Toys4RJill

Agree, if I'm spending $60k it damn better have a true respectable badge.

mmarshall

K...I....A. + (Today) = Respectable. Simple mathematics.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Respectable and desirable are two different things.

Mr. Burns

Kia is not a respectable luxury brand, it is barely even a respectable mainstream brand. There are people who wouldn't be caught in a $15,000 Kia compact sedan, let alone a $60,000 one.

If you have $60,000 to spend, you're either wealthy enough that spending more for status (which is important) is not an issue, or not wealthy enough to really own a car like this and should instead be looking at a Genesis or Chrysler 300 or something.

Also it would be interesting to see how much of a good "value" the Kia K900 is in 10 years when it's inevitably falling apart and selling for rock bottom resale prices. But even then I can't even see the fake rich teenagers wanting one.

TangoRed

Falling apart? Seriously doubt that. There's no reason this K900 won't prove to be a reliable vehicle. Also fake rich people won't buy a rolling couch- they will buy a leased C-class/E-class or equivalent with zero options.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

the 'bottom line' is always there and influencing things more than ever today. i have no doubt that ad money influences even rankings in comparisons. at the very least, ad money may make comments in reviews not say anything significantly negative. i don't believe there's ANY objectivity in ANY media any longer, and probably never was. we can wax nostalgically about walter kronkite but even he had cigarette company sponsors. he was a good man though, but thought the u.s. should give up some sovereignty to the u.n. and strengthen it more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_...tical_activism

no chance. website ad revenue hasn't come close to replacing print subscription and print ad revenue although the print revenue is declining so far as to make most magazines in serious danger of disappearing. i personally have no problem with that as it's a giant waste of paper and resources. but because of the squeeze on them, they have to 'cave' to their 'sponsors' more.

exactly.

there's that 'true' word again. some people might laugh at what you consider to be 'true', because it's subjective.

exactly! haha

mmarshall

There is one possible reason......if people simply don't buy them. I think, though, that, despite some of the negative comments posted here, those who want a less-expensive LS460, and who actually take the time and effort to go look at the K900, will consider it. But, being a realist, I don't expect it to sell in LS numbers.

Now, folks, in all fairness, that's not to take anything away from the LS460, by any means. The LS has been, is, and probably will continue to be a benchmark in luxury-class sedans. The Hyundai Equus and Kia K900 would probably not exist today in the American market in the first place if it were not for the overall success of the LS over the years and the recent success of the Mercedes S550. The Equus and K900 simply offer lower-cost alternatives (perhaps missing a slight bit of refinement), with longer warranties. That's all.

rxonmymind

In my infamous breakdown on the grapevine on the way to Disneyland we had to rent a Kia optima from the airport. I'll say this for the "inferior" rugrat of a car. It was quieter than my RX350 and was well behaved at cruising speed over L.A. pot hole laden freeways. Just being objective. Won't ever own one but if that experience on a rental was any indication of the direction they're headed then more power to them. It's a solid foundation to start on. I can only imagine what the K900 would be like cabin wise in terms of noise, comfort and handling.

mmarshall

The Optima is quite a nice mid-size sedan (and I seriously considered one when I got my Verano...the Optima was in third or fourth place). But Kia, a couple of years ago, dropped what was IMO the ideal version......the EX Turbo, which offered the added turbo power on the standard softer suspension/tires, without the added suspension/tire harshness of the SX turbo. That's the version I would have gotten, but it is no longer produced. To get the turbo engine, one now must take the stiffer SX chassis with it.

But, as a cruiser, there's simply no Optima comparison to the K900......or to the FWD Cadenza, for that matter. The Optima non-turbo, even on the standard suspension/tires, is designed for a reasonable amount of ride comfort combined with reasonably good handling. The K900, even with its mildly-aggressive 19-inch 45-series tires, is clearly comfort-oriented.

I8ABMR

people used to say the same thing about Lexus. "How much for that big Toyota ???!!! You'd have to be an idiot not to buy a Benz!!" . Those people today are rocking Lexus vehicles. Never say never. You never know

JDR76

While I doubt I would buy a $60k Kia, I would definitely consider a $30k one (read: Optima). I have a friend with one who traded in his 3 series and he loves it. Lots of trouble free miles so far.

My parents used to have an '06 Sportage with the V6. They had it for 60k miles and never even had a warranty repair.

While I don't think they are yet to the quality level of some other marques, I do think their progress is commendable and I would now consider one.

pman6

naw, i mean it's still not a respectable luxury badge.

and if i had to spend 60k today, i would look at a depreciated low mile 3 year old german flagship.

in 3 years, the k900 will be just 30k or so.

The styling is awful too.

If they brought this thing however............

LexBob2

In the US in January, only 119 K900's were sold (vs. 220 Equus). Not stellar numbers, but maybe they'll pick up in the upcoming months.

mmarshall

You're entitled to your opinion, which I respect, but at least go look at and drive a K900 and then say how you feel.


An extended warranty (which, of course, adds to the cost) is almost a must on any upmarket used or CPO German vehicle that is past (or almost past) its original factory warranty. Buying a used Audi, BMW, or Mercedes is one thing...and, of course, still not necessarily cheap. But, once you get past the initial purchase the prospect of what major service and/or repairs may cost makes an extended warranty almost a given. Those service departments are notorious for emptying your wallet in a hurry.


Given typical Hyundai Equus depreciation levels, that's probably a good guess. Makes it even more of a bargain.

BCrews

I think it's odd the C& D review compared all kinds of figures to the LS460, but made no such comparisons once talking about the handling such as body roll, steering etc Is the K900 just a joke to the LS in this regard, or do they feel in general the LS also does not compete in the category anymore in this regard?

I've been in the K900 at the autoshow and liked what I saw however. I hope they continue to make it simply to add competition to the category.

I had a 2004 Kia Sorento - while for roughly the price of a Rav4 or Honda CRV at the time, this was a bigger truck chassied vehicle that had a very pleasing interior trim. Everyone that was in it was rather surprised...it did NOT age well at all- plastic exteriors like tail spoiler, bumpers, door handles all faded/chipped from normal wear despite regular hand washing - the feaux wood interior faded despite tinited windows and window shade, and worst of all the elecrical harness had some wonkiness- regularly resulting in changing of tail/brake and headlights frequently (every few months) On REALLY hot days the headlights wouldn't come on at all (good thing the fogs worked independently. Engine and drivetrain got progressively louder for no reason and the dealer just said it was in great condition (we took good care of this and went above and beyond scheduled maintenance)

I'd hardly call it a lemon- but our 2000 Nissan Xterra while not as nicely spec'd / trimmed, took a lot more abuse and had not even 1/2 the issues of the Kia. It was for this reason I avoided the used Equus market and looked for an LS.

Kia / Hyundai have come a long way- and 10+ years since my car they've maybe come even further- but they've got a ways to go in my opinion.