Comments on: Kia Forte Out on Street (in Korea) http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/ The Truth About Cars is dedicated to providing candid, unbiased automobile reviews and the latest in auto industry news. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:48:25 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: WildBill http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-598271 WildBill Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:41:02 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-598271 <em>I am too young to remember what the Vega replaced,...</em> Corvair?? My wife had one when we first met back in '75. Nice little car, auotmatic and A/C, until I changed the oil for her and screwed up the gasket on the filter cup and it leaked all the oil out and the engine siezed up! Oops, my bad! I am too young to remember what the Vega replaced,…

Corvair?? My wife had one when we first met back in ‘75. Nice little car, auotmatic and A/C, until I changed the oil for her and screwed up the gasket on the filter cup and it leaked all the oil out and the engine siezed up! Oops, my bad!

]]> By: Geotpf http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-597601 Geotpf Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:54:21 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-597601 It's actually quite unclear if the Cruze replaces the Cobalt or if they actually plan on selling both vehicles at once. Both are horrible ideas. Chevy doesn't need two cars that are the exact same size, so selling both is stupid. However, GM needs to pick a name and stick with it. Part of Honda's and Toyota's success is that they get a fair amount of automatic sales from people who merely buy a new Civic/Accord/Corolla/Camry every five years without shopping around. GM keeps changing the freaking names, so these automatic sales become "maybes". It’s actually quite unclear if the Cruze replaces the Cobalt or if they actually plan on selling both vehicles at once. Both are horrible ideas. Chevy doesn’t need two cars that are the exact same size, so selling both is stupid. However, GM needs to pick a name and stick with it. Part of Honda’s and Toyota’s success is that they get a fair amount of automatic sales from people who merely buy a new Civic/Accord/Corolla/Camry every five years without shopping around. GM keeps changing the freaking names, so these automatic sales become “maybes”.

]]> By: shaker http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-597492 shaker Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:31:30 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-597492 Well, if this design is "derivative", and the Ford Focus is "original", I'll take the Kia, thank you. Well, if this design is “derivative”, and the Ford Focus is “original”, I’ll take the Kia, thank you.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-597471 Ryan Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:17:47 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-597471 Hmm, very Civic minded (pun intended). I had a KIA rental a few months ago. Their product has improved two fold over the past decade. They can easily beat out any current Chrysler product. Is that really saying anything? Hmm, very Civic minded (pun intended). I had a KIA rental a few months ago. Their product has improved two fold over the past decade. They can easily beat out any current Chrysler product. Is that really saying anything?

]]> By: Facebook User http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-596862 Facebook User Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:19:56 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-596862 I'm more interested in the mpg and power numbers. Kia doesn't have the greatest track record on that account IMO. A 124 hp engine should be offered in the US <strong>IF</strong> it has mpg numbers commensurate with that low of a power output. Otherwise, why bother? I'll be interested to see how this develops. I’m more interested in the mpg and power numbers. Kia doesn’t have the greatest track record on that account IMO. A 124 hp engine should be offered in the US IF it has mpg numbers commensurate with that low of a power output. Otherwise, why bother? I’ll be interested to see how this develops.

]]> By: Robert Schwartz http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-596091 Robert Schwartz Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:36:01 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-596091 Accord knock off. Accord knock off.

]]> By: Bancho http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-595761 Bancho Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:48:51 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-595761 SherbornSean : Thanks for clarifying that. I was beginning to think they had two different cars coming out. I guess it's a stupid nit to pick seeing as I'm posting in a thread where Kia has abandoned the Spectra name for Forte. I guess I can rationalize it due to the extent of the changes. The Forte looks like a lot more than just a refresh of the Spectra. SherbornSean :

Thanks for clarifying that. I was beginning to think they had two different cars coming out.

I guess it’s a stupid nit to pick seeing as I’m posting in a thread where Kia has abandoned the Spectra name for Forte. I guess I can rationalize it due to the extent of the changes. The Forte looks like a lot more than just a refresh of the Spectra.

]]> By: SherbornSean http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-595722 SherbornSean Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:38:41 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-595722 Yes, Bancho, the Cruze replaces the Cobalt which replaced the Cavalier, which replaced the Monza and Chevette which replaced the Vega. I am too young to remember what the Vega replaced, but I imagine that if GM had gotten it right just once in the last 30 years, the car's name would have memorable enough not to need replacement. Yes, Bancho, the Cruze replaces the Cobalt which replaced the Cavalier, which replaced the Monza and Chevette which replaced the Vega.

I am too young to remember what the Vega replaced, but I imagine that if GM had gotten it right just once in the last 30 years, the car’s name would have memorable enough not to need replacement.

]]> By: Jordan Tenenbaum http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-595651 Jordan Tenenbaum Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:27:09 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-595651 Looks similar to a Lexus IS, which definitely isn't a bad thing. Looks similar to a Lexus IS, which definitely isn’t a bad thing.

]]> By: Bancho http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-595642 Bancho Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:23:12 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-595642 I agree with GS650G. This car will be available stateside before the refreshed Cobalt/Cruze**/Focus. At a point where the domstics' futures are all pretty clouded (though I hold out hope for Ford having a pretty well sorted lineup) I would have more peace of mind in buying a Kia. **Is the Cruze intended to replace the Cobalt? Is this just another example of GM abandoning a name and creating a whole new one instead of just releasing an improved version of an existing nameplate or am I mistaken? I agree with GS650G.

This car will be available stateside before the refreshed Cobalt/Cruze**/Focus. At a point where the domstics’ futures are all pretty clouded (though I hold out hope for Ford having a pretty well sorted lineup) I would have more peace of mind in buying a Kia.

**Is the Cruze intended to replace the Cobalt? Is this just another example of GM abandoning a name and creating a whole new one instead of just releasing an improved version of an existing nameplate or am I mistaken?

]]> By: kazoomaloo http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-595562 kazoomaloo Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:12:07 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-595562 All this talk about derivative styling gets a big fat "meh" from me. I saw an argument posted somewhere, maybe on Autoblog, about how people don't crap on Monet because his stuff looks kind of like Renoir's (both impressionists). This is a good looking car, and it looks to have been designed using cues also seen elsewhere in the automotive industry. That said, allow me to point out that it has four wheels and four doors - TOTAL LEXUS COPYCAT! p.s. if they drop Sync in this thing and it gets good mileage (at least Focus numbers, maybe Corolla) there's a good chance I'll have one in my garage by this time next year. All this talk about derivative styling gets a big fat “meh” from me. I saw an argument posted somewhere, maybe on Autoblog, about how people don’t crap on Monet because his stuff looks kind of like Renoir’s (both impressionists). This is a good looking car, and it looks to have been designed using cues also seen elsewhere in the automotive industry. That said, allow me to point out that it has four wheels and four doors – TOTAL LEXUS COPYCAT!

p.s. if they drop Sync in this thing and it gets good mileage (at least Focus numbers, maybe Corolla) there’s a good chance I’ll have one in my garage by this time next year.

]]> By: seoultrain http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-595521 seoultrain Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:04:00 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-595521 I see more Elantra and A5 in the rear than Lancer. Front is definitely Civic-inspired, with a touch of TSX. Interior could drop straight into a Honda. I don't see how any of these things are bad, though. Could be a hit. I see more Elantra and A5 in the rear than Lancer. Front is definitely Civic-inspired, with a touch of TSX. Interior could drop straight into a Honda. I don’t see how any of these things are bad, though. Could be a hit.

]]> By: GS650G http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-595501 GS650G Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:59:29 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-595501 This is what the 2.8 are competing against, and it does not bode well for them. they can't make fun of these "funny looking imports" anymore because they are looking better, lasting longer and fun to drive. Plus, they back them with longer warranties, they get good mileage, and the interiors are not nearly as craptastic as most domestics. They better hope Hyundai and Kia don't bring out a hybrid, because people would probably buy a PHEV from those guys than from detroit. This is what the 2.8 are competing against, and it does not bode well for them. they can’t make fun of these “funny looking imports” anymore because they are looking better, lasting longer and fun to drive. Plus, they back them with longer warranties, they get good mileage, and the interiors are not nearly as craptastic as most domestics. They better hope Hyundai and Kia don’t bring out a hybrid, because people would probably buy a PHEV from those guys than from detroit.

]]> By: Stingray http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-595451 Stingray Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:53:58 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-595451 +1 on TriShield... The front end is a Civic's ripoff. The rearend comes straight from and Audi A4/VW Jetta, the body shape is very nice... but they can show some originality, or not. Te interior looks nice Well, the japanese will now "suffer" the same they did (and continue to do) to everyone all this time... have their designs copied. LOL +1 on TriShield…

The front end is a Civic’s ripoff. The rearend comes straight from and Audi A4/VW Jetta, the body shape is very nice… but they can show some originality, or not. Te interior looks nice

Well, the japanese will now “suffer” the same they did (and continue to do) to everyone all this time… have their designs copied.

LOL

]]> By: Bancho http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-595442 Bancho Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:52:53 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-595442 It looks like quite a leap from today's Spectra. If anything I think some people will be disappointed in the loss of the Spectra5 since no wagon seems to be planned for this model. It looks like quite a leap from today’s Spectra. If anything I think some people will be disappointed in the loss of the Spectra5 since no wagon seems to be planned for this model.

]]> By: SherbornSean http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-595361 SherbornSean Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:43:49 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-595361 TriShield, To me it looks quite a lot Lancer (Lancer-a-lot?) in the back. But overall, I have to give Kia credit -- not original, but not bad either. In fact, quite respectable for a compact. Hope they keep the rims and Nav screen in the US version. TriShield,
To me it looks quite a lot Lancer (Lancer-a-lot?) in the back. But overall, I have to give Kia credit — not original, but not bad either. In fact, quite respectable for a compact. Hope they keep the rims and Nav screen in the US version.

]]> By: TriShield http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-595331 TriShield Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:35:46 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-595331 It looks like the best Civic Korea ever built. It looks like the best Civic Korea ever built.

]]> By: John R http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/kia-forte-out-on-street-in-korea/comment-page-1/#comment-595252 John R Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:20:44 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=56181#comment-595252 That's mighty-T sharp. I wish my Sonata looked this good. But until they put in that 2.0 litre turbo, my V6 will do just fine. That’s mighty-T sharp. I wish my Sonata looked this good. But until they put in that 2.0 litre turbo, my V6 will do just fine.

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