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Kia Spectra5

463 messages,  Last post on Oct 22, 2011 at 2:39 PM

You are in the Kia Spectra/Spectra5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Spectra, Hatchback

Messages Page 33 of 47

#321 of 463 That's just uncanny that you by iluvmysephia1

Jan 31, 2006 (10:12 pm)

would think that I meant you, backy!
 
I didn't mean you, though I certainly recall that you have an issue with new-world-order Kia Spectra seats.
 
No, really I think it's goofy if anybody lets something like a new car's seat affect whether or not they would buy the car or not. How about looking at it this way: if somebody likes a car's seat and they also like several more important features of that car, well then great. They can lump the seat in with all of the other things that they love about that car.
 
But, what if someone love's a new car's manual transmission, it's moonroof, it's stereo, it's leather-wrapped steering wheel, it's speed-sensitive power steering, etc. The one thing they don't like is the car's seat. They may even dig that new car's Warranty, it's initial price, etc. but it's that nasty seat they don't like. I don't know about you, but IMHO, I think that's just...goofy!
 
Remember the 2006 Hyundai Sonata thread a couple months ago...people were complaining about the new Sonata's seat, that they felt like they were leaning forward in the seat too much, that Hyundai mis-built the driver's seat. I haven't test drove the Sonata, so I don't know personally what they're talking about, but I think they were being goofy.
 
Imagine that, backy, me thinking someone else is goofy!
 
Oh, I almost forgot! Seattle 27, Pittsburgh 18. I'll tweak it throughout the week as needs be. That's how I think the Big Boy is gonna come out. Can't wait for the Seahawks to get their first title!

#322 of 463 Re: That's just uncanny that you [iluvmysephia1] by backy

Jan 31, 2006 (10:30 pm)

Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Jan 31, 2006 10:12 pm)
When I was at my local Kia dealer driving the Rio5 last weekend, I did a test-sit in the Spectra5 just to make sure I wasn't imagining things when I drove the Spectra awhile back. I wasn't. Same lousy single-lever adjuster. The Rio5, fortunately, has the dual-knob setup like the old Spectra had and like the Elantra and several other Kias and Hyundais have. I was able to adjust the Rio5's seat juuuuuuust right.
 
But the seat bottom wouldn't turn me away from the Spectra5. The $18.2k sticker price (without much in the way of rebates) would do that all by itself.

#323 of 463 Re: That's just uncanny that you [backy] by geomatics

Feb 01, 2006 (5:36 am)

Replying to: backy (Jan 31, 2006 10:30 pm)
Keep in mind that the 2 cars are in entirely different classes: Rio-sub compact, Spectra -mid size.
 
Geo.

#324 of 463 by geomatics

Feb 01, 2006 (5:38 am)

SEOUL) February 1, 2006 -- Kia Motors Corporation announced today that its overseas retail sales of passenger cars and light trucks in January 2006 recorded 54,834 units, representing a 7.1% year-on-year increase.
 
By region, Europe continued its steady growth with 21,940 units sold in January for a 13.8% rise over the same period of last year. Meanwhile, sales of Kia vehicles in the general market and North America recorded 14,014 units (4.3% year-on-year increase) and 18,880 (2.2% year-on-year increase), respectively.
 
Popular RV models -- Sportage compact SUV (8,250 units) and Sorento full-size SUV (8,196 units) -- were Kia’s top selling vehicles in overseas markets in January. The A-segment Picanto -- Kia’s top selling model overseas in 2005 -- and the B-segment Rio were the third and fourth best-selling models in January, posting sales of 7,568 and 7,916 units, respectively.
 
Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation, said, “All indications show that Kia is once again off to a fast start to begin the year.”
 
“And thanks to our continuing aggressive new model launch strategy, we aim to sell 1,226,900 vehicles globally in 2006, with 907,900 of this amount in overseas markets.”
 
New Kia models to be introduced in 2006 include the short body version of the new Carnival (Sedona) MPV, the completely redesigned new Carens compact MPV and an all-new C-segment car designed specifically for the European market that will be produced at Kia’s new factory in Slovakia. Also, the ever-popular Sorento SUV will receive a face-lift in 2006 along with the C-segment Cerato (Spectra) and Opirus (Amanti) luxury sedan.
 
Editor’s notes:
 
1) Figures do not include domestic sales and KD (knock down) exports assembled at overseas plants.
2) “General market” includes the regions of Central & South America, Asia & Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.
 
****so much for the hope of the body style being around long enough for the aftermarket accessories giants to make some really cool stuff for our little cars.**
 
Geo.

#325 of 463 Re: That's just uncanny that you [geomatics] by backy

Feb 01, 2006 (7:39 am)

Replying to: geomatics (Feb 01, 2006 5:36 am)
Rio is actually in the compact class now, measured by EPA interior volume (which is what puts Spectra into the mid-sized class). But at over $18k, the Spectra5 is getting into Mazda3s 5-door territory, and is far above (price-wise) Elantra 5-door territory. For the money, I'd much rather have a Mazda3s, or save a few thousand bucks and go with the Elantra. Maybe that is why my local Kia dealer has lots of Spectras on the lot.

#326 of 463 Re: That's just uncanny that you [backy] by spectraman

Feb 01, 2006 (9:05 am)

Replying to: backy (Jan 31, 2006 10:30 pm)
 "But the seat bottom wouldn't turn me away from the Spectra5. The $18.2k sticker price (without much in the way of rebates) would do that all by itself."
 
I too have noticed how stingy KIA's being with the rebates these days.
 
I suspect that it's a combination of KIA wanting to test the waters on how high they can price their vehicles BEFORE sales are adversely affected, coupled with the rising cost of energy and raw materials (steel, etc.). KIA obviously has to make a profit on their vehicles, else they'll be tempted to pack it in.
 
The big thing they're facing in this country is how long they can tread water (aka: subsidize their vehicle prices) to allow the stigma of the KIA name to wear off, and thus warrant the higher prices.
 
I'm a "believer", and have done more than my share of defending the brand against KIA bigots out on the various forums, but it's hard work! KIA really, REALLY has an image problem out there with the rank and file car drivers.
 
I think Hyundai/KIA are going to have start spending some money on motor sports and performance car development to start getting some positive attention beyond the intermittent positive Car and Driver article, etc.
 
Obviously they shouldn't attempt to compete in the Corvette/Viper territory, but why not create some kick butt little turboed 4-cyl autocross type vehicles???
 
-SM

#327 of 463 Re: That's just uncanny that you [spectraman] by doohickie

Feb 01, 2006 (12:18 pm)

Replying to: spectraman (Feb 01, 2006 9:05 am)
I'm a believer in Korean cars. Before I bought my Elantra in October I drove a (Kia-built) Ford Aspire for almost 10 years and 120,000 miles with hardly any problems at all. I would buy either Hyundai or Kia without reservation (I just bought a new Elantra in October).
 
I think the 100,000 mile warranty improved the reliability of Hyundai/Kia vehicles in a back-handed way: A lot of people bought the cars for the warranty, but then learned that the warranty can be voided if the car is not properly maintained. As a result, the cars are being maintained better than they were when the warranty was not a selling point and no one thought about it. Hyundai/Kia is training its customers to be responsible car owners (which is a good thing for everyone because a lot of people who buy these cars are first-time new-car buyers and need to be educated on car maintenance).

#328 of 463 Re: That's just uncanny that you [spectraman] by geomatics

Feb 02, 2006 (5:08 am)

Replying to: spectraman (Feb 01, 2006 9:05 am)
"but why not create some kick butt little turboed 4-cyl autocross type vehicles???"
 
 
That would be sweet, I would love to see them come out with a midsize all wheel drive crossover to compete on the highly touted rally sport circuit. Wouldn't it be nice to see a korean car taking a top spot beside an Imprezza WRX?
 
ah, but alas I may just be dreaming.
 
Keep up the good postings guys, a good community is the key to raising the public status of an auto manufacturer.
 
Geo.

#329 of 463 I agree, I have often wondered by iluvmysephia1

Feb 02, 2006 (1:58 pm)

how a little turbo 4-cyl Kia would look and perform. My feeling is that Kia would style the thing to look great and they could also win some races with it, too.
 
Come on Kia, do it! You're already building the best vehicles on the planet, enter the rally sport racing field, too!

#330 of 463 by geomatics

Feb 03, 2006 (5:03 am)

Kia Rio driver beats F1 driver to world ice racing title - again!
 
- Third consecutive series win for Rio
 
  
 
(SEOUL) February 3, 2006 -- Kia Rio driver, Yvan Muller, has taken sufficient points in the final round of what is regarded as the World Championship for the unique motorsport of ice racing, the Andros Trophy, to beat former F1 Grand Prix World Champion Alain Prost and win the championship title for the third successive year.
 
  
 
The domination of the series, which is held in freezing conditions on specially-built race tracks on the top of mountains in the Alps, by Muller and the Rio was achieved despite Muller carrying more weight-penalty ballast as the twice-previous championship winner. Muller comprehensively fought off last minute challenges from former F1 Grand Prix World Champion Alain Prost in a Toyota, Jean-Phillipe Dayraut in a BMW and Franck Lagorce in a Fiat.
 
  
 
The Kia team wrapped up the title with a superb tactical performance in Super-Besse, high in the Alps, recording solid placings in both races that were sufficient to secure enough points for Muller to win his tenth ice racing title.
 
  
 
According to Muller, "It was the hardest ice racing season in my career, and surely the most beautiful victory, even if I had to play a game I'm not used to. During the last three seasons, the team proved we could beat everybody, dominating in 2004 and 2005, or playing tactics and nerve breaking games this season.”
 
  
 
"In racing we are used to hearing about 'fastest times,' but this year we had our 'fastest' time even with 490 kilos of ballast," commented Paul Bourion, Kmotorsport team principal. "We did three seasons with the Kia Rio and we won three championships, thanks to Yvan, while this year and in 2005 we also won the constructor's championship. And we are very proud of that record," he added.
 
  
 
Muller and the Kmotorsport team now go to Paris and the Stade de France for the final event of the season -- a non-championship round on a specially created ice-track at the country's national stadium on 18 March.

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