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Cthulhu
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
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 Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2003 6:55 pm Post subject: Korean Cars: Which would you drive? |
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Loving cars, I have to say that living in a country where I get excited to see a Chrysler go by can be disappointing. It does make the occasional Beemers, Audis or Lexuses (Lexi?) stand out even more, but the monotony will dull the mind of anyone who appreciates cars and driving. There are a lot of underpowered Korean cars--perhaps all of them--and some butt-ugly ones too. But there are some half decent ones such as the new Grandeur and Sonata. If you could have the pick of the litter, which Korean car would you own/drive?
Kia Sorento would be the one for me. It's one of the few that looks great and I wouldn't be ashamed to drive it back home. It's actually had good reviews in the North American market as well, and has a V6 and almost 200HP. Nothing to write home about powerwise, but sufficient and I really like the styling, especially in silver. |
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the_beaver
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2003 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Kia Elan (don't think it's made anymore) and the Ssangyong Musso. |
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Cthulhu
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2003 7:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Can't say the original Musso did much for me but I have to say the Sports version (pickup) has grown a lot on me. Maybe it's because the only pickups I see in Korea are those fugly Bongos. |
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Avram Iancu
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Location: Changwon
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2003 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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| One of the WHITE ones... |
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Cthulhu
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2003 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| One of the WHITE ones... |
Ah, you mean all of them... 
You can have it in any color you like as long as it's not a primary one. |
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Hyalucent
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: British North America
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2003 8:09 pm Post subject: Re: Korean Cars: Which would you drive? |
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| Cthulhu wrote: |
Kia Sorento would be the one for me. It's one of the few that looks great and I wouldn't be ashamed to drive it back home. It's actually had good reviews in the North American market as well, and has a V6 and almost 200HP. Nothing to write home about powerwise, but sufficient and I really like the styling, especially in silver. |
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DRIVE. I was home last month on vacation and was renting a car. I was supposed to get a Pontiac Sunfire but the girl who had rented it out had yet to return it. The replacement they gave me (for the same price) was a shiny, red Sorrento.
On the highway it's great too. I drove it from Miramichi to Halifax (4.5 hour trip) and the cost in gas was only about $32 CAD each way. (My old '89 Topaz used to cost me $26 CAD).
The only thing I didn't like was the lack of visibility out the back (but I'm used to a smaller car). Also, no one seemed to know much about them back home. I spent quite a while with both the rental agent and a KIA service tech, looking all over the steering column for the hazard lights before we realized they were smack dab in the center of the air conditioning console.
If I remember correctly, you actually have to turn the engine on to roll down the windows too as opposed to just having the key in the ignition.
CD/Cassette controls on the steering wheel (volume, seek, etc.) were a nice touch though. |
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jvalmer
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2003 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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| The Hyundai Tiburon 2002 or newer. Pretty decent car, only time will tell about the longevity of the cars. But, it is hard to beat their 7 year warranty. |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2003 11:08 pm Post subject: |
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| I haven't driven in Korea yet, but I did hire a new Kia in Australia (Type I forget) and we had the time of our lives rallying round the South west. Of course an automatic lacks the acceleration of a manual/ stick shift, but on the long straight roads of Aus. we had "the white knight" cruising at 180km /hr. It was fun. |
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richinkorea
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Location: Gawd Darn Hot and Sunny Arizona !
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2003 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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We bought a 2000 Tiburon (Turbulence in Korea), 140 hp.
It's been a good car for the last 30k miles 
I drive the truck behind it ! |
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Cthulhu
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2003 12:03 am Post subject: |
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| Nice Tiberon Rich! I was tempted by them too. If they ever put an engine in them that does over 200HP I'm there. I like the styling. |
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gang ah jee
Joined: 14 Jan 2003
Location: city of paper
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2003 12:11 am Post subject: |
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I'd drive a Tico.
But it would be bright orange with a confederate flag painted on the roof and the number 00 on the non-opening doors. |
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richinkorea
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Location: Gawd Darn Hot and Sunny Arizona !
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2003 12:27 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, I thought the HP on the Tib was a bit skint until I realized that the stock Civic came with only 117 HP. In 2000 the EX Civic put out 140 also but at a $4000 premium.
The Elantra (in the US) uses the same drivetrain as the Tib/Turb/Tuscany, you can't touch the HP for the $$$ though, or can you ?
200 HP is more like $25-30K on the low end. |
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dutchman
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: My backyard
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2003 1:18 am Post subject: |
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| richinkorea wrote: |
Yeah, I thought the HP on the Tib was a bit skint until I realized that the stock Civic came with only 117 HP. In 2000 the EX Civic put out 140 also but at a $4000 premium.
The Elantra (in the US) uses the same drivetrain as the Tib/Turb/Tuscany, you can't touch the HP for the $$$ though, or can you ?
200 HP is more like $25-30K on the low end. |
Are they selling the Tuscani (Tibs replacement) in the states? Much cooler looking I think. In Korea, I wouldn't drive anything bigger than a Sonata only because parking those SUVs and the bigger sedans can be a pain in the ass. I drive a Sephia here, good basic transportation. Would I buy it in the States? Not likely. |
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gang ah jee
Joined: 14 Jan 2003
Location: city of paper
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2003 1:51 am Post subject: |
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Was just thinking
I'll buy a beer at Yellow next week (paid for in 50 won coins) for anyone who can photoshop a Tico to look like the General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard. |
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Cthulhu
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2003 3:35 am Post subject: |
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RichInKorea wrote:
| Quote: |
Yeah, I thought the HP on the Tib was a bit skint until I realized that the stock Civic came with only 117 HP. In 2000 the EX Civic put out 140 also but at a $4000 premium.
The Elantra (in the US) uses the same drivetrain as the Tib/Turb/Tuscany, you can't touch the HP for the $$$ though, or can you ?
200 HP is more like $25-30K on the low end. |
Yeah, when I head back in the fall I'm looking at the V6 Accord coupe or Mazda6--I want some horsepower. $25k (U.S.) is about right. The German models are out of range. Still considering the Sorento, though, and an Accent or Elantra for the wife later on. The Elantra is a great deal.
Dutchman wrote
| Quote: |
| Are they selling the Tuscani (Tibs replacement) in the states? |
Almost certain they are, as they are available in Canada. The silly part is the Canadian Tuscani only comes in one color: yellow. 
I like the silver and black ones I see on the street in Korea. Racing yellow isn't my thing.
Gang Ae Jee wrote
| Quote: |
| I'll buy a beer at Yellow next week (paid for in 50 won coins) for anyone who can photoshop a Tico to look like the General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard. |
Now that would be a sight. I'd love to see one on the street that had a horn that plays Dixie, just before the bus driver gets pissed off and crushes it... |
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