OV9

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.

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.

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

My mate has one, it’s fine.

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.

Jobbo wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2024 1:59 pm It's also a manual because my stepson has not seen the light yet.

Long may this continue

Jobbo wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2024 1:59 pm 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.

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

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.

Jobbo wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2024 1:59 pm 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.

Jobbo wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2024 1:07 pm 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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

Jobbo wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2024 1:07 pm 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.

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.

Looks like a winner for a NCG Jobbo.

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.