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To buy or not to buy?

4K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  Moparmatt 
#1 ·
Hi, Im looking to replace my Daily driver. I bought it a year ago and its been costing me money ever since (06 ford fusion). Ive driven a soul on vacation and i really liked it. I also have an 06 sportage which has been really reliable and a great car.
(im trying to stay under 16k)

I have a few questions for soul owners.

Whats the reliability like? I drive 35k + a year and id like it to still be running when i pay it off

How is it on a road trip? I love going new places, and id like something comfy.
(i hate my ford, but after 12 hours i was still comfortable)

Gripes with the car?
what bugs you about your Soul.


1.6 or 2.0?


auto or manual?

One thing ive loved about my sportage is that when it idles, its butter smooth, and quiet. how are the souls?


Thanks!!
 
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#2 ·
what was the year and model of the Soul you drove on vacation? What engine do you have in the Sportage? Where are you located?

I've owned my 2.0L AT 2012 Soul for three years, the only problem so far has been the replacement of the back-up camera due to a foggy lens (under warranty), other than that no problems at all.
Haven't done too many long roads trips in it (maximum probably about 5-6 hours) but no problem on comfort to me but then again, no matter what vehicle I drive I always take a break after a steady 2-3 hours in the vehicle.

Gripes - a bit softer ride would be nice, an arm rest for the passenger (both these have been rectified with the 2014/15 models.
Bugs - wish I had a larger screen for my UVO system, manual hood prop (again this has been corrected with the 2014/15 models which are self-holding)

The Soul engines are more noisy on initial start (more noticeable from outside, than in), but when warm, very quiet and I can hardly hear mine from inside the vehicle. And again the 2014> has increased the NHV even more, so can't compare to this model.

In case you are not aware the 2014 is the 2nd generation and a whole new vehicle from the ground up, so some of my comments may not apply or could have changed. I would purchase the same vehicle again.

You may also want to check out the other Soul Forum (a spin off from this site) Kia Soul Forums :: Kia Soul Owners which is very active with lots of members from North America and a few from overseas.
 
#3 ·
I drove a 2012, it was BRAND NEW, we pulled the plastics off of it.
it was a 2.0+, but im looking cheap as possible.
I live in the Richmond virginia area, but willing to travel up to 150 miles for a good deal.

my sportage is the 2.7 awd lx
 
#7 · (Edited)
if you maintain it properly there should be no problem hitting 150K. As the Soul hasn't been out as long as the Sportage many people haven't hit the high numbers, but there is a few on the other forums that use them for courier and delivery service and have high mileage.

I would have no hesitation in driving across Canada in mine, in fact I'm going to do it in a few months. :)

The engines and transmissions are not the only KIA vehicle that has that particular engine. A lot of what your asking we've have just been discussing on the other forum, check this thread out it may help

http://www.kiasoulforums.com/2-soul...ver-again-would-you-buy-another-kia-soul.html
 
#6 ·
How long is either engine in production? Any design issues?
What's compression ratio?
How many people are gonna ride in the car on average on daily basis?
What's your commute/driving route like? Many uphills etc? Stop and go traffic?

Personally, I like NA (naturally aspirated) engines as opposed to boosted, usually of higher combustion chamber volume, and lately - AT (auto transmission) too. Used to be a MT guy, and would still get a car with one if it were a 'recreational' or 'sport' or 'show off' car.

Said that.
I and wife decided on getting a Forte and Sportage to cover 'basic cheap' transportation (Forte) as well as more comfortable longer trips, fishing etc with Sportage.
Soul is a nice car for city but may not be as suited for hwy commute driving, imho.
 
#8 ·
I have a '14 Soul+ with the 2.0l auto, purchased in July after my 07 4x4 Sportage LX ended up as the meat in a 3 car sandwich. I live in the mountains of N. Georgia and I had intended on keeping the Sportage until the wheels fell off of it. It did everything I asked of it and pulled my little trailer over the mountains just fine. If there was an area for improvement it would have been fuel mileage( 18-20 mpg).
I like the brand so I checked my options and decided that the + could be a good replacement. Although the US version isn't rated for towing (The rest of the world has a decent towing capacity listed in the specs) I added a hitch. Based on the vehicle weight, brake size and power rating it was equal to the Sportage. It hauls my two motorcycle trailer( approx 1100 lbs loaded) better than the Sportage did.
I think that it will easily handle 150K miles with basic service(barring encounters with brain dead drivers). I just clicked off 5K on the odometer and it's been flawless. I average about 29 mpg( I'm a bit heavy footed) so it's about 50% better than the Sportage and it is much quicker both with and without pulling a trailer. The only unknown at this point is if I really needed a 4wd for snow conditions-I should find out soon.
 
#9 ·
I've owned my 2012 + since March '12.
We've done 3 round trips from Northern PA to FL since we bought it and it's tolerable with stops to get out and walk around, as you would with any vehicle you travel in.
I put natural sheepskin seat covers on both front seats and it really made them much more comfortable.
As for reliability, my dealer has only seen it for oil changes and routine maint. It has 27k on the odo right now. I wouldn't hesitate to jump in it and drive cross country at any time.
Buy one if you get a good deal.
 
#10 ·
Heads up I didn't read the whole thread

I have a 2010 + model that's around 80k miles ( in fairness it sat about a year before I got it and had 60k when I got it) and I ADORE the far! It's great with any challenge I throw at it slips some in snow but this is wisconsin

I grew up with toyotas so most of my compairison points are likely based from that

Now then when I had my job I was driving 20 miles a day give or take my mom drives it now (prefers it to hers more later) and she drives like an hour in rush hour on the freeway (mine was on a highway but more city streets) and she hasn't complained yet

We do occasionally do dump runs and it's been fine there this last year we took it camping and with the camp ground it looked natural we even went camping overnight at wallmart 2 humans and 2 dogs in the soul! We had planned on finding a campsite but didn't even then it was still pretty comfortable as it was the drive up there however during eaa it did get stuck in the mud but thanks to some damage I had we were able to use the metal bumper to pull the car out so that worked fine the real points would have been close to underground with how BURYIED we were still I had a blast!

Growing up with toyotas I call my " hamster mobile" a "baby SUV" Id argue on most counts it's about comprable to my moms 2000 RAV4 that ive seen next to mine and there about the same size I also find it so funny the car is shorter then me yet so roomy inside!

I wouldn't do less then the 2 litre engine THO my moms current car is a 2009 Corolla sport my uncle has a 2010 rav4 (much larger then my car) and as I said I'd say about comprable but very comfortable

When we were looking for moms after her having the rav I was looking for her to keep a strong engine which is part of why I wouldn't do a lesser my personal choice there

I also keep a lot of "gear" in my car and we have used my car to jump hers (that's fun) so whatever happens I try to stay prepped hope I didn't miss anything and of you want I can list the cars I recall (rentals too) and what I think but I'll also say when I was looking most American cars ruled themselves out quickly and it sounds like you got that curse
 
#11 ·
I realised lol I forgot something! Reliability think I kinda covered

I didn't get it at a Kia dealer but I have one that I occasionally take it to (recalls) there's another (ok Toyota) dealer I grew up going to so I know they talk sencse and im not afraid to ask them questions if I have them my car or moms they don't pressure at all! They're also 10 bucks less then Kia for oil changes and on a 6 month cycle the place I got the car at was on a 3 month cycle for the same price

Coming with 60k miles I don't think the timing belt was ever changed the Toyota dealer said there would have been a sticker and Kia said if they got the car in they wouldn't have done that

So what I do: rutine oil changes and if something else is needed (timing belt?) I weigh the options my moms japanese cars have gone 120k miles with the same one which makes me less worried about it

I have been in a few accidents one was head-on with a wooden pole only damage was on the lower darker coloured grille that's still there THO it was 1 year ago x-mas (city couldn't plow the highway THO I worked at a 24 hour resturant!) aside from that I merged into an old (90s) van tired doing post Haloween shopping my mom nearly merged into a trailer that I saw and she didn't (she complained her car was too low ( Corolla) then that my car was too tall and that those trailers should have flags

So even with getting battered as a first car (yea I know I'm lucky but I also blame cash for clunkers!) it's doing great and looks awesome as well! (With scuffs)

I like this car so much that I'm gonna be looking at both toyotas and kias when it's time for my next car and whatever else I see (like Mazdas too had one as a rental that I liked) but chances are there won't be American cars

Oh semi random my moms car you have to stay in control of mine kinda likes to go on its own it also likes to coast down (naturally slow)

Good luck with the choice this year were gonna be trying to find a new car for my mom!
 
#12 ·
I have a 2013 soul!, thought it was great, starting to fall out of warranty and now the little things are going bad-such as radio (UVO) (common problem?), which if you don't mind losing the tunes or the blue tooth and laws in your state allow you using your phone to your ear-not a problem. We have had car since new-this July would be three years, car has 60k miles on it 1/22/15. ok mileage-get checks because of misrepresentation, I will use to replace parts on car that are now out of warranty I suppose. Tires lasted 55k miles, rides harsh-have 18" wheels/low profile-should not expect nice ride though. Wife is short in legs and can't drive car on long trips because the seat bottom is too big and won't allow her legs to bend at knee and the back of her legs get uncomfortable, seat cushion could be 2' shorter for shorter legged people:). Rear window motor is going on vacation-again out of warranty. The stated 10/100k mile warranty needs to be carefully read, you'll lose your radio warranty after 36k miles and so fourth. With you putting high mileage on car-check what is covered-don't be mislead. Seat covers are wearing out-not highest quality of cloth, again if want to last 150k check into what seat fabric you want or plan on replacing seat covers. A friend of mine once told me to get rid of cars before you hit 100k, have higher trade in value, compare what you would get for same car at 90k and what you would get for that car at 150k, might surprise you. Thought I was gonna run KIA til' wheels fell off, hoped as well, but silence and other "non warranty covered LITTLE things" might torture me. Good luck with choice.
 
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