You are here: Forums Sedans Kia Forte / Forte Koup Kia Forte vs Toyota Corolla vs Hyundai Elantra vs Mazda3

Kia Forte vs Toyota Corolla vs Hyundai Elantra vs Mazda3

47 messages,  Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 9:31 AM

You are in the Kia Forte / Forte Koup Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Kia Forte, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda MAZDA3, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 5 of 5 1 2 3 4 5 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#38 of 47 Re: purchased 2010 kia forte EX [gooworld] by jimpimms Nov 19, 2009 (7:16 pm)
Replying to: gooworld (Nov 15, 2009 2:18 pm) I had wondered about the 4-door unlocking myself. I asked the salesman about it, and he thought that it was programmable: no unlocking, driver's door only, or all doors. It's probably mentioned in the manual.
#39 of 47 Bought a Forte EX by jimpimms Nov 19, 2009 (7:54 pm)
Two weeks ago I road tested a Suzuki SX4 Sportback with CVT, and a Honda Civic LX with AT. The Suzuki was too cramped and way too slow. The Honda's two-tiered instrument panel, with the digital speedometer, was a turnoff, and the windshield was so far away, I'd need binoculars to read my GPS. In addition, heated outside mirrors aren't available with either car (for me, a deal breaker). I'd already rejected the Mazda3 (too damn ugly), the Corolla (too damn boring), and the Elantra (too jellybean looking).   Last week I road tested two Forte EXs, with 4-spd. and 5-spd. autos. I found the 5-spd. to be much more to my liking, so today I went to Kia of West Springfield (MA), chequebook in hand, to place a deposit on a Forte EX sedan with the Economy Pkge. But deciding to leave no stone unturned, before I placed the order, I asked to drive a 5-spd. manual. I test drove an LX (same engines and trannies as the EX). As impressed as I'd been with the 5-spd. auto's smoothness and acceleration, the manual was even better. Mastering the awkward clutch took a few miles, but it wasn't long before I was heeling-and-toeing and double-clutching it on downshifts. What a blast! The 2.0L. engine has an amazing amount of pep, the car handles extremely well in spite of the torsion-beam rear suspension (and the 195/65R15s on the LX), and winding it out in 2nd and 3rd is exhilarating. After owning a 2006 Sonata LX V6 for the last four years, I'd almost forgotten how much fun it is to be involved in driving again.   So, upon returning to the dealership, I ordered a Dark Cherry EX with the coffee--it's more like chocolate--interior, 5-spd. manual, Premium Package (sunroof and 205/55R16 tires on alloy wheels), and auto-dimming mirror with compass. Unfortunately, owning a Hyundai means I'm in limbo: I qualify for neither the $1,000 Competitive Bonus nor the $1,000 Owner Loyalty Offer; but since I did qualify for the 0%/36-month financing, I also got an additional $500 off. Bottom line: total delivered price before taxes, title, reg., and document fees: $16,540. It'll be ready for pickup early next week. I'm psyched. Replies to this message: steven39 (Nov 20, 2009 9:13 am) snowallergy (Nov 25, 2009 6:26 pm)
#40 of 47 Re: Bought a Forte EX [jimpimms] by steven39 Nov 20, 2009 (9:13 am)
Replying to: jimpimms (Nov 19, 2009 7:54 pm) jim,i myself purchased a forte EX with auto in the dark cherry metalic color this past august..i also test drove those other cars you mentioned before deciding on the forte.this is really a great bang for the buck car and i get compliments on the dark cherry metalic color every where i go.
#41 of 47 Re: Bought a Forte EX [jimpimms] by snowallergy Nov 25, 2009 (6:26 pm)
Replying to: jimpimms (Nov 19, 2009 7:54 pm) Congrats.   I'm jealous. I want an sx, corsica blue w/ a sun roof. I haven't found a car in a long time that I was interested in enough to give up my reliable 01 camry that I've had since new. Maybe I'll keep it and get the forte anyway. The forete is an exciting little car. Keep us informed on what you think of it along the way. That is , if you're not too busy enjoying it..?
#42 of 47 kia forte or forte koup? manual or auto? by corisays Dec 01, 2009 (9:48 am)
Im at a stand still in the car buying market. I really like the forte models. i test drove the ex forte koup manual... fell in love! but now im contemplating if i'd like the size of the sedan more. im 23 and hope to have the car for a long time so space may or may not be important (kids?). also, the idea of four doors seems more conveinent since i sell handmade jewlery. still, the trunk is a great feature on both models. i like the exterior of the sedan, but the look of the koup is far more attractive to me, however i question the comfortablity for passengers/cargo. also im not sure if want automatic or manual. ive only ever owned a 2 door manual, so its kind of all ive ever known. any input would be appreciated and helpful to my decision making. thank you! peace. Replies to this message: autonomous (Dec 01, 2009 12:33 pm) corisays (Dec 01, 2009 6:32 pm) steven39 (Dec 01, 2009 6:40 pm)
#43 of 47 Re: kia forte or forte koup? manual or auto? [corisays] by autonomous Dec 01, 2009 (12:33 pm)
Replying to: corisays (Dec 01, 2009 9:48 am) Some other things to consider:   - Sedans tend to be viewed as more practical for the reasons you mentioned while coupes tend to be viewed as sportier - Automatics are more comfortable in city driving (less shifting) but are usually less fuel efficient than manual transmissions (this is changng, though) - Coupe doors are typically longer which may be an issue when parking (as in banging the door against another car in a parking lot or against a wall in a parking garage) - Consider resale value if you think you may be selling the car eventually; my understanding is that automatic sedans are a safe bet for resale as they tend to be the choice that satisfies the majority of car buyers   But after all the thinking about practicality, ask yourself if you're satisfied with your choice. If not, you have your answer! Replies to this message: corisays (Dec 01, 2009 6:32 pm)
#44 of 47 Re: kia forte or forte koup? manual or auto? [autonomous] by corisays Dec 01, 2009 (6:32 pm)
Replying to: autonomous (Dec 01, 2009 12:33 pm) thank you so much for your input! i wouldve never thought the decision would be so hard...
#45 of 47 Re: kia forte or forte koup? manual or auto? [corisays] by steven39 Dec 01, 2009 (6:40 pm)
Replying to: corisays (Dec 01, 2009 9:48 am) it really comes down to personel preference between the koupe and the sedan..however,i recently was at my kia dealer getting an oil change for my forte EX and noticed a forte koupe sx in the corsa blue color and i couldn't take my eyes off of it thats how nice it looked.the forte koupe is a real eye catcher in any color.
#46 of 47 Just a FYI... by iluvmysephia1 Dec 03, 2009 (6:11 am)
any of ya'll that are interested in getting a manual-trannied Forte Koup or Forte sedan, I have read that some people are having a hard time with it's clutch and shifter. I don't know, I haven't tried one out yet, but there is some hunting and pecking problem going on while people are trying to shift through the gears. Combined with some of the regular clutch synchronization problems people normally have with stick shift driving. I'd give one a thorough shifting workout during test driving, for one thing. And do a lot more research on this clutch and shifter trouble apparently going on. Replies to this message: jimpimms (Dec 04, 2009 9:31 am)
#47 of 47 Re: Just a FYI... [iluvmysephia1] by jimpimms Dec 04, 2009 (9:31 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Dec 03, 2009 6:11 am) You've been misinformed. There's absolutely no problem with the gearbox. The automotive press has called it "rubbery", "notchy", "vague", etc., and the shift throw is "too long". B.S. It's fine, especially for a car at this price point. The press too often lose sight of the fact that not every car is expected to comply with Mercedes' and BMW's standards. The clutch coordination, though, does take some getting used to. Even after driving my EX for a week, I still occasionally don't get it right. But like a lot of things in life, "practice makes perfect."

Messages Page 5 of 5 1 2 3 4 5 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Sedans Kia Forte / Forte Koup Kia Forte vs Toyota Corolla vs Hyundai Elantra vs Mazda3