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OT: Korean cars

Has anyone had a chance to examine any Korean cars recently? I'm wondering if their quality is up to par with the Japanese yet. Seems like at some point they'll have gotten their quality issuses fixed, but their rep will still be in the mud, and for a little while they'll be a pretty good bargain, unlike say, Toyota or Honda, who are way overpriced (for me, anyway).

I had an opportunity a coupole weeks back to spend a good deal of seat time in a Kia Amanti. It was a rental, and it may have been because my expectaions were so low, or maybe because it only had 3500 miles on it, but I was really impressed with the car. It had power everything, leather interior, Infinity 6-disc in dash changer, more airbags then I would have thought possible to stuff into one car, plenty of power, it just had everything. Polar opposite to my Miata, but for cruising halfway across the country with 4 kids in the car with me, it was great. I looked it up online when I got back home, and it seems the Amanti is new for '04, and is considered to be the finest car out of Korea ever, almost on par with the fullsize cars from Ford, Lincoln and Buick.

The car I'm interested in is the Santa Fe from Hyundai. My Outback isn't cutting it for hauling and such, but I have a friend who has a RAV 4, and he favors it for hauling and towing over his Explorer. Since the RAV4 is a Toyota, it's automaticly overpriced, so I wonder if the Santa Fe is any good, since they can be had for a whole lot less.

Tonyrama '93 Crystal White

Reply to
tonyrama
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Consumer Reports shows Hyundai as generally average or slightly better than average. Kia has several new models out but their older ones (still on the market) are rated as average to below average.

Honda & Toyota are overpriced but they hold their value extremely well. You can get so much out of them used that their real costs are still quite low. A lot of people seem to be buying Korean cars now.

New model so you are taking something of a risk.

That model has above average satisfaction and depreciation according to Consumer Reports. Reliability is average. I hope you can live with those bulgy fenders--and I heard they'll have another SUV out soon.

-John

Reply to
Generic

How does that relate to Mazda? Are they average? Personally, I would say that my Miata is way above average, but I wouldn't really know.

True, but where I live, all cars rust, even good cars. All cars have about the same lifespan, as long as it's over, say, 8-10 years.

I realize that. I would never buy one, but it's the only firsthand info I have on a Korean car.

Looks are secondary for me, but I don't mind them anyway. If it will tow and haul better than my Outback, that's the main thing. Is the new SUV going to be the same size or bigger?

Tonyrama

Reply to
tonyrama

Mazda cars and vans are generally above average to excellent. All of them are "recommended" by CR. The trucks and Tribute SUV are average for reliability (rebadged Fords).

The resale values are based on 4-5 years of ownership. If you are the kind of person who trades in or sells at 5 years/60K then it matters.

The Hyundais are getting better and even one made Car & Driver's 10 Best list. The choice was based on cost and warranty though, not absolute quality.

See for yourself:

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-John

Reply to
Generic

My ex has had a 2000 Hyundai Accent since new. After 3 years and 25,000 miles, all it has needed is a battery and a new sun visor. It still looks and drives like new, except for the interior, which is showing a little wear, but she IS hard on it. The re-sale value stinks, but she has been pleased and plans to drive it till it drops. A friend in FL bought a Santa Fe about a year ago. He puts 30K a year on a car and so far, he is as pleased with his car as my ex is with hers. He definately likes it better than the Mustang he traded for it.

Japanese cars had a "bad" reputatuion and low re-sale when they first hit the US market and they have since become the standard for comparison. I suspect that the Korean manufacturers could have a similar experience. If you plan to keep the car, a Korean make might be a good deal for you.

Randy

Reply to
Randy Maheux

Kia is now owned by Hyundai, so their new models should be fine. (Fallout of the Korean economic times, which also wiped Daewoo from the market here)

Reply to
jchase

That's what I'm thinking. If the resale is really crap still, then I might ba able to pick up a used one for a song. Eventually Korea will rebound to where they're great cars, and until the prices catch up, they'll be a great buy. Tonyrama

Reply to
tonyrama

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