"wbizarre - OEM fetishist" (wbizarre)
12/31/2014 at 12:20 • Filed to: None
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"wbizarre - OEM fetishist" (wbizarre)
12/31/2014 at 12:20 • Filed to: None | 3
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BMW has Alpina, Hartge, AC Schnitzer. Mercedes has Brabus and Carlsson. VW/Audi have APR and ABT. Storied brands that have built expertise with specific brands over decades.
Now that the Koreans are building cars that at least look like they're fun to drive, are there any emerging tuning companies specializing in sprucing up the performance/handling of these cars? Seems like there'd be demand for such a thing.
Vimto
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 12:25 |
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There are a few Korean companies that tune Kias in their native land, but I think the brand is too new to have a dedicated tuner globally/in the States. Mercedes, BMW etc have decades of producing fantastic vehicles - Hyundai and Kia didn't really take off sales wise until about 15 years ago.
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 12:26 |
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Well since that left the Millen's out in the rain, I have no clue.
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Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/31/2014 at 12:26 |
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*they
T5Killer
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 12:31 |
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I have yet to see a Kia tuning company I have seem for Hyundai but not Kia. come to think about it I have yet to see someone do a Kia in KDM style the way folks do Hyundai as well.
Funktheduck
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 12:33 |
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I smell business opportunity.
cbell04
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 12:40 |
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Good call! *trademarks KMG*
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T5Killer
> Funktheduck
12/31/2014 at 12:41 |
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Not to sure about that what does Kia have that is sporty? The Forte coupe?
blackchair
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 12:44 |
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This looks like a little bit of fun: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatc…
Justin Hughes
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 12:46 |
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Here are my suggestions.
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Funktheduck
> T5Killer
12/31/2014 at 12:49 |
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Tuning companies make things sporty or sportier. Start with the forte, make handling and power upgrades. Move to the soul and rio.
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T5Killer
> Funktheduck
12/31/2014 at 13:04 |
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My point is that most tuning companies have to start with a sporty car that has a following that is willing to spend money on making it better and the KIA lineup doesn't seem to have many cars that see to have that following but I could be wrong.
mr2gud2u
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 13:13 |
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I can't lie. I would mash the shit out of a modded Cadenza.
RallyWrench
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 13:28 |
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Kia?
A lot of the mechanicals are shared with Hyundai, so whoever did them could cash in, like Millen.
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wbizarre - OEM fetishist
> Justin Hughes
12/31/2014 at 13:34 |
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All of these are so, so great.
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Funktheduck
> T5Killer
12/31/2014 at 13:36 |
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It's probably not a huge market but maybe one that could grow itself. I knew lots of people that wanted civics over other cars just because there was a better aftermarket compared to other makes.
It could be as simple as hooking up with a Korean tuner and bringing their stuff stateside. at least compared to starting from scratch.
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Justin Hughes
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 13:42 |
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Spotted at ESPR in 2013.
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Justin Hughes
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 13:42 |
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Stupid double post.
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T5Killer
> Funktheduck
12/31/2014 at 14:46 |
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True importing KDM stuff would be the best way to get started. You have a good point about Civics, the old school 5.0 Fox bodies are another car that people bought because the aftermarket is huge for them.
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Funktheduck
> T5Killer
12/31/2014 at 14:49 |
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And SBC. How many cars have one of those crammed in because of price and aftermarket support? The Forte could be the new civic for tuners. Granted, I'd have to buy a Kia if I were to do all this and I'm not sure I could let my mazda go.
ranwhenparked
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 15:27 |
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Well, there's A-Seung Automotive, but they mostly do cosmetic stuff, plus Kia's in-house brand, TUON.
Part of the problem is that South Korea is a lot like France, in that they have very strict laws governing what sorts of modifications can be made to cars after they leave the factory, and its very hard to make a tuned car road legal.
jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/31/2014 at 17:40 |
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Who tunes Kias? Easy, high school kids. *ba dum tsh*
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wbizarre - OEM fetishist
> jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
12/31/2014 at 18:17 |
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Haha, I don't think a trip to Pep Boys to spend lunch money on some chrome "side vents" and a flame steering wheel cover counts as tuning.