Zastava_101

Kia didn't make it big in the business until recently, but 5-10 years from now I wouldn't mind driving today's Optima.

UnrealFord

That may be cheaper, but its no ecoboost, Thats where the Ford Escape gets expensive.

Zastava_101

Well, why would Ford be any different?

Let's face it, until recently Ford was building crap and almost went out of business because of it.

Zastava_101

You can get Sportage with a 2.0L turbo (rated at 256 hp) and a 6 speed auto for about the same price as Escape 1.6 EcoBoost.

ford20

Because Kia has been building crap since they came around. Ford has a storied history in the United States

Face it, you're never going to sell Kia here.

youngstang90

There are Kia plants in the US.

Kia is the fastest growing car manufacturer in the US.

Zastava_101

Yeah, before most of us here were even born. From the mid 1970s until recently, Ford was waaaaaay behind Japanese imports in term of quality.

I would recommend reading this book, it will tell you how Ford did business in the 1970s and 1980s.

UnrealFord

So that means Ford isnt out of price if the Kia Turbo is nearly the same price, it might have more HP but the owners of those really could care less and more about economy.
Matter of Fact Motortrend even says its a better buy then Kia. So dont take our word for it, look at all the facts.
http://wot.motortrend.com/epa-rates-...ss-198807.html

youngstang90

Motortrend also says the the ZL1 is a better car than the GT500....

Zastava_101

... and that the new Explorer is crap.

Zastava_101

Sportage 2.0L turbo (260 hp) - 22/29 mpg
Escape 2.0L turbo (240 hp) - 22/30 mpg

So we're talking about same mileage in the city, 1 mpg difference on the highway ... not really a big difference.

UnrealFord

Thats the same? Looks like a big difference to me/

Flagstang

Who gives a crap if they have plants here... Its cheaper for a reason!! The kia looks cheap and is styled for 15 year olds.

Why even talk about smething that isnt as good? thats like saying "a honda civic is $6,000 cheaper and they have come along way".

Flagstang

they are the fastest growing for two very sad reasons...

1. they are stealing/copying the styling from all the other makers(merc,jag,ford and so on).

2. everyone thinks buying cheap right now is going to save them money.



I work with people who I have known for years that bought a kia or two and say never again. This all goes back to the old saying "if its to good to be true.." and it is plus the kia is uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugly.


in ford we trust amen

Zastava_101

Typing error, Sportage is rated at 29 mpg on highway.

Zastava_101

And how many customers has Ford lost over the past 30 years for the same reason? 15 years ago Ford was world's 2nd largest automaker. Now they're #6 ...

I used to work with a lot of immigrants who, when came to the USA in 1990s, bought 1980s and early 1990s American cars because that's all they could afford. Let me just say that they never bought Big 3s cars again.

cdynaco

Yeah that's true. I bought an F150 4X in 1983 new off the lot. Look at those 80's colors!
But I have never bought another one again.

Because after 29 yrs and 253k, its still pullin'!!



Good luck with a Kia doin' that.

AlsCobra

The new Kia Optima is a gorgeous little car. Really well equipped also. How long will it stay together? Who knows? Pretty sure it will last just as long as a Taurus will though. Kia has stepped up their game for sure but they still have that tarnished reputation from when they produced total garbage and that's something hard for people to look past. And the sportage still sucks. But so does the escape.

MARZ

And you attribute the decline to your assertion that Ford built / builds crap cars? The changing automotive climate and Ford trimming the fat so to speak, selling off Jaguar, Aston Martin and a whole host of brands had nothing to do with it?

Zastava_101

I did say cars, not trucks.

My '92 Escort died at 100,000 miles, '91 Taurus lasted little longer (120,000 miles), '00 Mustang is falling apart at 67,000 miles ...