Kia Carens 2015: all new 7-seater arrives

[Fuelsaver]

Definitely... especially if you paid top dollar for a brand name car but it turns out to be less car than what you expected... but for a Korean make? Not so likely lar... people who buy Korean makes have less time for face issues... after all, all we can afford are Korean cars... not some branded German marque mah...

If u read the postings on bnb car threads, u will know what I'm talking about. So ego applies to ppl fr all walks of life, not just the well heeled.

 

In fact, the lesser one has, the more one wanna prove smthg. I've witnessed many times on the road.

[snowwolf]

One man's meat may be another man's poison.

I find Carens perfect for my upgrade from current Honda airwave.

This is the car below $120k that within my affordable range.

I like the 1.7L diesel because of the power, fuel efficiency and euro 6-compliant.

It's the most value for money 7-seater compact MPV in the market.

It comes will elegant outlook and quality interior built.

Seat is comfy and spacious for me. (Compare to my current car) :P

I like the driver seat that comes with nice dashboard and all the tech stuff.

My wife criteria on second row because she need to take care baby at back soon.

Second row can individual adjust and recline, with second row aircon, food tray and charger. Super important for her!

I can occasionally use third row for rare guest/visitor for short tour or food.

I also can collapse all rear seats for carrying bulky item occasionally.

I book the SX model for sun/moon roof and 17" rims. Need to feel even more spacious inside and looks bigger outside.

I added touch screen, rear cam, front rec cam, solar film, door visor to complete all features I need.

Book my Carens at $116k in end Jan. Got my COE at 38600 in Feb bid. Rebate 3k+

Settled payment and waiting for my car delivery next week.

Can't wait to start my first diesel car journey soon.

 

Collected my Carens yesterday evening.

My Galaxy Brown Carens looks outstanding!

I've attached the photo taken during my car collection.

It was a smooth collection and still can get more freebie from my SE. :P Nice guy.

Drove back my powerful diesel carens with thrill.

I'm super satisfy with my Carens!

[Bryantlin]

Collected my Carens yesterday evening.

My Galaxy Brown Carens looks outstanding!

I've attached the photo taken during my car collection.

It was a smooth collection and still can get more freebie from my SE. :P Nice guy.

Drove back my powerful diesel carens with thrill.

I'm super satisfy with my Carens!

Congrats on the collection of your new car. Enjoy the new car smell. Do give some feedback on the performance of the car and FC. This will definitely aid ppl who are sitting on the fence (like me) to make the jump.

[Shawntcl]

Collected my Carens yesterday evening.

My Galaxy Brown Carens looks outstanding!

I've attached the photo taken during my car collection.

It was a smooth collection and still can get more freebie from my SE. :P Nice guy.

Drove back my powerful diesel carens with thrill.

I'm super satisfy with my Carens!

Congrats!

Please share your package with us.

 

I'm currently comparing Carens Crdi, Mazda 5 and Wish.

Feel undecided yet.

 

Looking forward to your initial review of the car here soon.

Edited March 4, 2016 by Shawntcl

[EvenStar]

Also undecided between Carens diesel, Wish and Grand C-max.

 

Rule out Mazda 5 bec of it poor FC and dated look.

[Blackyv]

Congrats!

Please share your package with us.

 

I'm currently comparing Carens Crdi, Mazda 5 and Wish.

Feel undecided yet.

 

Looking forward to your initial review of the car here soon.

Seriously, the wish interior is so dated and full of hard plastics, it's an insult to classify it with Caren in IMO.... . Heheh

[Shawntcl]

Seriously, the wish interior is so dated and full of hard plastics, it's an insult to classify it with Caren in IMO.... . Heheh

Don't think it's a insult bro. Both car has its strength and weakness.

 

For me I'm undecided as I'm not able to evaluate which strength is critical to me and which weakness I'm willing to accept

[EvenStar]

Seriously, the wish interior is so dated and full of hard plastics, it's an insult to classify it with Caren in IMO.... . Heheh

Carens do have an upper hand over Wish on many tangible features.

 

However, Wish is a proven car, I even drove its for 2 weeks while overseas and really like it refinement and ease to drive.

 

Not to forget it make in Japan mainly on proven parts while Carens is make in Korea, just the newly developed DCT gearbox will require second thought.

[Blackyv]

Carens do have an upper hand over Wish on many tangible features.

 

However, Wish is a proven car, I even drove its for 2 weeks while overseas and really like it refinement and ease to drive.

 

Not to forget it make in Japan mainly on proven parts while Carens is make in Korea, just the newly developed DCT gearbox will require second thought.

 

 

wish made in japan?? you are comparing with PI wish huh?... then im not sure the interior build good or not for japan made but im quite sure the tomyam made wish interior is very plasticky....

[Mr_biscuit]

Also undecided between Carens diesel, Wish and Grand C-max.

 

Rule out Mazda 5 bec of it poor FC and dated look.

Carens Diesel is your only choice if FC is your top priority.

BTW, how much milleage you clock per year?

[snowwolf]

Congrats on the collection of your new car. Enjoy the new car smell. Do give some feedback on the performance of the car and FC. This will definitely aid ppl who are sitting on the fence (like me) to make the jump.

[Mr_biscuit]

Started familiarize my Carens.

Play with the trip meter and here's my finding.

Trip A: North -> SLE -> CTE -> Bencoolen st

Distance: 25.7km

Time taken: 36mins (Heavy traffic along CTE.)

FC: 6.5L/100km or equivalent to 15.38km/L

 

Trip B: Bencoolen St -> CTE SLE -> North

Distance: 26.1km

Time taken: 27mins (Smooth traffic along CTE)

FC:5.1L/100km or equivalent to 19.6km/L

 

Attached with photos proof! :P

It's really depend on traffic condition and driving behaviour. Cheers!

Nice..

 

I guess other than FC, I believe there are many other virtues like superb Torque that are able to out-sprint many cars on the road.

1 of the more powerful engine in it's segment.

[Shawntcl]

Started familiarize my Carens.

Play with the trip meter and here's my finding.

Trip A: North -> SLE -> CTE -> Bencoolen st

Distance: 25.7km

Time taken: 36mins (Heavy traffic along CTE.)

FC: 6.5L/100km or equivalent to 15.38km/L

 

Trip B: Bencoolen St -> CTE SLE -> North

Distance: 26.1km

Time taken: 27mins (Smooth traffic along CTE)

FC:5.1L/100km or equivalent to 19.6km/L

 

Attached with photos proof! :P

It's really depend on traffic condition and driving behaviour. Cheers!

Nice one bro. Keep your review coming. Looking forward to hear more

[snowwolf]

Congrats!

Please share your package with us.

 

I'm currently comparing Carens Crdi, Mazda 5 and Wish.

Feel undecided yet.

 

Looking forward to your initial review of the car here soon.

 

Don't quote me. Everyone package might different depends on timing, condition and ur nego skills... :P

My condition:

COE at my first visit to C&C is 50k.

My car COE expired on Oct 2016.

I do not have intention to book any car. Just surveying and test drive.

I'm interested with Carens diesel SX after test drive and compare their differences.

2 package C&C offer at that time.

Standard package 114,999 (non guarantee COE 6bids rebate $36k)

Platinum package 117,999 (guarantee 6 bids rebate 42k)

Price quoted above is included $4k + $4k discount with condition trade in car and in-house loan maybank 2.78% interest.

I told the SE that I'm going to view Mazda 5 later. Which I actually no intention to do it. :P

Then SE offer me additional $2k for standard package to book the Careens to try my luck on COE bidding since my car can wait until oct. My heart thinking this is unlikely to get because that time COE at 50k. So not interested since my car still can drive till Oct and if COE drop they may offer cheaper next time.  and I can come back.

The SE knew I not hook and continue tempt me with other accessories including touch screen +reverse cam (minus 1k), and free front record cam, solar film.

The offer will only valid if I sign up on that day.

Discussed with my wife and think the offer is quite attractive. Since the SE trying to hold me, then we up the ante.

Told him no point taking the standard package with all these offers and may end up can't secure the COE (36k non guarantee for standard package). Wasting time.

If he want us to book now we might as well take the platinum package with condition he give free touch screen + reverse cam free (extra 1k discount). Comparing the standard vs platinum, with additional 3k to get guarantee COE rebate at 42k (standard 36k non guarantee) and 1year free servicing at that time is no brainer decision.

After SE discuss long with his boss over phone and we closed the deal.

 

Our deal:

Carens SX platinum guarantee 6bids rebate 42k at $115999.

Freebies touch screen + reverse cam + front rec cam + solar film.

 

Who know COE drop to $38,600 and C&C secured my first bid on 1st Feb COE. Still got extra $3400 rebate.

Final price I paid for my Carens is $112600.

 

At that time I have mixed feeling because C&C offer also drop below 110k for platinum package but without guarantee bids. So I bug my SE for extra freebie. My SE quite helpful and try to get me servicing package discount but I didn't sign up. End up give me door visor, car mats, bag, and etc...

After COE jumps back to 46k and I felt I was lucky to get my Carens at that price.

After thinking of it, you won't know when is the lowest COE and when can get the best deal.

There are no such thing called best deal in this world. Someone will break ur record sooner or later.

If U need the car and within ur affordable range, with attractive offer, just take it and don't look back.

Comparison is endless.

 

So, do U think I'm getting a good deal?

Let's see how government play us up in next COE bidding!

Cheers and have fun with COE bidding!

[Shawntcl]

Don't quote me. Everyone package might different depends on timing, condition and ur nego skills... :P

My condition:

COE at my first visit to C&C is 50k.

My car COE expired on Oct 2016.

I do not have intention to book any car. Just surveying and test drive.

I'm interested with Carens diesel SX after test drive and compare their differences.

2 package C&C offer at that time.

Standard package 114,999 (non guarantee COE 6bids rebate $36k)

Platinum package 117,999 (guarantee 6 bids rebate 42k)

Price quoted above is included $4k + $4k discount with condition trade in car and in-house loan maybank 2.78% interest.

I told the SE that I'm going to view Mazda 5 later. Which I actually no intention to do it. :P

Then SE offer me additional $2k for standard package to book the Careens to try my luck on COE bidding since my car can wait until oct. My heart thinking this is unlikely to get because that time COE at 50k. So not interested since my car still can drive till Oct and if COE drop they may offer cheaper next time. and I can come back.

The SE knew I not hook and continue tempt me with other accessories including touch screen +reverse cam (minus 1k), and free front record cam, solar film.

The offer will only valid if I sign up on that day.

Discussed with my wife and think the offer is quite attractive. Since the SE trying to hold me, then we up the ante.

Told him no point taking the standard package with all these offers and may end up can't secure the COE (36k non guarantee for standard package). Wasting time.

If he want us to book now we might as well take the platinum package with condition he give free touch screen + reverse cam free (extra 1k discount). Comparing the standard vs platinum, with additional 3k to get guarantee COE rebate at 42k (standard 36k non guarantee) and 1year free servicing at that time is no brainer decision.

After SE discuss long with his boss over phone and we closed the deal.

 

Our deal:

Carens SX platinum guarantee 6bids rebate 42k at $115999.

Freebies touch screen + reverse cam + front rec cam + solar film.

 

Who know COE drop to $38,600 and C&C secured my first bid on 1st Feb COE. Still got extra $3400 rebate.

Final price I paid for my Carens is $112600.

 

At that time I have mixed feeling because C&C offer also drop below 110k for platinum package but without guarantee bids. So I bug my SE for extra freebie. My SE quite helpful and try to get me servicing package discount but I didn't sign up. End up give me door visor, car mats, bag, and etc...

After COE jumps back to 46k and I felt I was lucky to get my Carens at that price.

After thinking of it, you won't know when is the lowest COE and when can get the best deal.

There are no such thing called best deal in this world. Someone will break ur record sooner or later.

If U need the car and within ur affordable range, with attractive offer, just take it and don't look back.

Comparison is endless.

 

So, do U think I'm getting a good deal?

Let's see how government play us up in next COE bidding!

Cheers and have fun with COE bidding!

I actually went to Kia show room at Leng Kee to take a look at Carens SX.

 

The SE that served me was quite stuck up.

 

Bro snowwolf, do you mind sharing your SE contact?

[Yysiong]

I lookes at caren 1.7 diesel too. But the price states ties with too many condition. Wanted to just take 30% loan cannot. 3 year loan cannot. Choose own insurer cannot.choose own financing cannot. If i insist.. Must top up less those rebate and top up

 

As good as telling people my car is affodable and good, but you must buy base on my condition....

 

Duh

[snowwolf]

Share my Careens car detail.

This is first hand information.

You can't find in sgcarmart nor one shift at the time of my post.

Look at OMV. It's impressive. With $5k Cevs rebate, ARF still at 22k.

This car is super value for money with good interior built, features, powerful diesel engine and great look.

I think Peter Schreyer from German has successfully transform Kia image into elegant and reliable vehicle.

IMO: Koran car industry has overtake Japanese and many European car maker in term of price, interior, exterior, engine and generosity in features built.

Look at other brands charging their premium and getting less thing, compare to C&C Kia, it has the lowest premium in the market.

 

I still want my hard earned money get the most out from my car...

[Shawntcl]

Just to clarify the features of Carens SX. Cos the SEs I talked to all say different things.

 

1, cruise control

2. Tyre pressure monitoring system

3. Traction control

4. Front sensors

5. Hill start assist

6. 6 air bags

7. Electronic stability control

8. 3 steering models (sports, comfort, normal)

9. Reverse sensor and camera

10. 7 speed dct

11. Any spare tyre?

12. 2nd row retractable sun shade?

13. Electronic seat?

14. Any other feature I left out?

Edited March 6, 2016 by Shawntcl