Thread: Competitive comparisons are over: Soul wins! But here's why I probably won't buy Soul

Ordered my 2013 Dune ! in late November; picked it up in 2nd week of December all the way from Korea.

Not understanding the problem, unless it was w/older models?

Originally Posted by 'pini

Ordered my 2013 Dune ! in late November; picked it up in 2nd week of December all the way from Korea.

Not understanding the problem, unless it was w/older models?

it would have already been assigned to the dealer and on its way or possibly in a compound somewhere in the US. If not previously ordered you are looking at 6-8 weeks from time the order is placed with the factory and also depends on the production setup and capacity at the time of the order.

As I don't know where in the US you are located it could also be sitting in a port facility too that could be closer to where you are located.

My closest Kia dealer, is a combo Chevy/Kia dealer, with the big Chevy dealership on one side of the street and the Kia lot on the other side of the street.
I stopped into the Kia lot one day and was met by the ONE salesman. I was driving my 2009 Suzuki SX4, iAWD and I asked the salesman about a Kia Soul.
They had only one on the lot and it was used, and he made no effort to even let me sit in it, let alone drive it.
It was a warm summer day, but boy did I feel the CHILL. *that dealer does not advertise Kias on TV*

So I went on-line to see what other Kia dealers were in driving distance. I stopped my search at the "Citrus Kia" dealership in Crystal River, FL.
They advertise heavily on the local Cable TV and they are only a quick 30 mile drive for me.
I put in my email address and phone number and within 24 hours, I had a call from the guy who turned out to be MY SALESMAN.

When I got to the dealership, I saw this cute little White Soul sitting in the driveway. It was pointed out to the street like it was ready to go.
I met my salesman, John Keagan and he asked me what kind of Soul I was looking for. All I told him was "Automatic Transmission and Cruise Control" and he told me the only AT on the lot, among six Souls, was the White one. So he slapped on the dealer plate, handed me the keys, and we were OFF on a test drive.

I pulled out on Rt 19, a very busy highway, put the hammer down and we were off like a shot! I wasn't expecting so much acceleration out of a little 1.6L Four-Banger and I dang near lost it. John was tightening up his seat belt and looking a bit pale. When I do a test drive, I DO A TEST DRIVE!
In ten minutes, I really put that little Soul through its paces. The rest is history. White may not have been my favorite color, but since it was the only AT on the lot, I wound up driving it home, just three hours later. When I fall in love with a car, I drive it home. It's just that simple.

John and the Citrus Kia dealership have done everything possible to make me a Happy Customer. For the first YEAR, all my maintenance is FREE.
They want to see my Soul every three months for an oil change, bumper to bumper inspection and tire rotations when needed, and that's just fine with me.

Also, I got a Kia hat, an insulated Kia Tote bag, a calendar with my car pic's on it, and a nice Buyer Appreciation Dinner, where the owner of the dealership sat down at my table and chatted with me like a long lost friend.
I even got a full size spare tire, exactly like the tires on the car, for just $100, all aired up, balanced and put in my spare tire well on my car.
(I was very disappointed, to find out that Kia does not include a spare tire with it's new Souls. That re-inflation gizmo is a JOKE!)
The Service writers at Citrus Kia were very helpful to me, getting me all signed up for my gas-mileage rebates.

I'm so sad to hear of other guy's bad experiences with their Kia dealer, because I've had nothing but good experience with mine.
C'mon down and I'll introduce you to the guys and gals at Citrus Kia.

Happy 2013 Everyone!
TM

This has a lot to do with the eastern culture vs American cultures. The eastern companies build cars for the global economy. They have the same models in most countries they expand to. By limiting options and the ability to customize they can achieve economies of scale. This is why you can't custom order a Kia or Honda. The American companies tend to create different models for different places. You can change everything all the way down to the color of the dash board

Originally Posted by DanielSoul

This has a lot to do with the eastern culture vs American cultures. The eastern companies build cars for the global economy. They have the same models in most countries they expand to. By limiting options and the ability to customize they can achieve economies of scale. This is why you can't custom order a Kia or Honda. The American companies tend to create different models for different places. You can change everything all the way down to the color of the dash board

Not so sure about that, I don't think you could ever "special order" an imported car other than a Ferrari or something like that. You tell your dealer what color/options you want and he finds one through the distributor. I think it's getting more difficult to have a US made vehicle built specifically to your specs. as well.

no regular production vehicle these days can be order just the way you want it, you have to work within the packages offered for that model or version - this applies whether its domestic or import.