Traded in my 2011 Fiesta for a 2013 Kia Forte Koup SX

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TechBoyJK

Lifer
Oct 17, 2002
16,699
60
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A little over a year ago I traded in my bmw z4 for a Fiesta. The bmw's warranty was about to expire, it was having problems, and I needed something more appropriate as a daily driver. I elected to get a Fiesta based on all the reviews and my initial driving experience.

What I didn't know was that the PowerShift transmission was a disaster, and my experience in driving the car got worse and worse and the transmission showed it's true colors. I made several complaints to Ford, and while they've been replacing a lot of Fiesta transmissions, I was routinely told 'that's how it acts'.

I bought the car new, hoping I would like it, keep it, and pay it off. Because of this, I was willing to buy new. I had been hesitant to think about selling it or trading it in because I knew I'd take a loss on the loan. I finally just got so sick of the car that I said screw it, I'm going to eat it, and move on to something else.

I was driving past the KIA dealer and saw them pulling a 2013 Kia Forte Koup off. It looked like a Honda Civic, which I was considering getting. They let me take it for a drive (it had 13 miles on it) with the plastic still on it, and made me a fair/acceptable deal to trade it in.

This is pretty much what it looks like. I showed up at the dealer around 6 and didn't leave until 10. I took it for a short drive, went home, drove to work. When I got out of it, it still only had 54 miles on it. :p

2011_kia_forte_koup_sx_columbia_ky_96015553847907485.jpg
 
heymrdj

heymrdj

Diamond Member
May 28, 2007
3,999
63
91
Congrats, love these new ones :). I'm still looking at a 2013 Fiesta. So many nice new cars to choose from these days. Soul, Rio, Forte, Veloster, Accent, Fiesta, Cruze, they are all on my list lol.
 
manimal

manimal

Lifer
Mar 30, 2007
13,559
8
0
really nice cars. Still cant believe the brand has evolved into making such good cars.

Really stylish.
 
Mermaidman

Mermaidman

Diamond Member
Sep 4, 2003
7,987
93
91
Congrats! I'm a fan of the Forte--Better looking than the Elantra IMO. Those wheels look very sharp.

So it was a 2013 that you bought? I thought the 2013 Forte was going to be re-designed like the European C'eed.
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Mermaidman/2013-Kia-Ceed.jpg

edit: So I just visited the Kia site and confirmed that the 2013 is unchanged! Guess I have to wait one more year.:oops:
 
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TechBoyJK

Lifer
Oct 17, 2002
16,699
60
91
heymrdj said:
Congrats, love these new ones :). I'm still looking at a 2013 Fiesta. So many nice new cars to choose from these days. Soul, Rio, Forte, Veloster, Accent, Fiesta, Cruze, they are all on my list lol.
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I think the 2013 Fiesta's PowerShift transmission has the kinks worked out.

I liked a lot of things about the Fiesta, and had I bought the manual, I probably would have kept it. I just couldn't get used to the timing of the powershift and my driving style didn't work with it. Plus I actually think my tranny had some physical problems (weird noises, missed shifts, grinded gears). I wouldn't rule it out if you are looking at the 2013. I would certainly take it for an extended test drive if you go with the PowerShift. It's 'different'.
 
heymrdj

heymrdj

Diamond Member
May 28, 2007
3,999
63
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TechBoyJK said:
I think the 2013 Fiesta's PowerShift transmission has the kinks worked out.

I liked a lot of things about the Fiesta, and had I bought the manual, I probably would have kept it. I just couldn't get used to the timing of the powershift and my driving style didn't work with it. Plus I actually think my tranny had some physical problems (weird noises, missed shifts, grinded gears). I wouldn't rule it out if you are looking at the 2013. I would certainly take it for an extended test drive if you go with the PowerShift. It's 'different'.
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I really appreciate you taking the time to detail what was up. Obviously I've only test driven these cars (IE dealer in the passenger seat yammering away as we go for about 5 miles). 90% of my driving is city so I didn't really knotice too many issues shift wise but your info definitely tells me a dealer is going to have to go on an extended drive (or if i go used) an overnight stay with the car to see if it's up to snuff. There's alot of things I'm learning actually are normal for vehicles. My car is a 2004 5.4L V8 Ford Expedition, my fiance a 2007 Ranger XL 2.4L I4, my brother a 1998 Intrigue with the 3600V6, and my dad a 1995 Bronco with the 5.8L V8. All these cars are technologically superior to anything I've currently driven and all the stuff really amazes me at the price points.

But onto your Forte, did you get any special features?
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
I was looking into the Forte Koup SX for my girl, we've kind of put it off though, we've got a young'un on the way this fall, so it's probably time to look at larger vehicles (baby stuff is massive these days .. strollers, car seats, etc).

I did really like the vehicle though. Her current car is a Kia Rio LX 2006 5-speed, and it's honestly a pile of shit, and always has been.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
It's a 2.4L with a crapton more power, and a nice looking car to boot! It better be more fun to drive ;)
 
rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
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Mermaidman said:
Congrats! I'm a fan of the Forte--Better looking than the Elantra IMO. Those wheels look very sharp.
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True the SXs in the Kia lineup look very nice. We saw an Optima SX in white and the exterior was one of the nicest non-luxury vehicles I've ever seen. We're in the market for a compact commuter and we're choosing the Elantra over the Kia because the Kia hasn't proven to be as reliable yet. Hyundai is winning all these awards... and Elantra car of the year. They're everywhere much like Hondas used to be. Just feel like if we buy a Hyundai, we're fully backed. If we buy a Kia, we're putting a lot of blind faith behind it and only because of looks.

TechBoyJK said:
So far I love it. Honestly, my impression of the build quality is that it's on par with the bmw z4 i had.
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Kinda misleading considering the previous gen Z4 was kind of spartan and plasticy wasn't it? Worst than last gen's 3 series. I test drove the Elantra yesterday and was surprised how much more you get in these compacts these days. In the past, you'd just get power windows and doors and that'd be the extent of the amenities... terrible cheap materials - now it's like everyone's trying to one-up each other. Good for us.
 
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TechBoyJK

Lifer
Oct 17, 2002
16,699
60
91
I'm thinking about getting the windows tinted. The back 3 more than anything and I kind of want them fully blacked out (as dark as legal). I'm tempted to do the doors too, if anything to help block some heat.
 
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TechBoyJK

Lifer
Oct 17, 2002
16,699
60
91
rh71 said:
True the SXs in the Kia lineup look very nice. We saw an Optima SX in white and the exterior was one of the nicest non-luxury vehicles I've ever seen. We're in the market for a compact commuter and we're choosing the Elantra over the Kia because the Kia hasn't proven to be as reliable yet. Hyundai is winning all these awards... and Elantra car of the year. They're everywhere much like Hondas used to be. Just feel like if we buy a Hyundai, we're fully backed. If we buy a Kia, we're putting a lot of blind faith behind it and only because of looks.
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My friend works for a Hyundai dealer that also owns the Kia dealer I bought from. Hyundai salesman can sell from the Kia lot and vice versa. Anyways, I mentioned to my Kia salesman that my friend was selling hyundais and he said they are 'killing it over there. A monkey could sell hyundais right now and they are pouncing on it. They're flipping cars like crazy'.
 
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TechBoyJK

Lifer
Oct 17, 2002
16,699
60
91
rh71 said:
True the SXs in the Kia lineup look very nice. We saw an Optima SX in white and the exterior was one of the nicest non-luxury vehicles I've ever seen. We're in the market for a compact commuter and we're choosing the Elantra over the Kia because the Kia hasn't proven to be as reliable yet. Hyundai is winning all these awards... and Elantra car of the year. They're everywhere much like Hondas used to be. Just feel like if we buy a Hyundai, we're fully backed. If we buy a Kia, we're putting a lot of blind faith behind it and only because of looks.



But previous gen Z4 was kind of spartan and plasticy wasn't it? Worst than last gen's 3 series. Can't really compare the Hyundai and Kia materials to a modern BMW.
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Yes, it was pretty simple. It was a basic, tight cabin with nice leather seats. Simple climate controls, typical instrument cluster and steering wheel stalk features. I think more than materials I mean craftsmanship. So far it seems pretty sound.
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
126
I was behind a Koup the other day. I kept looking back at it again and again.
 
zCypher

zCypher

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2002
6,115
171
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It feels weird saying this about a Kia, but that's a really nice car! Congrats :D
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
I don't think Kia has bribed enough magazines, because they don't get good reviews for the Forte, but after driving the SX 6-speed, I was quite impressed really.
 
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TechBoyJK

Lifer
Oct 17, 2002
16,699
60
91
Arkaign said:
I don't think Kia has bribed enough magazines, because they don't get good reviews for the Forte, but after driving the SX 6-speed, I was quite impressed really.
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Manual or auto? 2.0 or 2.4L?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0ImJ4_JTgA

I have the 2.4L auto 6 speed with paddle shifters. It's pretty fun. I'm still driving it fairly lightly because it has less than 250 miles yet.

One thing I noticed after watching the real time mpg gauge is that the car gets some of its best efficiency with driving 75-80 which is nice.
 
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