MM Condensed-Review: 2017 Kia Cadenza
#31
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I don't quite understand the CLA's popularity. By M-B standards, it is cheaply made, unrefined, and has unimpressive road manners. Consumer Reports has a generally low opinion of it.
#32
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by mmarshall
I don't quite understand the CLA's popularity. By M-B standards, it is cheaply made, unrefined, and has unimpressive road manners. Consumer Reports has a generally low opinion of it.
#34
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by 97-SC300
That's one reason, the other reason is because turbo cars are very easy to squeeze a good chunk of extra power out of without dumping your life savings into it.
#35
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Using that logic, though, the BMW 1-series would probably outsell the 3-series. In actuality, though, that doesn't even come close. But, I agree the CLA is the one of the cheapest ways to get the three-pointed-star....and you certainly give up a lot for that lower price.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-03-16 at 04:51 PM.
#36
Lead Lap
Using that logic, though, the BMW 1-series would probably outsell the 3-series. In actuality, though, that doesn't even come close. But, I agree the CLA is the one of the cheapest ways to get the three-pointed-star....and you certainly give up a lot for that lower price.
#37
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I'm not really seeing how you made that logic leap.The CLA doesn't outsell the C-class either. The point is the CLA is a cash grab model for Mercedes; the CLA is doing relatively well because it's low hanging fruit for people who want the badge. Those who want a great car to go with the badge go for the C-class, which sells in far higher numbers.
Anyhow, it's not worth going on all night about.....and somehow, we all got off the thread-topic Cadenza.
How do you feel about the issue of the Cadenza being an entry-level FWD sedan for the Genesis Division, in the same mold that the ES350 is for Lexus? Do you think it would work? You haven't weighed in on that issue yet.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-03-16 at 06:42 PM.
#38
Lexus Fanatic
Using that logic, though, the BMW 1-series would probably outsell the 3-series. In actuality, though, that doesn't even come close. But, I agree the CLA is the one of the cheapest ways to get the three-pointed-star....and you certainly give up a lot for that lower price.
The 1 Series BMW actually has a good many positive attributes....
How do you feel about the issue of the Cadenza being an entry-level FWD sedan for the Genesis Division, in the same mold that the ES350 is for Lexus? Do you think it would work? [img]images/smilies/1387914497.gif[/img] You' haven't weighed in on that issue yet.
#40
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
That's been part of the problem with Kia.....public perception of the brand (and, hence, potential depreciation) is mostly 15 years behind reality, though the Soul and Sportage have been good successes. But, IMO, it's time to look at Kia's reality instead of its old stereotype.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-03-16 at 08:22 PM.
#41
Lexus Fanatic
Its not that brand doesn't matter to me, it does, it just doesn't matter to me more than the substance of the car itself. Take my Kia Sedona minivan, had I found the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna to be as attractive a van as I found the Sedona, I would have chosen them and been willing to pay more. But, in order to go with a brand with "cachet" I would have had to pay more for a vehicle I didn't like nearly as much...which makes no sense.
Now, am I going to go out and trade my Lexus in on a Kia? I would have a very hard time doing that. But another mainstream brand like a Honda or a Toyota or a Ford? Thats like being proud that your plastic bins are made by "Rubbermaid"...
#42
Pole Position
If the brand of the car is more important to you than the substance of the car, then that doesn't surprise me.
Its not that brand doesn't matter to me, it does, it just doesn't matter to me more than the substance of the car itself. Take my Kia Sedona minivan, had I found the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna to be as attractive a van as I found the Sedona, I would have chosen them and been willing to pay more. But, in order to go with a brand with "cachet" I would have had to pay more for a vehicle I didn't like nearly as much...which makes no sense.
Now, am I going to go out and trade my Lexus in on a Kia? I would have a very hard time doing that. But another mainstream brand like a Honda or a Toyota or a Ford? Thats like being proud that your plastic bins are made by "Rubbermaid"...
Its not that brand doesn't matter to me, it does, it just doesn't matter to me more than the substance of the car itself. Take my Kia Sedona minivan, had I found the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna to be as attractive a van as I found the Sedona, I would have chosen them and been willing to pay more. But, in order to go with a brand with "cachet" I would have had to pay more for a vehicle I didn't like nearly as much...which makes no sense.
Now, am I going to go out and trade my Lexus in on a Kia? I would have a very hard time doing that. But another mainstream brand like a Honda or a Toyota or a Ford? Thats like being proud that your plastic bins are made by "Rubbermaid"...
#43
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
It's hard to shake a terrible stigma when the stigma was entirely the fault of brand itself -- making terrible automobiles for decades will do a number on any manufacturer's reputation.
That's also not just restricted to Hyundai or Kia. While still facing occasional reliability problems, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, for example, has improved enormously in recent years, and IMO has become a pleasure to sit in and drive.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-03-16 at 08:57 PM.
#44
Pole Position
That part, I dont agree with. They (now) do as good or better a job, for the money, as virtually any competing nameplate. They have indeed earned respect, yet don't always receive it.
Agreed to an extent....but consider that they have building good products now for at least as long, if not longer, then they did lemons. Even former hard-core prisoners have the right to earn parole with good behavior.
Agreed to an extent....but consider that they have building good products now for at least as long, if not longer, then they did lemons. Even former hard-core prisoners have the right to earn parole with good behavior.
#45
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I recently ran into that myself with a neighbor.....in fact, someone on our condo-board. She asked me for advice and a range of recommended vehicles for her needs, and when I mentioned (among others) a couple of Hyundai/Kia products, she looked at me like I was a ghost, and said "No Kias...period". Wouldn't even give me a reason.