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.
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.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.No body cares around here. It's a KIA so it's dismissed.
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.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.
Yet you give me a hard time because I said we don't have loaners?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?
I don't remember thisYet you give me a hard time because I said we don't have loaners?
Fair enough, I apparently over looked a post on another thread and didn't realize you didn't write the response.I don't remember this![]()
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.