New car day

[Jobbo]

It's always a pleasure to pick up a new car. Even if it's not for you. This is my stepson's and we found it and did all the paperwork yesterday, then I collected it for him today.

I've mentioned before that he's not particularly interested in cars so the criteria would have led to diesel Golf, but looking for a low mileage car still under warranty which is good value led me to only two really: the Dacia Duster and Kia Xceed. The Xceed seems to be about £3k cheaper like for like than an equivalent Ceed, despite being basically identical other than a bit of body addenda (wheelarch and sill extensions) and some nice alloys. This worked out at £2000 down and £200 a month for 3 years on a PCP, for a car which still has almost 4 full years' original manufacturer's warranty remaining. It should be economical. I think it will work out very well for him; he's not interested in having a cheaper older car which needs more regular attention. And I think it looks pretty good.



I have not driven it far but will get a decent trip in it tonight to get home. First impressions are that it's an NCG car which car guys can actually like.

[Gavster]

It looks like a nic car, and sounds like good value for (hopefully) trouble free motoring. I'm also very intrigued by the whole Kia range, they appear to be extremely popular as day-to-day cars yet I've never driven one. I assume they tick all the boxes for being comfortable, easy to drive, well specced and good visibility etc.

[Zonda_]

Looks good, what engine? I'm currently running a diesel Astra which is...dull.

[ZedLeg]

My mate has one, it’s fine.

[Jobbo]

It is the 1.0 petrol T-GDI with 120bhp. I think it's a 3-cylinder. It's also a manual because my stepson has not seen the light yet.

Having had a Kia when we were in the US last year and a Hyundai in Malta this year, I'm massively impressed. They're the new VW in many ways. A bit funkier and cheaper than an equivalent Japanese car, and they've raided the German brands for recruitment.

[mik]

It's also a manual because my stepson has not seen the light yet.

Long may this continue

[Zonda_]

It is the 1.0 petrol T-GDI with 120bhp. I think it's a 3-cylinder. It's also a manual because my stepson has not seen the light yet.

Having had a Kia when we were in the US last year and a Hyundai in Malta this year, I'm massively impressed. They're the new VW in many ways. A bit funkier and cheaper than an equivalent Japanese car, and they've raided the German brands for recruitment.

Bonkers the power they can get out of such tiny engines. I tried to steer the other half towards a Kia or Hyundai but she ended up with a Mazda 2.

[Marv]

Looks like great value for money, solid first car from the look of it

[Jobbo]

It's not his first car - he had a Juke (and now wouldn't again). He's 25, he's had about 5 company cars but is moving jobs so loses that.

[Carlos]

It is the 1.0 petrol T-GDI with 120bhp. I think it's a 3-cylinder. It's also a manual because my stepson has not seen the light yet.

Great cars and surprisingly nippy. My sister had one for 2 years and only just replaced it with a Octavia so a very similar buyer profile lol

They have to be serviced annually to maintain the warranty and they are sticklers for it but my sister had a monthly service plan with the local dealer rather than Kia which seemed really good value.

[nuttinnew]

The Xceed seems to be about £3k cheaper like for like than an equivalent Ceed

That seems the wrong way round Good spot, helps the vfm

[Barry]

I'm on my second Hyundai, and had the Kia Niro before this - I think they're decent cars over all (can't comment on the ICE motors however). That said, if I was going ICE I think I'd have been tempted by the Mazda too.

[V8Granite]

I had one for about 8 weeks in total as a hire car.

Horrid controls but excellent body control, if a bit unsettled with big bumps. Far more fun to hustle then the a200d i was given after. The gearshift didn’t like being rushed but I enjoyed having it. It also has a surprisingly good wading depth as at the time Bridgnorth was mostly flooded.

Dave!

[Jobbo]

The gearshift is amazing. Really light and easy to use. Very refined engine except at a couple of resonant frequencies -
It’s easy to find you’re driving along in 3rd gear at 3000rpm because it’s so quiet. Needs clogging to go. Not as refined at 70mph; body boom and tyre roar are dominant.

It has a bit of character to it. I like it.

[Mito Man]

Looks alright and must be better than a Duster which I thought was really rather grim and a bit shit. I mean they were ok when they cost £13,000 new but a bit of a joke lately.

[Matty]

Good colour for it - they're decent looking cars - can't complain for the money, and well equipped too.

[Jimmy Choo]

First impressions are that it's an NCG car which car guys can actually like.

I always seem to be recommending Kia and Hyundai to my NCG friends. That one looks good and IIRC your stepson is built like a wardrobe so for both you and him to fit, it must be pretty flexible.

[Jobbo]

I’ve not been in it at the same time as him so that remains to be seen - he did test drive it and liked it though.

[dinny_g]

Looks like a winner for a NCG Jobbo.

[Delphi]

A few family members have Kias (mum has a Soul, father-in-law has a Stonic and a friend of mine has a Sportage). They seem to have nailed the affordable-but-wont-fall-apart-cars-for-people-who-don't-care-about-cars segment quite nicely. Perfect White Goods Transport.

In other news, I overheard someone in the office proclaiming that he had an XX (can't remember the exact letters) model Qashqai like it was something to be proud of. WTF does that? It's a Qashqai - one of the most hateful cars ever made. Guaranteed he's an admin on a tragic Qashqai forum somewhere.