2007 Kia Carens [ARCHIVE]

[wavecxs]

dumadami na din carens owners, dami ko na nakikita. Although, far from the numbers of innovas.

After more than 2 weeks of owning the carens, I'd say that it is getting better the more I drive it. Safe to say that FC is not less than 11 km/li on mixed city and highway traffic. If you drive for economy (light foot, below 90 km/h, etc), Id say 14km/li should be achievable, ako kasi medyo natutuwa pa kaya i always sprint when I have the chance hehehe. On my way to work this morning, I just did a 170 km burst on the skyway, I just slowed down when I glanced at the speedometer, I wasn't aware of how fast I was going. Engine and body is still very stable. Di ko na uulitin yun

Sayang nga masama image ng Kia dati, that is the only thing working against it. Kung hindi dito sa tsikot I wouldn't have taken a look at the carens (or any korean car) because of that image problem. The carens is a hard sell even to my wife, she likes the carens but preferred the innova just because the latter is a toyota and the former is a Kia.... but now we are both sold on the carens.

[master_chief711]

I got my Carens last Nov. 16, all I can say is ang ganda ng ride nya. As for FC, im averaging around 11.7km/L (city + highway - ortigas - bulacan - NLEX), although medyo gigil pa sa accelerator kasi nga malakas talaga yung engine, nakaka-tempt i-birit. I'm assuming na pag 'matino' ka na mag-drive FC will go up. Heated nga ba ang side mirrors nyo? Di ko pansin eh, pero alam ko na illuminated yung keyhole.

Para sa mga natutuwa dahil mabilis yung Carens nyo, i-double check nyo yung speedometer, off by 10kph yung speedometer nung saking (110kph sa speedo pero 100kph lang talaga), na-test namin yung a GPS, so kung feeling mo 140kph ka, malamang around 130kph ka lang! I think changing to bigger tires will compensate for the incorrect speedometer reading, sa U.S. kasi, 16" ang LX, and 17" ang EX.

Pa post naman po ng fuel consumption nyo! thanks!

[IMm29]

On my way to work this morning, I just did a 170 km burst on the skyway, I just slowed down when I glanced at the speedometer, I wasn't aware of how fast I was going. Engine and body is still very stable. Di ko na uulitin yun

Sarap ng mga diesel ngayon. Sisiw ang 170 kph ;) Magaan pa ang paa niyan.

Sayang nga masama image ng Kia dati, that is the only thing working against it. Kung hindi dito sa tsikot I wouldn't have taken a look at the carens (or any korean car) because of that image problem. The carens is a hard sell even to my wife, she likes the carens but preferred the innova just because the latter is a toyota and the former is a Kia.... but now we are both sold on the carens.

I had somewhat the same problem in 2002, when we were shopping for a minivan that was more carlike than the Starex. Thankfully, the Carnival/Sedona was ok, despite the smoke belching problem. Hyundai's improving reputation at the time also rubbed off on Kia, for us, so we took a chance.

For me, the CRDi Carens trumps the D-4D Innova in terms of performance and drive-ability. Difference in space and flexibility between the two is negligible. Height may be a little bit of a disadvantage for the Carens. But what I see is the biggest stumbling block, well at least to me, is the lack of Kia dealers. I wish they'd start opening more dealerships.

Btw, the horn is a simple poot poot and I dont even know if it can be heard.

Nothing a big Mitsuba or Bosch horn can't fix ;)

[fireblade]

Day 4 of the test ride


Cleaned the car in and out preparing for another trip to work. Checked on the exterior and interior just to make sure everything is ok. Placed my office, sports bag for some after work shuttle whacking. Wife on her way down fromt he 2nd floor of the house rushing as we are running late. Gave the Carens a second look from the front and it will not start today!!!!!

It is Tuesday and it is color-coding

[Radical!]

I already posted in the Innova thread as a would be owner by Dec15. However, another forumer by the name of Radical me go and look at the Carens. Now I have a problem. I was deadset on getting the Innova E 2.0At gas variant and here comes a great dealer from Kia Sgt Esguerra offering me a no-commitment 5 day trial of the Carens EX variant. It will be delivered to my place tomorrow and will stay till Wednesday for free. I will now have to alter between the Innova and Carens thread to be able to make a decision.

Just my humble opinion, what about the resale? Most people have put a stigma on the brand Kia and here comes the great Carens wanting to prove me wrong.

Radical,

I am now just more confused as to what I should get

Talk to you later and will post here about my experience. Now I feel gay, Innova or Carens? Dunno but will definitely get one!

Finally found your posts...Looks like you're enjoying the (long-term) test drive eh?

A few other points to consider:

Look at the running costs of both vehicles (Carens and Innova) and see which wins. Who knows, this just might solve your resale value issue.

A removable roof basket from Thule may solve your problem. Our Innova's luggage space is close to zero when all seats are down. However the Innova has a slight advantage when space is concerned.

On paper, the (CRDi) Carens' engine wins hands down. You've had it for 4 days so you are a better judge than me on driveability. The advantage of the Innova is that it feels like a tall Corolla Altis. Very car-like.

Lastly, if all else fails, get the 4th Generation Starex.

[itlog na pula]

Sayang nga masama image ng Kia dati, that is the only thing working against it. Kung hindi dito sa tsikot I wouldn't have taken a look at the carens (or any korean car) because of that image problem. The carens is a hard sell even to my wife, she likes the carens but preferred the innova just because the latter is a toyota and the former is a Kia.... but now we are both sold on the carens.

i was hanging out kia mandaluyong yesterday hoping maiuwi na namin yung unit pero di kasi lumabas p.o. ni misis. hopefully tomorrow will be the day...

i was talking to their sales supervisor and suggested that they (either the dealership or columbian itself) should be actively marketing themselves online since more and more buyers go to the internet first before actually visiting the dealers. as we can see on the discussion threads here and elsewhere, it's always the "stigma" that somehow prevents buyers from considering kia. iba din kasi yung may strong presence ka online.

i suggested they improve on the local site and be actively posting sa mga discussion boards. he seemed interested and will seriously consider my other suggestions.

i told him my selfish interest is to see more carens on the road. hopefully this translates into better service quality and continued parts availability for our vehicles.

i think kia has an equally solid lineup of vehicles like hyundai. sana columbian would invest more time online. i'm no marketing guy pero siguro naman, halos wala silang gagastusin if they "prowl" the internet, being upfront with the not-so-impressive past while being excited about their advances now. i told him it's interesting how owners, and not the dealerships/distributor are defending their choice of the brand.

[niky]

Day 4 of the test ride


Cleaned the car in and out preparing for another trip to work. Checked on the exterior and interior just to make sure everything is ok. Placed my office, sports bag for some after work shuttle whacking. Wife on her way down fromt he 2nd floor of the house rushing as we are running late. Gave the Carens a second look from the front and it will not start today!!!!!

It is Tuesday and it is color-coding

Langhiya... akala ko may mechanical problem!!! :hysterical:

[master_chief711]

On paper, the (CRDi) Carens' engine wins hands down. You've had it for 4 days so you are a better judge than me on driveability. The advantage of the Innova is that it feels like a tall Corolla Altis. Very car-like.
Lastly, if all else fails, get the 4th Generation Starex.

With all due respect sir, I don't think the Carens' CRDi wins only on paper, I've driven a D4D Innova (my neighbor's, I was considering an Innova first eh), and mas "suave" ang hatak ng Carens. As for very carlike, mas matigas ang suspension ng Innova compared to a Carens. Sana hindi maging flame-war ito because of this post. I just want to share my experience with both vehicles, yun lang po.

P.S.
Dami na nga rin akong nakikita na Carens (siguro dahil nanalo ng COTY), mostly LX, medyo di na siguro kasi practical yung EX eh. Carens din daw ang featured vehicle sa FHM this month (sabi ng officemate ko, hehehehe!)

[driver168]

Para sa mga natutuwa dahil mabilis yung Carens nyo, i-double check nyo yung speedometer, off by 10kph yung speedometer nung saking (110kph sa speedo pero 100kph lang talaga), na-test namin yung a GPS, so kung feeling mo 140kph ka, malamang around 130kph ka lang! I think changing to bigger tires will compensate for the incorrect speedometer reading, sa U.S. kasi, 16" ang LX, and 17" ang EX.


if you think the speedometer reading is inaccurate, then your Fc should be lesser than 11km/l .


I have test driven a carens automatic about 3 weeks ago. The ride is satisfactory but I heard a whissing sound coming from the engine and i felt that in 1st gear not enough power while the succeeding gears are powerful. I Hope I am wrong but I will test drive again a manual transmission.


as claimed.

[fireblade]

Day 5 of the Carens:

My wife asked me if Im buying it and I am just waiting for her to say Yes!I am totally convinced it has a better ride but given the concerns I have raised earlier, I do not have a final answer yet. Called the dealership yesterday to remind them of the pull-out but they said I can still use it as no one is next on schedule. Dang, nakakahiya and parang I feel like I have this obligation to get one. But I am standing my ground as it is a major decision

Tested it last night along Macapagal and too bad, the strip is a bit short and hazardous. I ended up getting a Ferrari, yes you heard it right a Ferrari!!!

Chose a red one right after gassing up in Shell

On our way home, kids ended up one row each at the back. Asleep

[master_chief711]

if you think the speedometer reading is inaccurate, then your Fc should be lesser than 11km/l .


I have test driven a carens automatic about 3 weeks ago. The ride is satisfactory but I heard a whissing sound coming from the engine and i felt that in 1st gear not enough power while the succeeding gears are powerful. I Hope I am wrong but I will test drive again a manual transmission.

as claimed.

Yes sir! Malamang nga inaccurate din ang FC, pero it should be around 10% din ang error nya, in average, it should be around 10km/L.

As for your test drive, pansin ko nung ginamit ko yung test drive unit nila sa Kia Libis, mabagal ang pick-up, siguro may mga 1 second lag bago sumipa, sabi nung agent, at around 5000km sa ODO, mas lalakas yung engine and bibilis ang pick-up, baka yun yung napansin mo hindi yung mahinang 1st gear?

Nag test drive ulit kami nung Carens A/T CRDi na service nung manager nila, meron nang around 7000km sa ODO, and totoo nga yung sabi nung agent, mas malakas na yung engine and bumilis yung pick-up.

Pansin ko na rin dun sa unit ko eh, around 1500km na sa ODO, konting apak lang sa gas, ang bilis na agad. FYI lang po sa mga tumitingin ng Carens.

[cma]

I would think and I do believe that all speedometers etc. of all cars regardless of brand would be a little-off or not 100% accurate on the dot... If you read a lot of car magazines with proper testing equipment you would see this as a truth.

Di naman F1 racing yan e... na kailangan accurate 100% to the smallest detail.

Just my thoughts and inputs...

[IMm29]

Lastly, if all else fails, get the 4th Generation Starex.

-1. New Carnival is better.

Langhiya... akala ko may mechanical problem!!! :hysterical:

+1. Coding ka nga naman. Argh!

[niky]

Para sa mga natutuwa dahil mabilis yung Carens nyo, i-double check nyo yung speedometer, off by 10kph yung speedometer nung saking (110kph sa speedo pero 100kph lang talaga), na-test namin yung a GPS, so kung feeling mo 140kph ka, malamang around 130kph ka lang! I think changing to bigger tires will compensate for the incorrect speedometer reading, sa U.S. kasi, 16" ang LX, and 17" ang EX.


if you think the speedometer reading is inaccurate, then your Fc should be lesser than 11km/l .


I have test driven a carens automatic about 3 weeks ago. The ride is satisfactory but I heard a whissing sound coming from the engine and i felt that in 1st gear not enough power while the succeeding gears are powerful. I Hope I am wrong but I will test drive again a manual transmission.


as claimed.

+1.

We tested the Carens a few weeks ago (article not up, photography still pending)... found that the vehicle was only going about 90 km/h when the speedometer was reading 100... had to hit 110 km/h on the speedometer to actually hit 100 km/h. (This is on aGPS VBOX)

A lot of vehicle speedometers are inaccurate, but we've found that the inaccuracy is consistent between testers... but the Carens is waaaaay off compared to some others... An inaccuracy of 5 km/h per 100 km/h is acceptable, but 10 km/h is crazy! That means that the 200 km/h runs some are claiming are merely 180 km/h.

My hypothesis about this is that since the Carens comes with bigger wheels in other markets, and the speed sensor is calibrated match the biggest wheels available...

[uwak18]

+1.

We tested the Carens a few weeks ago (article not up, photography still pending)... found that the vehicle was only going about 90 km/h when the speedometer was reading 100... had to hit 110 km/h on the speedometer to actually hit 100 km/h. (This is on aGPS VBOX)

A lot of vehicle speedometers are inaccurate, but we've found that the inaccuracy is consistent between testers... but the Carens is waaaaay off compared to some others... An inaccuracy of 5 km/h per 100 km/h is acceptable, but 10 km/h is crazy! That means that the 200 km/h runs some are claiming are merely 180 km/h.

My hypothesis about this is that since the Carens comes with bigger wheels in other markets, and the speed sensor is calibrated match the biggest wheels available...

sir does this mean if it used the OEM 17" it will be more accurate than using the locally suppled mags or rims?

[IMm29]

According the Kia Motors America website (http://www.kia.com/rondo/rondo-specs.php), biggest rim and tire combo available is 225/50r17, which is 1.4% bigger than the 205/65r15 offering and 0.7% 205/60r16 offering we have locally.

I think the calibration is just plain off.

Well, at least they can't catch you for speeding when you do 100-105KPH. Hehehe!

[niky]

Ouch... 0.7% is really a far cry from 10%! :hysterical:

Still, it's not terrible... a lot of stock cars really over-read by a good amount.

[vinrem]

+1.

We tested the Carens a few weeks ago (article not up, photography still pending)... found that the vehicle was only going about 90 km/h when the speedometer was reading 100... had to hit 110 km/h on the speedometer to actually hit 100 km/h. (This is on aGPS VBOX)

A lot of vehicle speedometers are inaccurate, but we've found that the inaccuracy is consistent between testers... but the Carens is waaaaay off compared to some others... An inaccuracy of 5 km/h per 100 km/h is acceptable, but 10 km/h is crazy! That means that the 200 km/h runs some are claiming are merely 180 km/h.

My hypothesis about this is that since the Carens comes with bigger wheels in other markets, and the speed sensor is calibrated match the biggest wheels available...

Sir, what size of the rim do you recommend? im planning to change my OEM 15" steel rim to 16" alloy, will this correct my inaccurate speed??? also if i change to a 16" what tire brand and also what tire size do you recommend??? kayo ang mga expert dito eh hehehehe and im not an expert. Thanks!!!

[markcasq]

Hi, I have been observing this post eversince I set my eyes on the Carens. My question is, how does an automatic diesel compare to manual? I did a test drive of GAS AT and CRDI MT, ang laki ng difference sa hatak. Medyo hindi yata maganda yung design ng AT nila. My City CVT and Mazda3 4AT has better logic. However, I haven't tried the CRDI AT yet. Can anyone shed light on this? I don't want to test drive the CRDI AT na kasi I'm set on getting the MT, but just to complete the circle, your perspective will be appreciated.

[cma]

Hi, I have been observing this post eversince I set my eyes on the Carens. My question is, how does an automatic diesel compare to manual? I did a test drive of GAS AT and CRDI MT, ang laki ng difference sa hatak. Medyo hindi yata maganda yung design ng AT nila. My City CVT and Mazda3 4AT has better logic. However, I haven't tried the CRDI AT yet. Can anyone shed light on this? I don't want to test drive the CRDI AT na kasi I'm set on getting the MT, but just to complete the circle, your perspective will be appreciated.

Hey markcasq!

Since you test drove a GAS A/T and a CRDi M/T it would almost be like comparing an apple to an orange. I'm sure that if you compared the CRDi M/T to a CRDi A/T the power delivery and pull wouldn't be too different. Remember that the gas variant doesn't come close to the torque and the pulling power that the CRDi variant can give or offer. A good friend of mine has the Carens CRDi 6-speed M/T, and he is thoroughly enjoying it and having major F-U-N! Not to mention how happy he is with his fuel consumption. My "bilas" has the CRDi A/T naman, and he is ecstatic with it as well, he has a lot of cars but since getting the Carens CRDi A/T his whole family (teenage sons & daughters included) compete as to who gets to drive it for the day.

Peace!