Kia Soul [MERGED THREADS]

[spiff41398]

Thanks for the real world feedback. Yes, the one thing that endeared the Soul to us is the space, lots of it. After sitting inside a City, Lancer, Fiesta and Focus, the Soul was the roomiest in legroom and head clearance since I am 6'3" and my wife is 5'7". I'm still trying to haggle with the dealer into giving us a bigger discount and maybe even the fog lights or DVD/GPS as freebies so that the only future upgrade left are the 18" wheels. ;-)

[Verbl Kint]

Fog lights for the 2012 model are around 6k outside the casa. Definitely recommended as getting it from the dealership will not void warranties.

I would personally not suggest the DVD/GPS (worth around 40k, I think) as it has bad audio quality compared to the stock (I am an audiophile). It's not really a Kia OEM DVD/GPS but a local/china variant. The stock radio, if tuned right, has the capability to sound like a high-end system. The stock radio has very little functionality other than music, though.

Haggle for tint for the windshield (get 3M's BC35 so it matches the other windows). If the dealership has Nomad car mats, try to get them to add it in to the deal as well.

[spiff41398]

One of the dealers already committed to include the fog lights for free. Great tip for the full windshield tint and 3M Nomad car mats. I'll definitely haggle for that.

The DVD/GPS was really something I was just wishing for since the center console would look a little more cleaner and sophisticated. It's a want instead of a need. ;-)

Does the stock head unit come with RCA jacks for a subwoofer? Is the center speaker on the dashboard really a small subwoofer?

[Verbl Kint]

What you see on the dashboard is an allocation of space for an optional 8" subwoofer. Sadly, we don't get subwoofers in the Philippines.

Have not checked for RCA jacks or pre-amp connections yet, though.

[spiff41398]

Finally picked up our silver Soul from Kia Sucat this morning after waiting for 2 weeks for the full payment from my company. Worth the wait! Got a great deal from them (free fog lights, full windshield tint and a big discount plus the other standard freebies).

Compared to our Fortuner, the steering is so light and acceleration is quick. It's so much fun to drive and my wife is very happy that we got the Soul instead of the Honda City that she originally wanted. Space was our #1 consideration and the Soul had the roomiest interior among all the sub-compact and compact cars within our budget.

Filled up right away since it was practically empty from the dealer. I'll report on FC after the next full tank.

[pop3corn]

Finally picked up our silver Soul from Kia Sucat this morning after waiting for 2 weeks for the full payment from my company. Worth the wait! Got a great deal from them (free fog lights, full windshield tint and a big discount plus the other standard freebies).

Compared to our Fortuner, the steering is so light and acceleration is quick. It's so much fun to drive and my wife is very happy that we got the Soul instead of the Honda City that she originally wanted. Space was our #1 consideration and the Soul had the roomiest interior among all the sub-compact and compact cars within our budget.

Filled up right away since it was practically empty from the dealer. I'll report on FC after the next full tank.

how much discount?

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[spiff41398]

Kia Sucat gave us 33k discount since we paid in cash.

[Verbl Kint]

Congrats! I suggest you get paint protection while the weather's good.

[spiff41398]

Thanks! I just did this morning in Big Bert's Sucat. ;-) I've been reading kiasoulforums.com and soulhamsters.com and I might just order a center console armrest from Amazon. Costs $145.

Also interesting is that steering wheels from higher-spec Souls with integrated audio and cruise controls work right out the bat without any modifications! If I can't find any from eBay, I might just opt to have mine leather-wrapped at Seatmate. Costs P1,800.

[spiff41398]

Thanks! Yup, had it done this morning at Big Bert's Sucat. ;-)

I've been reading up on other Soul forums. Some people were able to swap steering wheels from higher-spec Souls or from a Kia Forte and the audio and cruise controls work right away without any modifications. I'll try to look for a 2nd hand steering wheel from eBay with a reasonable price. If not, I may just have mine leather-wrapped at Seatmate for P1,800.

Also plan to get the OEM center console armrest from Amazon for $145.

[spiff41398]

I've been reading up on soulhamsters.com and kiasoulforums.com. Some people were able to swap steering wheels from higher-spec Souls or from a Kia Forte and the audio and cruise controls work right away without any modifications. I'll try to look for a 2nd hand steering wheel from eBay with a reasonable price. If not, I may just have mine leather-wrapped at Seatmate for P1,800.

Also plan to get the OEM center console armrest from Amazon for $145.

[aloy]

hows the ride?

me height adjustment ba yung drivers seat? me abs ba? me cover ba yung cargo sa likod?

also considering, since looking for cheap high clearance compact car.

thks.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[pop3corn]

hows the ride?

me height adjustment ba yung drivers seat? me abs ba? me cover ba yung cargo sa likod?

also considering, since looking for cheap high clearance compact car.

thks.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Yup dapat nman talaga ganyan lang binibili para may edge sa traffic. Nowadays, diesel suvs are the new slow a$$ movers simililar to fat people walking in the mall.

ako nga, mas mabilis ako kumilos dala first gen crv ko vs my SF. Pansin ko na yun eh, when I go from Ortigas to Fort in the rush morning, may time difference ng 10min lagi na mas aga ako sa parking slot sa Bgc with my crv. Magaling kasi tumiming sa traffic psychology ang high ground clearance small suv, you can still see what's 2-3 cars in front of you and you can match the manuevering kse nga liit car mo.


I got the Jimny once and boy it confirmed my traffic psychology theory, this car was very efficient in traffic, the only reason I sold it is bec. It's 2-door. Maaga nga ako makarating sa office, pero 3 processes pa just to get my things on the backseat, slide forward my chair, then reverse incline, then reach my things na pede sumabit long-sleeves or suit ko sa pinto and metal part ng jimny, then return my seats to normal position. The entire process alone costs me 10 min also lalo na pag basa ang jimny sa ulan.

The kia soul is a good alternative to jimny, pero saka na lang siguro kse i still have my trusty old first gen crv, this is my hedge against inflation - every year PMS, less insurance premium, easy to maintain and replace parts, so many parts out there.

But yun na ngs if Im replace my crv, i'll get the soul or maybe the MT sportage

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[spiff41398]

hows the ride?

me height adjustment ba yung drivers seat? me abs ba? me cover ba yung cargo sa likod?

also considering, since looking for cheap high clearance compact car.

Compared to our Fortuner, the ride is world's apart. Mas malambot talaga.

No height adjustments, no ABS and no cargo cover (but you can buy one on eBay). CAC really skimped on all the standard safety features. But we're still happy since we got a spacious, fuel-efficient car that's in between sub-compact and compact car prices. No brainer decision for us. If you read online reviews, the Soul consistently gets high marks and is the 2nd or 3rd-best selling Kia in the US.

[weisshorn]

Compared to our Fortuner, the ride is world's apart. Mas malambot talaga.

No height adjustments, no ABS and no cargo cover (but you can buy one on eBay). CAC really skimped on all the standard safety features. But we're still happy since we got a spacious, fuel-efficient car that's in between sub-compact and compact car prices. No brainer decision for us. If you read online reviews, the Soul consistently gets high marks and is the 2nd or 3rd-best selling Kia in the US.

Agree po. Dami nyan sa Canada.

[aloy]

Thanks for the response.

What really impresses me with Hyundai and Kia nowadays is the transmission. Halos walang shift shock yung h-matic 6-speed nila. Very responsive yung transmission sa input mo sa gas pedals. Walang gear hunting saka shift shock. Tapos yung engine dual CVVT pa.

I'll test drive very soon. Sana nga ma validate yung expectations ko.

Yung lack of ABS lang saka height adjustment ang turn-off sa akin. Pero I think their price is fair. Saka meron yata silang pre Christmas sale ngayon, 30K off til November 15 so 882k na lang parang elantra 1.6AT.

[Verbl Kint]

What really impresses me with Hyundai and Kia nowadays is the transmission. Halos walang shift shock yung h-matic 6-speed nila. Very responsive yung transmission sa input mo sa gas pedals. Walang gear hunting saka shift shock. Tapos yung engine dual CVVT pa.

+1 on the trannie quip above

Saka meron yata silang pre Christmas sale ngayon, 30K off til November 15 so 882k na lang parang elantra 1.6AT.

That's actually a 37k discount off the SRP. Nice!

Remember to test drive with both Eco mode off and on. I generally prefer it off, btw.

[spiff41398]

Yung lack of ABS lang saka height adjustment ang turn-off sa akin. Pero I think their price is fair. Saka meron yata silang pre Christmas sale ngayon, 30K off til November 15 so 882k na lang parang elantra 1.6AT.

Where did you hear about this discount? Kaya pala they gave me 33k off plus free fog lights.

Yes, do test drive the car. Sa Kia Sucat nga they let me drive the display unit mismo.

[aloy]

typo error, 889k pala yung kia soul not 882k. yung sale, all kia dealers yata.

sa owners, meron na bang nakabili ng cargo cover na oem. do you have difficulty in braking since drum yung rear brakes or sanayan lang?

*spiff41398, yung free fog lights mo original kia din? yung switch nya saan nakalagay? how about rain visor and seat cover, libre din?

thanks

[spiff41398]

*spiff41398, yung free fog lights mo original kia din? yung switch nya saan nakalagay? how about rain visor and seat cover, libre din?

Yup, original fog lights. Hindi pa nakakabit kasi inorder pa from Korea. I'll ask my SA tomorrow regarding the switch. Yes, free window visors also. Yung free seat cover and floor mats medyo manipis lang. I was also able to haggle for full windshield tint (3M BC35).

If you prefer a DVD/GPS head unit with backup camera, pwede din. But the cash discount is only 5k. I may eventually change to a Pioneer DVD head unit after I find a dash kit and wiring harness.

Braking is fine. Medyo maingay lang at may brake dust accumulation sa front wheels. But I think that's a common problem among Kia/Hyundai cars.