My Ugliest Car Award - Kia Soul 2011 - Toyota Yaris Forums

chrisj · 10-03-2010, 08:02 AM

My sister is 10 years younger than me...44. She was in the market for a car that had more room than her Ford Focus, so she went car shopping and ended up with a white 2011 Kia Soul, complete with a red dash and those stupid speakers that have colored lights in them. Jeez.

For one thing, I think the car design looks like a 21st Century version of an AMC Gremlin, just slanted back all sporty-like. I used to call that car the Tennis Shoe. Also, that dash! I don't think I could look at a red and black dash without throwing up, much less be able to stand the glare from the sun. Also, I am sure that it will fade out like nobody's business. I had a red Tacoma that proved that point...well, a pink Tacoma in the end!

My wife noticed on a list of the stupidest ideas for cars, and those speakers topped the list. I mean, the car was obviously designed for kids, but even if I were 16 I wouldn't want speakers that lighted up with colors as I drove down the road. My god.

My sister is old enough to know better, but she has 2 teenage kids. I am certain she bought that stupid car because THEY liked it. Thing is, she is going to be the one stuck driving it, at least for awhile, because both her teens are still way too young to drive.

I don't know what the designers were smoking when they came up with that one.

vwtech · 10-03-2010, 09:32 AM

I dont think its as ugly as the cube though.

PumpkinSteve · 10-03-2010, 09:51 AM

IMO the Kia Soul is one of the most interesting looking cars, modern and retro at the same time.

jpmck03 · 10-03-2010, 10:14 AM

I think this sums up my opinion on the Kia Soul:

landrym28 · 10-03-2010, 10:16 AM

IMO, it's actually not that bad looking of a car...could be alot worse.

If I HAD to drive a KIA though..it'd be the Forte.

thebarber · 10-03-2010, 10:38 AM

note: OP has big chrome rims on a yaris

chrisj · 10-03-2010, 10:51 AM

Oh god there it is again! The 2011 Gremlin! LOL! The Forte looks like loads of other cars out there, but the Soul is just...out there.

Okay, I would drive this Kia!

why? · 10-03-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landrym28

IMO, it's actually not that bad looking of a car...could be alot worse.

If I HAD to drive a KIA though..it'd be the Forte.

If I had to drive a kia I would blow my brains out.

vwtech · 10-03-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by why?

If I had to drive a kia I would blow my brains out.

stuck on that kia name badge are we?

*kimona* · 10-03-2010, 01:14 PM

I think it looks okay, and I don't have a problem with the black and red dash. IMHO, the Hyundai/Kia line-up looks pretty darn good.

cali yaris · 10-03-2010, 01:43 PM

1. I like it just fine, looks fresh to me, not boring like most of the offerings these days.
2. What's wrong with the light-up speakers? I'm 52 and still doing tuner cars. I admit I'm over my lighting phase, though.
3. You can go with this, or you can go with that.

What's Toyota got that's fresh? They are slowly disintegrating the Yaris' unique look and Scion is self-destructing as a unique design shop. Maybe the iQ, but I don't know.

firemachine69 · 10-03-2010, 02:17 PM

Look at your Yaris.

I mean, take a long, good look at it.

It ain't all that attractive with its recessed front wheels, amongst other things.

The soul is something refreshing in the market, seeing as how Toyota is so paranoid of designing something with, well... soul!

Thirty-Nine · 10-03-2010, 02:19 PM

I like the Kia Soul. But then again, we all have different taste.

chrisj · 10-03-2010, 02:48 PM

Well, hopefully Kia got those pesky fires under control. But, as far as resale or trade-in value, there's a more narrow margin of people who will want that shoe over the Yaris. It's true, it's true.

MadMax · 10-03-2010, 08:15 PM

There was a recall for wiring on 35,185 2010 Kia Souls...and it has to do with those stupid speakers that have colored lights in them!

I read about it in this article: The Strangest Car Features

But I guess if you're a hip-hop gerbil, they're cool!

Hopefully it was resolved on your sister's 2011.

Cheers! M2

severous01 · 10-03-2010, 08:22 PM

i am completely unhappy with toyota. if i wasnt a mechanic my car would be falling apart.

the only thing i've done to mine aftermarket is an AFE intake...and i took it off because on first serious rain my MAF got wet and it's been acting up bad. so...as soon as i can, i'll trade it in and get something else...chevy, subaru, hell even a ford over toyota.

JBougie · 10-03-2010, 09:12 PM

^ I have owned 2 Yaris' so far, and had 0 problem with either one. Sorry you've had bad luck.

I like the way the Soul looks. I wouldn't buy one. Ever. But, that's because it's a KIA. I would walk barefoot through 10 miles of gravel everyday to and from work if the alternative was to buy a KIA. :)

*tomato* · 10-03-2010, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firemachine69

Look at your Yaris.

I mean, take a long, good look at it.

It ain't all that attractive with its recessed front wheels, amongst other things.

The soul is something refreshing in the market, seeing as how Toyota is so paranoid of designing something with, well... soul!

To me the Yaris is probably in the top 10 best looking cars in recent years. Style was a huge consideration when I purchased my car. Otherwise, I would have gone with the FIT.

(no offense meant to FIT owners, in fact I like the newer FIT's looks, but I thought the 2007 FIT looked hideous .02 of course

).

10-03-2010, 08:02 AM	#1
chrisj Hooch Brewer-Shine Sipper View User's Garage Drives: 2009 5-dr LB Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: S. Jesus, Kentucky Posts: 646	My Ugliest Car Award - Kia Soul 2011 My sister is 10 years younger than me...44. She was in the market for a car that had more room than her Ford Focus, so she went car shopping and ended up with a white 2011 Kia Soul, complete with a red dash and those stupid speakers that have colored lights in them. Jeez. For one thing, I think the car design looks like a 21st Century version of an AMC Gremlin, just slanted back all sporty-like. I used to call that car the Tennis Shoe. Also, that dash! I don't think I could look at a red and black dash without throwing up, much less be able to stand the glare from the sun. Also, I am sure that it will fade out like nobody's business. I had a red Tacoma that proved that point...well, a pink Tacoma in the end! My wife noticed on a list of the stupidest ideas for cars, and those speakers topped the list. I mean, the car was obviously designed for kids, but even if I were 16 I wouldn't want speakers that lighted up with colors as I drove down the road. My god. My sister is old enough to know better, but she has 2 teenage kids. I am certain she bought that stupid car because THEY liked it. Thing is, she is going to be the one stuck driving it, at least for awhile, because both her teens are still way too young to drive. I don't know what the designers were smoking when they came up with that one. __________________

10-03-2010, 10:14 AM	#4
jpmck03 View User's Garage Drives: 2018 Volkswagen GTI Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: PA Posts: 893	I think this sums up my opinion on the Kia Soul: __________________ my {(retired) ride} - {mi ssk: review, diy} - {mi lw cp: review, diy} - {foglight install} - {painted emblem: experiment, diy}

10-03-2010, 10:16 AM	#5
landrym28 3,300+ at one point.. >:( View User's Garage Drives: 2010 Hatchback RS Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Saint John, NB, Canada Posts: 542	IMO, it's actually not that bad looking of a car...could be alot worse. If I HAD to drive a KIA though..it'd be the Forte. __________________ Remember, you're unique.....just like everybody else.

10-03-2010, 10:38 AM	#6
thebarber daily driver View User's Garage Drives: the #wrecho Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,877	note: OP has big chrome rims on a yaris __________________

10-03-2010, 10:51 AM	#7
chrisj Hooch Brewer-Shine Sipper View User's Garage Drives: 2009 5-dr LB Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: S. Jesus, Kentucky Posts: 646	Oh god there it is again! The 2011 Gremlin! LOL! The Forte looks like loads of other cars out there, but the Soul is just...out there. Okay, I would drive this Kia! __________________

10-03-2010, 09:32 AM	#2
vwtech Banned Drives: 09 jetta tdi dsg Join Date: May 2010 Location: mary esther fl Posts: 91	I dont think its as ugly as the cube though.

10-03-2010, 09:51 AM	#3
PumpkinSteve Drives: Yaris SR 1.8 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tyne and Wear, UK Posts: 54	IMO the Kia Soul is one of the most interesting looking cars, modern and retro at the same time.

10-03-2010, 01:14 PM	#10
kimona Super Moderator Drives: 2014 White VITZ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Huntington Bch, CA Posts: 4,938	I think it looks okay, and I don't have a problem with the black and red dash. IMHO, the Hyundai/Kia line-up looks pretty darn good.

10-03-2010, 01:43 PM	#11
cali yaris ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canoga Park, CA Posts: 14,859	1. I like it just fine, looks fresh to me, not boring like most of the offerings these days. 2. What's wrong with the light-up speakers? I'm 52 and still doing tuner cars. I admit I'm over my lighting phase, though. 3. You can go with this, or you can go with that. What's Toyota got that's fresh? They are slowly disintegrating the Yaris' unique look and Scion is self-destructing as a unique design shop. Maybe the iQ, but I don't know. __________________ Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific.

10-03-2010, 02:17 PM	#12
firemachine69 School'er of hard knocks Drives: Silver Yaris 4dr. HB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sudbury, On Posts: 556	Look at your Yaris. I mean, take a long, good look at it. It ain't all that attractive with its recessed front wheels, amongst other things. The soul is something refreshing in the market, seeing as how Toyota is so paranoid of designing something with, well... soul!

10-03-2010, 02:19 PM	#13
Thirty-Nine Small cars are a big deal View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3,144	I like the Kia Soul. But then again, we all have different taste. __________________ Subcompact Culture: The Small car blog

10-03-2010, 02:48 PM	#14
chrisj Hooch Brewer-Shine Sipper View User's Garage Drives: 2009 5-dr LB Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: S. Jesus, Kentucky Posts: 646	Well, hopefully Kia got those pesky fires under control. But, as far as resale or trade-in value, there's a more narrow margin of people who will want that shoe over the Yaris. It's true, it's true. __________________

10-03-2010, 08:15 PM	#15
MadMax Drives: 2008 Yaris Liftback (Sprocket) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas! Posts: 2,799	There was a recall for wiring on 35,185 2010 Kia Souls...and it has to do with those stupid speakers that have colored lights in them! I read about it in this article: The Strangest Car Features But I guess if you're a hip-hop gerbil, they're cool! Hopefully it was resolved on your sister's 2011. Cheers! M2 __________________ Last edited by MadMax; 10-03-2010 at 08:30 PM.

10-03-2010, 08:22 PM	#16
severous01 Drives: 2008 yaris, stripped, red Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SE Texas Posts: 977	i am completely unhappy with toyota. if i wasnt a mechanic my car would be falling apart. the only thing i've done to mine aftermarket is an AFE intake...and i took it off because on first serious rain my MAF got wet and it's been acting up bad. so...as soon as i can, i'll trade it in and get something else...chevy, subaru, hell even a ford over toyota.

10-03-2010, 09:12 PM	#17
JBougie Banned View User's Garage Drives: 2010 Yaris LB (Prev: 07 Sedan) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beech Bluff, TN Posts: 1,266	^ I have owned 2 Yaris' so far, and had 0 problem with either one. Sorry you've had bad luck. I like the way the Soul looks. I wouldn't buy one. Ever. But, that's because it's a KIA. I would walk barefoot through 10 miles of gravel everyday to and from work if the alternative was to buy a KIA. :)

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