[tla]

Well, I'm back in Melbourne, so I needed a new car.

I wanted an auto trans, but didn't want a CVT or DCT, so that crossed the Golf, Focus, Pulsar, and Corolla off the list.  So, it was a choice between the mazda 3, i30, or Cerato.   The current 3 is at the end of its shelf life, and in most ways compares poorly with the i30 or Cerato.   So, the choice was between the i30 or Cerato.   I finally went with the Cerato Si because it has a 2.0L GDI engine (same as in the i30-SR), better rear leg room than the i30 (due to the 5cm longer wheelbase), quieter than all the above cars (http://www.carpoint.com.au/videos/2013/comparison/kia/cerato/small-car-mega-test-2013-kia-cerato-video-review-37212), and rear air vents.

I've had it for about a week, and so far so good.

[asathorny]

Looks nice 

[Dazzler]

It is a cousin of the i30, so we forgive you ... looks good, more pix when you get a chance please 

[rustynutz]

Welcome back...and congrats on the new car...

[rustynutz]

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/new-car-reviews/kia-cerato-sli-new-car-review-20131019-2vt68.html

[Dazzler]

Thanks for the LInk Rusty, I found that and the link in TLA's post interesting 

[tla]

Thanks guys.

There's nothing really I can fault with the car.  Everything seems well put together, handles nicely, and is generally quiet..

[Lester]

Nice car and the new Cerato gets good reviews.   I don't think you will have to walk the gangplank on here, Kia is part of the Hyundai family.

Happy motoring.  I was close to buying a Cerato in June last year, but opted for my i30 Trophy.

 

[Alasama]

Looks very nice & sporty. 

[Eureka]

Looks nice.

[beerman]

If only they would plonk a diesel in it 

[Eureka]

Yesterday a current model Mazda 3 hatch overtook me and for a moment I thought it was an i30.  The dipping waste line and the arched crease over the front wheel fooled me.  (I put this here because the Kia's styling must be related to the i30's.)

[Dazzler]

Yesterday a current model Mazda 3 hatch overtook me and for a moment I thought it was an i30.  The dipping waste line and the arched crease over the front wheel fooled me.  (I put this here because the Kia's styling must be related to the i30's.)

Many of the new models look like the i30 (including the back of the new corolla as mentioned before)

[Eureka]

I wonder if it's the i30 looking like the Mazda 3?

[Lester]

I reckon the nicest part of the FD i30 is the rear end, looks smart.

[rustynutz]

 

[Eureka]

Flogging a dead horse here, as I previously mentioned this above, but today I saw current models: i30, Mazda 3 hatch and Corolla hatch parked behind each other in Carlton, each of them white.  The similarities between the i30 and the 3 were quite striking: the dipping, creased waste line and the creasing over the front wheels.  The side of the Corolla looks quite bland.   

[beerman]

The side of the Corolla looks quite bland.

It has to blend in with the other white goods......

[Doggie 1]

The side of the Corolla looks quite bland.

It has to blend in with the other white goods......

Not to mention Hybrid caps and beige cardigans.