First World Problem Story Time: Car Buying Edition...

"JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t" (jawzx2)
11/06/2018 at 19:13 • Filed to: Unnecessary Car Shopping

So we test drove a Hyundai Kona Limited (after voting, of course. Did you vote USA Oppo?) with the 1.6t. I like it. Its a good little CUV. Both Mrs. BoostAddict and I have been somewhat spoiled by the EcoBoost turbos in our respective vehicles, and the Kona has enough scoot to satisfy. The 7-speed DCT is quick and smooth, there’s torque everywhere, and the Limited has a very nice interior. It pulled smoothly up a hill at 1500 RPM without bothering to downshift, and when you put your foot in it grabs a couple gears and boogies. It also has an excellent compromise suspension with very good body control, but a comfortable ride on rutty dirt. I like it enough to fogive it it’s lack of manual transmission. Mrs. BoostAddict also likes it and since she dislikes driving stick, the Hyundai is in the lead there. Honesty, if the price were closer I’d say “ok, lets get the Kona!” Its a nice little rig.

An AWD Limited Kona with no other options stickers within ~$500 of the loaded-but-still-manual Jeep Renegade Altitude (or is it Latitude?) I drove before. (+/- $270 00). HOWEVER, Jeep is offering a $4000 rebate on upper trim Renegades, and the Hyundai dealer offered $6000 trade in value for the FieSTa. Ouch.

That stings.

my brother suggests that if I were really concerned about saving money I would just get a Renegade Sport with no options but AWD and A/C but they’re only offering $1000 rebate on the Sport, which puts the Altitude/Latitude/whatever closer than I would have thought, only about $2000 more.

We haven’t yet got a trade quote from the Jeep guys, but its already $4000 cheaper... I know the Hyundai will probably have fewer problems, and be more valuable five years from now, but I’m pretty likely to drive my next car until it croaks... I mean I would be doing that with the FieSTa if it weren’t for the unpleasantness encountered every time I drive it here... I have considered getting a mud season beater, but the sad truth is that driving the FieSTa on our road is an un-fun experience most of the time, mud season is just a worst-case-scenario. Price is not unimportant in this transaction :/

Oppo Thoughts?

DISCUSSION (20)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/06/2018 at 20:38

I really like the wheels on that Renegade are they stock?

I also like the Kona and find it funny that it looks a bit like the Cherokee did, but doesn’t anymore.

Honestly faced with this dilemma I’d go for the Kona purely because of Hyundai’s reliability ratings vs FCAs, plus the 7 year 100,000 miles warrenty that I’m pretty sure Hyundia and Kia both still run. But my wife is the type to keep a car 7 Years so that would actually matter for her, is you trade in every 3 years that’s not much of an issue.

QCGoose > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/06/2018 at 20:46

If it were my money, between the two, it would be the Hyundai without a doubt.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/06/2018 at 20:47

Go with the Kona. If you’re driving it til it dies, you will be buying a new car sooner if you go Jeep. It’s just the nature of a Hyundai. They’re cheap to buy and maintain, plus, absurd warranty.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/06/2018 at 20:56

Renegade values don’t seem to be holding up at all. Have you considered just getting a used one? I’m seeing some that are well below $20k

https://seattle.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=renegade&sort=date&srchType=T&hasPic=1

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
11/06/2018 at 21:05

Used car values are high for AWD here, and the price vs new after the agressive discounts Jeep is offering now are not that great. Especially considering mileage and lack-of, or near-end-of warranty.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
11/06/2018 at 21:16

Nope, not a stock wheel, but they aren’t super expensive either. The renegade really takes the 1.4" Madness lowering springs well too... I think its a good looking car.

It is funny that the Kona looks a bit like pre-facelift Cherokee, though I think the Hyundai grill works better with the separated light clusters than the Jeep seven slots...

Yeah that Hyundai waranty is a nice thing, of course I had a 2011 Elantra Touring, and in the three years I owned it I never needed waranty work once. Thats what I traded for the FieSTa, and I cant help but think it would be worth closer than I’d care to research to the trade in value Hyundai offered me on the FieSTa.

arl > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/06/2018 at 21:18

If that red CUV thing in your lead is the Hyu ndai, the go for that. That’s a handsome little vehicle.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > arl
11/06/2018 at 21:19

It is. Looks g ood i n p erson too.

wafflesnfalafel > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/06/2018 at 21:34

I really like the looks of that new Kona... that’s what I would be buying of those two.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/06/2018 at 21:43

I’d still pay up for the Hyundai.

TylerJ > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/06/2018 at 21:51

If only you could get body color body cladding on either of those vehicles.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/06/2018 at 22:11

I’d say not needing to use your warrenty in 3 Years is better than any warrenty, Just ask Tommy Boy.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > TylerJ
11/06/2018 at 22:12

Just send 1000 dollar to you nearest body shop.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/06/2018 at 22:51

The Hyundai will be the better choice in the long run. Hyundais are near Toyota level of reliability, and that Kona is definitely going to have a lower cost of ownership than a Jeep

pip bip - choose Corrour > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/07/2018 at 04:27

Toyota C-HR?

at leat it comes with manual

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > pip bip - choose Corrour
11/07/2018 at 08:58

No AWD. I'm not gonna give up the on-road handling and performance of the FieSTa without gaining AWD.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/07/2018 at 10:25

Buy the Kona- Reliability, Resale(Relatively better compared to Jeep), long warranty, better driving and performing from everything I’ve read and seen.

Personally I wouldn’t buy any Jeep except the Grand Cherokee or Wrangler. The competition is much better below that level.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/14/2018 at 21:15

I’m not a CUV person at all mostly, but along with the Mazda CX-3, the Kona is definitely a cool little ride in my eyes. I’m probably a bit biased from owning an Accent that has given me pretty much zero problems, but I really like the styling on the Kona. I am very sad it has no manual trans option here in Canada though....but if I had to go for something new and felt I could live without a stick, it would be high on my list!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
11/14/2018 at 22:52

I really liked the way the CX3 felt, the chassis and sterring communication were great. But Mrs. BoostAddict and I both admit to being spoiled by powerful turbo vehicles, and the Mazda, as hard as it tries to drive like a sports ca r, is just not very fast. The Kona doesn’t quite have the connected chassis feel of the CX3, but the handling limits are high for a CUV, and the turbo 1.6 plus seven-speed DCT blows the CX3's driveline away in every respect. I also had a hard time getting comfortable in the CX3's seats, so as much as I appreciate what Mazda has accomplished with it, it looses out to the Kona in our case. I owned a 100% trouble-free Hyundai in the past too, a 2011 Elantra Touring (i30sw). The last Mazda I owned was a 1990 Protege LX, the one with the 1.8BP engine and the passive rear-steering. It was a really g reat little car too, and had over 300K miles on it when we parted ways due to a brake repair that would have handily exceeded the value of the vehicle... The LX used special brake calipers and mounts and they were virtually unobtanium by that time.. (2001)

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
11/15/2018 at 17:30

If you decide on the Kona, I definitely want to hear more about it! :)