13th Dec 2009, 08:46
Some of these cars are seriously good cars and you should really test drive them. The Skoda is now putting out better and more interesting cars than most manufacturers. Their technology is the same as VW. Try of the new TSI range of low pressure turbos. Hyundai/Kia i30/Cee'd are also very good cars and I'd say the facelifted Cee'd is a much better car than, say the now aging Focus. The mechanical quality in these cars is excellent and they are excellent value. People's view of them is already changing, and why shouldn't it? They've taken a giant step forward.
But Lada/Proton, they still have some way to go.
How do I know? Because we have now switched from Ford/VW to Kia/Skoda. Better quality, better value, better warranties etc
13th Dec 2009, 11:09
Well you obviously don't care what other people think. In fact any driver of the above manufacturers will not care what other people think, but that is not typical of UK driver attitudes.
The reason why budget cars don't tend to hold their value is precisely linked to the point above. Only a small percentage of the driving public are prepared to be seen in these type of cars, and it is only these fashion unconscious individuals that are available to purchase these type of vehicles come time to sell when the car is 3 years old. Low demand = low price/low trade in value. A concept of simple economics.
13th Dec 2009, 13:27
13th Dec 0846.
Absolutely agree.
Have ignored this site for a while, as there are too many people who base their comments on here purely on their own prejudice.
The Cee'd is an excellent car, along with the I30, Octavia and so on, but there is really no point trying to argue the case against those who have not experienced them, and seem to base their views on reading an article in the press about a Kia Pride or similar over 10 years ago.
The world is flat to some people, no point wasting your key strokes...
2nd Sep 2015, 06:49
I agree. The Kia badge isn't an issue whatsoever anymore. Placing it with Lada and Proton is bonkers, even in the 'old days'. However people had this problem with Skoda. I'm also of an age when I remember Peugeot being a little bit of an embarrassment to drive because of the Talbot connection.
13th Dec 2009, 05:59
The only reason Hyundai, Kia, Skoda, Lada and Proton are having any increase in sales at the moment is as a result of the credit crunch.
Budget cars such as those above are bound to sell slightly better in difficult economic times. However when the cost of ownership and depreciation levels are factored in, they do not look an attractive proposition.
There is also a case that many people do not wish to drive those types of cars, reducing the potential market to these type of manufacturers.