Kia is not what it used to be, can't say I am totally happy with mine but the only gripe I have about it is the fuel economy. Other than that it really is a much nicer car than any of the others I looked at for about the same money with MORE features. I have memory seats, Auto climate control, heated steering wheel, very nice Infinity stereo, heated and cooled leather, panoramic sunroof and many other features that others in this class do not even offer such as heated rear seats. As far as depreciation Mine is still worth about 20k on trade where as my friends 2012 Malibu is worth 12k. His car was more expensive to begin with. So they are not doing as bad as you would think.
Kia cadenza, REALLY!
- Thread starter jimmy87
- Start date
- Status
Originally Posted By: 71Chevyguy
Kia is not what it used to be, can't say I am totally happy with mine but the only gripe I have about it is the fuel economy. Other than that it really is a much nicer car than any of the others I looked at for about the same money with MORE features. I have memory seats, Auto climate control, heated steering wheel, very nice Infinity stereo, heated and cooled leather, panoramic sunroof and many other features that others in this class do not even offer such as heated rear seats. As far as depreciation Mine is still worth about 20k on trade where as my friends 2012 Malibu is worth 12k. His car was more expensive to begin with. So they are not doing as bad as you would think.
Plus your Optima is nicer looking. No offense to your friend's Malibu.
Kia is not what it used to be, can't say I am totally happy with mine but the only gripe I have about it is the fuel economy. Other than that it really is a much nicer car than any of the others I looked at for about the same money with MORE features. I have memory seats, Auto climate control, heated steering wheel, very nice Infinity stereo, heated and cooled leather, panoramic sunroof and many other features that others in this class do not even offer such as heated rear seats. As far as depreciation Mine is still worth about 20k on trade where as my friends 2012 Malibu is worth 12k. His car was more expensive to begin with. So they are not doing as bad as you would think.
Plus your Optima is nicer looking. No offense to your friend's Malibu.
The Malibu is much more pleasant to drive on a long trip. The steering is very light, the interior at highway speeds is Town Car silent. But the Kia handles way better and is way more fun to drive. I am 6'4" so either car has a very low entry height getting through the door but once inside they are both pretty comfortable. But if you drove both cars back to back you would swear the Kia was way more expensive. I think anyone who discounts the Kia without driving one would be very surprised once they get behind the wheel. Not saying it is the best car out there but it is not what most people think. Although in the end I will see which goes further, the Malibu or the Kia.
The point of the Cadenza...?
The trickle down theory/practice of quality and perception of quality...
The trickle down theory/practice of quality and perception of quality...
Originally Posted By: Eddie
I know of no one who pays sticker price for a vehicle. The real cost is OTD cost.
I do. I've never been able to negotiate down from MSRP, which is what is on the sticker. On one hand, I recognize that the dealer has to make some money on the deal, to pay for their lot and their interest and whatnot; OTOH I'm just not very good under pressure. I simply don't like wasting their time, and am not going to go in every few months just to stay in practice.
I know of no one who pays sticker price for a vehicle. The real cost is OTD cost.
I do. I've never been able to negotiate down from MSRP, which is what is on the sticker. On one hand, I recognize that the dealer has to make some money on the deal, to pay for their lot and their interest and whatnot; OTOH I'm just not very good under pressure. I simply don't like wasting their time, and am not going to go in every few months just to stay in practice.
You also have a TDI and newer Toyotas. Models that are notorious for not budging from their MSRP price.
The reality is you are going to have a difficult time convincing the target market for that car that it is better to drive a very nice Kia and have to defend it than it is to buy a very nice Acura, Lexus, BMW, or MB for the same money. However, like the other high end Korean offerings they will make great well-equipped inexpensive pre-owned vehicles.
At the higher end, brand perception is very important to the American market. When the Japanese wanted to start selling the better equipped Hondas and Toyotas in the USA that they already produced and sold in Japan they had the foresight to produce a high-end sister brand to sell those cars in the American market. The sole reason was brand perception. In the late eighties the Japanese had the same reputation in the market that the Koreans share today, that of building great economy cars. If the Koreans want to offer cars like the Cadenza and Equus, then they really need to consider building a luxury brand to showcase those cars.
At the higher end, brand perception is very important to the American market. When the Japanese wanted to start selling the better equipped Hondas and Toyotas in the USA that they already produced and sold in Japan they had the foresight to produce a high-end sister brand to sell those cars in the American market. The sole reason was brand perception. In the late eighties the Japanese had the same reputation in the market that the Koreans share today, that of building great economy cars. If the Koreans want to offer cars like the Cadenza and Equus, then they really need to consider building a luxury brand to showcase those cars.
Originally Posted By: 71Chevyguy
Kia is not what it used to be, can't say I am totally happy with mine but the only gripe I have about it is the fuel economy. Other than that it really is a much nicer car than any of the others I looked at for about the same money with MORE features. I have memory seats, Auto climate control, heated steering wheel, very nice Infinity stereo, heated and cooled leather, panoramic sunroof and many other features that others in this class do not even offer such as heated rear seats. As far as depreciation Mine is still worth about 20k on trade where as my friends 2012 Malibu is worth 12k. His car was more expensive to begin with. So they are not doing as bad as you would think.
I have 3 friends who bought Optimas in the last 2 years and I have to say every time I get in one I'm jealous of those heated rear seats.
Kia is not what it used to be, can't say I am totally happy with mine but the only gripe I have about it is the fuel economy. Other than that it really is a much nicer car than any of the others I looked at for about the same money with MORE features. I have memory seats, Auto climate control, heated steering wheel, very nice Infinity stereo, heated and cooled leather, panoramic sunroof and many other features that others in this class do not even offer such as heated rear seats. As far as depreciation Mine is still worth about 20k on trade where as my friends 2012 Malibu is worth 12k. His car was more expensive to begin with. So they are not doing as bad as you would think.
I have 3 friends who bought Optimas in the last 2 years and I have to say every time I get in one I'm jealous of those heated rear seats.
Interesting tidbit, when my wife was in South Korea last year, she realized that Kia over there is perceived as Hyundai's premium brand. Somehow, I never realized that. I don't think they've made any effort to position Kia above Hyundai here in the US, have they?
Granted, I haven't been following the Koreans lately, alas, the perception I have in my mind is that Kia is actually a lower end Hyundai.
Granted, I haven't been following the Koreans lately, alas, the perception I have in my mind is that Kia is actually a lower end Hyundai.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Interesting tidbit, when my wife was in South Korea last year, she realized that Kia over there is perceived as Hyundai's premium brand. Somehow, I never realized that. I don't think they've made any effort to position Kia above Hyundai here in the US, have they?
Granted, I haven't been following the Koreans lately, alas, the perception I have in my mind is that Kia is actually a lower end Hyundai.
They did hire the design guy from Audi so they must be trying to do something.
Interesting tidbit, when my wife was in South Korea last year, she realized that Kia over there is perceived as Hyundai's premium brand. Somehow, I never realized that. I don't think they've made any effort to position Kia above Hyundai here in the US, have they?
Granted, I haven't been following the Koreans lately, alas, the perception I have in my mind is that Kia is actually a lower end Hyundai.
They did hire the design guy from Audi so they must be trying to do something.
Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
They did hire the design guy from Audi so they must be trying to do something.
Huge front grills coming to KIA?
They did hire the design guy from Audi so they must be trying to do something.
Huge front grills coming to KIA?
Originally Posted By: SlipperyPete
I might buy one just to keep the "Remember the girl you didn't notice in high school" commercial on the air.
I saw it for the first time yesterday and was impressed by the look of the car even before the actress appears on screen.
But at $35K . . .
I might buy one just to keep the "Remember the girl you didn't notice in high school" commercial on the air.
I saw it for the first time yesterday and was impressed by the look of the car even before the actress appears on screen.
But at $35K . . .
Originally Posted By: L_Sludger
As PT Barnum said...
IMO they are proof that the average purchaser cares nothing about the driving dynamics of the vehicle and just wants a ton of toys.
To a typical commuter they may be the best value out there, but until they master chassis tuning they are a long way from getting a lot of customers.
As PT Barnum said...
IMO they are proof that the average purchaser cares nothing about the driving dynamics of the vehicle and just wants a ton of toys.
To a typical commuter they may be the best value out there, but until they master chassis tuning they are a long way from getting a lot of customers.
Originally Posted By: glock19
Originally Posted By: 71Chevyguy
Kia is not what it used to be, can't say I am totally happy with mine but the only gripe I have about it is the fuel economy. Other than that it really is a much nicer car than any of the others I looked at for about the same money with MORE features. I have memory seats, Auto climate control, heated steering wheel, very nice Infinity stereo, heated and cooled leather, panoramic sunroof and many other features that others in this class do not even offer such as heated rear seats. As far as depreciation Mine is still worth about 20k on trade where as my friends 2012 Malibu is worth 12k. His car was more expensive to begin with. So they are not doing as bad as you would think.
I have 3 friends who bought Optimas in the last 2 years and I have to say every time I get in one I'm jealous of those heated rear seats.
The day I buy a car with a heated rear seat, someone please check me into the nut farm!
Heck, I have NEVER seen a reason for heated seats.
Originally Posted By: 71Chevyguy
Kia is not what it used to be, can't say I am totally happy with mine but the only gripe I have about it is the fuel economy. Other than that it really is a much nicer car than any of the others I looked at for about the same money with MORE features. I have memory seats, Auto climate control, heated steering wheel, very nice Infinity stereo, heated and cooled leather, panoramic sunroof and many other features that others in this class do not even offer such as heated rear seats. As far as depreciation Mine is still worth about 20k on trade where as my friends 2012 Malibu is worth 12k. His car was more expensive to begin with. So they are not doing as bad as you would think.
I have 3 friends who bought Optimas in the last 2 years and I have to say every time I get in one I'm jealous of those heated rear seats.
The day I buy a car with a heated rear seat, someone please check me into the nut farm!
Heck, I have NEVER seen a reason for heated seats.
Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: L_Sludger
As PT Barnum said...
IMO they are proof that the average purchaser cares nothing about the driving dynamics of the vehicle and just wants a ton of toys.
To a typical commuter they may be the best value out there, but until they master chassis tuning they are a long way from getting a lot of customers.
I think Honda and Toyota proved that long ago with the introduction of Acura and Lexus. After all, where else in the world can you take an ordinary Accord or Camry, Bling it up with those tons of toys, change some grilles and tail lights, throw another $15K+ cost to it, and sell it to the average American and let them think they bought something better than a Rolls Royce? At least KIA didn't change the name to try and fool anyone!
Oh, Wait...
Driving dynamics? No One Cares? That happened long ago with Mark V's, New Yorkers, and 98's. Bling it up with that rich interior with power windows, door locks and 40-way adjustable bench seats, throw on a quad of super soft tires, shocks and springs for that soft luxurious ride, numb the buyer into thinking his same-platformed vehicle is better than an average LTD, Coronet, or Caprice, and pay extra...
And everyone says KIA is doing this like it's never been done? Maybe the suckers have been around a whole lot longer than we think...
Originally Posted By: L_Sludger
As PT Barnum said...
IMO they are proof that the average purchaser cares nothing about the driving dynamics of the vehicle and just wants a ton of toys.
To a typical commuter they may be the best value out there, but until they master chassis tuning they are a long way from getting a lot of customers.
I think Honda and Toyota proved that long ago with the introduction of Acura and Lexus. After all, where else in the world can you take an ordinary Accord or Camry, Bling it up with those tons of toys, change some grilles and tail lights, throw another $15K+ cost to it, and sell it to the average American and let them think they bought something better than a Rolls Royce? At least KIA didn't change the name to try and fool anyone!
Oh, Wait...
Driving dynamics? No One Cares? That happened long ago with Mark V's, New Yorkers, and 98's. Bling it up with that rich interior with power windows, door locks and 40-way adjustable bench seats, throw on a quad of super soft tires, shocks and springs for that soft luxurious ride, numb the buyer into thinking his same-platformed vehicle is better than an average LTD, Coronet, or Caprice, and pay extra...
And everyone says KIA is doing this like it's never been done? Maybe the suckers have been around a whole lot longer than we think...
They would be stupid not to make a car like that. They happen to have a high output six available to them. They have no luxury car and therefore no worries about stealing sales from their own vehicles.
The Near Luxury Car segment, i.e. tarted up Camrys and Accords is very profitable.The extra price charged is nowhere near close to the extra content added to the car. So Kia can go to town. In the 21st century there is no special trick to making a car handle just the way you want , and be as comfortable as you want especially if you don't have to charge a rock-bottom price for the vehicle. No doubt they hope for 35K, but they can discount right on down there if they have to. i don't know what the true price point is, but at some point, the idea of a swank ride, 100K warranty and say a 29K price, is pretty attractive to a lot of people.
P.S. I like heated seats fine. I like a heated steering wheel better.
The Near Luxury Car segment, i.e. tarted up Camrys and Accords is very profitable.The extra price charged is nowhere near close to the extra content added to the car. So Kia can go to town. In the 21st century there is no special trick to making a car handle just the way you want , and be as comfortable as you want especially if you don't have to charge a rock-bottom price for the vehicle. No doubt they hope for 35K, but they can discount right on down there if they have to. i don't know what the true price point is, but at some point, the idea of a swank ride, 100K warranty and say a 29K price, is pretty attractive to a lot of people.
P.S. I like heated seats fine. I like a heated steering wheel better.
- Status
Similar threads
