2018 Kia Forte LX Manual (Canada) 1 Year Review

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley)
09/05/2019 at 10:24 • Filed to: Best of COFL

Oh yes, it’s been 365 days since I drove off the lot at my local Kia Dealer in a brand spankin new Kia Forte. I’ve put 15,000km/9,500 miles on it in the past year. I typically only drive it for business use, out and about in my role of a casualty road adjuster.

The Good

The Forte isn’t just a way to get from A to B. It’s part of my B R A N D. If you’re dealing with someone who’s injured/angry/thinking about retaining a lawyer and you roll up in something flashy, they think “goddamn insurance money”.

If you roll up to any claim in a Kia Forte, it is visual white noise. Nobody judges you. It’s new sure, but nobody thinks “ooh, must be nice” while conversely, nobody thinks “look at this unprofessional slob”.

Financially, this vehicle has been quite kind for me. Since I started, my car allowance has gone from $500 (CAD) per month to $600 (CAD) per month (pre-tax). This more than covers my payments/insurance. Easy on gas, which my employer pays for, so I don’t ever have to worry about getting “the talk” on fuel spending.

Overall, this car is great. Easy to drive, transmission is OK, engine turns on, suspension is present. All good! It basically drives like it looks. Acceptably forgettable, yet totally adequate.

Interior is clean and actually pretty high end for $9K (USD) off the lot. Music plays and the gauge cluster is great. Phone connection works well, bluetooth is decent and all the buttons make sense.

The Bad

My goodness, is it warm in here or is just me? Yes, the worst part is the lack of AC. I thought I was going to go mad this past summer.

Also, remember I said that the Kia had a lot of visual positives when dealing with claimants/insureds. Well, it has some image based drawbacks too. Roll up to an accident scene, fire, building collapse or something like that and everyone stares at you.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Also, winter time is challenging. Heater works well, but it isn’t exactly the best on some of the backcountry/grid roads that I have to navigate during winter storm.

So, what’s the future hold?

Truthfully, while I am always looking at AWD wagons, 4x4 trucks and Jeeps, I really think I will trade this in on 2019 Forte either new or used.

Owning the Kia has opened my eyes to the excellent value of the Kia/Hyundai brands. I really need AC and Android Auto. Also, possible kids on the horizon and the desire to keep the urban driving feel as well as the neutral first impressions point me towards Korean sedans.

I think if I could swing a new Forte or maybe a used Cadenza, I’d go for it. We’ll see how financials work out this year.

Thanks for reading and for all the jokes.

DISCUSSION (23)

Under_Score > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/04/2019 at 20:57

Wouldn’t insurance money be a good thing for the customer, though? If they can pay you enough to have a nice car, they can give the customer a good payout.

Also, I didn’t know Android Auto was on the level of AC in terms of good features. I like keeping my phone in my KAVU, and my Apple Watch vibrates my wrist when I need to turn. The biggest drawback of CarPlay is that it’s not wireless.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/04/2019 at 21:00

It’s a hell of a value, but I just couldn’t stomach a $9k sedan with no AC. I overheat worse than my third Tercel. I need to feel like I’m living in an ice box when I drive. Except longboi, because will seat covers!

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Under_Score
09/04/2019 at 21:00

I deal mostly with 3rd parties who are looking for settlement money. Also, I won’t ever mount a phone in my car. 1) looks shitty (in my opinion) and 2) increases distracted driving enforcement threat (not that I use it).

As for the wireless thing, my phone is always plugged in, charging.

I use my phone for everything at work. Measuring, recording, photos, always chatting, texting or emailing.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Under_Score
09/04/2019 at 21:02

Conversely, if you show up in a nice car and have to tell a person that their shit ain’t worth nearly as much as they think it is or, god forbid, that their claim is denied, they’ll be even more pissed off.

SiennaMan > Under_Score
09/04/2019 at 21:02

I suspect it’s along the lines of “all my premium money is going to this guys salary so he can screw me over.”

A newer white Kia is a generic car to most of the population and so completely neutral.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > gin-san - shitpost specialist
09/04/2019 at 21:04

Also, minimize acts of retribution/tracking. Hard to pick out a white kia from another in a city.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/04/2019 at 21:25

365 D egrees of Sensibility have been cooked into CoF. Who’d have think it?

One wonders if Canada is getting the Kia Seltos and (if so) whether that might be a useful alternative/upgrade

facw > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/04/2019 at 21:37

I still say you should be CarsofForteLangley...

Chariotoflove > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/04/2019 at 21:44

I would never joke about a serious subject like your car choice.

Good review.

Future Heap Owner > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/04/2019 at 22:05

I hope you don’t trade it in. You provide Oppo a valuable service by giving us our easiest target; what will we do if you get rid of it?

someassemblyrequired > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/04/2019 at 22:55

Not surprised that your experience was on balance, good. Well other than the lack of AC (I’m honestly surprised a dealer even ordered one like that). Kia’s aren’t the flashiest cars, but they’re good value, the warranty is decent and they hold up well.

I’ve yet to drive one of the flagship Kia/Hyundai models . I got to admit I’m curious to see what their high-end stuff is like.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Future Heap Owner
09/04/2019 at 23:38

He did suggest buying ANOTHER Forte anyways. I’m sure we can laugh harder when someone buys two fortes with in a liftetime, no matter how sensible of a choice it is.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/04/2019 at 23:44

Good thing you are in Canadia, I could not imagine surviving here in LA without AC. Sure I drive my Miata all the time without AC but I’d never be able to go to the desert without my Subaru nor would I be willing to leave home during the day most weekends. Even if I did want to deal with it, it would be a pain to always have windows open on the highway . Sometimes I love just having some peace and quiet. You will certainly be well off by trading up for that AC! I don't think it's worth going out of your way for awd. Maybe having an awd/4wd in the household on the rare occasion it's needed but thanks to global warming you probably won't get snowed on too much!

ttyymmnn > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/05/2019 at 10:39

Too bad there’s a car in front of that Voodoo. Spoiled a great photo.

;)

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/05/2019 at 10:49

Buick TourX w/ AWD

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
09/05/2019 at 10:51

Can’t buy em here

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/05/2019 at 11:01

Well... guess that only leaves you with buying an R-32/33/34 GT-R.

¯\_()_/¯

vicali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/05/2019 at 11:42

Nice, always think Hyundais and Kias are the Hondas of the 90s.. White noise should be your car’s new name.

Maybe look at all the cuv/suv things next time around? Give you a bit more ground clearance and winterness, plus room for kiddos and doggos..

We have a fleet of white base model Rav4/Crv at work, they do everything from public meetings to bylaw enforcement. They blend into all environments well.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/05/2019 at 11:48

Good write-up! They are decent cars, the Forte...not the sportiest, not the highest quality, but well-built and perfectly comfortable for what they are. I can understand your annoyance at the lack of A/C. In my case, I am driving on semi-rural roads at 80kph most of the time, so windows-down is perfectly fine for keeping me cool. As for Android Auto, I just plug my MP3 player into the Aux. jack and let everything go to voicemail while I’m driving, so I’ve never worried about that...also, my phone still runs Android 4.4.3, so I don’t even think it works with Android Auto, lol.

Hyundai/Kia really are decent values in the market right now. I’m a hatchback guy, so I’d get a Forte5 over the sedan, but I really like the rear end styling on the sedan. Would you consider an Elantra sedan? It’s the same car underneath as the Forte, really. I hate the current styling of the redesigned Elantras:

Kinja'd!!!

...but if you could find a pre-facelift 2018 Elantra, they look so much nicer in my opinion...

Kinja'd!!!

I’m also a manual guy, so I would want a stick until I can’t get them anymore...but if you’re looking at AWD and a stick isn’t your thing, would you consider the Kona? I’m not a C rossover guy either, but the Kona is the only one on the market here I would actually consider getting....really bummed there is no manual option for it though, but that’s just how things are these days...

Jetstreamer > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/05/2019 at 11:58

Hmm... Interested in the value of Kia/Hyundai but also a jalop... You my friend, just need one of the N-Cars from Hyundai. Roll up to clients in Eco mode and normal sound in just a slightly more aggressive looking Hyundai , and get your automotive kicks in N-Mode with a poppin’ and crackin’ exhaust note while not dealing with work.

Fair enough, right now there’s only N versions of the i30 (and not in the US) and the Veloster, but more models should be coming. Something like a Kona N or Santa Fe N.

#notsponsored #justahappyowner

Jack Does Cars > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/05/2019 at 18:10

Used AWD Stinger?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Jack Does Cars
09/05/2019 at 18:11

Likely a little high in terms of cost, but I’d consider it

Jack Does Cars > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/05/2019 at 18:16

If you take the hatch out and rhinoline the interior, it’s a truck now too.