Thoughts after 3 day Cee'd test drive...

[d3matt]

I've just had a Cee'd 1.6 GS on a 3 day test drive.

I'm very impressed with the car and want to buy one (SW). My views after only 3 days are:

Positives
Like the look - better than a Focus & looks as good as a Golf
Loads of passenger space with loads of arm room
Fantastic warranty - this is what really sells it to me
Good performance from 1.6 petrol & good economy (yet to try the diesel)
Quiet engine
Seems very well made with quality interior
Like the USB port - great to have music on memory stick
Enjoyed driving it
Rare on UK roads

Negatives
Suspension too hard and not pleasant to drive on country roads
Can't dim the orange backlighting on the GS - dash too bright at night
Indicators stalk on wrong side - wipers came on at every turn
Tyre noise too much - Droning after a while
Indicator relay too quiet
Needs second light in boot
Accelerator peddle too light and not enough feel
Needs bluetooth
Needs folding key
Kia badge needs redesign to make it more classy


PS. Anyone seen a picture of a SW in white?

[tim_p]

Never thought about the folding key thing - good point, I agree.
Indicators quiet, yes agree.
Stalks wrong - yes, agree - particulary when a second car you drive is 'right'
Tyre noise? no problem here, even at 80+ on motorways.

[d3matt]

I see that the Cee'd SW has the indicator stalk on the other side.
So maybe they will be changing the hatchback too soon.

[NeCo]

Originally Posted by d3matt

I see that the Cee'd SW has the indicator stalk on the other side.
So maybe they will be changing the hatchback too soon.

Our Cee'd SR which we ordered in July for 1st Sept delivery had the indicator stalk on the correct side which i was suprised at as the dearler didn't believe the Limited Edition SRs wouldn't get the corrected one. Guess ours must have been quite a new build, not one that had been sitting around for a while.

[tim_p]

getting used to the cee'd is fairly easy, the problem comes if you have two cars and the other is different!
The number of people I've angrily washed my windscreen at!!

[the1gardner]

I do weekend sales work at Tunbridge Wells Kia. The SW has a folding key and the newer batches of hatchbacks do also. The indicator stalks that I have seen so far are on the left for the sw. Have not seen them on the left for the hatch yet. Full Ipod integration is now avalible on new batches not just charging.

[tim_p]

Any chance you can find out if it's software upgradeable? (or get a techie e-mail contact at Kia)

[SR16]

my indicator stalk is on the right, and actually i prefer it, means i can indicate while changing gear. if you think about it, it makes more sense. the idea is you are supposed to be able to indicate without letting go of the wheel, same as flappy paddle gear shifts. since (right hand drive) motorist need to let go with the left hand to change gear, the right hand indicator makes it possible to multifunction!

as for indicator tick too quiet? that's a bad thing because..um.....why exactly? i had a 206 before my ceed and i couldn't stand the noisy snap of the indicator!

[tim_p]

Originally Posted by SR16

as for indicator tick too quiet? that's a bad thing because..um.....why exactly? i had a 206 before my ceed and i couldn't stand the noisy snap of the indicator!

I take it then you've never followed a muppet with his indicator winking away long after he turned his intended corner?

[Alarmin]

Originally Posted by tim_p

I take it then you've never followed a muppet with his indicator winking away long after he turned his intended corner?

Hopefully Muppets won't buy a Cee'd.