[sh30469]

I haven't had my car for long but so far I have had quite a few reactions on it. The most notable was from an older gentleman and his wife stopping their truck next to me (when they had plenty of space to keep going) and the man gestured for me to roll my window down. He asked me how I liked it and told me that he and his wife had an Azera and were thinking about getting a Cadenza but had not seen any around town and hadn't heard from an actual user. They said it looked sharp and very distinctive. I see tons of Optimas running around my area and am always on the lookout for another Cadenza. I just saw one a few days ago and have to say after seeing it on the road it does look quite a bit different than the Optima. The front end is larger and doesn't slope as extreme as the Optima. It looked quite distinct and handsome, if not a tiny husky almost. Have any of you guys had reactions like this?

 

[Beezwax]

i get looks all the time... in my town, we have a lot of highline cars... (bmw, lexus, mercedes, infin... etc...) once they see KIA, they have a very puzzled look on their face.

 

[sh30469]

I too have gotten plenty of looks on mine. I'm no head turner so it must be the car. Was thinking of getting some treatment on the outside to make it look pretty longer and protect the paint. Any suggestions other than possible (please don't yell at me) Ziebart Diamond Shield (about what I'm aiming for).

 

[Swive]

I have had my Snow White Pearl for @5 weeks. So far one guy has recognized and admired it. He'd be moving from a Lincoln. I told him to test drive it and he'd be sold. Have seen one 2013 Azera, and no Cadenzas since my purchase. Then again, I live in Topeka KS. Dealer said they'd sold 4 before I bought mine. A good friend (and car buff: past cars included Steve McQueen Mustang, current car is a Porsche Boxter S) was impressed with the build quality. I was parked one space away from a 2014 BMW 535 and although the profile lines were quite similar, the Cadenza had more consistent gaps between body panels. Side by side, I'd take the Cadenza. This from a former BMW 540 owner.

 

[Administrator]

I saw a fully loaded one in Austin Texas last weekend, thing def turned my head. Very impressive road presence.

 

[Unclassified]

No body cares around here. It's a KIA so it's dismissed.

 

[sh30469]

No body cares around here. It's a KIA so it's dismissed.

Some of the people stuck in their ways around Indy say the same thing, but that sentiment has changed a lot over the last few years. Even up on my last vehicle 3 years ago I wouldn't even entertain the thought of a Kia, I did look at a few Hyundais though. Over the last few years they have really changed their looks and over the last 6+ years they have really been improving their quality, let's hope it's up to par. I see a TON of Optimas in my area as well as Souls (#1 seller for Kia if I remember correctly). I have also seen a decent number of Rios and Fortes but that is it. No Rio 5 (such a disappointing car, had high hopes). In just the last 2 years I have seen a large influx of Kias over Hyundais, not something I expected. Seeing the Optima and Cadenza on the road is a nice treat when I do, they just look nice and different.

 

[kzookid]

Jury is still out for me

No body cares around here. It's a KIA so it's dismissed.

I think this is an excellent forum topic. I still have my 1999 Acura RL with 300k miles that is running smooth but I was scared it would start nickel/diming me with repairs so I was casually in the market for new wheels. After getting my feeling's hurt pricing a new RL, I saw the Cadenza driven by a Kia salesman and it caught my eye. Once he promised me he could do some Voodoo financing to get me into the car, I was driving it off the lot.
For me, it is a fully loaded car that has a great ride and a great engine. The other day I was driving on the highway and stepped on it and it ran at 100mph just as smooth as it did at 70 mph. Due to this horrendous Michigan winter, I haven't been able to put the miles on it yet as I have 5500 miles and have had the car since October 2013. I get compliments on the car but I still get that "Oh, that is a Kia??" response. My bigger fear for us Cadenza owners is will they hold their value? My guess is they won't have much after market value and I will end up driving it for a long time like my Acura. So far, I am happy but not sure if Kia will support it as the K900 seems to be the new baby. I will say this, as beautiful as the K900 is, if I spent that type of cash, I ain't buying a Kia. Sorry, just one man's opinion but the Cadenza let me get a lot of car and a lot of features for a reasonable price. I am happy. Looking forward to putting her on the highway this summer.

 

[davelli0331]

The reactions to mine have depended on how knowledgeable the person is about the brand. Two of my good friends from work who aren't really car buffs said "You went from a Cadillac to a Kia?? Did you just get a pay cut?"

Two of my other good friends and who both follow the car scene somewhat closely were much more impressed. One of them was my brother, whose wife drives a Soul, and they both love Kia and the brand bc of how solid her Soul has been.

I'm not really sure what other people think, nor do I care. I also ride a Yamaha cruiser instead of a Harley, have for years, so I've been dealing with brand snobbery of some kind for a long time.

 

[Swive]

I get the "You traded in your BMW for a Kia!?" comment as well. But I've driven the new 5 series and other than firmer seat side bolsters, I saw little difference, even in handling. So far my Kia dealership has treated me better than the BMW one (their salesman was even rude on the phone!) The longer I drive my Cadenza, the more I like it. Drove through heavy downpour the other night and I never hydroplaned (even on the Hankooks!), and the visibility when passing a semi was far improved over my Bimmer. I never see another "C" on the road here in Kansas, nor do I see any Azeras. Plenty of Optimas, Sonatas, etc. I like the uniqueness of the ride. Still contemplating changing badges. I think our "C" looks just as good as the K900 and better than the new Genesis. No regrets here.

(Oh, and I drive a 2001 Honda Magna, so I guess we're a non-Harley crowd!)

 

[davelli0331]

Yes, there are a ton of Optimas in my area. In fact a coworker just bought the highest trim level and took several of us to lunch, I was very impressed. They're very nice and well equipped cars.

Still like my Cadenza more, of course

The funny thing is, when it comes to most things other than cars and motorcycles, I believe very strongly in buying American when available and/or feasible. However (and I know this is controversial), when it comes to bikes and cars, the American companies haven't really proved to me that they're worth the price premium. But that's a highly debatable and personal opinion.

 

[sh30469]

The reactions to mine have depended on how knowledgeable the person is about the brand. Two of my good friends from work who aren't really car buffs said "You went from a Cadillac to a Kia?? Did you just get a pay cut?"

Two of my other good friends and who both follow the car scene somewhat closely were much more impressed. One of them was my brother, whose wife drives a Soul, and they both love Kia and the brand bc of how solid her Soul has been.

I'm not really sure what other people think, nor do I care. I also ride a Yamaha cruiser instead of a Harley, have for years, so I've been dealing with brand snobbery of some kind for a long time.

I have gotten reactions also of "You got a Kia?" and the people pretty much asking me if I was crazy. I then whip out pictures of my car and they all immediately get less noisy about it. I tell them the features on it standard plus my upgrades on it and they get impressed. Taken a few of them to the garage and they are even more impressed and really like it. I'm not trying to convert anyone on them but at least get that stigma away of Kia and Hyundai. They have both come a long way, several years ago I wouldn't even look at them, let alone consider one. My Cadenza has helped a few people realize, at the very least, that Kia is trying and their vehicles may be starting to become quality machines. I never owned a really nice car, my last was a Nissan Rogue, a nice car to be sure, but nothing like Caddie or a BMW.

 

[davelli0331]

One of the things I liked about Kia in general and the Cadenza in particular is that they're an underdog with something to prove. That will translate to them going the extra mile to really prove themselves in the entry-level and full-on luxury markets, and so far that's been my experience.

I honestly couldn't care less what other people think of my car. I understand some people have concerns with quality given Kia's market position in the past, and I don't mind addressing that. However, I'll leave the full-on badge-obsessed brand snobbery to smaller minds while I'm enjoying my Cadenza.

 

[Bimmer]

I got mine tinted yesterday. The guy and the shop called me and said "Is this really a Kia?" When I got there to pick it up he kept going on and on about how impressed he was with it, and he couldn't believe it was a Kia. He tints high-end cars all day long, and said he was more impressed with the fit and finish on the interior of my Cadenza than he was with most of the high-end cars he works on every day.

 

[Swive]

Got mine tinted on Monday. Also Snow White Pearl (w/ Beige Interior). Exact same reaction from the tint guys!

 

[sh30469]

Now we just have to work on the dealers actually being more "high end" to us. I have to say, I certainly don't feel like a "premium" customer in any Kia dealership I have been to yet so far (Indianapolis). As far as they seemed concerned I just bought a Forte. Not saying they have to rub me feet or anything but... **** I don't know. Just not a "premium" experience. Oh well?

 

[Unclassified]

Now we just have to work on the dealers actually being more "high end" to us. I have to say, I certainly don't feel like a "premium" customer in any Kia dealership I have been to yet so far (Indianapolis). As far as they seemed concerned I just bought a Forte. Not saying they have to rub me feet or anything but... **** I don't know. Just not a "premium" experience. Oh well?

Yet you give me a hard time because I said we don't have loaners?

 

[sh30469]

Yet you give me a hard time because I said we don't have loaners?

I don't remember this

 

[Unclassified]

I don't remember this

Fair enough, I apparently over looked a post on another thread and didn't realize you didn't write the response.

I think I would swing by the dealer and get that looked at before my first oil change. Being premium customers for the car we bought (or leased) they should provide you with another Cadenza to drive while yours is being worked on. You may want to call in advance and confirm just to make sure.

My dealer sure does have a new Cadenza ready for me to use. But, I can see why yours probably would not. Why did you buy a KIA anyway; go back to a Chevy Cavalier.

Yuck with this guy; go away.