Whoa... just noticed that Kia added this to their site.
This Kar... excuse me... CAR, is as much of a good value in the sport compact segment as the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a good value in the Pony Car/2+2 Sports Car segment. Firstly, the Koupe is loaded with features even in base form. (You get AC, power windows and heated mirrors as standard across the board) And it has 84 month financing in Canada. Which, to guys like me, is worth every penny since I keep cars for decades.
I hate to say it, but it's another win for Hyundai/Kia. They're slowly going to win the serious car guy crowd with these cars, because neither the Genesis C or the Forte K is a pretender. The Kia comes with 156hp standard and can be equiped with a 173hp engine with a 6 speed manual.
Just compare it in base form against it's most direct US competitor, the Cobalt LT. The Kia is 16,595 and the Chevrolet is 16,490. Yes, you can get an LS version of the Balt for 900$, but I pity the person who needs that money more than all the features they lose in the bargain. There's also a VL model for 14,490$, which is better than the LS imo since it's just as stripped but you save 2000$ instead of 900$ The point is however that while Chevy is selling cars to people who expect cheap models to be cheaply equiped, Kia and Hyundai are giving you all sorts of standard features with even their cheapest models. Case in point, the top of the line SX model can be had for 18,695$ That's around 1hp for every 100$ you spend AND you get a few more goodies in the bargain like various leather and metal coverings in the cockpick, 17" wheels, sport suspension, fog lights and heated leather seats. Don't want leather? Don't need heated seats? No problem, Kia will sell you the same car for 17,695$
Pretty impressive no?
CORRECTION: It should read
"Yes, you can get an LS version of the Balt for 900$ LESS"
Styling wise thats far better than a cobalt for the price. Also the Genesis is far overpriced for no more than it is.
1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85
Rodimus Prime wrote:Styling wise thats far better than a cobalt for the price. Also the Genesis is far overpriced for no more than it is.
For the top of the line V6 Genesis, I agree. Hyundai is trying to put it up against the 370Z or Mazda RX8 (...and against those cars it's a FANTASTIC bargain to be honest...), but realistically it's playing against the Mustang/Camaro/Challenger. All of whom are quite a bit more powerful (and just as well equiped) for the same price or lower. However, the base car with the 2.0 Turbo gives you quite a bit of kit for the money. Personally, I'd choose it over the base Camaro. Yes, the Chevy makes almost 90hp more, but power isn't everything. If all I cared about was power, I'd just get a junky old Nova with a 700hp big block and save myself 10 grand or more.
However, I completely agree that Hyundai should offer it's 375hp 4.6 V8 as the top engine (for the same price as the current V6) and get rid of the 3.8 althogether. Then it could compete with the big boys (...and at the same time blow it's self-styled competitors from Nissan and Mazda out of the water) the 308hp V6 it has now isn't bad, and any time a manufacturer offers a RWD car I'm happy just for it to exist, but the V6 models are a bit underpowered for their market segment and a bit expensive for a Hyundai.
As for the Kia, look at the equipment list. It's lonnnnnnng. Much better than the Cobalts. When the Cruze (Coupe?) comes along this will change, but until then we're stuck with a car that was built with the mindset that cheap plasticky interiors would be acceptable as long as it has a lot of cupholders and 150hp.
looks like a civic! i'd rather have the civic!
WiGM-Tuners member.
its hard to do worse than the cobalt cupholders
1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85
Looks just like a new Civic, which I am not a fan of at all. I prefer the Cobalt.
Every time I see these cars I am so attracted to them. As for comparing it to the civic, I do see some similarities, but never have I actually been interested in the civic. The only thing is that I know I would just end up in the same boat as I am now, a car that I would need to mod to make me happy, and FWD to boot. I'll stick with the Genesis as my next one still I think.
" To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous. "
Hopefully by the time I'm in the market for a new car, I'll be making enough money to get a blue V6 Genesis Coupe. If not, I'd rock one of these. Although honestly I'd probably get the Si over this.
the forte will be a win. its beautiful, its cheap, and hyundai/kia quality has gotten a @!#$ ton better over the last few years.
i'd much rather have the forte sx over the civic si, $4k cheaper with only 20hp less? thats plenty of leftover cash to do some hefty mods.
Check out my build thread!
Bumper Killer (Ron Carvalho) wrote:Hopefully by the time I'm in the market for a new car, I'll be making enough money to get a blue V6 Genesis Coupe. If not, I'd rock one of these. Although honestly I'd probably get the Si over this.
Yeah but can the Si be had for 18,500
It was designed by the former head of Audi esign. so THAT's why is so nice lookin'. Which knowing that, i guess that explains why i think it looks like a mini Audi S5 just bit more than a civic.
2007 Corvette Z51 | Suzuki Swift GTi SCCA racer | 2008 Edge
My wife and I test drove the Forte 4 Door with the 6 speed manual and thought it was really nice. It had everything she was looking for in a car and it wasn't even on our list of cars to consider. However, just like the VW dealership Kia would not even consider talking about a deal. It was Sticker Price $18,535 or nothing at all. We'd done our research for Dealer Invoices on other vehicles but not the Kia so we held off. I couldn't believe nobody would wheel and deal even a cent but when we got to Chevy we got a Cobalt LT Sedan for nearly $4,000 less than the Forte. Less stylish but it was refreshing to get somebody to do some dealing with so we could go home with a car in the monthly $ range we wanted.
I'm totally serious I think i want this car. It's not God like, but fully loaded w/ leather, A/C, power everything, moonroof, and 6-speed MT it's $20,000. That's awesome.
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
Jookycola wrote:I'm totally serious I think i want this car. It's not God like, but fully loaded w/ leather, A/C, power everything, moonroof, and 6-speed MT it's $20,000. That's awesome.
I've never liked kia's since i rode in my friends rio...she had it 2 years stuff was just falling off it and the clutch grabbed whenever it wanted.
i can find a few lightly used cars with a 6 speed MT...more porwer...and 2 more drive wheels...sure it's not brand new.
Rememeber kids... spell check is your friend
hmm someone called up honda for some tips
JBOK.org / J-Bodies of Kentucky
It's a Civic/Evo mashup. With really ugly wheels.
2010 Honda Fit LX
