The 2.0T Camaros have definitely shown some decent potential. Look at what ZZP squeaked out of theirs with just minor mods. But you aren't going to convince sport compact guys, or muscle car guys to buy one.

Leave it to GM to put a 2.0T/6 speed manual in an effing Verano, and not toss it at the Cruze at the same time. They could have knocked it out of the park with minimal effort.

 

this and than also offer a coupe version as well! would have been absolutely awesome!

 

I'm still not convinced Korean cars are much better than they used to be.

You can get a Cruze with a diesel now, so at least there's that (LOL)

Ever since Government Motors set in their philosophy has changed. It's harder to justify making cars that may not turn a profit. Problem is, they could make a profit, they're just not willing to put in the marketing required to sell enough of them.

 

Go to your Kia dealer and drive one.


I agree though that its hard to justify making one because there is some stiff competition in that segment and people are pretty set in their ways when it comes to car buying(I doubt a GTI owner would buy a Focus ST for example.) Even if they did get sales on it, its a low volume car and an econobox to begin with which never had a huge profit margin in the first place. Development costs for a vehicle that people would actually want to buy much outweigh the few customers you might gain.

 

It takes a while to know if the longevity is any good. My sister bought a new Kia Rio in 2011 or so and even for an econobox it was crap new. Even worse now. We rented a previous-generation Kia Optima in Hawaii and I absolutely hated it. Drove like a waterbed. Back then people were also saying that Korean cars were better than they used to be. Yes, when the hurdles were 6" high the new 12" hurdles are bigger. Today's cars might be better but as I said, I'm still not convinced.

 

I dont think you can really talk about polishing a turd when we all drive cobalts.

 

haha i know, that's why I said "even for an econobox." Mine still looks and rides great BTW

 

I do have a friend that had an Elantra GT for like 250K miles. He said the car was great. He got a good job so had to buy a Lexus to fit the persona and gave the Elantra to someone that needed a car. So to each his own.

 

I drive Hyundai/Kia every week because I work for them. They definitely have their problems like every other manufacturer, but I dont look at them any differently than chevy, ford, FCA. They all make decent cars.

 

my tuner, who used to be a member on here, picked up a kia optima sxl. the fully loaded model. its tuned, intake, and has a catch can. its so weird riding in that thing knowing its a kia and then also knowing it makes around 300hp crank with the tune and intake. its also weird because since when did we ever think of a kia smoking the front tires haha he takes great care of it though and it looks good, not gonna lie lol. he did have the motor replaced though because it was a recall.

 

We got a Kia soul in 14 that unfortunately got totaled by a idiot in a old ranger. It was a good car, nice inside and out, so we got a 15 soul! to replace it and its got 90K now. Not a single problem, rides good, and has a nice interior. I've watched kia come a long way since '12. Wouldn't mind getting a stinger if I could afford one.

Also kia isn't afraid to take care of their customers. Some of the optima engines were having problems so their solution is to replace them all lol. If it was gm we would have to rebuild them three times before they replaced it.

 

I saw a stinger and it sure looks like a nice car I could afford one but then I would be super tight on money and well no thanks

 

Advertising- I got my 09 car in 12 and until I test drove a ms3 and then looked at what else came from the factory with a turbo, I had no idea cobalts were anything more than supercharged and like 205hp. Most everyone who asks about my car didn't know it either.

 

I’m not a huge fan. The design is uninspiring and reliability is an issue. The Stinger is a different story. Those are pretty impressive. I just wish they made one with a manual.