Posted on 12/23/2013 2:02:00 PM PST by Peter W. Kessler
Hyundai or KIA?
Hyundai has turbos in their Santa Fe and in particular Sonatas for sure since 2011. They all take regular. I’ve driven several Santa Fe turbos and they run just fine on regular.
Adding to this discussion is that I don’t like the hybrid Sonata. CR didn’t like it either.
I’m not big on turbos but they do fine in the marketplace and are not known for self-destructing anytime soon. Eventually, they will likely need to be replaced after a lot of miles roll up on the clock. Trucks use them because they have to. Car turbos are more of a marketing ploy in my opinion.
Thank’s very much for your responses! Most of them are very helpful.
My son has earned his new car. He’s been through the beaters, has done most of his own repairs, etc. He’s not a gearhead like his dad, but he learned quite a bit out of necessity. He has saved up most of the money to purchase; we’ll loan him the balance.
Our son is not a basement dweller. He maintains a 4.0 average at our local community college, and has earned a full scholarship to my alma mater for the next two years. We are very proud of him. It is annoying for someone who has never met my son (or me, for that matter) to offhandedly call him a basement dweller. Frankly, I resent that.
Further, he’s looking for a car that will get the best fuel mileage, not the most horsepower.
That’s my department.
Anyway, I truly appreciate your input.
Thank you!
Wouldn't be caught dead in a Korean car - that's just me though.
I had rented a Kia Optima on a business trip, and then a Hyundai equivelent and I thought that the Kia was a much more upscale vehicle from the Hyundai.
I thought the Hyundai was a tin can, and not as well appointed.
You’re right about the larger vehicles being absent from the Kia line, but for the vehicles I had used on my trip, if I were to buy either, I would have taken the Kia. Obviously, neither are a Camry, had one of those on another stop on that same trip.
I liked the Optima. And If I were in the market for an econo-box, I would choose it.
As for buying a GM...maybe someday. I would buy a Ford without reservation if they had ejected the union when they had the chance.
The Japanese cars are still better than Korean cars. My own choice at present for a small/inexpensive one would be the little Versa hatchback, saide to be the Cadillac of compacts, very roomy even for taller people, seats very comfortable, excellent mileage.
Just bought a Kia Cadenza. If there is a better car on the market I couldn’t find it. Technology wise it has EVERY THING. Deal was incredible. Salesman was so happy to see us he almost cried!
I drive a 2004 Honda Civic. Other than routine maintenance, it’s never been in the shop, so it’s ended up being pretty cheap per pound.
Hyundai makes KIA. Go with whoever makes you the best deal. My daughters both own KIA’s. One has a Soul and the other has a Rio. They both love them.
If you’re buying new, I’d say you’re not that serious about keeping the cost down.
My suggestion is to find one that’s 2-3 years old in great shape and the prior owners have taken the depreciation hit. Find the models you would consider, research online what they are going for used and new, comparing options to get perspective on the prices, check craigslist for prices, and then find several you’re interested in from different sellers and use them against other dealers to drop their prices down - they will try to match or go lower to get your business. When they say they can’t go lower, ask them to hold the price for you and say you’ve got to call your wife, and call the others and see if they’ll go down. If they have same features they may match, if they have less they should be lower depending if mileage is close.
Two things:
Suggest your son consider a co-op education program, the extra cash earned while in college comes in handy, and the job experience gained is a plus when looking for a job after graduation. Co-op experience for me meant that after graduation, I had a job months before many of my other fellow graduates.
As for the car, I’m not big on the Koreans, but you might want to consider the Honda Fit (more affordable and better mileage than the civic) or the Kia Forte (someone at my workplace has one and it looks like a fun, sporty little car).
Neighbor bought a hyundai elantra (or whatever the small sedan is called) and likes it a lot.
If I were in the market for a small, efficient car, I’d consider either.
Good luck!
Get a Remington 700 BDL. Oh, wrong thread.
Just bought a used 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Traded in my Durango. Had 40K miles. I paid 11k. Kelly blue book was 13,800. They couldn’t sell it because it was a 6 speed manual. I first saw it at 13k, when they dropped the price I wentover and bought it. So far so good. Brother has Kia Forte. My engine has more power but both are nice cars. Surprisingly large trunk space and bluetooth is excellent.
Both of your choices are junk. Why would you buy anything but Ford - the only true American car company?
I’ve got a Subaru Legacy GT turbo and love it, but a lot has to do with the engine geometry (horizontally opposed flat or “Boxer” four), low center of gravity and a great AWD system. Premium gas though, like most gasoline turbos.
They are built by UAW workers. They give to Obama. I will reward them with nothing.
I’ve got a 2004 Kia Sedona EX minivan, and admittedly, my wife drives it - and is a LOT harder on vehicles than I am. It was fine the first 90,000 miles or so. Then the transmission went out, and while I had admonished her to take it in before the extended warranty ran out, she didn’t. It’s been one little thing after another after another. It was in the shop as much this summer (a/c, other engine problems) as it was out.
I’d personally look at Hyundai, Toyota (made in America), or Ford.
I’m sure the Chinese, whom you will reward instead, will appreciate that.
+1
Every time I see one, that pops into my head. Would imbalance me further to own one.
My KIA is built by rednecks (non-union) in GA.
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