KIA K3 Owners check-in!

[Wiredchaos]

Just checking with all the Sistas and bros here who have traded in their new set of Kia Rims + Nexxen tyres for another set of rims+tyres of your choice. Whats the best offer you got from your traded set of Kia rims+ tyres?

So far the best quote is $500 ... seems pretty low for me. 

[EWander]

Hmmm... the thing is that C&C keeps the price low to attract people into buy, kind of a psychological trick. With such a low and unrealistic non-guaranteed COE car price, people would just try, take a punt and hope the COE slides, or that C&C would bid high enough. After 2-3 bids, I think it's quite clear to all these people who booked the very low priced non-guaranteed COE Forte SX package that C&C is just toying with you. It's not a serious intention to sell the car at that price, cos the COE rebate and the current COE premium is about $10,000 apart. What this then means is that for C&C, the guaranteed COE package car prices are the real car prices. And this puts the Forte SX on par in terms of price with the Elantra Elite.

 

So basically to all those who are eyeing the Forte SX, be realistic. Go for the guaranteed package and pay that price. So when you shop around and compare with other makes, use that guaranteed COE package price. This puts the Forte SX & Elantra Elite head-to-head. And it is now a comparison of which feature set you prefer, which SE is better at his or her service provided. And how comfortable you feel with either C&C or Komoco's sales tactics.

 

Honestly, I liked the Optima K5 very much. I test drove it the moment it came in. I was waiting for the new model since Dec 2015. I didn't pay much attention to the Sonata then cos it was priced much higher. At least $10,000 more for the sunroof trim. The Optima K5 only had one trim and it was the equivalent to the sunroof trim. Even with the new model, there is only one trim level for the Optima and it still goes head to head with the sunroof model. But when I talked to my SE at Komoco, I realised that Komoco didn't mess around with guaranteed packages and COE rebate nonsense. They gave pretty high COE rebates, and was willing to bid higher than the current COE price at the point that I booked the car in late Mar 2016. In fact, they were willing to disclose how much they would bid and was fairly confident that they would get the COE. And that convinced me to go with them whereas at C&C side, there was a lot of uncertainty and I felt like they were gaming the customer. Of course my SE at C&C hinted strongly that I should get the guaranteed COE package. But the way they had non-guaranteed and guaranteed COE packages left a rather bad taste in my mouth. While Komoco also has a 6-bid non-guaranteed package, they didn't have a guaranteed one. So far in the Hyundai threads, most get their cars within 2 bid, barring any COE upsets.

 

This is my experience and opinion after shopping around monitoring car prices and COE premiums for about 4 months. My dad was also buying a car then in Nov/Dec 2015. Now my sister is also looking to get another car. So together, we visited many dealerships, and almost all the mainstream car brands. Basically, all the Continental car brands don't play around with this COE rebate nonsense. They set car prices high enough and with sufficient margins to get their COEs without too much fuss. Some Jap dealerships do the same like Borneo Motors and Tan Chong. The two Korean car brands you know from above. Not sure about Mazda and Subaru cos didn't really discuss terms.

 

The first screen after the digital speedometer shows the average FC for that tank of petrol you pump. You can set the trip computer to reset the mileage and fuel consumption every time you pump fuel. Then the average FC you see would be for that tank of petrol. It's pretty accurate.

Agree with u that K5 is a nice car but I dun really need a 2l car....and yes its seems C&C non guaranteed thingy sucks with the way they up the price every 2 weeks is like chasing a moving target and only the guaranteed price is the real price. Well I guess if 6 bids doesn't work, its the last time I m dealing with them. There is lots of alternative choices and at worst I jus b a Uber customer hahaha,....

Advise needed. I had book a kia k3 SX model 6 non-guarantee bid after the Feb 2nd bidding. Currently, I'm left with 2 more bidding. Before the April 2nd bid my SE actually ask me to top up a 6k to switch to guarantee bid which I forgo this top up.

This morning I receive a msg from my SE asking me to top up a 7k to switch to 2 guarantee bid as I had only left with 2 bid if I don't want to top up I can choose to cancel my coe bidding immediately. So I told my SE that I still stick with the non guarantee bid as I had left with 2 more bidding only and I won't top up. But he message me telling me that he will release the car I reserved for sales. In the event of I manage to secure a COE in this 2 bids I will have to choose a new car. Can the SE just release the car which had been reserved and sign in the contract?

Lets say u hit the 91k, next week the next guy hit the 92k and then I hit the 93k and the next one hit

the 94k , all non guarantee and then all this while people pay 3 to 4k more than us on the guarantee package....dun think we will ever get the car, we r jus there to make the numbers...in case the COE crash(maybe drop a bit) they will consider selling it to us hahaha

[teomingern]

Just checking with all the Sistas and bros here who have traded in their new set of Kia Rims + Nexxen tyres for another set of rims+tyres of your choice. Whats the best offer you got from your traded set of Kia rims+ tyres?

So far the best quote is $500 ... seems pretty low for me. 

 

Yours considered used... so no resale value. $500 is pretty good. You can check out how much your Nexen tires cost at a tire shop. Won't be too far from the $500 with rims.

[acetron]

This is how AD do to make up the numbers. They just get in all the orders at lower price, with lower rebates, some times they will put in the bid for you, sometimes they don't. Anyway, you can always check during bidding how much they submitted your bid.

 

This is a common tactic for AD. first they tie you with 6 non guarantee bid subsequently ask you to top up. Many buyers get caught and some eventually top up to guarantee bid. Imagine looking forward to your dream car and suddenly told to top up to stand a higher chance,......

 

Buyers may want to reconsider their buying strategic, instead of going in when the price is high and opt for non guarantee bid, they may want you wait a little while, till the price is softer and go straigth for the guarantee bid.

 

   

[Wiredchaos]

Yours considered used... so no resale value. $500 is pretty good. You can check out how much your Nexen tires cost at a tire shop. Won't be too far from the $500 with rims.

 

Thanks for the reply bro.

 

Its considered used even changed on the first day? How good are the KIA 17" alloy rims as compared to Taiwan/replica rims?

If its more better to stay withe the Kia rims I might just change the NEXEN with better tyres.

[Kwoni]

Current COE system discourages.and disadvantage buyers from bidding for own COE. That's why dealers can insert unfair contract and buyers have to suck thumb.

 

No single buyer has the power to tell the dealer that they should remove such clause. However when an organization with a large order buys, do you think such clause will be accepted?

Not sure if it is possible or practical for individual buyers to group buy at present but if it happens, then things will be different.

Sorry bro I dun get it.. How does the COE system disadvantage buyers from bidding own COE? I tot if you have the money you can just deposit and bid COE yourself. That's what the dealers go through as well.

 

My understanding is the difficulty individual face when buying cars if they bid COEs themselves..are that dealers usually dun accept such purchase which I guess..must have affected their profit margin...they wun wana open this flood gate..

 

in this case I think the problem lies with the dealers..not COE process.

Yours considered used... so no resale value. $500 is pretty good. You can check out how much your Nexen tires cost at a tire shop. Won't be too far from the $500 with rims.

I checked with a few tyre shops before.. Korean tyres are worthless (ie the most 20-30 per pc)..few dealers will take in at good price..The only one that willing to take in because they can sell to PIs..and oso coz mine was almost brand new..just 1 day old on the road. Manage to slice off slightly more for my current CSC5.

[Jagash]

Sorry bro I dun get it.. How does the COE system disadvantage buyers from bidding own COE? I tot if you have the money you can just deposit and bid COE yourself. That's what the dealers go through as well.

 

My understanding is the difficulty individual face when buying cars if they bid COEs themselves..are that dealers usually dun accept such purchase which I guess..must have affected their profit margin...they wun wana open this flood gate..

 

in this case I think the problem lies with the dealers..not COE process.

 

I checked with a few tyre shops before.. Korean tyres are worthless (ie the most 20-30 per pc)..few dealers will take in at good price..The only one that willing to take in because they can sell to PIs..and oso coz mine was almost brand new..just 1 day old on the road. Manage to slice off slightly more for my current CSC5.

Our COE system is complex from bidding to using it to buy the car. That's why almost everyone buys including COE and leave it to the dealer to bid COE.

1. Firstly, validity is 3 months only so if you bid COE yourself, strenuous sure you can get the car of your choice before COE expires.

2. Do you have the time to monitor the price of COE bidding?

3. If you bid for COE and you cannot get the car of your choice, what do you do with the COE? It's not transferable.

4. Can you afford to pay cash for the COE as you cannot take a loan for it.

 

Current system make it more of a disadvantage to bid for your own COE.

[Kwoni]

Our COE system is complex from bidding to using it to buy the car. That's why almost everyone buys including COE and leave it to the dealer to bid COE.

1. Firstly, validity is 3 months only so if you bid COE yourself, strenuous sure you can get the car of your choice before COE expires.

2. Do you have the time to monitor the price of COE bidding?

3. If you bid for COE and you cannot get the car of your choice, what do you do with the COE? It's not transferable.

4. Can you afford to pay cash for the COE as you cannot take a loan for it.

 

Current system make it more of a disadvantage to bid for your own COE.

bro the problem you surface are what we all face..but these are our individual problems isn't it?

 

1. Surely you know what you wana buy before you go ahead to start bidding isn't it? 3months is not short imo. Well..to some who cannot decide this may be subjective, but how to cater to everybody sia..

 

2. Isn't this individual's problem? Cant link it to COE process.

 

3. That depends on whether you hit the deal with the dealers isn't it? Again, isn't it the problem with the dealers I mentioned previously?

 

4. This ruling is from MAS to reduce the amount of loan we people take. Not sure when they will lift this curb. If cannot afford to pay for the COE den dun buy in the first place. There are many alternatives beside bidding on your own for a new car. If really need a car, y not consider a used car instead.

[Forte3737]

Can we get back on the k3 topic?

[Wiredchaos]

Having a Dilemma here.

 

1) Should I change the 17" Alloy Kia Rims & tyres ORrrrrr .....

 

2) Keep the Alloy Rims and just change the Nexen tyres to a better one? 

[Le_Dad]

Any bros please advice on the default Tyre size for SX, is it 215/45R17?

Edited April 28, 2016 by Le_Dad

[Jagash]

bro the problem you surface are what we all face..but these are our individual problems isn't it?

 

1. Surely you know what you wana buy before you go ahead to start bidding isn't it? 3months is not short imo. Well..to some who cannot decide this may be subjective, but how to cater to everybody sia..

 

2. Isn't this individual's problem? Cant link it to COE process.

 

3. That depends on whether you hit the deal with the dealers isn't it? Again, isn't it the problem with the dealers I mentioned previously?

 

4. This ruling is from MAS to reduce the amount of loan we people take. Not sure when they will lift this curb. If cannot afford to pay for the COE den dun buy in the first place. There are many alternatives beside bidding on your own for a new car. If really need a car, y not consider a used car instead.

Do you agree that if there is no COE system, dealers would not be able to create the disadvantage for buyers.

 

Hence the root cause is the COE system.

[Kwoni]

Can we get back on the k3 topic?

Sure bro, no problem.. we are all free to speak..

Do you agree that if there is no COE system, dealers would not be able to create the disadvantage for buyers.

 

Hence the root cause is the COE system.

We will not be sure if there is no COE system, dealers will still find ways to create problems for buyers for their profits. If you ask me, my answer is dealers are the root cause working around systems. Ultimately, buyers are the ones forking out money.... so spend wisely.

 

let's get back to the main topic...

Having a Dilemma here.

 

1) Should I change the 17" Alloy Kia Rims & tyres ORrrrrr .....

 

2) Keep the Alloy Rims and just change the Nexen tyres to a better one? 

 

Depends on what u want and how much budget u have..

 

For me..I quite like the rims but hate the tires..i changed out the nexen for CSC5 immediately after collection.If I have bigger budget I will consider changing to black rims...

 

Probably after 1-2yrs if i may wana change lighter rims just to refresh the look of my car and improve driving experience..go slow..keep your K3 passion going..

 

My 5cts worth

Any bros please advice on the default Tyre size for SX, is it 215/45R17?

yes. stock size is 215/45/17

Thanks for the reply bro.

 

Its considered used even changed on the first day? How good are the KIA 17" alloy rims as compared to Taiwan/replica rims?

If its more better to stay withe the Kia rims I might just change the NEXEN with better tyres.

 

I find the stock rims quite nice actually...

 

to me..reasons to change to any other rims will be for aesthetics or to shave off some steering weight (better pickup lighter steering)... Stock alloy rims are heavy (stable on high speed)..

 

Hope this helps

Edited April 28, 2016 by Kwoni

[Jagash]

Sure bro, no problem.. we are all free to speak..

 

We will not be sure if there is no COE system, dealers will still find ways to create problems for buyers for their profits. If you ask me, my answer is dealers are the root cause working around systems. Ultimately, buyers are the ones forking out money.... so spend wisely.

 

let's get back to the main topic...

 

 

Depends on what u want and how much budget u have..

 

For me..I quite like the rims but hate the tires..i changed out the nexen for CSC5 immediately after collection.If I have bigger budget I will consider changing to black rims...

It doesn't make sense. Dealers in other countries without COE system do not have such advantages over buyers.

 

so dealers here smarter than dealers in other countries or is it the COE system that is the cause?

[Workwork]

It doesn't make sense. Dealers in other countries without COE system do not have such advantages over buyers.

 

so dealers here smarter than dealers in other countries or is it the COE system that is the cause?

 

It make sense. The more disadvantageous it is for consumers, the more effective the coe system is working. Dont forget coe is there to deter ppl from buying car. And it is effective now because you are thinking more before buying. 

 

Moving on, gr100 225/45r17 can fit on k3 17inch rims?

[Simonchew]

Agree with u that K5 is a nice car but I dun really need a 2l car....and yes its seems C&C non guaranteed thingy sucks with the way they up the price every 2 weeks is like chasing a moving target and only the guaranteed price is the real price. Well I guess if 6 bids doesn't work, its the last time I m dealing with them. There is lots of alternative choices and at worst I jus b a Uber customer hahaha,....

 

Lets say u hit the 91k, next week the next guy hit the 92k and then I hit the 93k and the next one hit

the 94k , all non guarantee and then all this while people pay 3 to 4k more than us on the guarantee package....dun think we will ever get the car, we r jus there to make the numbers...in case the COE crash(maybe drop a bit) they will consider selling it to us hahaha

I think another factor is also demand and their stock. I got mine on a non-gauranteed on a first bid at 90,999.

[Wiredchaos]

Sure bro, no problem.. we are all free to speak..

We will not be sure if there is no COE system, dealers will still find ways to create problems for buyers for their profits. If you ask me, my answer is dealers are the root cause working around systems. Ultimately, buyers are the ones forking out money.... so spend wisely.

 

let's get back to the main topic...

 

Depends on what u want and how much budget u have..

 

For me..I quite like the rims but hate the tires..i changed out the nexen for CSC5 immediately after collection.If I have bigger budget I will consider changing to black rims...

 

Probably after 1-2yrs if i may wana change lighter rims just to refresh the look of my car and improve driving experience..go slow..keep your K3 passion going..

 

My 5cts worth

yes. stock size is 215/45/17

 

I find the stock rims quite nice actually...

 

to me..reasons to change to any other rims will be for aesthetics or to shave off some steering weight (better pickup lighter steering)... Stock alloy rims are heavy (stable on high speed)..

 

Hope this helps

Thanks Bro Kwoni, I quite like the rim myself   but scared will not get a good price later when i decided to change, but thinking the difference would not be too much since its not a sort after rim. Agree on  refreshing 1-2 years later for a CNY new look would be good!! LOL

 

But the tyres gotta change man... LOL 

[Jagash]

It make sense. The more disadvantageous it is for consumers, the more effective the coe system is working. Dont forget coe is there to deter ppl from buying car. And it is effective now because you are thinking more before buying.

 

Moving on, gr100 225/45r17 can fit on k3 17inch rims?

Your response says that COE system give the advantage to dealers and that is exactly what I said all along.

 

The COE system already limits the maximum number of cars allowed to be registered yearly. If the way it is implemented can be change to have a more level playing field between buyers and sellers, it will be a better system. Improvements is possible but don't expect it to be lobbied by the dealers sine they have the advantage currently. It can only happen if buyers demand it.

 

BTW 215 45 R17 is the correct size for K3.

225 will increase the diameter by 1.44%.