proud owner of rondo 1st batch
#1
Posted 06 October 2008 - 12:46 AM
took it for my long journey during raya. I dunno much about giving reviews,
but I`m one very satisfied customer! The new design is subtle, almost
difficult to find anything remotely unique with this model. Its fair to say
the design follows the simple basic form or any normal sedan but with a
little bit of round curvish side to it. The back end has a more outlook and
fresh layout. A little like Hyundai Matrix but 10 times nicer. Overall the
ROndo doesn`t look like MPV at all. One look at Grand Livina, you know its
an mpv class judging from its long and wide rear. But looking at rondo, its
anyone guess. This car has a hint of SUV and a Sedan. Naza made a right
choice to put this car in the CUV category.
Interior wise, I`m very impressed. Yes, it is made of plastic, but it feels
gritty and rubbery. Also the gaps and parts looks compact and solid. The
dashboard is just amazing. I`ve already seen the Nissan Grand Livina,
Toyota Wish and Toyota Caldina, and I feel that with this car (Rondo) has
what it takes to be in the same mentioning with those cars. Only that Rondo
has the best price to offer. No kidding here.
Personally, what I like most inside the Rondo are the gear layout, the
middle compartment between the driver and passanger, the trip meter, the
glove compartment, the sunglasses compartment and the 3rd row left/right
compartment and the ability to flat down the 2nd and 3rd row seat to make
an instant bunker. See the image to believe what I did to mine. ^_^
Something to note is that Rondo`s interior layout looks 80% identical to
Toyota Wish.
Driving feels really good for me. To be honest, I never driven any mpv
before, and my previous car was kelisa. So the experience was really
enjoying for me. In 3 days, I drove from JB to kota tinggi, then back to
JB, then up to KL, then kuala selangor, then down to Tangkak. Cornering
feels effortless and breaking is very reliable with 4 disc brakes.
Honestly, when I`m driving this car, I don`t feel the weight of the car on
the steering. Naza did an excellent job of ensuring that this car feels
just like driving a sedan. Credits to Kia I suppose. ^_^
One special mentioning is the driver`s seat. There is a height adjuster
where you can crank up/down to your optimum height. And what this does is
that it felt like driving an SUV. Apart from that, the nvh of this car is
just amazing. You could have a person talking to you against the door and
not hear anything from inside. The car honk sounded meek from inside too.
Only when you`re outside you`ll realise the strength of its blower. I had
to learn that the painful way (try sticking your ear to the car hood).
The only con I can think of is the lock/unlock alarm. Instead of using a
tweet sound, they decided to connect it to the car honk. So when I click
unlock, you get two short honk sound, which can be embarrassing when other
people are around. I`m thinking of asking the service men to change it when
I send for my first service.
I`ve already mentioned a lot of what I know, but I`m sure still much more
to be said about this very nice car.For the price of $84,888/$88,888 I
guarantee you that you won`t be disappointed with the functions and stuff
that they put into this car. To be honest, there is nothing simple with
this car. Naza put into a lot of effort to make this car a competitive
model comparing with other high premium price make. For now, I`m just
another proud owner of Naza Citra ll Rondo.
As for the CBU/CKD status, I don`t know how to tell for sure. I was told by
the salesman that it is in fact a CKD model, but who knows for sure. It is
possible for Naza to bring in CBU model for its first batch, for which I`m
lucky if it were true. But so far from my documents received, there is no
mentioning anything of it coming from Korea/Thailand or any other Asian
country for that matter, and ee: Fre8V hohodS3 s (pid, edit_time, author_id, author_name, ip_address, post_date, topic_id, post_title, new_topic, edit_name, post_key, post_p
#2
Posted 06 October 2008 - 10:49 AM
thank you for sharing such a wonderful review
:)
but you had forgotten one of the most important item...how about FC?
:))
in addition to that...since you had done 1700km, have you done your 1st
service?
:))
does it comes with free maintenance package?
#3
Posted 06 October 2008 - 12:22 PM
which I got last week.. So far, driving wise, fantastic! To me, it
feels 'heavy' when driving but it feels stable. The interior is
excellent, design-wise, with plenty of cup holders etc. Each front seat
occupant has own mirror, with light as well. The gear shift is upmarket I
would say, probably no other vehicles under RM100k has that styling.
Space is ample, even the 3rd row doesn't feel that cramped unless you are
a very big person.
I agree, the only thing that puts me off is the remote sound. I feel
quite embarassed with it especially if many people are around. How could
Naza or Kia allow this? I hope the technician can fix this when I go for
my first service.. No sound is fine with me, as long as the lights are
blinking when I'm pressing the remote.
Fuel consumption? Don't know la, I've only done 350km, hehe..
Overall, I think this car has the best package to offer in this country
at the moment
#4
Posted 06 October 2008 - 01:43 PM
quite embarassed with it especially if many people are around. How could
Naza or Kia allow this? I hope the technician can fix this when I go for
my first service.. No sound is fine with me, as long as the lights are
blinking when I'm pressing the remote.
====================================================
hi drhilmi, may i know what's remote sound and the button related into
it?..thanks.
#5
Posted 06 October 2008 - 02:30 PM
one more thing...what is the interest rate for your loans?
3.66%? 3.5%? or 4%?
:)
#6
Posted 06 October 2008 - 05:55 PM
Can u carry much luggage with 3 rows up?
#7
Posted 06 October 2008 - 09:11 PM
before deciding whether it is the right colour.
The honk can be disabled but you have to try asking Kia whether they can do
it. My Sonata NF has the sound disabled and I would like it enabled.
Hyundai says they don't know how to do it. I think they are just plain lazy
to bother to read their service manual. I know for a fact that in the USA,
it can be done with the diagnostics.
#8
Posted 06 October 2008 - 11:35 PM
picked up the car in JB showroom, the odometer showed 250KM already made.
FC was around 11.5L/100km, then it went down gradually after each journey.
Just yesterday, the FC was 10L/100km. Since its a new car/engine, I guess
its still too early to say how good is the FC. For the whole 1,700km I
covered, about 40% interstate/city roads while 60% highways. This morning I
just went for my first service in Kia Authorised Service Center in Muar, so
hopefully with the new engine oil, filter and auto transmission oil change,
the FC should improve better.
Talking about the Kia service, sad to say it doesn`t cover the oil change
cost. Only thing free is the labour cost. Here`s the breakdown:
1) Engine oil 4L (Shell full-synthetic) - $199.00
2) Oil filter - $16.90
3) Auto gear oil - $66.00
4) 1st service coupon - FOC
Total: $281.90
My first time changing engine oil for a 2000cc car, but I feel the price
really wow painful. I change Kelisa engine oil using castrol magnatec only
cost me $56, but then again....that`s a different story.
Thank God I already took the road tax rebate from post office worth $625.
Balance still got me $343.10. The engine oil is good for 10,000km while the
auto gear oil change is 40,000km. Honestly I dunno why Kia can`t provide
free service that includes the oil change. Anyway, I intend to check the
engine oil price in the local workshop to see how much they actually charge
me. Darn!
Regarding the central locking alarm, I did ask the mechanic. He said it can
be done (changing the alarm) but will require a change of part not
warranted or covered in the car package. So for now, I`ll just have to be
content with it. I don`t want to mute the alarm as it still has its uses,
especially when searching for your lost car in a huge parking space like
MidValley. Whats more, I`m not too convinced that Kia mechanics know much
about this car especially its wirings and functions. That`s why I`d rather
stay on the safe side than let my Rondo be a test guinea for them. :-)
I forgot to mention about the % rate. I took the loan from AmBank and they
are charging me an annual rate of 3.75%. Monthly is around $900++ for me
since I paid a deposit of 22k an tied for 7 years.
#9
Posted 07 October 2008 - 09:50 AM
Do check your manual to confirm. 4 litres might be enough but its better
to top up at least half of the 1 Litres engine oil.
#10
Posted 08 October 2008 - 12:31 AM
Meaning, the volume adjusts according to the vehicle speed.