Kia Soul??

DampDog

DampDog

DampDog

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Anyone run a Kia Soul??

Aunt and Uncle (retired) are thinking of buying one so thought I'd ask just in case. The model they are looking at is the Soul '2' 1.6 CRDi, 126bhp 6-speed auto.

They currently run a Jetta 1.6 diesel DSG but my aunt finds it difficult to manoeuvre, and a bit too big for their needs now (Has severe arthritis so has limited movement in hands and neck/back, hence the auto) Jetta is 3 years old and on PCP so is due to be swapped, but DSG has also started acting up a bit and dealers are rubbish, which is why the are looking elsewhere.

Soul is around the 15K mark which is around what they want to pay. They are also considering a Polo 1.4 DSG, but are put off a little by poor dealer service. Any other suggestions for a small auto for around 15-16K ish?? (New)
 
Dad's got a Soul 2 CRDi pre-facelift with the manual gearbox. Averages about 47mpg with mixed driving (though mainly town rather than pounding up motorways). Ride quality is decent, plenty of room inside, materials used are a bit cheap though.

It had a problem last year with the gearchange linkage and clutch, that was all sorted under warranty after a bit of a fight with the dealer. In all other respects it's been a decent car.
 
JRS said:
Dad's got a Soul 2 CRDi pre-facelift with the manual gearbox. Averages about 47mpg with mixed driving (though mainly town rather than pounding up motorways). Ride quality is decent, plenty of room inside, materials used are a bit cheap though.

It had a problem last year with the gearchange linkage and clutch, that was all sorted under warranty after a bit of a fight with the dealer. In all other respects it's been a decent car.
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Cheers. I think they are about the same, if they use the motorway 3-4 times a years that's pushing it; nearly all their journeys are 15-30 miles. I think they've seen the "7 year Warranty" and as it may well be their last car swap thought it may be a good choice. Odd you've mentioned having to fight the dealer over a warranty issue, sounds like the 7 year warranty may be sales flannel when push comes to shove.

To be fair the Jetta has been a good car, but doesn't quite suit their needs now. Plus the dealership they had the car from are not anything like as good as they used to be. I think the dealership was bought out a little while back.
 
I have a new kia ceed and I have nothing but good things about the company. The 7 year warranty is amazing and a few friends I know have the same view on it. My new work place which is a small business runs all kia vans because it is that good.

Just my 2 pence I know not all people have the same good experiance that I have had.
 
DampDog said:
Odd you've mentioned having to fight the dealer over a warranty issue, sounds like the 7 year warranty may be sales flannel when push comes to shove.
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In fairness to Kia themselves, I think it was pretty much down to our local dealer being a bit....car dealer-y. Kia customer support has always been excellent.
 
swiftmetal said:
I have a new kia ceed and I have nothing but good things about the company. The 7 year warranty is amazing and a few friends I know have the same view on it. My new work place which is a small business runs all kia vans because it is that good.

Just my 2 pence I know not all people have the same good experiance that I have had.
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JRS said:
In fairness to Kia themselves, I think it was pretty much down to our local dealer being a bit....car dealer-y. Kia customer support has always been excellent.
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Cheers peeps, that's just the sort of first hand input I was sniffing for. I've just been looking at the Venga and that may well fit the bill too. Think I may pop over to the local dealers at the weekend, they have some summer deals running at the moment.

It's odd how dealerships approaches change. I bought mine from the same one and 3 years back I'd have rated them excellent. But the people who I think bought them out seem to be your stereo-typical car salesmen. Walk through the door and they jump on you like Wolves.
 
Bear in mind that the auto 'box option on the Venga is a 4 speed unit with slightly odd ratios in it compared with the manual 'boxes. I don't think they've put the newer 6spd automatic in yet, as the Venga hasn't been facelifted since it was introduced. You're also limited to the 1.6 petrol engine with an auto Venga IIRC.
 
JRS said:
Bear in mind that the auto 'box option on the Venga is a 4 speed unit with slightly odd ratios in it compared with the manual 'boxes. I don't think they've put the newer 6spd automatic in yet, as the Venga hasn't been facelifted since it was introduced. You're also limited to the 1.6 petrol engine with an auto Venga IIRC.
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Cheers, for that. Only just started having a little look, but I always take the view if I'm parting with cash try to look at everything that may suits the bill. So any suggestions for a small auto welcomed at this point. I'd also add that the Kia's popped up because it also probably the closest dealer to where they live. The Vdub one they use now is 25 miles away.
 
We've just got a brand new Sportage and it's excellent. Again, haven't heard anything bad about the car or company.

However the Soul is ugly as sin, and may I ask why they want such a big car if they find their current car difficult to manoeuvre?
 
LOL beauty is in the eye of the beholder...;):)

Souls don't look that big. Jetta is quite a long car and a bit of a pig because edge of the boot can't be seen through the rear window, and my aunt can't turn round easily anyway. Soul sit's up a little higher too.

That said it's only a passing thought at the moment. Polo is the only other car they've looked at so far.
 
rodenal said:
They certainly look bigger than polo sized, maybe more golf on stilts sized. More boxy though and probably better for walk in height
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Yeah, definately bigger than Polo, but Soul sits higher and you climb into it rather than down into it which may make entry and exit easier.
 
That's one of the things I really like about the Soul, just being able to slide sideways into the seat rather than having to drop down to it. Dad's other car is almost the exact opposite - it's a looooong way down getting into a Fiat Barchetta!
 
DampDog said:
LOL beauty is in the eye of the beholder...;):)
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Yeah but come on...

97fXJjF.jpg


It's like one of those cars that has a disabled ramp/access at the back.
 
Yeah, my aunt struggles getting in and out, and stepping up definitely should help. Plus with them being boxy, you can see all 4 corners. Time to do some tyre kicking at the weekend.
 
Russinating said:
Yeah but come on...

97fXJjF.jpg


It's like one of those cars that has a disabled ramp/access at the back.
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And how is that a bad thing if you're disabled?? People take their mobility for granted, its not the same for everyone. Plus its still better looking than the new mini cross country thing.
 
DampDog said:
And how is that a bad thing if you're disabled?? People take their mobility for granted, its not the same for everyone. Plus its still better looking than the new mini cross country thing.
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They don't look good and your grandparents aren't disabled? :confused:. A wheelchair doesn't look good either but equally it does the job if you need it.

Just have no idea why they're looking at a Polo and a Soul as they're completely different cars.
 
Lol.. But that's just your opinion. While they aren't everyone's cup of tea they fall within their budget and the warranty looks good (on paper) Granted Polo, is more conventional but slightly higher driving/seating position of the Soul has its advantage's

As I said earlier any suggestions for small autos welcome. Problem is auto box, instantly adds £1000-1500 quid. And a lot of small auto boxes are rubbish. Polo has 6 speed DSG and Soul box is ssd supposed to be quite good.
 
Do they really get 126bhp from a 1.6 diesel?

Thats impressive when you think it wasnt long at that 120bhp from a Saxo VTS was considered a big thing and now you get it in a korean derv.
 
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