View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
|
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:03 pm Post subject: Is this admitting that Korean cars are ugly? |
|
|
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200508/200508220024.html
Quote: |
Hyundai an Ugly Duckling No More: Newsweek
The U.S. current affairs magazine Newsweek has compared the story of Hyundai��s mid-sized family car Sonata to the "Revenge of the Nerds", saying 19 years after the Korean automaker hit the U.S. market with the rickety little Excel, it was now producing high-quality cars. "The school geek is all grown up, and now he looks like George Clooney," the weekly said in its latest edition.
The magazine said the Sonatas produced at Hyundai's new Alabama factory "look and move like an A-list car." With twin chromed tailpipes and a frame that resembled Japan's Honda Accord, the Sonata was easy on the eye, and its five-year, 60,000-mile guarantee was another strong selling point, it said.
"As for ride comfort, you can't do better for the price,�� it said. ��It's a great coming-of-age story; you won't call this duckling ugly anymore." |
The funny thing is that Hyundai Canada admits that most of its cars are ugly in its latest ad that was in heavy rotation last month. In the ad, a man answers "Yes!" in anticipation to people's questions. Finally, we hear the question, "Is that the new Sonata?", which is followed by the narator saying something in the lines of, "You've never seen a Hyundai that looks this good."
Wonder if the new Hyundai would get any good reviews if it came with the same 20000km or 2 year warranty that it does in Korea. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
sparkx
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: thekimchipot.com
|
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
huh?? do you even know what you're talking about here??
In 2004 Hyundai ranked just a single point behind Toyota in the J.D Power IQS ranking (which anyone in the industry knows, is the key indicator of quality) and Sonata ranked first in its class ahead of the Accord.
In the same year, Consumer Reports awarded the Sonata best in class for RS (Reliability Survey) with only 2 problems per 100 vehicles. The Hyundai brand was 2nd, tied with Lexus and Infiniti.
These are American surveys btw...
Do some research before squatting over your keyboard and dumping out crap like this. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Freezer Burn

Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Location: Busan
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
coldcrush
Joined: 02 Apr 2004 Location: melbourne.... Posts: 1
|
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My pops drove a clubsport. I drive a laser - damn it.
sparkx wrote: |
huh?? do you even know what you're talking about here?. |
Quality aside, I think homeboy was merely referring to the fact that Hyundais were ordinary/ugly looking cars prior to the latest production line. The new Sonatas look great, but the old ones looked like frogs. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
|
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Exactly. I'm not arguing that Hyundai cars are fairly reliable (than again, Hyundai has been known to grossly exagerate the HP of their cars by as much as 20%). Hyundai seems to be getting its act together in terms of cosmetic appeal, but then again...the Sonata is just one car. They haven't changed the other models. The Santa Fe still looks like its side-doors are dented, for example. And don't get me started about Daewoos and Kias. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
sparkx
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: thekimchipot.com
|
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
coldcrush wrote: |
My pops drove a clubsport. I drive a laser - damn it.
sparkx wrote: |
huh?? do you even know what you're talking about here?. |
Quality aside, I think homeboy was merely referring to the fact that Hyundais were ordinary/ugly looking cars prior to the latest production line. The new Sonatas look great, but the old ones looked like frogs. |
I was commenting on the last sentence in the original post
Quote: |
Wonder if the new Hyundai would get any good reviews if it came with the same 20000km or 2 year warranty that it does in Korea. |
I'm just sick of hearing the same tired argument from people who seem to think that the 100,000mile 10 year warranty is the only reason why Hyundai's are doing well. The reason I mentioned quality is because a manufacturer offering this kind of warranty would be in the red if quality is what it was 10 years ago. I commend Hyundai for their turn-around and the fact that they are turning so many heads (especially Japanese heads who are really starting to sweat).
As for aesthetics, I agree its a subjective thing. I know many people who like the look of the Santa Fe but i can see why some may not like it...
What about the Tuscon?
Personally, I feel that its the best looking model in its class..
The new Sonata looks sleek and refined. The Tiberon/Coupe has perennially been applauded by automotive magazines for its performance and unique design.
My question is why keep beating a dead horse with this kind of shit?? It's not 1995. Hyundai is exploding and Kia is the fastest growing automaker on the planet. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Freezer Burn

Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Location: Busan
|
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If you drive Hyundai, you will name your children Kim or Lee, its a flaw they are trying to work on, should be sorted about 2010. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
hellofaniceguy

Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!
|
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
Let's not forget something....the article mentioned that the car is made in the U.S.!!!!
And koreans are jumping with joy in korea that hyundai is great....again...it ain't made in korea! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Gord

Joined: 25 Feb 2003
|
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
hellofaniceguy wrote: |
Let's not forget something....the article mentioned that the car is made in the U.S.!!!!
And koreans are jumping with joy in korea that hyundai is great....again...it ain't made in korea! |
What's your point? Was it designed there or here? Though while we are on the subject, GM's largest SUV top date that is to be that is to hit the market in 2008 is being mostly designed in Korea. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
itaewonguy

Joined: 25 Mar 2003
|
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
my brother owns two dealerships in the states.. he says anyone who drives a hyundai is a joke! its the bottom of the barrel cars!
what ever stats were posted who cares.. one guy took a survey. I dont think it was the nations one number poll survey or rankings etc..
probably just one of hundreds..
and lastly..the korean car designs are all knock offs of the JAPANESE
just look at the cars! what ever korean car you tell me.. I can tell you the japanese car which it was ripped from!
the new sonata! thats accord written all over it!!
still the accord is better..
my friend is an engineer for hyundai motos so they work on all the cars
he said the new sonata N20 is their best car to date for all parts.
to bad they screwed up the design.. looks weak!! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
skinhead

Joined: 11 Jun 2004
|
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
I'm about as far from a clubby as I ever was. We've driven a Hyundai Excel for the last 3 years and saved heaps on juice n insurance.
(But I wish I'd been driving amaloo!) |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
AdamH

Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Location: Bachman Turner Overdrive...Let's Rock!
|
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hyundais fare pretty average in European/UK JD Power surveys, as do most cars from the US (not that we get many). Jeeps and the Caddy CTS have been noted in UK motoring mags for being sub-par in terms of interior quality and refinement, and it's a common joke that Americans don't have any corners on their long roads, hence their cars handle like old barges.
Hyundai, Kia and Daewoo (now re-badged as Chevrolet) are all seen as the kind of cars that OAPs buy...reliable maybe, but dull as ditchwater and nowhere near the class best in terms of driving dynamics. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
steroidmaximus

Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: GangWon-Do
|
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
about the warrenty thing, I'm down with Hollywood. . .in Korea it's only 20000km or 2 years for all makes. Keee-rist! I put 20000 km on in 3-4 months! And after I got my engine replaced, which cost me 3.7 mil, what do you know I had to replace the bearings after 24000 km! Kia's response: we'll give you a 400000 won discount. Great, so it only set me back 1000000. Gee, thx. Wanna talk about a livid Waygook? Shoulda seen me that day. . .
It's common knowledge and a big reason to gripe for a lot of Korean friends of mine: the quality of automobiles and AS is shite here compared to the product for sale in North America. Comparing the two does a great disservice. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
fidel
Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: North Shore NZ
|
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
K cars suck big time, I especially hate the hideous Rodius from Ssangyong Motors, what are travesty of wasted road space. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Tiberious aka Sparkles

Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!
|
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
itaewonguy wrote: |
to bad they screwed up the design.. looks weak!! |
I agree. It looks to hoisted up or something, like it's higher than it should be. The back is decent, but the front needs some work. It's too oval shaped and bulky. That's where the Accord has it bested. Actually, the new Grandeur looks almost the same as the Sonata, though a tad better (and a lot pricier. I believe).
As for SUVs, I dig the design of the Santa Fe. It looks like an Autobot car.
Sparkles*_* |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|