Youtube Video - String quartet arrangement of Sweet Child of Mine. I couldn't resist playing all the parts into the MRS-8 so I can rock out and add distortion. Apologies for the digital camera mic picking up the cheap monitor.
Thursday, 3rd of April, 2014
Good For: More body, less soul. In November, I found the Kia Forte to be a good mix of fun and economy. Kia shows they can give you more with less with the boxy, less expensive Soul. The Soul offers limited visible resemblance to the Forte. However, once I started driving it the relationship is clear. The Soul is mated with a similar 2.0L motor as the Forte, resulting in a 2700-pound car with a similarly fun driving experience. The wheelbase and overall length are also noticeably shorter.
Compromises: It has been a while since I have driven a car with such a short wheelbase, and some of the handling dynamics of the Soul had me longing for a real performance hatchback. However this car's tall body is optimized more for room and versatility than spirited driving.
Overall reaction - Thumb up to Kia for offering one of the most practical $15k cars in the market. The boxy body seems to provide more rear seat room than anything else in that segment.