Kia Soul, what do you think?

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by ryank

I like it. I'll never buy Korean again though, my 2007 Hyundai Accent hatchback FTL.

I'm surprised to hear you say that... I had a 2003 Elantra GT hatchback for two years that I bought new -- until it was totaled by a red-light-runner. I still miss it a lot... it had EVERYTHING... leather, keyless entry, alarm, moonroof, alloy wheels, foglights, etc... it was cheaper than my Yaris and a lot more fun to drive, especially on the twisties! It handled the curves like it was on rails!

[33OH]

My '07 Accent altogether was around $15,000 for the base model with A/T.

My '08 Yaris was $12,300 and is basically base model, but has more features than the Accent.

The Accent handles horribly, accelerates slowly, gets about 25-30 MPG highway, and is just overall a bad car. But then again, I'm the one who bought it.

[kustom play]

they have a comparison test in this months motor trend

it compared the XB2, Soul, and the Nissan Cube

the XB2 came in 1st the soul 2nd and the cube 3rd

but its based on like 18 year old and college grad into to car buying so the placing seems a bit off due to there opinions

[A-tron]

When i first saw the comercial i was like hey this could be kinda neat. BUT.... then i saw it for my self at the kia dealer in town here. Terrible. It looks like the animal that was driving it on tv. Ever time i see the thing now all i think about is, Fuzzy brown and white bugg-eyed things scampering down the road.

[roxy1]

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...kia-soul_N.htm

" though there's a major minus — the drivetrain. The 2-liter engine roars and thrashes, even when not asked for much response. The four-speed automatic jerks on many shifts. The manual box is a bit sloppy moving from gear to gear."

ive driven the kia rio and it suffers from the same harsh engine and absolutely nightmarish manual shifting feel.

as i expected, the most fuel efficient version (1.6) is rated 26/31 mpg. the 2.0 is rated at 24/30. but if the 2.0 "roars and thrashes, even when not asked for much response" the 1.6 must be even more anemic. kia (and hyundai) just arent quite there with their drivetrains regarding refinement and efficiency.

if i wanted something of this general ilk, i dont know why i would consider this over the scion xd, or even moreso the nissan cube.

[Ferret_san]

From a style perspective, I love the design.

From a construction perspective being Kia.... pass.

If it is priced as a 'throw away' product then I'm sure it will have a market.

Not something I'd be wanting to buy on the second hand market or keep after warrenty is finished.

[texkid]

I don't know now. I took my wife's Isuzu in for service. Well, the dealership shares with the KIA dealers and so they have the new KIAs rolling around. I personally checked out the SOUL while the Isuzu was getting worked on. Yeah, the manual feels pretty sloppy. Like I would have a harder time getting used to its clutch than I did with my Yaris. The auto-tranny was MUCH smoother with a decent response. I mean, lets face it, its KIA (Hyundai). It is definitely doable car. If I never found the Yaris, I would probably given that car a chance.

Here's the scoop: It has ABS, traction control, bluetooth, MP3 jack & USB, variety of standard alloy rims, power windows/doorlocks, and option for moon-roof.

The car I was looking at had all those features for $1,000 more than what I paid for my car that ONLY has a MP3 connection. For all those other features, even if I installed them myself, would definitely cost more more than $3,000-$5,000. Not to mention, KIA comes with 5yr/60,000 bumper-to-bumper and 10yr/100,000 powertrain warranty standard on all vehicles. Which as much as I hate to say this, in today's economy and the BullSh** that GM is giving us, that is a selling point worth looking at in any vehicle.

[jambo101]

The problem with Kia is resale value,after 5yrs their cars are worthless.
The Soul does look good but for a few extra $$ i'd get a Scion XB

[Thirty-Nine]

Originally Posted by roxy1

ive driven the kia rio and it suffers from the same harsh engine and absolutely nightmarish manual shifting feel.

QFT.