Car shopping update...Eyes on Korea edition.

"Frosted" (frostedbuns) 04/18/2014 at 13:29 • Filed to: None

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The Mazda 2 is out. It's just too small. Went with my father today to Sansone Mazda/Kia/Hyundai/Chrysler/Nissan/Toyota/Scion to look at new subcompacts and pre owned cars that were less than 20 grand with under 50k miles. We saw a lot. We liked a lot. We hated the 2 purely because those seats are too small. My ass was overhanging by a solid inch. I complained that the Volvo I own now has no bolstering but jeez, there was nothing to keep me in place on the 2 at all. Anyway, we got to ride around the sales lots in a 2014 Kia Rio with 600miles on the odo that cost 18 grand and it was....nice. Really nice. Big time contender for my next car. We also looked at Mazda 3 and 6s, which were 19,995 with 20-40k miles, all 2010 and up. Very very nice as well. Sat in a Cruze LT and was impressed but not as pleased as I was in the Mazda, so it's an option but not one of my favorites. Sat in the Sonic LT again but honestly the Cruze was just nicer.

So yea, still want to look at some Fortes, Souls, Elantra 5 doors and Accents but the Kias I saw today REALLY impressed me.

jkm7680 > Frosted 04/18/2014 at 13:41

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Bolstering is nice. I can't stand flat seats, such as mine.

Jayhawk Jake > Frosted 04/18/2014 at 14:43

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As someone who owned a 2011 Forte Koup and currently owns a Sonic RS, you can't go wrong with either.

I haven't actually been in the non-RS Sonic, but the seats in the RS are awesome. A bit narrow, but very comfortable. I've also driven a 2014 Koup, it's a nice car but the low spec model I drove was underwhelming on the road. I still want to drive the new SX turbo

mazdaspeed2 > Frosted 04/18/2014 at 16:27

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NOOOO NOT THE 2! (half kidding...)

On a more serious note, that's too bad. I didn't even think about fitting in the car. I am 5'7" and 150lbs if I eat a lot that day, so I never worry about that haha. If you are looking at under 20k, I would say Speed 3 (the obligatory Mazda), WRX, or Fiesta ST. I also hear that new Abarths are going for really cheap, like $6-7k of msrp. I know Automatch has found some for around $17-18k new.

Frosted > mazdaspeed2 04/18/2014 at 17:38

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Yea I was a bit disappointed getting into the 2 to drive it only to realize I come no where close to fitting. Oh well though, the search continues. The ST/WRX/Speed 3 are out because my insurance rates would soar and I'm trying to find a cheaper car insurance wise, hence the regular 3 and 6. So far though, these Hyundai/Kias have been the most attractive things that I've been looking at.

mazdaspeed2 > Frosted 04/18/2014 at 20:06

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Ohhh, I'm guessing no Mini's either?

Frosted > mazdaspeed2 04/18/2014 at 20:08

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Nah, trying to avoid European cars this time around.

mazdaspeed2 > Frosted 04/18/2014 at 20:19

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If money is an object I can't blame you, haha. The 2.5 in the 3 was surprisingly good when I tested one, but I hated the location of the shifter. I strongly dislike the Korean cars, haha, but I kind of like the look of the Forte. I drove an Elantra a couple years ago and I thought it was worse than my mom's prius...

Frosted > mazdaspeed2 04/19/2014 at 01:57

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I normally feel the same about Korean cars but the Rio we rode around in through the lots today was very nice, very smooth engine and transmission. Good power for the little engine it had too. It was pre owned with 636 miles on it. Was a little pricey at 18 grand though, but the guy helping us seemed ready to drop the price for a sale....

...I always fall for that "we can meet any reasonable price" bullshit, get dicked over in the end.

mazdaspeed2 > Frosted 04/19/2014 at 07:44

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It's good to hear that they are better than they used to be, but yeah, dealing with dealers can suck. Just don't be afraid to walk away if it doesn't feel right to you.

Bytemite > Frosted 04/19/2014 at 22:28

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>.< I asked you on your previous post if you considered the Rio or Accent or any of the Korean cars and you said they were out.

Frosted > Bytemite 04/19/2014 at 22:37

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They were out right up until I sat in one and drove the Rio. I had this badge snobbery/presumption that Kia and Hyundai were junk but WOW have they come a long long way. Being in the Rio and Soul has changed my mind about Kia at least and I'm keeping an eye out for used Forte Koups now as they fit my budget and I'd really like to take a test drive in one haha.

Bytemite > Frosted 04/19/2014 at 23:27

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Goooood. Hyundai is just as good btw, so check those cars too.