quite naff.They were quick learners though. As are the Koreans.
Wouldnt rule one out in the future, just the current crop isnt for me.
The leaps that Korean manufacturers have made in the last 10 years, should properly put the wind up more established brands if they are half sensible.
Whilst I'm not quite at the point of taking them seriously as a "driver's car" quite yet, I doubt it's that far away. Kia are producing some very good looking cars at the moment and whilst residuals are low now, give it a few years as people start to notice their build quality and the silly length of warranty and I predict that the gap will start to lessen to the mid range Euro and Japanese manufacturers.
Good looking cars sell, no matter what the dynamics, Kia are producing some crackers at the moment and if they bring out their concept and show cars without too much mucking about, then I imagine we'll see hordes of the things out there.
Whilst I'm not quite at the point of taking them seriously as a "driver's car" quite yet, I doubt it's that far away. Kia are producing some very good looking cars at the moment and whilst residuals are low now, give it a few years as people start to notice their build quality and the silly length of warranty and I predict that the gap will start to lessen to the mid range Euro and Japanese manufacturers.
Good looking cars sell, no matter what the dynamics, Kia are producing some crackers at the moment and if they bring out their concept and show cars without too much mucking about, then I imagine we'll see hordes of the things out there.
If anyone comes to the Haynes museum breakfast club next month, Ill let you check out/sit in my 2013 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 coupe I just brought over from the U.S. You will not even think you are in a Korean car. Its that good (350 bhp, RWD and an 8 speed paddle shifted transmission does not hurt either)
Here is mine last winter before I dropped it off at the port
Here is mine last winter before I dropped it off at the port
Edited by fivepointnine on Sunday 3rd May 17:40
ZX10R NIN said:
If they brought the Genesis Coupe over I think they'd be taken more seriously I drove one in the states & have to say it handled & went well, pricing would be the key though.
Agreed, If they brought the Genesis and Genesis coupe over here I have a feeling the price would swell to where you could almost get an Audi A5/A6 or the like for about the same amount.I like them so much that we have two!
Are they performance/drivers/petrolhead cars? No of course they aren't but I don't think they are trying to be. I have bikes for speed/thrills etc.
What they are, to us at least, is well priced, well equipped, comfortable and cheap to run. Never been below 50mpg in either of them. Main uses for both are commuting, general running about.
We bought two brand new. They've done 40k between them so far and running costs are..
Road tax nil, servicing nil (three years free, along with seven years warranty). Breakdowns nil. One is almost ready for 2 tyres and that'll be the first expense other than fuel. Compared to the VAG group cars we had before it's a huge improvement. I'd certainly buy another.
Are they performance/drivers/petrolhead cars? No of course they aren't but I don't think they are trying to be. I have bikes for speed/thrills etc.
What they are, to us at least, is well priced, well equipped, comfortable and cheap to run. Never been below 50mpg in either of them. Main uses for both are commuting, general running about.
We bought two brand new. They've done 40k between them so far and running costs are..
Road tax nil, servicing nil (three years free, along with seven years warranty). Breakdowns nil. One is almost ready for 2 tyres and that'll be the first expense other than fuel. Compared to the VAG group cars we had before it's a huge improvement. I'd certainly buy another.
DuraAce said:
I like them so much that we have two!
Are they performance/drivers/petrolhead cars? No of course they aren't but I don't think they are trying to be. I have bikes for speed/thrills etc.
What they are, to us at least, is well priced, well equipped, comfortable and cheap to run. Never been below 50mpg in either of them. Main uses for both are commuting, general running about.
We bought two brand new. They've done 40k between them so far and running costs are..
Road tax nil, servicing nil (three years free, along with seven years warranty). Breakdowns nil. One is almost ready for 2 tyres and that'll be the first expense other than fuel. Compared to the VAG group cars we had before it's a huge improvement. I'd certainly buy another.
Great cars for that kind of purchaser - a sane one. But people like you are in the minority!Are they performance/drivers/petrolhead cars? No of course they aren't but I don't think they are trying to be. I have bikes for speed/thrills etc.
What they are, to us at least, is well priced, well equipped, comfortable and cheap to run. Never been below 50mpg in either of them. Main uses for both are commuting, general running about.
We bought two brand new. They've done 40k between them so far and running costs are..
Road tax nil, servicing nil (three years free, along with seven years warranty). Breakdowns nil. One is almost ready for 2 tyres and that'll be the first expense other than fuel. Compared to the VAG group cars we had before it's a huge improvement. I'd certainly buy another.
Most buyers will happily pay £300 per month for eternity to drive an awful but new VAG/BMW every 3 years.
They certainly want to be taken seriously.
I sell Fords but we have a Kia franchise in the same showroom. I drove the new Sorento last week for about 60 miles and it really is very good, it was top of the range and has £41,000 price tag which IMO is a hell of a lot for a Kia. Certainly quite, comfortable and has some great tech though!
I sell Fords but we have a Kia franchise in the same showroom. I drove the new Sorento last week for about 60 miles and it really is very good, it was top of the range and has £41,000 price tag which IMO is a hell of a lot for a Kia. Certainly quite, comfortable and has some great tech though!
rehab71 said:
They certainly want to be taken seriously.
I sell Fords but we have a Kia franchise in the same showroom. I drove the new Sorento last week for about 60 miles and it really is very good, it was top of the range and has £41,000 price tag which IMO is a hell of a lot for a Kia. Certainly quite, comfortable and has some great tech though!
I think pricing is a huge problem.I sell Fords but we have a Kia franchise in the same showroom. I drove the new Sorento last week for about 60 miles and it really is very good, it was top of the range and has £41,000 price tag which IMO is a hell of a lot for a Kia. Certainly quite, comfortable and has some great tech though!
Sensible private car buyers would look at that money and think of the second hand car that they could get! And the idiot car buyer just wants a badge to show off.
I think a Korean car would be perfect for most drivers, but they would never buy one
telecat said:
Major problem is that they are priced too close to established Middle market cars that do deliver. Cheaper an you'd be there.
And therein lies the problem. When you can sell cheap cars cheap, thats one thing, but when they upped their game to compete with quality with the mainstream brands then lo and behold, your car costs you more to build therefore you have to charge more.So their USP now is longer warranties and better spec.
daemon said:
telecat said:
Major problem is that they are priced too close to established Middle market cars that do deliver. Cheaper an you'd be there.
And therein lies the problem. When you can sell cheap cars cheap, thats one thing, but when they upped their game to compete with quality with the mainstream brands then lo and behold, your car costs you more to build therefore you have to charge more.So their USP now is longer warranties and better spec.
kiseca said:
daemon said:
telecat said:
Major problem is that they are priced too close to established Middle market cars that do deliver. Cheaper an you'd be there.
And therein lies the problem. When you can sell cheap cars cheap, thats one thing, but when they upped their game to compete with quality with the mainstream brands then lo and behold, your car costs you more to build therefore you have to charge more.So their USP now is longer warranties and better spec.
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