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Should I Do It?

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5K views 29 replies 16 participants last post by  TechnoMage 
#1 · (Edited)
Hey my Soul buddies! Wow, have I missed you guys so much....

I'm not sure if you remember or not, but back in February 2015, I ended up totaling my 2012 Kia Soul who was named Denzel. I had him for three years and only had 29,000 miles. Many were wondering what happened after the accident because I kind of disappeared off the grid after it happened as I was instructed not to talk about the accident, but the woman who ran the red light was ruled at fault, although both parties were saying we had the green. Needless to say, a Cobra dash cam rides with me everywhere I drive now because of that horrific night. Good thing is none of us were hurt from that night and we moved on--- I moved on up a lot. Two weeks later, I guess you could say my teenage midlife crisis kicked in and I was driving in a 2015 Ford Mustang with my name on it; financed at 2.9% APR. How awesome did I feel at the age of 19 to be so lucky. The car felt like a rare exotic to me because, haha, coming from a 138 horsepower 1.4l engine to a 300 HP 3.6l engine felt like a screamer! :glee: I have drove that thing all over the state. I have had it for 4 months and I already racked up 7,100 miles!

But now, I feel like times are slowly changing and settling down. I am now feeling like my car is too much for me. I went to my local Kia dealership as my car was getting an oil change and sat in a Kia Soul and it gave me flashbacks of how it felt in my old Denzel-- All the memories, cold late night drives in a quiet warm cabin, feeling all hamstery bumpin' out to LMFAO with the windows down, and ESPECIALLY that awesome 35 MPG! I also miss interacting with you guys on here and complaining how my doors scratch easily! :sorrow:Not only is it an emotional appeal that keeps making me miss my Soul, but it's also a financial point of view. My partner and I are going to be looking at an apartment to live in together and while my $315/month Mustang payment isn't that brutal for a $27,000 car, I still feel like it's a little too much out of my pocket.

In all seriousness guys, what do you think I should do? Do you think I should just go ahead and keep my 'Stang and pay it off or do you think I should go get a 2015-16 Soul and go back to my roots?




 
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#11 ·
May I ask what it is you can't stand about the Gen 2 body style?
 
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#3 ·
Just do it ! Unless you don't want to then , just don't do it ! Cause it's all about the Jesse bout the Jesse ....,,... Went from my 2010 soul to a Veloster turbo , got SOUL BEE It in December 14 I have put 200 miles on the Velo cause I just gotta have Soul , lol . The Veloster sets in the garage waiting .
 
#5 ·
Hello Jesse Only you can do the maths on money lost on trade in and the monthly running costs, and you do not want to be spending money upgrading Soul so do maths on a model you will be happy to stay with for some time.
Hope you return to the Soul gang.
Jeff
 
#6 ·
You know that we don't condemn anyone for driving another brand of car. There are members here that have never even had a Soul. You can still hang around. If you do something with that Mustang now, you will take a bath financially on it, but to each his own. I personally tend to follow my heart rather than my head in some situations like this. It usually hits the bank account rather hard when I do that.
 
#10 ·
Does this mean you'll be getting that awesome Sorento Shaggy?
 
#7 ·
It is like me in reverse. I had a 2003 Torch REDMustang for 10 years. LOVED it! Then body age (mine, and suspension of the car started to wear) plus some worn out discs in my lower back, I reluctantly sold the 'stang for a 2013 Molten Red SOUL. My back is happier and I now drive pain free, but I LOVED that Mustang. My 'stang was pretty basic and the new ones, even basic are much more expensive. You have the Mustang and have had the Image-thing! That car payment is just the beginning...wait until you have to buy a new set of tires!!! Check into a Red Zone Kia Soul!
 
#12 ·
This is a tough call ...but math wise its not that hard.
The cost of the Mustang you could almost get two 2014 soul base(s)
Your cost would lower - your gas would lower ...you would be slower. I love the mustangs but the soul made the best sense to me ....cars are not an good investment (typically) I understand the draw to the nostalgia though. The Soul community has been pretty great.
 
#14 ·
OK I will have to be the buzz-killer here :tongue-new:

If you paid $27k and have a payment of $315 per month, you haven't barely begun to touch the principle. You are probably going to take a $4-8k bath on the trade in, and maybe a little less if you sell it outright. So if you go back to a base Soul, and get it at $15k out the door, and tack on your loss, without cash in the deal you are looking at financing $20-22k, which at 3% and 5 years payback is a payment of $360-$400. So you'll be increasing your monthly expenses.

The cheapest car to own is almost always the one you are already driving, with a few exceptions. If you were driving a $40k vehicle with $500/mo payments, it would make sense from a financial point of view. If you want to lower your expenses, sell the Mustang and buy a second-hand Soul with 60-100k miles on it. You should be able to get one for $6-11k, so even with your cash hit you'll probably be at or below $300/month.
 
#15 ·
Jesse, it's good to hear from you again.

I've kind'a been where you are, and yes I drove a V8 Mustang, and a whole list of "Super Cars", vans, 4x4's, etc.

I don't think I ever made a car trade where I came out the winner. The dealer always wins.

I just had my three year old car re-financed to cut my monthly payment down by $100 a month.
To drive home in Gertrude, the day I bought her, I had to finance $24k, paying off my old Suzuki SX4 in the process.
Now I'm driving a three year old car, that will take me another five years to pay off.

Cars are very seldom, if ever, a winning proposition, but usually a dead loss.
Like most of us, you'll probably be making car payments for the rest of your life. So driving an Economy car does make a lot of sense.

I certainly don't fault you, for getting the Mustang. It's a real "Looker" and I'm sure it's a lot of fun to drive.
I had mine! We all have to have at least one sporty car in our lifetime. In fact, I've had several, and lost money on every one of them.

Whatever you decide, do stay in touch.

Cheers Mate!
:cool:
 
#16 ·
Like most of us, you'll probably be making car payments for the rest of your life.
:nightmare: Not me brother! One of the whole points of the Soul was that I could buy it outright. And except for the new cars that I've bought, I almost always make money on cars, or at least break even. Buy them cheap, keep them nice, fix things as they break, and sell them before they are too killed in miles.
 
#18 ·
I'm careful to never say "all" or "everyone" because I know there is always an exception to every rule.

I've worked my butt off all my life but still can't afford to pay cash for a new car. And now that I'm retired on Social Security, I never will. Thank you Mr Obama!

But however you pay for your Kia Soul, it's still one hell of a great little car.
If I won the Power Ball lottery today, I'd still be driving my Soul tomorrow.
She's all I need, all I could ever want and just one heck of a lot of fun to drive.

Tomorrow morning, early, while it's still cool outside, Gertrude will get her twelfth oil change.
Providing I'm still alive, that is. God, give me just one more day.

Cheers Mates
:cool:
 
#19 ·
There's that phrase again, "fun to drive". Still trying to figure out what that means when we are taking about a inexpensive box on wheels. Not fast, doesn't handle all that great, not quiet...so what makes it fun to drive? Techno, if I gave you a 2013 Camry or Accord...either are arguably a much better car. You and many others might say, "nice to drive" or "a pleasure to drive" or "solid car to drive", etc. My Miata is fun to drive, but probably no one would say that about a Camry, Accord or Buick. So why do some say that about the Soul? Or maybe any car paid off is the most fun to drive? :)

I think it may have to do with the light weight of the car? While it is not fast it does seem to be "tossable". I would probably see that as "fun" but others who are not "car people" might feel it as jumpy, harsh or even cheap. Like my wife...she wants soft, quiet and dis-connected from anything resembling a bump. :)
 
#20 ·
Hawker, which Soul do you own?
 
#21 ·
Hawker , put your wife in a gen2 ! , quiet,smooth,comfy and FUN TO DRIVE ,because it is a Soul . As for the cars you mention , I have driven them all ..way down on my list . I have owned over 20 new cars , the only car payment I ever had was when Kia offered 0% (= free money) on the 2nd 2010 I bought . Me thinks you don't have Soul . I have 6 vehicles , can drive anything I want (lucky me) and I pick the Soul ! Maybe because I HAVE SOUL . lol
 
#22 · (Edited)
Of course " fun " doesn't have the same meaning to everyone .

Do I think the Soul is fun to drive ? Yes , I've owned three . I didn't shop around looking at other cars , when the Soul came out, I wanted it .
Is it fast ? No.... But it's not slow either , low to mid 8 seconds 0 to 60 with the 2.0 (2012 and up ) is plenty quick for this vehicle .

I would go back to driving my 91 Chevy truck with 300k miles on it , before I would spend money on a Camry or Accord .
Speaking of which .... Old meets new
 
#23 ·
~ You just have to decide if your wanting to drive a "Cool Urban Sportster" again ~

The SOUL Wagon Class is sold as a "Urban Sportster" (handles like a Cat in the corners with them 18's). Its "Presence & Sculpture" can't be denied even though its Sans almost all Chrome...YUP

Find 2015 Kia Soul reviews from consumers and experts at NewCars.com
 
#24 ·
GeoSoul,
None, I don't own a Soul but have driven many, all years. If and when I sell my Miata, I may replace it with a used Soul but I live on a tight budget and the purchase has to make sense to my bank account and my wife.... :). Kids in college, etc.

Two Souls,
I rented a Gen. 2 Soul in Dallas last year and yes indeed...it would put a smile on my wife's face, it put one on mine. We have had several Camrys and Accords and they were all great cars. Wonderful, reliable transportation with the Accord being a better handler with the stiffer and more responsive suspension. However I would never say fun...worry free, but not fun.
And I wasn't suggesting the Soul ISN'T fun, just wondering why some people (including reviewers) have referred to it as such.

When you look at the car on paper, there doesn't seen to be anything that would lead you to that conclusion. It's not really fast, it is top heavy, an OK handler but nothing special, rough riding and at least up until 2014 a bit loud. However, I have to say that the Gen. 2 '14-15 really is a different car. Better in every way...except, I still find the Gen. 1 a much more attractive car to look at. I much prefer the creases and lines over the smoothed over lines and slab sides of the '14. I know you don't see a car when you are driving it, but a clean Gen.1 in certain colors always makes me look twice.

Last, the Gen.2 seats are just the most comfortable I've sat in for ages, just loved them. But, I did feel the Gen2 has lost some of its tossability. That may be due to some extra added weight or just to the new softer suspension...but it feels a tad less sporty to me. I'd love it if Kia would come out with some sort of "Sport Edition" that really did improve handling a bit. Perhaps wheels, rear stabilizer bar, different shocks and front strut bar. No over the top decals (2011 SE Editions) or excess body kits. And no, I don't think it needs a turbo. It might be fun, but to me not necessary.

Oh, my DD is a Mazda 3 and yes, I do consider that a fun car. It has a little Miata blood line running through it, meaning it handles as good or better than anything in it's class and just feels responsive. A tad noisy with too much road noise, but that seems to run through the entire Mazda 3 series, regardless of the year. I have the hatch and it holds my bike and my drums with so problems at all. Not perfect, but a good car...most importantly a "fun" and reliable car. Too many cars, not enough bank account. :)
 
#25 ·
I have owned Miatae (plural). They are fun to drive. I wouldn't classify the Soul as fun to drive, but it is a capable commuter. Personally, I don't like the electric steering, and that would probably make a difference. It is somewhat tossable, though. Not like a Miata, but better than my truck.
 
#26 · (Edited)
For about three years now, I've read all the complaints about the Kia Soul.
But my little Gertrude flies in the face of every negative remark.

In the first ten minutes that I drove her, I and Gertrude, scared the crap out of the little salesman that was riding with me.
I'm an old racer and gearhead, and when I test drive a car, "I TEST DRIVE THE CAR" !!!

Burnouts, stopies, donuts, pedal to the metal, and emergency stops, it's all in the program!

I don't drive my Soul like most of the drivers I've read on this or other Soul forums.
I do know how to 'hypermile' but I usually don't. I do like performance, and Gertrude gives me all the performance I can take.

When I took my little gal to a Speed Shop and had them put her on the Wheel Dyno, the guys told me that they had never
Dyno tested a car with such a small engine. They are used to cars with engines in the 500 to 1000 BHP.

When Gertrude wound up to 111.1 BHP, the dyno operators were dancing around and Hi-fiving each other.
They were blown away, by how fast she torqued up and how much horsepower she was putting to where the rubber meets the road.


So don't complain to me about how doggy your Soul is. I don't buy it!



 
#27 ·
Addendum:

Handling? My Gertrude is as nimble and quick as a scalded cat!
She also loves to go off road. I regularly take her down jeep and 4x4 (ATV) trails and she takes it all in stride.

When I go out to the "Old Mud Hole" I never take the road, I always take the back trails through the woods.
Just a few of my favorite pics:
Gertrude at the Mud Hole, helping out a friend (giving him a Jump Start)


Just getting there, is half the fun:
A tight squeeze...


Do I, or don't I? I did. I avoided the rocks, by taking to the water.


Stay right of the rock, and left of the tree.....


Not low on performance either. I regularly join traffic on I-75 at 80mph and accelerating. That's in less than the length of a Football Field.

So I really can't relate to all the gripes and negatives, especially from someone who's never even owned one. EH?

For the greatest acceleration and performance, you definitely don't want 18" wheels. 15's put the power to the road much more efficiently.

Cheers Mates!
:cool:
 
#30 ·
I'm always greeted with cheerful greetings at my Kia dealership. I'm on first name basis with my salesman, parts man and even the Service manager, but I'm pretty sure that my salesman doesn't want to go for another test drive with me. When I go there, the salesman shoots me a friendly greeting and then quickly disappears. He can hide quicker than a Prairie Dog. lol

But it's all ok......they all know how much I love my little Gertrude.

Now if I can just get those pictures working again.......

:cool:
 
#29 ·
apologies!
Photo Bucket is having PMS or something. First I couldn't get into it at all and now I see it's not allowing me to post my pictures. At first it did, but I see that now my pics are not showing. I'll fix that!
I've signed up with "Tiny Pic" but I don't have my pictures uploaded there yet.

Stay tuned!

:cool:
 
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