u/VuzEAjAy9yFD

I saw in the news recently that Kia manufacturing in Georgia will now be making Sportage Hybrid models and that has started. One of the advantages people often mentioned previously for Sportage hybrid was that the hybrid trims were made in S. Korea and were considered to be of high(er) quality than what was manufactured in the U.S. by Kia.

 

I don't know if that's true, if there really was or is a difference in fit/finish/quality between S. Korea and U.S. Georgia facilities, but that was the belief by many people.

 

I'll probably be purchasing a Sportage hybrid SX-P next year.

 

What are your thoughts about the U.S. Kia facility? Is the quality comparison accurate? Are both S. Korea AND U.S. the same in quality and fit/finish for Kias?

As the title says, I finally upgraded my headlight bulbs to bright white LEDs. Had the original stock headlights, and they were still "working," but dull as could be.

 

Got some replacement 6500K bright white LED bulbs (Auzito brand on AMZN).

 

Tried to replace them myself, had pulled one socket out but then couldn't get the existing bulb out of the socket, so after trying the other socket for like 20 min I high-tailed it over to my local mechanic and a guy there helped me out and did the switch. Prius doesn't make it easy to reach those bulbs without undoing various parts.

 

The shop didn't charge me a dime! I was so very grateful. :)

 

Those are the only bulbs I upgraded as I want to see how I like them in the wild, before changing my high beam bulbs or any others.

Synchronicity or Algorithmic Alchemy

 

Yesterday I was doing some searches and learning about changing out my car's headlight bulbs to LED. Ended up on a youtube channel, natch. Went to the website where the YT guy purchased his bulbs (wasn't Amazon). Looked at the product he purchased, made a note to myself which item number/price, and then moved on with my day.

 

Last night when the product drop started I checked my RFY. Lo and behold one of the items in my list was that very brand's LED headlight bulbs for my model and year vehicle, similar to the one shown in the YT video, but the next brighter level bulb. :O

 

The price was higher because there's a coupon on AMZN I can't use by ordering it through Vine, but what the heck, I took the plunge anyway.

 

I'm as chuffed about the coincidence and "Law of Attraction, Vine Edition" aspect as I am about getting an item I actually was going to purchase soon-ish.

I find I have to really talk myself down lately. Got the "new car itch." I have no reason to purchase a new car..zero. My 2010 Prius is very lightly used. Yes, I wish I had modern safety tech and all the things, but I don't and never have. I told myself to wait until 2027 or 2028 and see.

 

• 15 years, 43K miles. Yes I'm serious, yes I know that's ridiculous. I telecommuted a lot and when I did go into an office, the office was like 6 miles away from my house. Retired now.

 

• When I travel, I fly.

 

• My hybrid battery is fading of course, with about 61% life left, but it's still chugging along. A replacement non-OEM hybrid battery with install will likely run me $3K - $3.5K when the time comes. I keep my 12v battery on a BatteryMINDer and that's working well. Obviously I don't drive every day.

 

• I get an oil change every 5k miles or every 12 months (all synthetic of course). New tires on the car. Brakes are still great.

 

• 2010 Prii can have water pump and EGR issues and a blown head gasket when mileage gets up there. These are not uncommon. But my mileage isn't in the zone of needing to be concerned yet.

 

• This vehicle should be able to be driven well over 200K+ miles. So there's no reason to not do just that.

 

• I can afford a new car (paying cash, if I want). Pragmatic and frugal me says keep the car you have, dammit, as long as possible, and stop whining!!