For reference on this conversation (I should've included in my original post)...
In 2011 I bought a Honda Fit (new) and my co-worker/friend bought a Kia Soul(new).
From about 3 months in until the day she sold it, she regretted it and said over and over she wished she had bought a fit instead. She didn't initially because it was "a lot cheaper"
Used, the prices are going to be even closer. I'm not bashing Kia/Hyundai or saying they are awful, but the build quality, re-sale value, and reliability are not at the level of a Honda. If you disagree, I'd refer to you pretty much everyone ever who has reviewed the fit. :-D
Just for fun I just looked at the Wikipedia for Car and Driver 10 Best List. I know it's not the be-all end-all, but it's a good general reference. The Fit was on for 7 years straight, with Honda dominating over all with 80 cars on the list in ~20 years. Kia/Hyundai have... 0.
Back to you, Jack. :-)
You say you might as well get a used Honda because a used Kia isn't much cheaper, then you say Kias are bad because they have poor resale value. Those statements are mutually-exclusive!
You know what other cars are on those Car & Driver 10Best lists? Audis, BMWs, Porsches, and VWs. Reliability and resale value are
clearly not the most important criteria. Also note that Hyundai
did make the list in 2011, with the Sonata.
FYI, the reason Hondas keep making that list is because they have really good manual transmissions. For Mustachians (other than the ones in
this thread, at least), a "best cars" list from
Consumer Reports would be more useful. (Consumer Reports, by the way, currently ranks the Subaru Impreza as the best compact car... but before that, it was the Hyundai Elantra.)
Besides, the important thing is not Kias in general, but rather
this Kia. And
this Kia is $8000 (or maybe less). To get a 2012 Honda Fit with less than 100K miles, you're paying $10K
minimum (according to the nationwide Autotrader.com search I just did) unless you want one with a salvage title.