DC Car Examiner Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I just picked up the sporty version of Kia's latest compact sedan for a weeklong review. Any particular questions I should look to answer before I take it back next Thursday? Introduction and photo gallery at link: http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-Car-Exam...-1-introduction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Check the quality of the black plastic on the lower area of the rear fascia. I recall that looking inexcusably cheap in some photos I saw of it during the car show rounds. Also, find out exactly what is meant by "sporty" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Jellymoulds Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Oh nooooooooooooo not Kia Mondeo as well. Ask Kia when are they going to come up with something original other than cheap n' nasty carbon copies of Ford cars even the badge is oval shaped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aneekr Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Other reviews have noted the 6-speed shifter feels vague and that clutch engagement is abrupt, making the car difficult to drive smoothly in stop and go traffic. I'd like to get your impressions of the manual tranny. Also, does the trip computer in the SX model include an ambient temperature display? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydro Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 (edited) Did they get Acura's permission to use their design of the 2007 TL? Edited August 20, 2009 by Hydro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Did they get Acura's permission to use their design of the 2007 TL? I see much more Civic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydro Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 oh yeah, you're right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 Other reviews have noted the 6-speed shifter feels vague and that clutch engagement is abrupt, making the car difficult to drive smoothly in stop and go traffic. I'd like to get your impressions of the manual tranny. Also, does the trip computer in the SX model include an ambient temperature display? Thanks! That is pretty much the way I would have phrased it, except that I blame the touchy throttle more than the rubbery shifter for awkward low-speed behavior. There's a very fine line between stalling and zooming forward. However, if you're not in a huge hurry, starting in second instead of first from a stop was smoother. There does not seem to be a temperature display, and I was just noticing that only Forte SX models even get the trip computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Selby Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I agree PREMiERdrum, every time I see one in a magazine I think it's a Honda Civic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 Check the quality of the black plastic on the lower area of the rear fascia. I recall that looking inexcusably cheap in some photos I saw of it during the car show rounds. Also, find out exactly what is meant by "sporty" On this picture, point to where I should be looking: Is it the plastic surrounding the tailpipe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 On this picture, point to where I should be looking: Is it the plastic surrounding the tailpipe? I believe that's what he means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtstakelin Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 I see much more Civic... That was what I was thinking. Its a dead ringer for a civic knock off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 On this picture, point to where I should be looking: Is it the plastic surrounding the tailpipe? Yes, that's the plastic I'm referring to. In the press photos for this car, I recall seeing some really nasty graining in the plastic. Hope the production pieces look better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted August 22, 2009 Author Share Posted August 22, 2009 I'll check the plastic and get some close-up photos later today. In the meantime, details on the Forte's reluctance to be driven smoothly: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1017-DC...opandgo-driving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted August 23, 2009 Author Share Posted August 23, 2009 What is this Kia's forte? Highway driving: Details: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1017-DC...iles-per-gallon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted August 23, 2009 Author Share Posted August 23, 2009 Check the quality of the black plastic on the lower area of the rear fascia. I recall that looking inexcusably cheap in some photos I saw of it during the car show rounds. Poked around back there. The gray/black plastic itself didn't jump out at me as anything out of the ordinary, but the bumper cover as a whole moved a bit more than perhaps it might. But it looks fine, I think, and you'd only notice the motion when you're handwashing the car. Photos: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydro Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 What is this Kia's forte? Highway driving: Details: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1017-DC...iles-per-gallon Oh come on, at 63 mph you'd get tailgated by big rigs in the SLOW lane. Hell, 63mph is below the speed limit in most areas. Drive it for real (eg: keeping up with traffic, passing cars, drive in the fast lane). I thought we were looking at real world test drives? Most people who would buy this car will not be in the slow lane. They'd be commuters looking for the fastest way to work (those guys driving 80mph) or younger drivers who are just starting out and can't afford anything better and driving 95% city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 Oh come on, at 63 mph you'd get tailgated by big rigs in the SLOW lane. Hell, 63mph is below the speed limit in most areas. Drive it for real (eg: keeping up with traffic, passing cars, drive in the fast lane). I thought we were looking at real world test drives? Most people who would buy this car will not be in the slow lane. They'd be commuters looking for the fastest way to work (those guys driving 80mph) or younger drivers who are just starting out and can't afford anything better and driving 95% city. Speed limit is 55, traffic fairly heavy. People who do 80 get pulled over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aneekr Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 (edited) Speed limit is 55, traffic fairly heavy. People who do 80 get pulled over. No kidding! In my visits to Annapolis and Washington DC, I've noticed that neither the Maryland State Police nor the MPD in DC cut motorists any slack for traffic violations. Plus, both areas use photo radar. Edited August 24, 2009 by aneekr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydro Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 (edited) it's a different world out here in California. 80 mph in the fast lane and your being tailgated for going too slow (when there's no bumper to bumper). The slow lanes usually have big rigs going 65+. Just last night going through Irvine we were going 85-90mph in the Carpool, fast lane, and second lane over. I think the slow lane was going 70-72mph. Edited August 24, 2009 by Hydro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 it's a different world out here in California. 80 mph in the fast lane and your being tailgated for going too slow (when there's no bumper to bumper). The slow lanes usually have big rigs going 65+.Just last night going through Irvine we were going 85-90mph in the Carpool, fast lane, and second lane over. I think the slow lane was going 70-72mph. I'll try to check mileage at 75 on another highway before turning the car back in. 85-90? Not a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixt9coug Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 it's a different world out here in California. 80 mph in the fast lane and your being tailgated for going too slow (when there's no bumper to bumper). The slow lanes usually have big rigs going 65+.Just last night going through Irvine we were going 85-90mph in the Carpool, fast lane, and second lane over. I think the slow lane was going 70-72mph. Im that bastard doing 80-85 on the way to work in the morning in an all black Ranger while still getting 18mpg averages out of my tank. :D imagine if i slowed down. Yeah, i still get passed too. usually some dude in an Accord with 22's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97svtgoin05gt Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 This thing sounds like a POS. Starting out in 2nd gear is BS and will decrease the life of the clutch. Doesn't sound like people will be happy with this thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 No kidding! In my visits to Annapolis and Washington DC, I've noticed that neither the Maryland State Police nor the MPD in DC cut motorists any slack for traffic violations. Plus, both areas use photo radar. There is no photo radar enforcement in Annapolis. The only county in MD that has approved it thus far is Montgomery, and that's only in construction and school zones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Poked around back there. The gray/black plastic itself didn't jump out at me as anything out of the ordinary, but the bumper cover as a whole moved a bit more than perhaps it might. But it looks fine, I think, and you'd only notice the motion when you're handwashing the car. Photos: Looks a lot better than the press car back there. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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