First Drive: 2015 Kia K900
#16
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I sat in this thing at the LA auto show and the interior is killer! Much nicer than the equus. Better wood trim styling and seat stitching. Outside the rear looks like a total rip from the LS460. Overall this car will be a nice pick up in 4 years! :-)
#17
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Until then Hyundai/Kia are not top class brands
All they do are half cooked sub par cars
70k for that LOL ^^
#19
Lexus Fanatic
I'm just saying that even for me, someone who can pick out the exact model and even year of a car from 200 feet at night just by the design of the taillights...I have to look at the K900 for a minute to see it isn't an Optima. It doesn't look like a flagship to me....where the Equus does. It has that "big body" look that an LS has, a 7 Series has, an A8 has, and certainly an S Class has. That look GREATLY appeals to me and I know it when I see it, this car doesn't have it. People see the Equus and say "Wow, what is that?" people see this and think its an Optima. Theres a difference.
I think to me the issue is Kia is using their design language on this car that is shared with not only an Optima...but on down the line in the Forte and the Rio...while Hyundai has the good sense to not share design language with the Equus/Genesis and the rest of their lineup.
If I could get past the brand, I would absolutely buy an Equus. Even without the brand issue I just wouldn't buy this car. Has zero appeal to me.
than the kinda stodgy dated looking equus.
at about $15k less than a similarly equipped LS, it's a heck of a deal.
Anyways...how will the K900 hold up resale wise? The Equus hasn't. That $15,000 between a K900 and an LS can be cut to nothing in 3 years real quick.
#20
They had quite a few of these at Houston Auto Show. I sat in one to see how it feels. The seats feel more like the LS type. Although the interior has all the bells and whistles, to me, it's not quite a luxurious vehicle. I feel the red light around the switches and overall design make the car look/feel cheap. Steve, I think your GS's interior is nicer and looks more luxurious. It pleases the eyes when you sit inside. It's a nice (Korean) car but I personally would not pay the price for this car, esp. with the Kia logo. I do like the sun roof though.
Last edited by 1111GS; 05-22-21 at 10:19 AM.
#21
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It doesn't look like a flagship to me....where the Equus does.
this car doesn't have it. People see the Equus and say "Wow, what is that?" people see this and think its an Optima. Theres a difference.
I had this conversation with my friends when I went with them, fellow luxury car owners (one owns BMWs, the other MBs). "A heck of a deal" is a relative thing. Sure, $15,000 seems like a lot of money. BUT...when you're in the $60k+ range, what is $15,000?
If I'm going to spend $60k...I'm going to buy something I really desire...and thats not a Kia...no matter how great it might be.
Thats my issue with the Equus...the only appeal is that its at a more accessible price point to me than an LS...but the LS is what I actually want.
#22
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maybe they put those portholes on the side to appeal to the buick owner.
#23
Lexus Fanatic
i doubt many (have you?) seen a k900 on the road yet. i highly doubt i will think it's an optima, being so much bigger.
bear in mind price was a BIG reason the original LS400 did so well. the other reason was excellent fit/finish/refinement, great new dealer network, and (really important) EXCELLENT big marketing campaign.
So, all this has going for it is that its cheaper. No comparison to the LS400.
maybe so but i know a LOT of wealthy people who could buy any car they want and they're still 'cheap'.
Are your cheap wealthy friends even spending $60k on a car? I know lots of wealthy people that are cheap...they don't understand spending more than $35k.
ok so price might influence you. which is it. everyone has different price sensitivity.
Last edited by SW17LS; 01-30-14 at 08:50 AM.
#24
Lexus Fanatic
I like it. I think the styling could have been a bit more aggressive but its obvious thats not the segment they are shooting for. Liek they said they are looking for " effortless " luxury.
By the way the 0-60 of 5.5 is equal to the LS460. Has a little more power and torque than the Lexus.
By the way the 0-60 of 5.5 is equal to the LS460. Has a little more power and torque than the Lexus.
#26
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Until then Hyundai/Kia are not top class brands
All they do are half cooked sub par cars
#27
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Then why haven't we seen overwhelming Equus sales?
i mean, if the equus had been an LS/S/7 crusher somehow, then the dealer network truly would have been a major issue.
Are your cheap wealthy friends even spending $60k on a car?
again, i get it... it's not 1989 again. but about the LS400 'wow' - maybe we should be speculating can lexus do that again?
#28
Lexus Fanatic
1. German cars really being too cold and teutonic for the American consumer
2. German cars really having road feel that was too firm for the American consumer
3. High prices and lack of standard or reasonably attainable V8 power from German brands
4. Arrogant competition
5. A wide chasm between midlevel luxury and flagship luxury (this was huge, and why the LS was not midsize but not quite full-size)
6. Poor dealer service with German brands creating a population of disgruntled owners
There were just a lot of weaknesses to target, and Lexus targeted them all to great success.
Today though, there are a LOT more options for people. The Germans have been "Lexus-ized", you have much more robust entry level and mid level car lines within the luxury brands and near luxury brands. Dealer service is really universally good among luxury marques. Power is everywhere. Where would Hyundai/Kia target to punch through?
The statement that Hyundai/Kia are not top class because they didn't do what Lexus did (which is a very rare thing to have done) is like saying an accomplished scientist is not accomplished because he/she has not won the nobel prize.
well as you said, it's not a total 'wow' compared to competition, so maybe even hyundai's expectations weren't that high.
i mean, if the equus had been an LS/S/7 crusher somehow, then the dealer network truly would have been a major issue.
i mean, if the equus had been an LS/S/7 crusher somehow, then the dealer network truly would have been a major issue.
absolutely, and 2x, 3x on it.
Do you have any of these friends who would trade their $130k S Classes in on a K900?
Last edited by SW17LS; 01-30-14 at 09:33 AM.
#29
Lexus Fanatic
I spent a lot of time looking at this car at the car show (we couldnt sit in it). I don't get it. Unlike the Equus, which looks like a big premium car...this car just looks like an Optima/Cadenza mix to me. I went to the show two separate times with two different groups, a group of friends from the office who are luxury car owners and luxury minded, and my cousins who aren't. Both of which thought the car was the new Optima.
None of them thought the Equus or the Genesis was a Sonata.
While I can appreciate that this is a quality car and a good value, my $60k would go to an Equus over this. At least it looks like a full sized flagship car.
None of them thought the Equus or the Genesis was a Sonata.
While I can appreciate that this is a quality car and a good value, my $60k would go to an Equus over this. At least it looks like a full sized flagship car.