You are here: Forums Automotive News & Views What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8677 messages,  Last post on Dec 03, 2009 at 5:50 AM

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#8065 of 8677 andre... by iluvmysephia1 Sep 27, 2008 (5:37 am)
I'm just joshin' when I mention GMC, Ford, Chevy, etc. pickups make me want to barf. But my point is that I like a vehicle with some interesting lines to it. The Kia Soul has those lines, including a most-interesting headlamp cluster design. The rear end is most unique as well. It can slightly resemble a Mini at certain glances, but that's not the appeal to me with the Soul.   I don't see "beautiful" when I see the Kia Soul, but I do see cool and unique design, one that I would be happy to have.
#8066 of 8677 Re: oh for PETE'S SAKE!! [nippononly] by boaz47 Sep 27, 2008 (8:05 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Sep 26, 2008 9:14 pm) What I have always found interesting about you is you post part time what you believe and part time what you hope. When we look at the bean counters at the manufactures we see people who work off of surveys and trends. I have been on sites from some of the non automotive enthusiast asking for more Japanese small imports. Many, if not most, of these new small lighter fuel efficient vehicles come equipped with CVT. The new HR15DE 1.5 liter engine will be 30 percent lighter than what they are now producing and Nissan is talking about bringing it here but with a CVT only because, according to Nissan, the CVT will maximize average fuel mileage. Look at how many of the small sub 1000cc cars Japan has that are only offered in CVT.   It seems as if some of your predictions about increased small car production may be correct. But if you remember you also said you were worried about the simplicity of the CVT and that might be correct as well. Many have been asking for a small, easy to use, light weight economy car and the CVT adds a element of simplicity and light weight. Replies to this message: nippononly (Sep 29, 2008 9:15 am) boaz47 (Sep 29, 2008 11:52 am) nippononly (Sep 29, 2008 12:02 pm) and 1 more...
#8067 of 8677 GLOBAL SAFETY STANDARDS WILL CREATE CHOICES IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY. by autooracle Sep 27, 2008 (8:34 am)
There are so many makes and model's out in the world today that the U.S. is forbidden to allow. As emission and safety standards increase we need to push for other manufacturers to return to the states. Peugeot, Citroen, Alfa Romeo, Fiat. BMW offers the 1 series in a hatchback diesel obtaining upwards of 50 mpg. The Mercedes B Class is would be extremely useful... Prius? No thank you.......   Most of the manufacturers overseas have models obtaining over 45 mpg utilizing diesel a powertrain. With new low sulfur and biofuels, in combination with more efficient direct injection systems we need to fight for a change. As much as Americans forget about how much our politicians screw up our country....they still remember the soot blowing diesels of the 80's. . . .. I don't get it. . . . Replies to this message: lilengineerboy (Sep 27, 2008 8:38 am)
#8068 of 8677 Re: GLOBAL SAFETY STANDARDS WILL CREATE CHOICES IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY. [auto by lilengineerboy Sep 27, 2008 (8:38 am)
Replying to: autooracle (Sep 27, 2008 8:34 am) AMEN BROTHER
#8069 of 8677 Re: If you don't have the automotive [iluvmysephia1] by fintail Sep 27, 2008 (10:59 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Sep 26, 2008 9:17 pm) Soul design? When Kias are seen as a good piece of design in history books, then one can pine about their styling. Otherwise, it's more Asian-bland.
#8070 of 8677 Oh, here's my chance... by iluvmysephia1 Sep 27, 2008 (11:14 pm)
whenever I've praised Kia's for their looks I've been told that looks are subjective, that everyone has a nose and an opinion, that Kia's are bland, every excuse in the book but none that really address the factuality that Kia has always been more interested in superior, distinct styling.   Fact is, the Sephia blew away both the Civic and Corolla in styling.   The Sportage blows away the Honda CRV and the Toyota RAV4 in the styling department. The Kia Sorento and now the new Kia SUV, squarely pops any SUV it's size off the globe in the styling department.   The new Kia Forte is set to distinguish Kia as leader's once again in the compact size range.   And the Kia Soul crossover can't be beat for styling in the crossover segment.   The reality of it all is that Kia's future is so bright that they best be wearin' some strong Burton Cumming's shades. Just look and watch at the new Peter Schreyer-designed Kia models coming out in the next few years. These guys were already the best but they just keep gettin' betta and betta, brotha. Replies to this message: nortsr1 (Sep 28, 2008 4:06 am) fintail (Sep 28, 2008 8:22 am) thegraduate (Sep 28, 2008 11:52 am) andre1969 (Sep 28, 2008 12:16 pm)
#8071 of 8677 Re: Oh, here's my chance... [iluvmysephia1] by nortsr1 Sep 28, 2008 (4:06 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Sep 27, 2008 11:14 pm) You are absolutely right, "looks are subjective" and I have to assdume from your post you like the looks of the Kias.
#8072 of 8677 nortsr1... by iluvmysephia1 Sep 28, 2008 (5:55 am)
yes, I do, and I did back in the late 90's. I even like Kia's design on the late 80's microcar, the Festiva, which Kia made for Ford. To me it looked better than its competitor at that time, the Chevy Swift.   I must admit I am quite taken by the looks of Mitsubishi's Lancer as well. I own a '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS. I love the currrent Mitsubishi "fighter-jet inspired" front end look. I never tire of my Lancer's looks and have been known to have to crink my head around and take another look(or two)before I head in to my house, a place of business, my workplace, etc. I really love the job new Kia design Chief Peter Schreyer is doing with Kia Motors designs these days. The new Kia Forte sedan, which replaces the Spectra, and the new Kia Forte Koup, which is a brand new model, are beautiful automobiles.   I try to give the domestic rigs a chance, but, until the 2010 Ford Fiesta comes out, nothing they are releasing to the public looks fit for human consumption. If a foreign automaker does is right I will reward them by buying one of their automobiles. Pretty simple formula. Replies to this message: boaz47 (Sep 28, 2008 8:39 am)
#8073 of 8677 Re: Oh, here's my chance... [iluvmysephia1] by fintail Sep 28, 2008 (8:22 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Sep 27, 2008 11:14 pm) "Fact is, the Sephia blew away both the Civic and Corolla in styling. "   I'd say they are pretty much a tossup. Nothing really redeeming in any of them. It's like getting excited about the looks of a toaster. These are appliances, they really don't even have "styling" as many would define it. I don't see any established "fact".   The Sportage is very bland, the CRV is more daring but kind of silly, the Toyota is another bland one. Again, nothing there. That pointless big Kia SUV is very derivative and I think was worked on by a team of ex-Toyota and Mitsu designers.   When Kia is raved about 10-20-+ years later for their excellent styling, then I will believe it. Until then, I see one person doing the raving   The Mitsu does have the glaring headlamp cliche seen on many cars, made to somehow look tough or intimidating. It doesn't work for me, although it is nicer to look at than the stretched lamps on many Toyotas.   Oh, and the "Koup" name is pretty dopey
#8074 of 8677 Re: nortsr1... [iluvmysephia1] by boaz47 Sep 28, 2008 (8:39 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Sep 28, 2008 5:55 am) I admire you loyalty to Kia but much like VW my problem is with their poor dependability ratings. I know that individuals can get some good results by bucking the trends everyone else is experiencing. That is why people sometimes bet on the long shot at horse races. But it the long run the long shot will drain your wallet.   When I start looking for a new vehicle I look for function, Cost, and predicted dependability. Once that has been established I normally have a selection of four or five vehicles to pick from. There have been times in my searches when VW has been very high on function and Kia has been very high on cost. But they have both scrapped the bottom of the bucket on dependability for as long as I can remember.   The fact that Kia is the generic brand from Hyundai doesn't help their reputation any as well. Hyundai only bought Kia because they had to and looking at how far Hyundai has claimed on the dependability scale it doesn't look like they put that much effort at improving Kia. Just from the test results.

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