Duelo de Dos Litros

[niky]

RE: Civic: Worst in terms of ride is relative. It'd actually be okay if not for the seats... about par, I guess, with the Lancer. If I had a better back, I'd consider it. Despite the seats, I really, really like the car. Great ergonomics, great engines (both the 1.8 and 2.0) and good gearboxes (only gripe is the long 4th gears Honda uses). All that's needed is to give it a little softening, like they did with the Jazz.

If the Kia Forte has the 4B11 that's in the Lancer and the Kia Soul, then there's no doubting it'll be a powerful engine. Performance, though, will depend on the actual transmission that's in the car.

Kia is really hampered by CBU taxes. But then, Hyundai seems to get by. Maybe the local management doesn't care that their prices are too high... since people still apparently buy them, anyway.

The 120d is a fun toy... BUT... the stiffness of the run flats is horrible. As long as you don't drive over a gravel driveway everyday, though, it's acceptable, since the suspension itself isn't that bad. But personally, in that price range, I'd rather get a 320i, which is a bigger, better car than the 1-series.

Of course, if I were rich enough to have an M3 as a daily driver, I'd consider getting a 120i coupe as a back-up toy...

[jut703]

The Soul has the 4B11 as its engine too? I didn't know. The Forte, perhaps, since it has the exact same figures as the Lancer. But as per specsheets, the Soul only has 141 hp and 189 Nm of torque. Weird that they'd underrate it when the Soul is marketed as a hip and sporty box on wheels.

[niky]

The Soul has the 4B11 as its engine too? I didn't know. The Forte, perhaps, since it has the exact same figures as the Lancer. But as per specsheets, the Soul only has 141 hp and 189 Nm of torque. Weird that they'd underrate it when the Soul is marketed as a hip and sporty box on wheels.

Darn it... my mistake... the Soul actually has the older Beta engine, as in the Tucson... the Forte will have the same Theta/4B11 engine that's in the Coupe and the Lancer. (Same as in same block and general design... the Mitsubishi variant has different sensors and electronics...)

Bugs me why Hyundai Kia have two different 2.0s when they could just use one... although, to note... the engine note of the weaker Beta engine is nicer than that of the Theta...

[jut703]

My guess is that the Soul was supposed to be a low-priced fun car hence the cost-cutting on its engines. Then Kia Philippines trashes the whole concept and sells the car at an exhorbitant 1.32M.

The funny thing is that Hyundai sells the 4B11T-derived Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0 for the same price.

[niky]

My guess is that the Soul was supposed to be a low-priced fun car hence the cost-cutting on its engines. Then Kia Philippines trashes the whole concept and sells the car at an exhorbitant 1.32M.

The funny thing is that Hyundai sells the 4B11T-derived Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0 for the same price.

Yeah... it's a shame... because the Soul is a very good car. Just 400k too much. But then, Hyundai's local HARI arm has better marketing and more coordination than the local Kia.

[jut703]

Objectively, I can see why the Soul gets a lot of praise as long as price isn't a factor. Looks great, has a willing chassis, great kit.

Subjectively though, I just don't like it. It's just not for me. Ironic though, since I probably belong to the target age group of the Soul. I guess I'm old school when it comes to cars.

[jut703]

double post.

[jut703]

triple post.

[Type 100]

Great thread, had fun reading Niky's comparisons.

Out of the lineup, the CY4A Lancer and the FD Civic (albeit in 1.8V A/T form) are in our garage. The Lancer EX GT has inferior plastics fit and finish, and not a lot of toys, but also has great seats. Haven't driven it yet, but riding shotgun, it seems to punish untidy driving and a heavy throttle foot applied where it isn't appropriate. If only I could fish the keys out of my dad's pockets I'd drive it myself and see how it goes with a more genteel style...

I've grumbled time and again about how unwieldy the FD Civic is to drive in tight Manila streets so it'll have to come a distant second. It's a shame because it feels a bit friendlier than the Lancer, although ride comfort isn't anything special. The R18A1 engine is plenty powerful enough, although the bigger K20Z will be more desirable for modification purposes.