Meet Rob Woodward, the owner of a heavily customized Kia Soul crossover that features a plethora of aftermarket modifications, including a set of Eibach lowering springs, Takeda CAI and underbody lights.
The so-called Soul Reptile also features European Burner grille, door-mirrors, roof rails, eyeliners, led side repeaters, tail light bezels, rear spoiler, rear hatch handle and custom badges, all painted in green! And the list of aftermarket modifications continues…below!
1. How and when did you find out about the Kia Soul?
Well having the advantage of working for Kia since 2002 I was able to see the Soul as a concept when it was first released in 2006 when I worked the Auto show, since then I have followed it into production, and when it finally arrived as a production vehicle last year at the Auto show, I had to go take a look to see how it would look in person. After seeing it I decided to get rid of my 04 Maxima and get a Soul.
2. How long have you owned your Soul and what are your experiences so far?
I bought my Soul in April but had to wait 5 weeks for it to arrive as it was still early in the production of them and the 5 speeds were more difficult to get. I love my car although the first week I was missing the power of the Maxima (140 hp vs. 280 hp), until I filled up for the first time and instead of $85 it was only $36.68, since then I haven’t missed the power at all, I have just over 31,000 km on it and no problems or issues other than my door skins have yet to be fixed.
I find this to be a special car to me, as I have a tendency to get bored with a car. In the past 9 months I have had to bring in family and friends cars for service (ones that are much higher end), and find myself wanting to get back in my Soul by the time I am driving there car home.
3. If you had to pick one thing what was it that really sold you on the Kia Soul?
The uniqueness of it, I love to be different than everyone else, and it was one of the main reasons I had chosen the Soul, on top of that with all the toys you get for under $20,000 there way almost no way I could pass it up.
4. Can you tell us some interesting comments that you have heard about your ride from friends, family and other people?
Actually the one that stands out the most is a gentleman in his 40′s driving a 750i got out of his car and told me I love your car it’s totally unique. Most people either love it or hate it, black and bright green gets the attention both good and bad. I have had people stop to look at it and others laugh as they drive by. Either way it’s my car and I love it.
5. Did you name your Soul?
Well I didn’t actually name it, the members of the kiasoulforums.com did. They had a bunch of different names since I had already started adding the sublime green to the car, finally one member suggested Reptile and I liked it so ever since I have incorporated it into the theme of the vehicle.
6. What are your plans as far as modifications? Are you interested in that at all?
Well this could be a very long list as I plan to keep this car going forever. In the coming year I plan to add Leather and Suede seating with the Reptile stitched into the suede, adding a body kit, DVD headrests, some more interior lighting, 2 rear mood light speakers, custom airbrush to the hood and hatch just to name a few, not to mention the list at the bottom that has already been done.
7. Did you change your attitude toward Kia products since you’ve bought the Soul?
Well having the unique position of working for a dealership since 2002, I have seen things from the inside, and I can tell you before 2006 I would never have bought one.
Kia, being new to Canada had to slowly increase their quality and pricing, in order to compete in the market. That said anyone who knows me, knows I am an avid fan of Kia and the quality and price point that they have been bringing in recent years is fantastic, as well as the new designs.
Kia Soul Reptile gallery:
8. Is this your first Kia product? What vehicles have you owned before your Soul?
I have owned quite a few cars before the Soul, most recently an 04 Maxima SE, and 99 Sunfire GT Convertible 5 Speed (that was my last toy). The Soul is my first Kia product, however my wife has had an 06 Spectra EX (Problem free for 70K), and currently owns an 08 Sedona AE (also problem free 38k so far), I also have family members who own, 2006 Rio5, 2005 Spectra EX, 2008 Magentis Premium, 2006 Spectra EX, 2008 Rondo Premium, 2008 Rondo Luxury, 2009 Sedona Luxury, 2010 Forte EX, and an 04 Amanti and the only car that has ever had a problem is the Amanti.
More about the Owner:
Name: Rob Woodward
Age: 35
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Scarboro Kia
Hobbies: Maple Leafs, Formula 1, my family and friends, and of course my Soul
More about Kia Soul:
Engine: 2.0 Beta II
Transmission: 5 speed manual
Colour: Original Onyx, Sublime Green Added
Model: SO552A (2010 SOUL 4U 5 SPEED)
Wheels/Tires: 18” Factory Tires with Syndrome Rims
Average mpg: Don’t really pay much attention to this but I get about 500 Km or 312.5 mi. per tank and it cost under $40 to fill.
Mileage: 32000 km
Price: $19,995 (MSRP)
Kia Soul Modifications: Green Painted Mirrors, Green Roof Rails Green Eyeliners, Green Led Side Repeaters, Green Fog Light bezels (not installed yet), Green Tail Light Bezels, Green Spoiler, Green Rear Hatch Handle, Custom badges in Green and Black (2.0 {x2}, Reptile, SOUL, 4U, Rear Kia Logo) Custom Green Reptile Wording above windshield, custom green kiasoulforums.com wording on the rear, Painted Green Imported European Burner Grille, Eibach Lowering Springs, Hypergrounds, Takeda CAI, Custom Red LED Map and Domes Lights, Custom LED Reptile Side Sills, 5-Speed Leather Shift Knob, Centre Console Armrest, Underbody Green LEDs, Sport Pedals, Soul Valve Stems, so far.
April 10th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Rob, hey man, I love your Soul. Great color combination! Being from Toronto, Ontario, I gotta ask you, are you a fan of The Tragically Hip? They are from Kingston, Ontario. I love them, they’re my 3rd favorite rock band of all time, trailing only Foghat and another Canadian band, The Guess Who.
April 10th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Great looking ride Rob. No question, your Reptilian SOUL is a real treat to the eye! Enjoyed this feature & look forward to followup after further mods are done.
April 11th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
The very best of any modifications I have seen looks awsome
April 12th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Nice Ride! Listen we are having a parade this summer down church street and we would really like your car to be in it !! and you of course!! hehe! We are behind you all the way!
April 12th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
@Bryan, Yes big Hip fan, but favorite band has to be Billy Talent (they are also friends of mine). @ David Thanks I will contact Kia-World once I have done more mods and give them an update, @ timothy, thanks people either love it or hate it. @James funny…
April 13th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Man, when I was living in the Skagit Valley area of Washington state(upper west side)I heard ’700-ft. Ceiling’ and then ‘Little Bones’ and I was hooked from that point on! Talking Tragically Hip for those of you’s who don’t recognize those tunes right off hand.
April 13th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
@reptile— GREAT looking soul! Seems to me ya’ll are a multi-kia family? is that a Sedona I see in your driveway?
April 14th, 2010 at 1:28 am
@joshylofty, yes that is a Sedona, and if you could see in the garage you would also see a Spectra.
April 14th, 2010 at 2:06 am
Those wheels are sweet. They really bring the Soul out.
April 16th, 2010 at 5:22 am
@Reptile I’m on my 3rd kia, & 2nd Spectra which i bought new in July 09. I love it. I plan to trade it in on the new optima or something this year around august. what dealer are you in what state? would you like a customer from Texas?
I like to travel…
April 16th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
I’m on my fourth Kia. I have owned an 02′ Rio, 04′ Optima and I currently have a 2009 Spectra and 2010 Kia Forte.
April 16th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
If I had knowned about the next Optima, I probably would have waited for that instead of the Forte. I’m very satisfied with the Forte don’t get me wrong but the Optima is not only the best looking Kia but it’s the best looking in and above its segment (even the Taurus, and the Buick Regal).
April 16th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Another great band is The Cars. I recently bought the Car’s CD ‘Candy-O’. It’s rockin’ da house, gentlemen.
April 16th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Rob you got good taste. I know what you mean why would I want to own a civic, Camry, accord or stupid aging Corolla? I mean seriously they are seen every .05 of second on the road. When you pull up to a gas station your Camry would be ignored. When you go to the store your Corolla would be ignored. Even when you go to work your Civic would be ignored. But when people look at the Soul or Forte and Kia’s 2011 Optima it gets eyes going to the gas station. It gets eyes in the store parking lot. It even gets eyes at the car wash. I like the question “What kind of car is that?” If I had a Camry no such question would exist. I had the car for almost a year and it is still turning heads. I hope the next Optima doesn’t cause accidents on the road when other drivers forget to watch the road because they are too busy glacing at the Optima.
April 17th, 2010 at 9:18 am
lol @Jtz……thats what kind of attention ill be getting when i fill up my optima this coming fall
April 17th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
lol JTZ. My 2010 Rio is getting a lot of attention. People walk up to me and ask me how much I bought the car and I can see they are very impressed by it. I even get nervous once in a while because even traffic enforcers walk up to the car, I prepare myself to ask what I did wrong only to find out that they just want to ask the and see that it indeed is a Kia.
April 17th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
The 2010 Rio really is a big improvement over last year’s model. I actually notice the 2010 Rio on the roads, unlike the 2009s. Is it just me, or is the interior quality improved over last year’s model, too?
April 17th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Yeah grail the new Rio is nice looking and rare compared to the every .05 of a second seeing Honda Fit and that Yaris.
April 18th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Rio Race Showcase at the Accent Planet dot org.
April 18th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Interesting comments on the new world order Kia Rio. I noticed the new Rio stand out during our recent trip up to Nevada. And the white ones looked the best to me with the trim on the body that Kia is currently putting on the Rio. Great looking small car. Another reason why Kia is pert-near impossible ta beat these days in automotive excellence. I’m so proud of da boys. And for my wife and I it all started with a 1999 Kia Sephia sedan. Violet Mist in color. No stereo, no A/C and a 5-speed stick that worked perfectly. Once I slapped some 70,000 miles Yokohama Radials with some Konig Diva wheels in Jan. of 2001 the car handled like a champ, too. Ya know what was really the best part? I only paid $7,995 for the car after a $2,000 manufacturer’s rebate.
April 19th, 2010 at 9:11 am
@Greg:
Nope. The 2010 model is actually just a facelift, nothing changed inside except for minor items (or maybe the build quality as you say it, but it looks the same to me). They just replaced the front bumper, grill and the rear bumper, and color keyed the door guards. It looked like a whole new car, however on closer inspection you could see its the same shell.
With the new 2011 Accent coming out, I guess there’s an all-new 2011 Rio as well. I’m excited to see how it looks like.
April 19th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Am totally ‘taken’ by the Soul, BUT would be turning in my ’96 Honda Accord which now has 355,196 miles…anyone gone 250k miles with Kia?…The Honda mileage standard my little Accord set for me is high…
April 19th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
I forgot the forum but I saw someone posted his odo with more than 200k mileage using a 2005 (or was it 2006?) Rio. He says he never replaced anything except the timing belt, just does the usual change oil and other regular maintenance items.
April 19th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
2004.5 Spectra – timing belt replaced 8 times – oil change every 7,500 miles – transmission fluid and coolant changed every 60,000 miles – valve grind and new piston rings at 250,000 miles – made it to 625,000 miles before traded in. It was starting to have some transmission problems.
April 21st, 2010 at 4:24 am
But the best rock band of all time is Foghat.
April 24th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Go ta You Tube and type in Foghat ‘It Hurts Me Too.’ You will see the original Foghat lineup in 1977 playing a great blues tribute to Elmore James. Just great, great rock and roll. Dig Rod Price’s slide guitar solo.
May 8th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Just an update to everyone, custom shift boot, custom leather and green fog light bezels are being added this week coming.
May 9th, 2010 at 3:09 am
Email himi, maybe he will post new photos.
June 7th, 2010 at 3:40 am
What website did you order your custom badges from?
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:28 am
Way to go Rob! Nice pic too!
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:09 am
Hey, reptile.Still working on mine. I’m still adding more mods as time goes on. 19 months and over 25000 miles and still turns heads and no problems.