hope this isnt a repost.

Check the new KIA-JAG-DES out.


http://www.kia.com/amanti/index.php

Don't forget about the Chrysler looking grill...

Horrible, absoolutely horrible. I bet the reliabilities about the same for 25K. MB and Jag and Chrysler would be a nightmare all in one.

James

yaah, it does look combo-ish. as far as "nitemare?" i wouldn't not disagree.

Hyundai and Kia have been, for the last several years, been trying to make some of their cars look "mercedes, or lexus like." The new Hyundai santa fe I believe was built in an attempt to rip off a lexus RX300/330.... The sonata sedan and XG300/350 sedans have some resemblance to the LS or some mercedes sedans. In reality these cars suck terribly... have very low output engines, horrendous build quality... and If i recall cant get to 60 mph in less than 10 seconds.

Why would anyone EVER spend 25K on a hyundai XG when you could pick up any first gen, low mile LS400 for roughly half the price? Hell, Id take a used 92 ES300 over any one of them brand new on the spot.

Originally posted by SC400-V8
Hyundai and Kia have been, for the last several years, been trying to make some of their cars look "mercedes, or lexus like." The new Hyundai santa fe I believe was built in an attempt to rip off a lexus RX300/330.... The sonata sedan and XG300/350 sedans have some resemblance to the LS or some mercedes sedans. In reality these cars suck terribly... have very low output engines, horrendous build quality... and If i recall cant get to 60 mph in less than 10 seconds.

Why would anyone EVER spend 25K on a hyundai XG when you could pick up any first gen, low mile LS400 for roughly half the price? Hell, Id take a used 92 ES300 over any one of them brand new on the spot.

I don't think they are making any of their vehicles "Lexus like." When I look at the Sonata, I see a ripped off Jag. When I see the new Amanti, I see Jag/Benz.

I wouldn't dismiss these cars just yet and say they suck terribly. The brand (Kia) is still relatively new in North America. They have built low quantities of the Amanti in order to help build the company name. Would I choose a new Amanti over a used ES or LS? Possibly. (Probably not) But you do have to give credit to this car company. Kia is pushing out some serious contenders. The Kia Sedona (minivan) was tested the safest van during its introduction. The Kia Sorento has some really great features and styling and is a great price. Kia isn't trying to fight Jag, Benz and Lexus, they are just seeking some recognition.

Originally posted by jet864
Horrible, absoolutely horrible. I bet the reliabilities about the same for 25K. MB and Jag and Chrysler would be a nightmare all in one.

James

Originally posted by SC400-V8
Hyundai and Kia have been, for the last several years, been trying to make some of their cars look "mercedes, or lexus like." The new Hyundai santa fe I believe was built in an attempt to rip off a lexus RX300/330.... The sonata sedan and XG300/350 sedans have some resemblance to the LS or some mercedes sedans. In reality these cars suck terribly... have very low output engines, horrendous build quality... and If i recall cant get to 60 mph in less than 10 seconds.

Why would anyone EVER spend 25K on a hyundai XG when you could pick up any first gen, low mile LS400 for roughly half the price? Hell, Id take a used 92 ES300 over any one of them brand new on the spot.

I agree with you both... Its crap, and as jet864 stated you will prob have ALOT of problems :(

And to go along with what SC400-V8 said... There has a few times I have been driving down the road and seen a Mercedes or Jag wantabe with the basic shape and all of the more popular car designs... I know I will NEVER own a Hyundai and Kia...

Shawn

Actually I will tell you that i had a family member buy a 1993 Sonata GLS fully decked out the first year they came out brand new. It was almost identical to an LS of the same year, in most ways. If i remember correctly, the design was used, or aspects of it, with permission of toyota.

The people who are saying Korean cars are crap probably have never sat in one and clearly haven't looked at customer satisfaction or reliability numbers lately. In fact, they sound a lot like the holier-than-thou American muscle-car fans of the 70s. "Jap crap" and all that...

I will only say not to underestimate the Koreans. They have come a long way in a short time, both in terms of how their cars look and their reliability. There's a reason Hyundai can offer a 7-year warranty--because they know they're built the cars well enough that there won't be a lot of costly problems during that time. I have a friend who bought a Santa Fe three years ago (his other main choice was an XTerra) and it hasn't been in the shop for anything more than oil changes.

No, they're not at the Lexus (or even the Toyota) level yet, but don't turn your nose up at them without giving them a fair look!

I'm never gonna be the one to hate a car just because its Asian or to love a car just because its American, but i believe I remember seeing Kia, Hyundai and Daewoo all at the bottom of the reliability lists. Forget which one, but it had Lexus (of course) at the top followed by Cadillac. If you know which one one I'm talking about, check it out and see if I'm right. I've never ridden in a Korean car, nor have I ever ridden in an H2 but from reviews and studies I know they're all pretty bad in reliability. Thats what I'm basing my comments off of.

James

Korean cars, it seems to me, are more of a base-level car compared to others such as Toyota, Honda etc. etc., in our countries (1st world countries), which may be a reason as to why some guys wouldn't highly regard them, but in third world countries (such as the Philippines) the Korean made cars over there are actually not too bad. For example we've got a Kia Pregio van in the Philippines, decked out with leather, TV etc., but when you see them here in Australia they only use them as panel/delivery vans.

ah its not that bad, i kinda like it... wouldn't get it tho :D

Looks like an Jag S-Type without the hood ornament.....and what's the deal with kia copyin other car's company's design and applyin it to their designs. First the Sorento (Rx3) and now this, i guess they'll willin to do anythin inorder to get recognized.:egads: . But then again a good move for the company?

Have ya'll ever driven one of these cars? It's like driving a 1980 Corolla. They LOOK like luxury car knock-offs but outside of warrenty, are far behind.

These cars are like GM, people buy em cause they are cheaper, not better.

i can't say that i've been in a kia but a memeber from work has one and awears by it, than again i swear by my car no matter what anyone says too...