Car advice re 2003 Subaru?

[Squidbait]

If you're thinking something van-ish, but with car sensibilities and economies, you should check out the Kia Rondo. Not exciting, not flashy, but fairly roomy, flexible interior, good reliability and good fuel economy. And not too expensive, either. For a bit more flash, the Hyundai Elantra touring is nice, but a bit more pricey.

[RobertInOntario]

If you're thinking something van-ish, but with car sensibilities and economies, you should check out the Kia Rondo. Not exciting, not flashy, but fairly roomy, flexible interior, good reliability and good fuel economy. And not too expensive, either. For a bit more flash, the Hyundai Elantra touring is nice, but a bit more pricey.

Thanks. The Hyundi Santa Fe (FWD version) is also good. Some friends of ours have one and love it. It's got SUV looks while still basically being a cool-looking van! Yes, Hyundai, in general, is a good option. I think they've improved a LOT over the years and are now reliable and economical.

[Squidbait]

Hyundai/Kia have come light-years since the days of the Pony and the Excel.

My fiancee has a Hyundai Tucson, and while it's been very reliable, and very well built, the fuel economy is horrible. Not that any of the members of that class get great mileage, but since I've spent the last 5 years getting used to 55 mpg from my Civic hatchback, and now getting 55-60 mpg from my Golf TDi, getting 22-23 mpg just doesn't feel very rewarding.

[rrinker]

I have an 07 Kia Spectra and it has NEVER let me down. I've had to do nothing but normal maintenence on it, and it's nearing 80k miles (I drove a lot for work!). I would not hesitate to buy another, and they are thousands less than a comperable Honda or Toyota - and definitely WAY more solid feeling than a Toyota Corolla. It's my daily work car. Very tight, no squeaks or rattles, solid doors, not tinny, handle nicely even if it is Wrong Wheel Drive. My only complain it the CD player won't play MP3's - an 08 or newer will. But it does have a hookup for my iPhone so I just load up tunes that way. The Forte is the replacement.
I was looking at the new Elantra, with the turbo motor - too bad in the US we can;t get those with a manual transmission. I refuse to buy an automatic unless my left leg falls off or something. In Canada you can get the manual. Very nice looking car, fast yet great gas mileage.

--Randy

[RobertInOntario]

I have an 07 Kia Spectra and it has NEVER let me down. I've had to do nothing but normal maintenence on it, and it's nearing 80k miles (I drove a lot for work!). I would not hesitate to buy another, and they are thousands less than a comperable Honda or Toyota - and definitely WAY more solid feeling than a Toyota Corolla. It's my daily work car. Very tight, no squeaks or rattles, solid doors, not tinny, handle nicely even if it is Wrong Wheel Drive. My only complain it the CD player won't play MP3's - an 08 or newer will. But it does have a hookup for my iPhone so I just load up tunes that way. The Forte is the replacement.
I was looking at the new Elantra, with the turbo motor - too bad in the US we can;t get those with a manual transmission. I refuse to buy an automatic unless my left leg falls off or something. In Canada you can get the manual. Very nice looking car, fast yet great gas mileage.

--Randy

Thanks -- I'll google both the Spectra and the new Elantra then. And look for real ones on the road & in parking lots!

[Squidbait]

Rob,

The Spectra has been replaced by the Kia Forte and Forte 5. Nice car by all accounts. The Elantra and Elantra Touring are Hyundai's versions of the same platform.

[rrinker]

Although the Spectra/Forte lags a year or two behind - the new Elantra is the next version of the platform that the Forte is built on.

--Randy

[Squidbait]

My only gripe with Kia is the way they package "extras". All sorts of funky bling are standards, but things like a/c are part of a trim package and not standalone options.

[rrinker]

That's EVERY car make.

There wasn't any optional bling for mine, the SX model came with air, power windows, power locks, and power mirrors. The one with all the silyl optional bling is the Soul - not really targeted at most of use Unless you really want the speakers to light up and pulse in time to the beats, or want some tiger stripes on the outside.

--Randy

[sgtcarl1]

I know, I know!! I'm way behind on this thread, but here's my observations on the status quo:
Whenever a clutch needs to be replaced, it's is always a good idea to have the flywheel resurfaced. Flywheels are not made of new steel. Most are made of re-cycled steel, and minor slippage, (normally speaking,) will burn "hard spots" on the surfaces of the flywheel and clutch plate. These will cause further wear on both sufaces, as the friction between the two surfaces are not constant and equal. Also, when the clutches were replaced, were both the disc, and pressure plate replaced? Perhaps at some point, the mechanic just replaced the fiber disc, and not the pressure plate. Discs are fibrous, and will wear out before the pressure plate. As for a replacment unit, I'd personally consider a Volvo wagon. They are well built, and with the rear seats removed, (a five minute procedure, can haul lengths of around 7' plus. Example: my wife had purchased some large fixtures from a Jo-Ann's that was closing. We put two very large displays, unassembled. in the back of my wagon with no problem. BTW. it's a '98 with over 150,000 miles on it. I bought it used, in 2008. It's a V70 AWD, which designation just means that power is transferred to whichever wheel has the best traction. And, yes, sometimes it is in all-wheel=drive.

I'll shut up, now.

[RobertInOntario]

I know, I know!! I'm way behind on this thread, but here's my observations on the status quo:
Whenever a clutch needs to be replaced, it's is always a good idea to have the flywheel resurfaced. Flywheels are not made of new steel. Most are made of re-cycled steel, and minor slippage, (normally speaking,) will burn "hard spots" on the surfaces of the flywheel and clutch plate. These will cause further wear on both sufaces, as the friction between the two surfaces are not constant and equal. Also, when the clutches were replaced, were both the disc, and pressure plate replaced? Perhaps at some point, the mechanic just replaced the fiber disc, and not the pressure plate. Discs are fibrous, and will wear out before the pressure plate. As for a replacment unit, I'd personally consider a Volvo wagon. They are well built, and with the rear seats removed, (a five minute procedure, can haul lengths of around 7' plus. Example: my wife had purchased some large fixtures from a Jo-Ann's that was closing. We put two very large displays, unassembled. in the back of my wagon with no problem. BTW. it's a '98 with over 150,000 miles on it. I bought it used, in 2008. It's a V70 AWD, which designation just means that power is transferred to whichever wheel has the best traction. And, yes, sometimes it is in all-wheel=drive.

I'll shut up, now.

Thanks for your feedback! I don't know about the first time, but the flywheel was not replaced on the last clutch -- I remember them pointing that out to me. Not sure about the pressure plate as well ... I'd have to check my invoice.

Volvo sounds like a good option but I think next time we'll have to go with something less expensive than a Volvo or Subaru -- possibly a slightly used Mazda or Honda.

Cheers,
Rob

[Squidbait]

Just another nudge for the Kia Rondo.

[RobertInOntario]

Just another nudge for the Kia Rondo.

Yes, that does look good. Just trying to compare its size with the Subaru Legacy... Rob

[sgtcarl1]

My lovely wife owns, and loves, her 2008 Kia Amanti. Nice mid-size luxury car, with tons of features. She had checked out a Kia Rio, but we decided it just wasn't "up to snuff."