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That's a really good question, Gottarondo (about why so many of us are fiercely protective of the Rondo and its image). I don't think it's about the Rondo per se, but about owning a Kia in general.
I can only speak for myself. Okay, I know it's not cool for guys to talk about "feelings," especially in a public forum, but I'm going for it, anyway. The general public still has a rather dismissive opinion about Kia due to its past history of cheap quality and poor reliability. And, yes, I often feel defensive about it. Whenever I talk to a buddy about my Kia, it's always in the back of my mind, "What does he really think? Does he think I'm nuts for buying a Kia? Is he secretly mocking my choice?" So far, no one has actually questioned me for buying a Kia, so perhaps I'm a little too sensitive and paranoid about it. But I know that some people in this forum have had their choice questioned, or they've received some gentle ribbing or at least some raised eyebrows from friends.
The question is, why should what others think matter? That's the age old question.
At the risk of sounding politically incorrect (and I've mentioned this before), when it comes to cars, I would say that this "caring about what others think" is mostly gender-specific. For whatever reason, a guy tends to treat his vehicle as an extension of himself. If his vehicle is criticized, he tends to take it personally; if his vehicle is praised, it's like he himself is being praised. I just don't see too many women getting all that upset if someone says that her car performs poorly, or getting all that excited if someone says that her car is a sweet ride.
So, Gottarondo, when you asked if owners of other cars are the same (in being just as protective), I would say Yes--that is, if we're talking about male car owners. Obviously, it's mostly dudes who hang out in automotive forums like this one, so you're going to get a heavy dose of the male perspective.
Okay, in case anyone is offended with my playing with stereotypes, I'm speaking in general terms and I'm not implying that everyone is exactly the same. That disclaimer was probably unnecessary, but that's the kind of world we live in these days.
BTW, about Safristi at the Canadian Driver forum, if it sounded like I was bashing him, that wasn't my intent. I was actually complimenting him albeit in a rather backhanded manner. I like class clowns!
"I will plead with you though, please, please, please if you buy a Rondo, put winter tires on it. The stock tires are absolutely horrible in the snow and deadly on ice. Even on dry cold roads they have very little grip."
I have complain repeatedly about the Kumho all season tires in the snow. THERE HORRIBLE. Studded winter tires on going on my Rondo next week.
I appreciate the insight into the guy thing, MM, but I'm also prey - though that may be because having been a jock in some predominantly guys' sports I got a bit into the habit of bluster myself. But for me it's specific to Rondo, and I think it's the underdog protective reflex - feeling sorry for the last one picked "when choosing sides for basketball." I feel the Rondo is undermarketed, undershopped, poorly understood, and undervalued - partly due to its badge, and maybe partly because it doesn't have a class of its own. Not an SUV, not a wagon, just a mongrel, but one that actually fits into many classifications admirably. Nobody thinks of it when they go shopping, but they should! So I keep feeling it needs me to leap to its defense. Meanwhile there are getting to be enough out there that I see them quite regularly now, but most of their drivers seem oblivious to me and DON'T WAVE BACK. Harumph.
I appreciate the insight into the guy thing, MM, but I'm also prey - though that may be because having been a jock in some predominantly guys' sports I got a bit into the habit of bluster myself. But for me it's specific to Rondo, and I think it's the underdog protective reflex - feeling sorry for the last one picked "when choosing sides for basketball." I feel the Rondo is undermarketed, undershopped, poorly understood, and undervalued - partly due to its badge, and maybe partly because it doesn't have a class of its own. Not an SUV, not a wagon, just a mongrel, but one that actually fits into many classifications admirably. Nobody thinks of it when they go shopping, but they should! So I keep feeling it needs me to leap to its defense. Meanwhile there are getting to be enough out there that I see them quite regularly now, but most of their drivers seem oblivious to me and DON'T WAVE BACK. Harumph.
This is well said I think. Kia offers the best value for money in the UK with good quality and well built cars with excellent warranties at a price that seriously under cuts the competition - yet the market share is less than 2%. Much of it is about perceptions. I don't leap to defend my Carens - I just mumble things like 5 year warranty, 138 BHP (that sort of diesel power is a costly option on most other makes) and make a point of closing the doors a few times (a solid clunk). Within the Kia range the Carens is exceptional value - I was looking at the new Ce'ed wagon the other day - very nice - but you pay more for 1.5 CRDi Ce'ed with less space and versatility and equipment that you do for a 2.0 CRDi Carens. So perhaps we should all feel a bit smug?
Narvo, nope, I'm not a pharmacist--are you suggesting that I need medication after spewing all of that nonsense? My username is totally arbitrary. Well, I suppose there is some significance to it--I was accepted into the College of Pharmacy many years ago but I turned it down. Yep, I would be making much more money now if I had accepted, but money ain't everything.
About the Canadian Driver reviewer mentioning that the tires have poor grip in the snow, he was talking about the Michelin tires and not the Kumho tires (but perhaps you knew that already).
Gottarondo, I see about one Rondo per week on the road. It's possible that I'm one of those Rondo drivers who have ignored your waving, since I'm quite focused while driving and I notice vehicles but not usually the occupants. Even while walking, I pay little attention to who is around me. I've actually got onto elevators and ignored acquaintances even though they are literally standing two feet away from me (they usually get my attention by shouting "Hi!" in a offended tone of voice). I've got to learn to take the blinders off.
When I first started doing research on mini people haulers, I did have an inkling that the Korean makes had a bad reputation (even though I was, and still am, clued out about cars in general), but I ignored Hyundai and Kia mostly because a "knowledgeable" friend told me that their vehicles "sucked."
I researched pretty much every other company except those two and the only vehicle that I could come up with was the Mazda5. The problem was, I didn't like that there were only two bucket seats in the second row. It seemed as though the available space wasn't been fully utilized and one more person could be sitting there with bench seating. I much preferred a seven rather than a six seater. As a last resort, I reluctantly--very reluctantly--decided to check out what Hyundai and Kia had to offer. The rest, as they say, is history.
Kia certainly did have the Power to Surprise. I would suspect there are a few others in this forum who also have a similar story to tell and likewise became enlightened. Perceptions don't change overnight and it's pretty much up to us to spread the good news. Hmm, maybe I should change my username to MissionaryMan (I love that Eurythmics song from the '80s).
thanks for link Richard, interesting that its also going to be a "Rondo" in Austrailia when it arrives. Just checked the KIA Austrailia site, no listing for it yet.
medicineman - totally agree with your last posting, as my first vehicle that I considered was I first started thinking about a new vehicle over 18 months ago, was the Matrix, then it was the CR-V, HHR (daughter owns one) and a few others that got dismissed in a hurry like Caliber and Patriot. Really liked the overall size of the CR-V when their new designed model for 2007 and as it turns out the Rondo is almost identical in that respect but what a difference in price!
__________________ Mileage: 21,200 km (13,200 miles), Ownership: 13 months
Last edited by conwelpic : 12-16-2007 at 08:21 PM.
About the Canadian Driver reviewer mentioning that the tires have poor grip in the snow, he was talking about the Michelin tires and not the Kumho tires (but perhaps you knew that already).
This surprises me. I live very close to a Michelin factory so they are very popular here. Also, almost no one complains about a Michelin tire. They are often very quiet and have a good ride. If you used to running on winter tires no all season would make you happy. So it depends on the frame of reference you have.
I have never run on winter tires but these all seasons have to go. I will use them as a summer tire but after that I am done with Kumho/Hancock.
Interested to note that the service manager at my dealer told me that she would advise that you remove any OE tire on any new car. They must make a lower quality tires for manufacturer then you would find buying after market.
My username is totally arbitrary. Well, I suppose there is some significance to it--I was accepted into the College of Pharmacy many years ago but I turned it down. Yep, I would be making much more money now if I had accepted, but money ain't everything.
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