It's just my dumb way of looking at things, but I believe everybody is entitled is entitled to drive what they want.
That said, I understand why some like pick up trucks, and others really like SUV type vehicles. It is because of sitting up higher and seeing the road easier is what most people tell me.
I am not opposed to replacing mrs. micro's with a small suv when that time comes.
As for car brands, to each their own. I do not believe in spending small fortunes to drive a vehicle and watch it deteriorate in value in a few years time to less than half of what you paid for it.
I can more easily understand spending less and then you lose less overall as eventually they all go to zero or close..
Big to do made about car sales of Kia/Hyundai.
I am a Hyundai Owner and a Kia owner. I bought my last American brand vehicle in 1996.
I just replaced brakes all around and front struts on the 2004 Kia Optima my wife drives around here to the tune of 3 - 4 thousand mile per year. It is a nice riding car. The new tires I had put on are General Altima RT4. They are best tires I ever have owned.
This car rides better than it did when we got it in 2008.
It could be quieter in the cabin on highway speeds but for running around to the local stores and stuff it is a pretty nice car. It now has 93,000 miles on it.
It does not leak oil or anything else. SO no complaints here.
I drive a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport with 17 inch tires I just replaced with Cooper tires. They are OKAY but not as good as the Altimas on my wife's car. I wish now I had just spent the extra money and put the Generals on...
This vehicle according to JD Power was the 7th ranked vehicle under $50,000 of any kind. In terms of quality, etc.
I can tell you it is a pleasure to drive. Tight. Quiet cabin, good smooth shifting of tranny and 185 HP under the hood. It has three different transmission MODES I can select to drive plus I can manually shift it as well.
At ECO mode I get about 34 MPG because I exceed the speed limits pretty much. One time it got 37 mpg becuase Is et the cruise and drove the speed limit for mrs. micro's benefit.
I don;t know anything about the new Kia Optima's. They have an interesting body style and seem to fair rather well on car and driver side by side tests against all other mid size sedan vehicles, finishing in the top 3 .
I would not worry too much about Hyundai Corporation. They will be around awhile... They make great vehicles especially since they hired the Head of engineering from Audi to be their President a decade ago. Things have gotten much better in quality and design ever since.
The other cars are all likely very nice also. I can only speak of what I know and drive daily a lot.
That is why I chose to buy this vehicle. The VALUE of this car for what you get is really good.
I paid less than 19 grand for this new. That took some negotiating and being prepared to walk away from the dealer but they saw it my way. I added a couple thousand dollars worth of options like underbody noise and sound deadener and anti-corrosive coating, which if you live in a salt stae for winter, is a good idea. It also helps keep road noise way down as well.
I had a Clear Bra added to the front end of the car which keeps rock chips from happening to my hood and fenders and grille.
I can highly recommend a Sonata in a higher trim level than basic to anyone as a car. They ride smooth and shift smooth and have plenty of get up and go..
I was going at 105 mph one time... It wasn't for long but just wanted to give it a little run. The wheel was solid and felt good with no shake anywhere so it goes faster than I need it to.
Anyway, that's my experience with these two cars despite the car sales slump every manufacturer has hit...
I don't get why FAC has high car sales. I really don't. That was surprising to me.
Got to go. See y'all later!
micro...
| 
