Kia Cerato Koup

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fdaniels

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These look fantastic! Looks wise, and feature wise this car has me sold. It seems as though there may be a nationwide shortage, going to phone around and ask tomorrow. I know people waited months before getting their cars earlier this month. If all of those are sold out too who knows when the next shipment will arrive.

Can anyone comment on the way the car drives? (This time I am actually going to listen to you guys! I was warned about the Yaris, hehe).

EDIT: Actually ... Plan B would probably be the Cerato sedan, though I am *really* hoping for the Koup.

Plan C would be a Audi A4. It costs quite a bit more though :erm:
 
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After extensive investigation, the KIA Cerato has offered the best value for money. I was initially going to purchase the Koup, however I am not a coupe' fan. The Sedan is too bulky. So I decided on the Cerato Hatch 2.0l . I should take ownership in the next two weeks
 
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It is indeed a very handsome car, but do keep in mind that it is still a KIA. The current range of KIAs is undoubtedly the best they've had, but just to over-state the obvious... they're still KIAs.

Just don't expect it to be quite as quiet and handle or age quite as well as what an Audi would. It's probably 90% the car at a whole whack less then 90% of the price. That missing 10% could annoy you every time you turn the key, or you might not give a hoot - make sure where you stand before you sign on the dotted line. Then again, you're coming from a Toyota so just about anything would be a step up. :twisted:

For interest's sake few people know that the current crop of KIAs have all been penned under the direction of one Peter Schreyer - the chap who designed the original Audi TT.
 
Well, I have driven the Cerato sedan a couple of times and found them to be very good.
I think it might just be based on the older Corrola, but with a lot of upgrades.
Very good bang for buck.
I think the newer one now even comes with a 6 speed flappy paddle gearbox?
 
Imoe said:
After extensive investigation, the KIA Cerato has offered the best value for money. I was initially going to purchase the Koup, however I am not a coupe' fan. The Sedan is too bulky. So I decided on the Cerato Hatch 2.0l . I should take ownership in the next two weeks
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Has the hatches been released?
 
I have driven in one and I think it is a brilliant car. It is very quiet inside. The ride is a lil on the firmer side (this is to be expected as it is a sports version) but not nearly as hard as my Type R. The car is well put together with no rattles etc.. It really feels like quality inside. When driving it you can also hear the exhaust a lil bit. Vision is perfect. The car is a beaut and very well put together. I think it is a very sensible choice. Go sign the papaers :)
 
Its a nice looking car, but lacks power if you ask me. Car that looks that good should have a bit more grunt :p

The certao sedan was ok, didn't wow me. But I am going to test drive the 2l auto hatch when I get a chance and see what that is like.
 
Grimspoon said:
Its a nice looking car, but lacks power if you ask me. Car that looks that good should have a bit more grunt :p

The certao sedan was ok, didn't wow me. But I am going to test drive the 2l auto hatch when I get a chance and see what that is like.
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The 2l hatch is a fantastic car, output is 114kW. However, I do think the vehicle is too bulky for the 1.6 derivative, hence I have settled for the 2l. Fuel consumption is also not too bad for the 2l, averaging 7.8l/100km
 
Imoe said:
The 2l hatch is a fantastic car, output is 114kW. However, I do think the vehicle is too bulky for the 1.6 derivative, hence I have settled for the 2l. Fuel consumption is also not too bad for the 2l, averaging 7.8l/100km
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And it looks really nice. Some people don't like it.

114KW is not to bad. I thought the 2l sedan was a bit sluggish and you had to push it to move, but wasn't that bad compared to similar cars in its class.

Only that really put me off that car was the crap gear box, there were dead spots between 2nd and 3rd and I think 4th and 5th, car would just die and then come back to life. Apparently a software issue.

I am pretty keen on trying the auto with the paddles. Wonder what that will be like.
 
What the insurance like on the cerato?

Edit: Nvm, phone my insurance, the 2.0l auto will be R1050 a month :eek:

Insane!
 
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tau1z said:
Searching the forums appears to be difficult, especially with a thread title that matches exactly what you are looking for
Make a yard and search please
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Already read that thread. I just wanted to make sure :P Also that thread is almost 18 months old (since started). That leaves a lot of time for introspection. Had MyBB been around for lets say 40 years and I wanted to get a Datsun today ... it is probably unlikely that is was said in past threads would still be relevant. Extreme example, but shows my point.

I do think that the Cerato offers great value for money unless you are a Kia hater. I am not exactly a huge fan myself, but one needs to give props where deserved.
 
fdaniels said:
Already read that thread. I just wanted to make sure :P Also that thread is almost 18 months old (since started). That leaves a lot of time for introspection. Had MyBB been around for lets say 40 years and I wanted to get a Datsun today ... it is probably unlikely that is was said in past threads would still be relevant. Extreme example, but shows my point.

I do think that the Cerato offers great value for money unless you are a Kia hater. I am not exactly a huge fan myself, but one needs to give props where deserved.
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Not really, the car discussed there is the same car being discussed now.
Anyways, i like the kia quite a bit, except for the engine.
I have mentioned it in the other threads i think, but after 3500 rpm, the engine sounds and feels awful.
still, great value for money though.

However, i would check out the citroen c4, i was pleasantly surprised at the package you get in it. The dealer offered me a c4 fully loaded (including massaging seats!!!) for 225k.
 
fdaniels said:
Yeah, apparently it is considered a 'performance' car. Must be the looks :D
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the koup needs a turbo, i heard rumours of this happening overseas..but didnt bother investigating.
I know kia SA tried to do their own turbo conversion of the pro 'ceed and sell it for the same price. Looks like they have taking it completely off the market..
 
tau1z said:
the koup needs a turbo, i heard rumours of this happening overseas..but didnt bother investigating.
I know kia SA tried to do their own turbo conversion of the pro 'ceed and sell it for the same price. Looks like they have taking it completely off the market..
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Yeah it does, the koup is all looks and thats about where it ends. Pretty sad actually.
 
I try to stay out of the KIA threads lately as I seem to be have been labeled a KIA fanboy :P I have had my sedan for just under half a year and still EXTREMELY happy.

enigma243 said:
It is indeed a very handsome car, but do keep in mind that it is still a KIA. The current range of KIAs is undoubtedly the best they've had, but just to over-state the obvious... they're still KIAs.
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Hmm, quite true. 2/3 years ago if you told me I was going to be driving a KIA I would have laughed at you. The way KIA has transformed in the last few years is amazing, I guess the Hyundai takeover and Peter Schreyers appointment in 2006 had a lot to do with it.

Hyundai/KIA are as reliable (or even more so in some cases) than the usual value car brands(I'm looking at you Toyota) who lately seem to be pricing themselves rather close to the Germans. Couple that with the good looks (thanks Peter) they seem like very decent cars.

enigma243 said:
Just don't expect it to be quite as quiet and handle or age quite as well as what an Audi would. It's probably 90% the car at a whole whack less then 90% of the price. That missing 10% could annoy you every time you turn the key, or you might not give a hoot - make sure where you stand before you sign on the dotted line.
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It comes down to affordability, you have R320 000 lying around by all means go for the Audi, it is a better car.

If you have only R205k to spend there is not much, if anything that can touch the Cerato. How much does a Polo 1.6 with service plan cost?
 
Grimspoon said:
Yeah it does, the koup is all looks and thats about where it ends. Pretty sad actually.
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It would be damn nice with a turbo but I don't see how 114kw on a R200k car is sad. These days people want 3.5l Bi-Turbos to go the shops? :D Honestly go read the reviews of the car it is actually the quickest in its price range and will get to 180 pretty quickly.
 
Grimspoon said:
114KW is not to bad. I thought the 2l sedan was a bit sluggish and you had to push it to move, but wasn't that bad compared to similar cars in its class.
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I have the 5 speed Cerato 2.0 SX sedan.
I'm quite happy with the 2L engine although a turbo would help at Highveld altitudes.
The 0-100km/h sprint takes about 9.3 to 9.4 seconds which isn't bad. A BMW 320i does the sprint in 9.1 seconds.
The engine has a fair bit of low down torque and I usually cruise in rush hour traffic in 3rd gear at 1000RPM and then just hit the accelerator pedal to pull away without gearing down.
With relaxed driving you don't need to rev the engine beyond 3000RPM to keep up with traffic.

Only that really put me off that car was the crap gear box, there were dead spots between 2nd and 3rd and I think 4th and 5th, car would just die and then come back to life. Apparently a software issue.
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Yip, that has to be the most annoying problem on the Cerato and it only seems to affect the South African model.
It's a firmware issue.

One word of caution: The Cerato and the Koup use torsion-beam suspension on the rear and it does not perform well on rough surfaces!
If you want a car that handles well pick a vehicle with independent multi-link rear suspension like the Mazda 3, Audi A4, etc.
This is becoming an issue for me as the back roads I drive on have been potholed and re-patched so many times that the ride becomes uncomfortable and the car tends to buck and jump around all over the place. It cannot hold a straight line on rough surfaces.

That being said, the car is a lot of fun to drive and very economical (averaging 6.3L/100km on the N1 at the moment with everyone on holiday).
 
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