Random ponderings about daily drivers...

"SmugAardvark" (SmugAardvark) 06/01/2019 at 19:56 • Filed to: hyundai equus, Kia K900

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Admittedly, I have done only the slightest modicum of research on these cars. But I do find the Hyundai Equus/Kia K900 to be somewhat enticing in my search for a new daily driver (among a slew of other cars/trucks/SUVs) . It’s time to put the Cube out to pasture (via donation), and I’m honestly all over the place about what I might want to replace it with.

As for the inevitable questions of what exactly I’m looking for in a daily and why I’m looking at these, well, let me try to answer. I only travel about 15 miles each way to/from work, and work 4 days a week. I tend to hit bad traffic on my way to work and have an easy cruise on my way home. I live in a city, and my daily commute has me traversing the downtown portion. Ultimately, I want something comfortable and enjoyable to drive without being unreasonably expensive. I do the occasional road trip here and there, and drive down to southern California a few times per year. Really all I need is four doors and a vehicle  that can soak up miles. But I want something that I won’t hate driving.

I’d be going the used car route, hoping to find a good one that’s not at a Kia/Hyundai dealership, as they are notoriously terrible. There are plenty of used models less than 5 years old with under 50-60k miles for less than $20k within a fairly short distance of me. I know they’ll keep depreciating (which is why I will not even consider buying one new), but I have not come across much info that says they are horribly unreliable and ungodly expensive to keep on the road.

So I’m hoping some Oppo folks here have experience with the BH-L platform. Anything in particular I should be looking for when I go for some test drives? Or maybe you’re of the opinion that I’m just being stupid for even considering these. Feel free to let me know if that’s the case.

LongbowMkII > SmugAardvark 06/01/2019 at 20:15

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If I had a mostly 15mi commute and the means it’d be hard not to look at plug in hybrids. 

ranwhenparked > LongbowMkII 06/01/2019 at 20:20

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On the other hand, with a commute that short, it doesn’t really matter what you drive. You could use a ‘’72 Eldorado and a tank of gas would still last you a month.

SmugAardvark > LongbowMkII 06/01/2019 at 20:22

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My only concern with plug-ins is that with the Corvette and my girl’s Jetta in the driveway , my daily driver gets parked on the street. My garage is detached from the house and in the back of my lot. Essentially, it would mean running the power cable down the driveway, across the sidewalk, and to the curb. Not sure that would be a good idea.

I haven’t driven a lot of hybrids. But I have driven two Priuses (Prii?). I know for a fact that I don’t want a Prius.

SmugAardvark > ranwhenparked 06/01/2019 at 20:24

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It’s true. Even with gas being insanely expensive in California, I feel like I don’t have to fill up very often. In fact, I drove the Vette today. Cost me nearly $50 to go from 1/8th tank to full. I was a little flummoxed, until I realized that I hadn’t put gas in it since April.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > SmugAardvark 06/01/2019 at 20:31

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From what I’ve heard, they’re very reliable. I have seen a couple of Equus here and there with over 200k. I know Chariot of Love has a K900 and loves it. I know my mom is mildly interested in them just because they’re really nice cars and a great value.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > SmugAardvark 06/01/2019 at 20:33

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Miata though

SmugAardvark > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/01/2019 at 20:34

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Not enough room for wifey and doggo though. :(

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > SmugAardvark 06/01/2019 at 20:34

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I put gas in mine once a week. It took me a whole week to stop measuring fuel economy. 

SmugAardvark > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 06/01/2019 at 20:35

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Excellent, thank you!

SmugAardvark > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 06/01/2019 at 20:37

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Haha, I managed to eke out about 30mpg on a trip down I-5 back in fall . Sixth gear, cruise control, and a long stretch of flat highway.

Other than that? It’s...well, it’s not great. But I haven’t been driving it all that often lately.

LongbowMkII > ranwhenparked 06/01/2019 at 20:40

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I’d rather my Altima eat no gas than 1.6 tanks/mo

LongbowMkII > SmugAardvark 06/01/2019 at 20:43

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Yaris? With a city range that short . All I know is that you can beat it and stay well with the bounds of good taste on roads, and that’s fun

SmugAardvark > LongbowMkII 06/01/2019 at 20:56

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Not quite what I’m looking for . If that was the route I wanted to go, I would probably keep the Cube.

I’ve considered the Fiesta ST and Focus ST as well, but the days of wanting my spine rattled and compressed on a daily basis are sadly behind me. I’m looking for something that’s a more comfortable cruiser.

OneSlowScion > SmugAardvark 06/01/2019 at 21:31

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Wife can hold dog on lap, problem solved.

LongbowMkII > SmugAardvark 06/01/2019 at 21:40

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Es350h? Hardly ‘fun’ but it was the easiest test drive I’ve ever taken

Khalbali > SmugAardvark 06/01/2019 at 21:45

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I think it's a good idea, I keep an eye on them as I'm big on pretty much everything Korean, but they're still too pricey for me right now. I also watch cadenzas but my true desire is a g70 or stinger in a few years.

WilliamsSW > SmugAardvark 06/01/2019 at 22:31

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I don’t get the impression driving dynamics are that great ( duh they’re luxury cars) and they depreciate like crazy, but that is literally the only bad news I’ve heard on them.

They just seem like good comfy cruisers with a lot of value if you buy after a couple of years of steep depreciation.

Chariotoflove > SmugAardvark 06/01/2019 at 23:50

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My driving pattern is very similar to what you describe. I’ve had Genie for two years now, and she’s  a treat for commutes and road trips alike. I don’t mind sitting in traffic so much these days . Let me know if I can help.  

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > SmugAardvark 06/02/2019 at 00:09

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Two miatas, one for you and dog, one for wife and luggage

SmugAardvark > Chariotoflove 06/02/2019 at 01:57

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That’s great, thank you! Glad to know you’ve enjoy ed the first two years of ownership. Any maintenance issues so far?

SmugAardvark > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/02/2019 at 01:57

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Hmm...this could work...

SmugAardvark > WilliamsSW 06/02/2019 at 01:59

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Definitely won’t be used for carving canyon roads (which is pretty much why I bought the C5, so all good there). I know they’re land yachts, but I’m hoping the V8 has enough oomph to pass on the highway and keep me awake on long drives

SmugAardvark > Khalbali 06/02/2019 at 01:59

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I also like the Stinger. But it’s a little more than I want to pay for a daily right now. Plus I feel like I’ll be tempted to hoon a Stinger, which probably wouldn’t be in my best interests.

SmugAardvark > LongbowMkII 06/02/2019 at 02:01

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Really not a bad idea. I hadn’t even considered it. If I could swing a deal on a GS, that would be preferable. But the luxo-Camry would probably make a better daily.

WilliamsSW > SmugAardvark 06/02/2019 at 09:52

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I would think the V8 has plenty of power - 420 HP IIRC. But I haven’t driven one myself. 

Khalbali > SmugAardvark 06/02/2019 at 14:54

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Yeah I don’t see myself ever spending more than 20k on a daily so they’ve got a little ways to go. I was looking at k900’s but the new one sounds like a huge improvement so might be worth waiting for. And yeah, for a stinger I just want the 2.0t premium, I need my heated seats and sunroof.

SpeedSix > SmugAardvark 06/03/2019 at 00:57

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They also sold Avalon hybrids starting in 2013 in the U.S., those might be more overlooked too.

Chariotoflove > SmugAardvark 06/03/2019 at 15:18

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You’re welcome. I had a wheel bearing replaced for a sound in the front wheel and the motor for the left front headlight went bad (the lights steer with the wheel) . Those were covered under CPO warranty. I suspect the bearing issue might have been connected to that wheel hitting a road hump a couple months before (I ended up replacing the rim it was so gouged out) , but the service guy who rode with me said that shouldn’t have caused a problem in the bearings, and they covered it.

I had the water pump in the engine go. It was replaced under the powertrain warranty. I am now dealing with a problem in the passenger side seat belt tensioner that is deactivating my airbags. That’s out of pocket, and a little pricey, but one of those kinds of random things that come out of left field.

Overall, the car has been really solid for me.