Diehard GrandPrix Fan

Hyundai's and Kia's still has a looong way to go to be as good as most of their competitors. As long as there are people who still have the conceptions like 'Well, it's still a Hyundai', 'Hyundai's are piece of crap', 'Hyundai's and Kia's are just a cheap junks', 'they are no more than a cheap alternatives to the big boys', they will never succeed. I don't think they are capable yet to produce the cars that will change that perception. At least not yet. It took Japanese what, 20 years to get it right to put them in their place now, Hyundai's and Kia's will have to work double in order to come close. Sure, they are getting better, but I don't think it's enough. They should work harder. To tell you the truth, I am not a fan of neither Hyundai nor Kia, and I am Korean myself, that's saying a lot. Most Korean people avoid Korean cars since they know they suck. So, unless they make some GREAT products that lasts that gives you back bunch of money back when you were to re-sell it like the Japanese do, I don't think they will be considered as one of the players. I still think Hyundai's and Kia's are the third world products and I don't think they are even close to any of the products that US, Canada, or Japan makes, not to mention European, which will be pretty much IMPOSSIBLE for them to get as close to. Well, for now. They are still not as good to be considerred a decent cars. They still have a lot to catch up. As for the North Korean car, I think this is a stolen car from Italy, and I don't think they have the technology nor ability to produce the cars of their own, so this can be just considerred as an eye-candy to laugh at. No one in their right mind will see them as a threat, and no-one in their right mind will buy these ripped-off junk even if they export it, since you can get the original for however much higher the price is which will be far better in workmanship and quality.

Maybe you need one of these. LOL. If you have $70,000 to spend on a hand-made, limited production cars, if you want speed. LOL Just kidding, since it is only for Korea, nowhere else, well, for now.

Some of the links that I post last night didn't work, but the site isn't let me edit saying something about server error, so I am trying to repost the link with the right one using copy and paste of the post I wrote last night. Hoping it works. ---- This is an old clip, that I just found. It is the coverred up version, but I am just posting it for the heck of it. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Gener...rticleId=120058 Also, the slideshow of unveiling the car in Korea I found on the net: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/12/2009-...eo-release.html Another photo: http://www.carspyshots.net/showthread.php?t=14287&page=5

This is an old clip, that I just found. It is the coverred up version, but I am just posting it for the heck of it. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=120058 Also, the slideshow of unveiling the car in Korea I found on the net: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/12...o-release.html Another photo: http://www.carspyshots.net/showthrea...t=14287&page=5 V6 engine pic: http://www.carspyshots.net/showthread.php?t=14287&page=6 The very last post. It's well...... YAAAAAAWN. and some more pic: http://www.kia-world.net/forum/showthread....id=1427#pid1427 http://www.carspyshots.net/showthread.php?t=14287&page=7 http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?cmd=...&id=3544217 (Got a lot here) Boy, I hate the car the more I look at it. I am sure it will be Hyundai's biggest failure and mistake ever

Bravada of GMI have posted about the commercial from North Korea about the car called 'Pyongwha Whiparam'(Pyongwha means Peace in Korean, and Whiparam means Whistle in Korean). It is actually an old Fiat Palio which surely seems that way. In the commercial, they are claiming that they developped and built locally, but you will see what I mean. Kinda brings back memories of how Hyundais and Kias first started in the early 70's before they could make their own models(Pony(Hyundai's very first model of 1974 I think), Kia Brisa and stuff). Just when you thought you had enough about the cheap Chinese cars whom are readying to invade US.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmhTKDqrEDo I couldn't help but laugh as I watch this little clip. Of how can they steal other nation's car and claim it as their own, and the music and all, are so weird that I just couldn't help it but laugh. 103HP 4CYL also sounds about right for a Fiat. Gets sold in North Korea in equilant to $5,000 US Dollars. Enjoy this little clip. Just wanted to share.

This is the spy video of it in action(coverred up), that I found in Youtube. I must say, that the Benz is actually going backwords in designs and styles with this one. I've always had respect and gratitude to Mercedes or any European make for that matter, but this really put a counter punch. Heck, even the new Kia Borrego looks heck of a lot better than this, considerring that the Kia is highly derivative, that is saying a lot. Wake Up, Mercedes.... You can do better than that.

Here are some concept pics posted on Kia-World Site: http://www.kia-world.net/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=30

InsideLineVideo youtubed this vid a while back, maybe most of you saw it, but it too, I didn't see it posted here, so I will do it right now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlIZ9TbzdIQ The pic of the concept: About the only Kia I think that looks OK among their concepts. To me, if they can manage to keep MOST of the features that the concept had, I think this will have some potentials. Though, it maybe just me.

Another pic I found while surfing the net. This one is from Kia-World Forum. No, It isn't really anything new, but a different angle. http://www.kia-world.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=110

I agree, but I still think Chevy is getting TOO MUCH attention. They should slow down adding new models for their already ridiculously too large fleet of UGLY, STUPID looking cars and trucks. They should also give some attention to other division as well, if they don't plan on making the same mistake they did to Oldsmoble, killing it. To me, Pontiac deserves Firebird more than Chevy does with their stupid, retro Camaro. It's the Pontiac division that seriously needs more new models, followed by Buick, who only has 3 models. You definately need more than 3. If GM can spend even half of the money or attention they give to their baby Chevy to other divisions they own, all divisions will prosper and getting the fair share of the sales, increasing their revenue. I know, you may chew me down and mark me as not knowing anything, and I am aware that Chevy is a money maker, but GM designed their marketting like that. Putting out all kinds of garbage looking cars and trucks at a dirt cheap price, and without killing any of them(COUGH, Impala, COUGH, while killing the much better looking version Grand Prix), and keep adding and adding to the already over-flowing model line ups that Chevy has, and ONLY advertising for Chevy, while keeping the other division's mouth shut by not giving any incentives they can advertise for. I find it irritating and UN-Fair. The falling of other division should all be blamed for their so-called 'main' brand that gets all the un-deserved love. Giving Pontiac and other divisions, just a re-badge of either their baby Chevy, or importing a car from third countris and stick the re-badge on it, while giving all kinds of ORIGINAL products to their favorite brand only. God I hate Chevy. You can chew me down or whatever, but that's how I see it. If GM wants to make more money, same attention and love should go to ALL of their brand, not just one that they favors, just because it sells more since they have more models to choose from and they are mainly the cheaper versions albeit being uglier. Pontiac, Saturn, and all the other brands deserves new models that are ORIGINAL, not the re-badge, nor an Import. more cars like Solstice, Grand Prix, Century, Regal, SC, SL, Alante, Firebird, Sunfire, Seville, Skylark, Fiero and etc should be added, and the ones like Aveo, Camaro, Impala, Volt(Should never be made), HHR should all be killed off or dropped to be fair in quantity of models with the other divisions. All Chevy should have are Corvette(should be their only sports car), Malibu(for the mass), Cobalt(as the entry level), and their trucks(which they have tons), that's more than enough for them to compete, while other divisions should get their much deserved new models added WITHOUT killing any of the current ones(I would really love to keep seeing Grand Prix being made even after 08 no matter the G8 since G8 can sell in place of Bonneville only, since Grand Prix should be one level down as it did before Bonnevilled died and sell besides G8). However, any imports like Vibe should be killed off, and G5, which should be replaced with either the Sunfire name return on a brand new car that is a completely differnt than Cobalt, or a New car with the new name that is designed from the ground up that does not look like any of the Chevy trash. Sorry Chevy fans. I had to take it out somehow. I got so upset about what GM is doing for Chevy and screwing up other divisions.

Good Question, I am not sure, but maybe, since Hyundais seems to add in Navs just recently, for US bound models, but most likely since the car in this commercial is for Korea it may be for Korea only, but we will probably get the car closer or better when it reaches US shores, since Hyundai and Kia usually ships the cars that are stronger in safety and better in sheetmetal and slightly of a higher quality than the version they sell in home. I see no difference by the way in terms of designs with the old car and the new one except the new, uglier grill, and a larger projector type headlamps. Well, not a fan of Hyundai so....

Since Lutz already answered my E-mail saying all of my questions are false, that included the question of Firebird, I am pretty sure that GM isn't planning on the Firebird anytime soon. Same old ridiculous attention to the Chevy only who gets all the new models including the Camaro while Pontiac and the others are cursed.

Pontiac Commodore, or even better, Pontiac Holden. It's still a re-badged Holden. I will NEVER consider it as a Pontiac so.... and since it is a very reason that they are killing my next car after 08, I hate it very much.

Most of you probably seen this already, but I don't see anyone have posted it, so I am going to now. It has been on Youtube for quite some time now so.... It wasn't uploaded by me but.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZk_VVXaKQE To me, it looks the same old, same old s*** that Hyundai has been making. Just to translate, the last words that that is spoken in Korean saids "Evolution beyond change, Sonata, Transform". Lame line but oh well.... Aside from the uglier grill, larger projector headlamps, and the new interior, I don't think it looks much different, it won't be easy to tell the difference if we were to see the 09 on the street. Still, ugly as sh**, but enjoy the vid. I heard that the Sonata will be all new in about 2 years, but I think this is the facelift before the new model comes in.(hopefully the new model isn't as derivated as their Genesis trash came out to be).

It will. According to the infos that are out so far, they will sell as a Genesis without any Hyundai label nor logo in Korea, but in US, it will come here as Hyundai Genesis with that flying H logo affixed on the boring horizontal grill that we've seen on Azera and others, only taller.

If they kept at least 1 thing as their concept was, it wouldn't have looked this awful. I just now hope they don't hire the same losers who screwed up this sedan when working on their coupe version of this. Chances are, they will go VANILA again and ruin it just as they did here. It seems like they want to self destruct themselves to disappear in the automotive world, which is highly likely since I don't think these blatent knock-offs will sell any. Well, maybe a few percentage of Korean Americans who feels patriotic to buy the products that was made in their native country, but I know, even that will be a very small number, for I know most Koreans will buy either Toyota or Honda since they have turned their back on Hyundai's and Kia's long ago. It's easy to lose customers, but it's 10 times harder to gain them back and/or to gain NEW customers. They should know by now, but it seems like they still haven't learned how strict, picky, and hard to please American car buyers are these days. They won't fork over 40K for an upstart Korean car that they already stamped as an 'easily breakable, cheap appliance cars, and nothing more'. Just because it has big engine, RWD, Nav with backup camera and all those goodies, it won't make big an impact that they are looking for. At least not yet.

I thought I was banned too. Well, sorta. but then, I was like what for? I don't think I did something stupid to get me banned. The GMI was really slow for me and didn't have that much threads that interested me. Glad this place came back.

Well, the one that I am actually waiting to see more, is the Kia Soul. The concept was awesome, and based on what we've seen so far of the coverred-up spy photos and stuff, it looked as if the production version did not changed much from the concept, which can be a good news. It was like my favorite of all the Kia concepts they made so far since to me, all the others they have showed were kinda blah.... dull, and well.... boring, except this one.. No, I won't buy it, but it is one model that I am waiting to see on the streets, that is, IF anyone will fork over their money and buy this thing. I am not sure if this concept is derivative or not(maybe it is), but if Kia can keep it mostly as is, I think it will turn out pretty decent looking. Though it will be nice if they can keep the suicide door, although they confirmed that it won't make it due to safety issue. Now, only if they don't screw it up like Hyundai did......

Well, at first, I thought it kinda look like the Lexus RX350 on the frontend, well, uglier version that is, so..... I can tell that this SUV is loosely based on one of Kia's old concept, the MESA, by the look of it, but I sure hope they make some updates in styling(and I pray to god they DON'T follow Hyundai and actually ruin it) before they sell these things. The Kia Mesa Concept.

Quickening of GMI boards have posted the link where ALL the angles of the un-coverred 2009 Kia Borrego(called the Mohave in Korea) inside and out are posted. Korean market version, but I think this is the first time that EVERY angle of the car has been revealed. It's pretty dull, plain and bland, and yes, it's derivative in a way, but I think this is way LESS derivative than the Hyundai's latest Genesis Trash is. http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-kia-borrego/509383/ Just wanted to share it here as well. Sorry if anyone posted this before. I am not myself right now.

I agree, no-one in their right mind will spend 29K for the V6, and no-one will try to spend 40K to max out the V8 for a Hyundai. If they really want to sell at least 1 unit, they shoud change the design, kill the Hyundai logo, put that Genesis tag on it, and sell it as another brand like Toyota did with Lexus. Even if they do that, no-one will buy it. It's just too early for a Hyundai to get in that market yet. esp. with the blantent copy knock-off like this. I can't believe I am chewing down my own country's product, but I have no choice, they forced me to do it by screwing up one of their most anticipated product.

Well, they could have done a better job. I think, if they kept their concept's grill, kept the tail-lights, and the bumper, the car would have looked FAR less derivative. What a pity. This is one car that Hyundai will NEVER succeed with. I hope they learn their lesson when this model fails miserably. They deserve it by copying others and claiming it as their own. The shame, they been improving steadily, and all of a sudden, BOOM. With a bad model, they ruined it all.

Well, I think it's normal that you see a lot of ads like that, since I heard December is one month that the Dealers are just starving. People are out there doing the Holiday shopping. Not many people will buy cars. I heard December is one month that you will have the most bargaining power, since these guys(salesmen) are hungry to get the deals off of their cars. Even though I am one of the unlucky one since, the Grand Prix I want with the equipment I want, no dealer has it, I have to order one anyway so all those programs and stuffs will be useless for me. Oh well. I think the only Japanese car advertisement I hear mainly is from Mazda. I don't know about others. On the paper, Mazda usually have more ads than anybody else. Pontiac is like the ONLY make who NEVER advertise. I don't know why, don't they want to sell their cars? Hmmm.

Well, not a fan of Japanese, well, any Asian brand rather,(except Proto motors), I guess they can still re-touch this thing before they can think of selling one. I think it's only me, but it looks kinda, well, derived from other makes. Not as much as Chinese or Hyundai's been doing these days, but to me, I can clearly see some design cues that other brands used that got in there. But then again, I may be the only one who sees that. But also, sports cars all tend to look alike, unless it's Porsche or something which they have their distinct factor that tell you it is a Porsche.

I was lazy and didn't feel like copying and pasting the pics and everything, so I am just going to put a link to my site where I posted this. This is for the new Supercar from Lexus that seems like a GT-R Fighter. Not a big fan of Toyota nor Lexus but. If this has been posted already, sorry, you can delete it if that's the case. http://z4.invisionfree.com/CarsDiscussion_...pic=82&st=0