What Do You Think

[Porkchop]

Been shopping around for a new car. The only day I can buy in the next 8 days or so is wednesday. I've tested about 11 cars and hated something about all but 3.

I like the Chevy Cruze, very impressed with the new Hyundai elantra, and am intrigued by the Kia soul. I will probably buy all 3 in manual form.

Any experience with any of these 3?

[Corey]

I've had a Hyundai Elantra rental before. They're solid cars that have come a long way from the old Hyundai fall apart specials of the 90's- early 00's. Very solid, not too bad in the looks department, and get some really solid write-ups. If I were in the market, I would potentially put my money down for one.

I haven't driven the Soul personally, but I know quite a few people at school who own them and they've got a kind of cultish (in a positive way) attitude towards the thing. It's a quirky looking car, but it's growing on me, just from seeing them so much. Take that for what it's worth.

No experience with the Cruze. Looks like a nice design, but I've only seen about one or two around town, so can't speak more than the looks.

[AquaPython]

Hyundai has been making some really nice stuff in the last few years.

I am considering one for my next.

My mom has the Genesis and loves it more than her last two Lexi.

[derf]

The kia soul is a cool concept, looks good... until I got up close. The car feels cheap. The Chevy Cruz is downright disappointing, its a poor excuse for a car, i would relate it to the Hyundai's of the 90s, it just feels that bad. The Hyundai Elantra is the only one of the 3 I haven't driven but I would recommend it over the other 2 in a heart beat

[Particle Man]

I've driven all 3. The Hyundai
Is the best of the 3. The Soul does have a cheap feel to it. I thought the chevy did as well. The hyundai seemed to have the best all around quality and seemed to be evenly powered size to hp. The manual model is a fun drive.

[Rangerscott]

I'm diggin the Kia Forte Koup and Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

[racedoll]

Any differences (significant) on insurance for these 3? That might help make your decision.

[Porkchop]

The Elantra shocked me. It wasnt even in my original list to test drive. The dealer sat me down in one, and I'm like "oh here we go, he sits me down in a loaded out car thats out of my price range." Until I found out it was the base GLS with the preferred package. Has the alloys, mirror signals, a schmexy little spoiler that makes the car so much more sporty, auto dimming mirror, cruise control, bluetooth, and heated front and back seats. I like the red with the two tone interior..

[Porkchop]

Sorry for the big pictures peeps. What happened to picture resizing?

Originally Posted by derf

The kia soul is a cool concept, looks good... until I got up close. The car feels cheap. The Chevy Cruz is downright disappointing, its a poor excuse for a car, i would relate it to the Hyundai's of the 90s, it just feels that bad. The Hyundai Elantra is the only one of the 3 I haven't driven but I would recommend it over the other 2 in a heart beat

What didn't you like about the the Cruze? I kinda liked how the seats and parts of the dash had that meshy black running shoe look. Liked the guage package. Plenty of leg and body room for my fat ass. THe only reason the Soul was thrown into the equation is they remembered I said I may want a manual and since they had no manual Elantras in stock they thought they would give it a shot. And the thing is super cheap. Like almost into the 15's cheap.

Originally Posted by Particle Man

I've driven all 3. The Hyundai
Is the best of the 3. The Soul does have a cheap feel to it. I thought the chevy did as well. The hyundai seemed to have the best all around quality and seemed to be evenly powered size to hp. The manual model is a fun drive.

They had no manuals in stock so I only drove the auto Hyundai. I liked how the Chevy has a stubby little stick shift. I mean it is no short throw or anything, but it looks much shorter than the Elantra's. On the auto version of the Chevy, since it has a 6 speed auto, it felt like the thing was shifting all the fucking time. Literally it seems like it shifted into second gear the second after I hit the pedal. I would 100% most definitely by the manual Cruze if I would go that direction. The really funny thing is Hyundai had no manuals in stock, but Chevy could only find 1 auto in a sea of manual Cruzes.

Originally Posted by Rangerscott

I'm diggin the Kia Forte Koup and Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Genesis is way out of my price range... but a nice ass car. Tried the Forte and Forte Koup. A copy cat of the civic famiy line. It reminded me of the Soul, very cheap looking on the inside uness you step up to the expensive top of the line model. Tons of bland grey plastic.

Originally Posted by racedoll

Any differences (significant) on insurance for these 3? That might help make your decision.

Checked between Progressive and Geico. Im with Nationwide currently, but my agent hasnt called me back. All of the cars in my original top 5 were between $108-$120 every 2 months and in the $600 a year for full coverage. Far away the cheapest was the Soul at $96 every two months and $518 a year for full coverage. The most expensive was the Forte Koup.

[101lifts2]

I spent a full week with a Chevy Cruze. I loved the steering, brakes, chassis, interior and exterior, but HATED the auto transmission.

I also rented a Kia Soul...pretty nice car, but kinda boring and a weak chassis and funky fueling.

Did you look at a VW Golf, Mazda 3 or Ford Fiesta?

The thing I don't like about the Kia/Hyundia vehicles is their lack of chassis/suspension refinement. I don't know about the Elantra, but the Sonata's suspension is kinda harsh and the vehicle doesn't handle all that well. They are more focused on looks then the driving excitement. Also, the Elantra was tested and only returned a real world 29mpg...a far cry from the 40 claimed.