[LiteraryLark]

Does anyone own or have owned a Kia Soul?

This is the car in my price range and I'd like to do some research before I buy it.

[Moreta]

I want to get one when I get some money. I have a 2003 kia rio now and it's had a bunch of work done on it, prob $2k just this year. My mom's boyfriend has one and he likes it a lot. My husband doesn't really fit in one since he's 6'8" but if you're shorter it's a good car. Make sure you get a spare tire because I don't think it comes with one, which my mom's bf found out the hard way when the tire tore apart. He got them to give him one though.

[Unrigged64072835]

My husband's stepmother owns one along with a few of her friends. They all love it. I haven't looked for one myself, though.

[10yrsgone]

I drive one currently. I'm a taller guy and I am amazed how roomy it is inside. It's not exactly the zippiest ride but it's great on gas, features and is perfect for someone my age (a single dude in his mid 20's).

With that being said, I can also see it being a worthy family car as well, honestly. It seems like an SUV inside a smaller car's body. I can't really ask for anything more at this time in my life.

[ChipperMonkey]

I thought you wanted a sports car? I thought you didn't want a car like this because people would use you for rides?

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by ChipperMonkey

I thought you wanted a sports car? I thought you didn't want a car like this because people would use you for rides?

I can't afford a sports car, and my parents will have nothing of it.

Originally I wanted a Kia Soul. That was the car I was saving up for until I thought about looking into sports cars. They are just not practical nor in my price range. Le sigh.

[Nammu]

Check out consumers guide to cars. They should be available in most libraries. They have rating for new and used cars. Dependability, costs, gas mileage..

[LiteraryLark]

I had a very long discussion with my parents. Tomorrow I am going to call AAA insurance (because they won't allow me to have any other insurance) to get quotes on how much the cost of having me on my parents insurance, how much it will cost to have my own insurance on the SUV, and how much it will cost to have my own insurance on the Kia Soul. From there they will decide if I am ready to afford my own insurance or to pay them the amount that they pay for me each month.

Truly, the Kia Soul is the best first car...I'm just not in a position to afford a sports car as my first car...like people have said in the other thread...it's a higher car payment, higher insurance, and more gas than a more practical car. It's just not realistic.

I've heard nothing but rave reviews for the Kia Soul. When I am in the drive thru I will have Kia Soul owners come through and they have all said it is an amazing car.

I took a test drive of the Kia Soul last year...the brakes were a bit touchy, and other KS drivers have agreed, but they said it is something that they got used to and overall I was very impressed by it.

My goal is to buy a new car, and a brand new KS is $14-16k. That's a way better deal then buying a used car that won't last long and requires a lot of maintenance because it is an older car, and my parents agree.

I think tomorrow I'll take another test drive in the Kia Soul, and then check out the VW Beetle and if I have time, the Ford Fiesta which is also $14k/179 a month. My mom has always loved Bugs and she has "bugged" me about checking them out so many times. She said they are surprisingly roomy, and I believe that they cost about the same as the Kia Soul with the relatively older models more affordable and still dependable. I think the Kia Soul is more my style, but Bugs really are adorable cars. And I get to punch someone's arm every time I have to drive someone. "SLUGBUG!"

The Ford Fiesta is also in my price range, but not much appeal to me...I'd like my car to fit my personality. KS is closest to my style, Bugs second, Ford Fiesta ehhh I haven't done much research nor does it have much pizzaz, but my grandmother is always pushing me into looking into it because she watches all these game shows that hand out Ford Fiestas. I will at least take a test drive and take it into consideration.

During this discussion they had also agreed to let me have my own phone bill which I am super excited about. That way, by the time I am ready to purchase the car, I will be able to show that I make all the payments on the phone bill.

To make a long story short (too late), unless I can find a new $14k sports car...it's not something I can afford. I have to be realistic, and it wasn't until I went into the dealership when all these factors that go into having a sports car sink in.

[unaluna]

I drove a beetle last week. I found it annoying! Mostly because i am old and stiff! It was hard to get in and out of (not only because the previous driver had parked it backwards, like he was in freakin england, with the drivers side up against the freakin kerb). Then i couldnt get it started - i think they make you press on the brake, pretending you have a clutch, even tho its a freakin automatic. So lots of swears and i hadnt even put it in drive yet!! And the mirrors seemed small. I could not get a sense of where my car was on the road at all. Usually i rent fords, escapes or smaller. They might be fiestas, idk. I can check.

Eta - no i believe they were focuses. I can try a fiesta when i go to get my new glasses AGAIN.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by unaluna

I drove a beetle last week. I found it annoying! Mostly because i am old and stiff! It was hard to get in and out of (not only because the previous driver had parked it backwards, like he was in freakin england, with the drivers side up against the freakin kerb). Then i couldnt get it started - i think they make you press on the brake, pretending you have a clutch, even tho its a freakin automatic. So lots of swears and i hadnt even put it in drive yet!! And the mirrors seemed small. I could not get a sense of where my car was on the road at all. Usually i rent fords, escapes or smaller. They might be fiestas, idk. I can check.

Eta - no i believe they were focuses. I can try a fiesta when i go to get my new glasses AGAIN.

That seemed like a bad experience for you, but very unusual when you are looking for a car to drive. I will take that into consideration when I test drive the Beetle, but I will test drive it regardless. I need to see for myself if it will work for me, as it is in my price range.

There are also some toyotas in my price range, but nothing that fits my personality. I want my first car to be something I am proud of, something that makes me grin from ear to ear just to see it parked in my driveway because I did my research and found the best possible deal and it suits me. When I was very little, I wanted a camry like my Mamma because I had very fun memories in it. But now, I want to make my own memories. My first car should be very exciting...I don't think finding a car with style and personality is unrealistic as long as I can afford it. A sports car has style, but I can't afford it, so I'm ending the discussion on the sports car.

[scatterbrained04]

My mom has a Soul. I drive a Forte. I think the Soul has had several recalls.

[Nammu]

I heard that new the Kia Soal was 15-30K

[LiteraryLark]

I test drove 3 cars, got an insurance quote from AAA, then went to Verizon and ATT. I'm flipping exhausted...I don't have the energy to talk about how my day went right now...

[FooZe]

This thread is being closed at the OP's request.