I30 fastback is so awesome..

[Lala81]

Just food for thought, I don't see many KIA K5 around, is it the issue of price or people rather get the VFM series for Korean brands and not the mid/upper-tier models?

 

If i30 fastback sales did not take off based on $115k price, hopefully they will re-price it realistically to meet market's expectations. 

 

with the current market trend of crossovers >> than saloon.

I won't say it's indicative. U get a lot of B&B sedans cos they are still the cheapest in expensive singapore. But executive saloons are priced roughly similar to crossovers.

Definitely the sonata and k5 don't attract the typical executive saloon buyer. But even in the competitive USA market, they don't sell that well. Definitely laggards compared to the japanese camry, mz6, altima, accord.

 

Maybe it's also the lack of options with just 2 korean brands vs the pletheora of the japanese or entry contis (french/VAG group). Essentially it's the kia sportage, hyundai tucson vs the rest.

The carens is relatively successful cos it's a pretty unique proposition for it's diesel/price and "7 seater".

 

Definitely the sonata and k5 don't attract the typical executive saloon buyer. 

[Lala81]

Still got a bit of social stigma with Korean cars.. esp. with older gen people. On the roads Korean cars mostly is the entry level bread & butter range.

 

Not many people will consider Korean cars like Kia K5 or Hyundai Sonata when shopping for mid sized saloon. Coupled by the trend that SUVs are getting more popular. That’s why so rare lor.

 

In singapore, buying a vehicle is still aspirational and reflective of socio-economic status. The badge and interior matters a lot.

In fact to most of my friends, i would say the badge, then the interior actually matters more than anything else by a large margin. 

I think korean cabins in terms of style have a long way to go.

 

They seem to idolise black and are at best imitations of VAG cars.

Though the new cerato has improved things.

[Kar_lover]

Currently driving an Elantra (bought last year) and the i30 Fastback caught my interest. Checked with the SE and understand they are taking in booking at $115k.

 

I am taken aback because I was at Audi Experience show and A3 saloon 1.4 is retailing at $109k.

 

SE mentioned that i30 Fastback has a lot more features than A3, the specifics I am unaware.

 

I know Hyundai differentiate itself through features, like the Elantra I have, there’s aircon seats, electric seat adjustment, blind spot detection, etc. That said, it’s a little hard for me to swallow for the on par pricing.

 

When Kona was first launched, the 1.6T was almost $130k then subsequently dropped to around $115k. So when new model launched, price is always high (same as handphone i guess). Give it some time and i believe it will drop to below $110k especially if response is not good (you don't see many Konas on the road). 

 

The 1.4 A3 sedan is listed as $142k so i am sure there is some catch when they sell at $109k. If they really selling their 142k car at 109k then i think its bad for business. Next time don't dare buy liao cos it means their "normal" pricing is super inflated and cannot be be trusted. But agree that 109k is very attractive, you should have just bought it unless it was a total bare bones model. They use to have "special edition" A4 which didn't have a lot of things - no electric mirror, no keyless, etc etc....

[Gz0707]

Currently driving an Elantra (bought last year) and the i30 Fastback caught my interest. Checked with the SE and understand they are taking in booking at $115k.

 

I am taken aback because I was at Audi Experience show and A3 saloon 1.4 is retailing at $109k.

 

SE mentioned that i30 Fastback has a lot more features than A3, the specifics I am unaware.

 

I know Hyundai differentiate itself through features, like the Elantra I have, there’s aircon seats, electric seat adjustment, blind spot detection, etc. That said, it’s a little hard for me to swallow for the on par pricing.

 

No, it's not worth the price tag at 115k, unless features really justify it. but even so, the take up rate will not be high. Since both the i30 hatch and wagon are priced under 100k now, what makes the fast back justify such a high price? not forgetting that 100k is a mental barrier to break. 

[Kar_lover]

Just food for thought, I don't see many KIA K5 around, is it the issue of price or people rather get the VFM series for Korean brands and not the mid/upper-tier models?

 

If i30 fastback sales did not take off based on $115k price, hopefully they will re-price it realistically to meet market's expectations. 

 

Just saw in the Audi Experience thread that the $109k is the A3 SB 1.0. The 1.4 Sedan is $114k (still a good price).

[RogerNg_185295]

Just food for thought, I don't see many KIA K5 around, is it the issue of price or people rather get the VFM series for Korean brands and not the mid/upper-tier models?

 

If i30 fastback sales did not take off based on $115k price, hopefully they will re-price it realistically to meet market's expectations.

Cnc position kia as a budget brand. Their k3 is their cash Cow. People who can afford a 2000cc executive saloon would not want to be associated with a budget brand

[StingerGT]

That's true, Korean cars didn't start off with a reputable beginning.

 

Before I bought my first Korean car (KIA Cerato), it took a while to convince my parents the ride is just as good as Japanese cars (even though I was the one paying). Their impression changed after I brought them for a test drive. 

 

Actually based on my own observations, old and young alike, they were quite surprised (to put it nicely) I ditched a 2 yr old Audi A4 for a $150K KIA Stinger. Then again these noise don't matter to me.

 

That said, Koreans are where Jap cars were 10 years ago. People who can look at things objectively would realise Korean cars have improved significantly, esp. in the recent few years.

In singapore, buying a vehicle is still aspirational and reflective of socio-economic status. The badge and interior matters a lot.

In fact to most of my friends, i would say the badge, then the interior actually matters more than anything else by a large margin. 

I think korean cabins in terms of style have a long way to go.

 

They seem to idolise black and are at best imitations of VAG cars.

Though the new cerato has improved things.

 

Yeah man. Good points. Korean car makers make conti car their benchmark.. it's pretty obvious when they hire top employees from BMW MERC AUDI to KIA-Hyundai group.

 

Personally, I've mostly had conti cars but I think Korean cars have caught up quite abit to the Jap or even beating them, not exactly there yet, but a very welcoming sight.

 

At the end of the day, different strokes for different folks, ownself happy can le, don't need care about how others think, esp. the judgmental ones.

[Lala81]

Actually based on my own observations, old and young alike, they were quite surprised (to put it nicely) I ditched a 2 yr old Audi A4 for a $150K KIA Stinger. Then again these noise don't matter to me.

 

That said, Koreans are where Jap cars were 10 years ago. People who can look at things objectively would realise Korean cars have improved significantly, esp. in the recent few years.

 

Yeah man. Good points. Korean car makers make conti car their benchmark.. it's pretty obvious when they hire top employees from BMW MERC AUDI to KIA-Hyundai group.

 

Personally, I've mostly had conti cars but I think Korean cars have caught up quite abit to the Jap or even beating them, not exactly there yet, but a very welcoming sight.

 

At the end of the day, different strokes for different folks, ownself happy can le, don't need care about how others think, esp. the judgmental ones.

 

yeah some people are just more accepting of leng2 men2 products like us. While most consumers prefer cookie cutter items. For the average B&B car buyer, price makes a big difference.

As seen by how suddenly there's a spate of Vios registrations cos BM dropped the price.

 

For the more aspirational cars (not even talking about the big 3 german brands). Nowadays so many choices!

And it's not like an A3, a bmw 2 GT or A/B class are bad cars etc. I can fully understand why people choose entry level premium brands.

[StingerGT]

yeah some people are just more accepting of leng2 men2 products like us. While most consumers prefer cookie cutter items. For the average B&B car buyer, price makes a big difference.

As seen by how suddenly there's a spate of Vios registrations cos BM dropped the price.

 

For the more aspirational cars (not even talking about the big 3 german brands). Nowadays so many choices!

And it's not like an A3, a bmw 2 GT or A/B class are bad cars etc. I can fully understand why people choose entry level premium brands.

 

For everything you do, haters gonna hate. 

 

Buy Korean car: Eh how come don't want top up abit get Jap car?

Buy Jap car: Eh how come don't want top up abit get conti car?

Buy entry level conti: Poser.. confirm take loan gaogao, brand snob, basic conti car.

Buy mid level conti: Buy expensive car in SG is stupid, every 50m got traffic light, high depreciation.

 

So it's a pointless struggle, hence I believe satisfy ownself most impt 

[Lala81]

For everything you do, haters gonna hate. 

 

Buy Korean car: Eh how come don't want top up abit get Jap car?

Buy Jap car: Eh how come don't want top up abit get conti car?

Buy entry level conti: Poser.. confirm take loan gaogao, brand snob, basic conti car.

Buy mid level conti: Buy expensive car in SG is stupid, every 50m got traffic light, high depreciation.

 

So it's a pointless struggle, hence I believe satisfy ownself most impt 

 

that's so true.

[Splinter]

When Kona was first launched, the 1.6T was almost $130k then subsequently dropped to around $115k. So when new model launched, price is always high (same as handphone i guess). Give it some time and i believe it will drop to below $110k especially if response is not good (you don't see many Konas on the road).

 

The 1.4 A3 sedan is listed as $142k so i am sure there is some catch when they sell at $109k. If they really selling their 142k car at 109k then i think its bad for business. Next time don't dare buy liao cos it means their "normal" pricing is super inflated and cannot be be trusted. But agree that 109k is very attractive, you should have just bought it unless it was a total bare bones model. They use to have "special edition" A4 which didn't have a lot of things - no electric mirror, no keyless, etc etc....

The A3 1.4 priced at 109k might be the barebone model, but definitely there’s electric seat adjustment.

 

I didn’t buy it because I wanted to check on i30 Fastback, that’s how I came to know about the 115k price. :)

[Nyox]

Actually based on my own observations, old and young alike, they were quite surprised (to put it nicely) I ditched a 2 yr old Audi A4 for a $150K KIA Stinger. Then again these noise don't matter to me.

 

That said, Koreans are where Jap cars were 10 years ago. People who can look at things objectively would realise Korean cars have improved significantly, esp. in the recent few years.

 

 

Yeah man. Good points. Korean car makers make conti car their benchmark.. it's pretty obvious when they hire top employees from BMW MERC AUDI to KIA-Hyundai group.

 

Personally, I've mostly had conti cars but I think Korean cars have caught up quite abit to the Jap or even beating them, not exactly there yet, but a very welcoming sight.

 

At the end of the day, different strokes for different folks, ownself happy can le, don't need care about how others think, esp. the judgmental ones.

Personally, I think it'd be much easier to move from a jap or B&B conti make to a Korean make.

 

However, from a premium conti make to a Korean make, I'd have to think really hard about it. Although I'm sure the Stinger offers a much more engaging drive.

[Kar_lover]

Got a text from a KMC SE that i30FB is $107k.

[xiaozhi86]

Got a text from a KMC SE that i30FB is $107k.

Can ask your se fastback come with what feature and how many airbag?

 

I30 getting more and more expensive

[Mkl22]

Got a text from a KMC SE that i30FB is $107k.

 

hmm.. test market at 115k and realized that its a no go. so now dropped to 107k... to test again.

[Kar_lover]

hmm.. test market at 115k and realized that its a no go. so now dropped to 107k... to test again.

 

Other than what Splinter said, i don't think there is anything concrete to prove that the i30FB was indeed selling at $115k. Until now it is still not listed in their official price list yet. Anyway KMC won't drop price so fast one. Even when Kona 1.6T first came out at very high price, they also continued to hold at that price for at least a month or two.

Can ask your se fastback come with what feature and how many airbag?

 

I30 getting more and more expensive

 

No la, if i am not buying i won't ask. 

[kelaihoyin]

Saw on their brochure the Fastback incurred a 10k VES surcharge. Seems so weird when even the wagon is able to maintain neutral band but not the Fastback

 

FYI:

 

Edited October 18, 2018 by kelaihoyin

[Splinter]

Just received an update from my SE. i30 fastbsck passed LTA Homologation. Current booking price Is 107k and might be revised lower.