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Kia Forte vs Toyota Corolla vs Hyundai Elantra vs Mazda3

72 messages,  Last post on Dec 12, 2010 at 12:30 AM

You are in the Kia Forte / Forte Koup Forum.

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

Messages Page 5 of 8

#33 of 72 Re: purchased 2010 kia forte EX [steven39] by gooworld

Nov 15, 2009 (3:18 pm)

Replying to: steven39 (Nov 12, 2009 7:51 pm)
Well steven39, I am now just like you: a Kia Forte owner. I love the car! It's a great car.
 
There are a few things that will probably annoy me about the car: 1. There's no keyhole for the trunk. 2. The door unlocks automatically when the car is placed in park.

#35 of 72 Re: purchased 2010 kia forte EX [gooworld] by mnf

Nov 15, 2009 (4:06 pm)

Replying to: gooworld (Nov 12, 2009 6:39 pm)
Depends what the trade in value was yrading in opens the door for all kinds of $$ games.
 
MNF

#36 of 72 Re: purchased 2010 kia forte EX [gooworld] by steven39

Nov 15, 2009 (7:40 pm)

Replying to: gooworld (Nov 15, 2009 3:18 pm)
congrats on your kia forte purchase.iam sure you will enjoy the car..which model did you get??i have the EX.you don't need a key hole on the trunk because of the remote trunk opener on the key fob.and i actually like the auto unlocking doors..comes in handy when i want to access the rear seat to take out packages or to put packages in after i have stopped the car..enjoy the car!!!!!!!!

#37 of 72 Re: purchased 2010 kia forte EX [steven39] by gooworld

Nov 16, 2009 (8:16 pm)

Replying to: steven39 (Nov 15, 2009 7:40 pm)
I also have the EX trim level Sedan that is Dark cherry metallic. I'm not copying you or anything, but the Dark Cherry was the prettiest one in the lot.
 
I will enjoy my new car. Thanks!

#38 of 72 Re: purchased 2010 kia forte EX [gooworld] by jimpimms

Nov 19, 2009 (8:16 pm)

Replying to: gooworld (Nov 15, 2009 3:18 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 72 Bought a Forte EX by jimpimms

Nov 19, 2009 (8:54 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.

#40 of 72 Re: Bought a Forte EX [jimpimms] by steven39

Nov 20, 2009 (10:13 am)

Replying to: jimpimms (Nov 19, 2009 8:54 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 72 Re: Bought a Forte EX [jimpimms] by snowallergy

Nov 25, 2009 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: jimpimms (Nov 19, 2009 8:54 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 72 kia forte or forte koup? manual or auto? by corisays

Dec 01, 2009 (10:48 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.

Messages Page 5 of 8

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