I believe KIA Forte is a good car.

Problem are:

1. KIA/Naza always kills its customer by slashing new car price after launching 1 to 2 years. Buyers who bought Spectra Novus 3 years ago at a price of RM73K can only sell aron RM35K due to the fact KIA is offering new Spectra 5 at only RM55K. Do u think ppl will buy the 3 years old Novus at aron RM55K???? Sellin RM55K is also consider a big loss, 24% compare to 2nd hand value of Toyota and Honda. So, to stop this and to help to maintain the 2nd hand, KIA has to take the lead.

2. Why KIA/Naza have to slash new car price after launching 1 or 2 years? Y so much stock to clear? If KIA/Naza has its own assembly & production line then they could control the volume of car to produce. I suspect KIA/Naza has to bring in a certain volume which is based on a quota and somehow to make it as if CKD, they must keep it here for a period or make some simple assembly. So when the demand is less than expected and KIA/Naza has to sell all balance volume to recover the cost he car, this is what u c see "Special discount price for new KIA/Naza car" but in actual fact that car was manufactured 1 to 2 years ago. That is why some new car has engine or gear box problem bcoz they have been kept idle for quite a long time.

No matter how good is KIA/Naza car, if there is no improvement and stopage to this "Special discount prices", Malaysian will never have confident to buy any of its car. Not all M'sia mindset is dead. I will support any good car regardless of its brand if they do the business correctly and safeguard the interest of its car buyers.

So, good luck to KIA Forte. Hope to see Forte a sucess in M'sia.

Kia confirmed that Forte will be on sale late this year because they still have plenty of Spectra 5 stocks which they still can't sell off.

These Spectra 5 are some with manufacturing year 2007. Unless they drop the price down below RM46k maybe they will be able to sell more. Considering its already 2 years old car, it should sell at a cheaper price.

So, Malaysian please wait. This is what they say "Poor management". Kia is killing itself.

I totally agree with you guys.

I believe Forte is a good chance to bring Kia & Naza back in the market but with current disappointment, they are going down.

Naza Kia has already brought in Kia Forte, all kept in yard. Delay of launching will make the Forte not really a new car when its launch year end.

Looks like every car brand is delaying any new launch because there is plenty of existing model in stock. They are in the same trade and working together for their own benefit. Buyers is the one suffering.

Better looks for others option.

Hopefully it launch soon. As there is not much new laucnhing from others makers. I believe Naza / Kia has to launch it soon as I believe they have stock up a lot and if this miss this launch this year, next year buyer is actually buying year 2009 made car.

But, have to really the year of manufacture and the tyre date as there alot of this issue happening to Spectra 5 owners. Buy new but old manufactured car.

Interest buyers please keep this in mind.

The Kia Forte actually arrived in Malaysia. Kept secretly by Naza. Don't be surprised to c the year the car was manufactured. The easiest way is to look at the year of the tyre.

Naza do not have the capacity to assemble so many variety of car model. Kia Forte is actually imported with just 1 or 2 parts assemble here to make it a CKD.

Hi Skybar,

"This car is hard to maintain?"

Which sg forum are u referring to?

Would like to know what issue it has? Realiability? Spare parts? Service?

Thanks

OIC,

Good to know is only the white colour and not the car itself

I misunderstood and thaught that this car is physically in term of engine maintenance.

So, what others finding about this car? I mean any others problem that we should take note?

Yes better to wait for the actual price released before booking.

Also, it is advisable to view the car 1st as they maybe some changes or less in accesories for Malaysian models, as usual.

From Paul Tan's website, it is stated that the Forte will be using the same engine as the Spectra 5. Is this good or bad?

My main concern is the engine power of 1.6cc. Will it be underpowered or just good enough? Launching the 1.6cc will makes its price more competetive. Kia is selling Forte 2.0cc in Singapore. Better do a test drive once its launched.

NAZA has killed itself for the past few years, hopefully they have learned their lesson and hope Forte will bring back them alive.

I just hope KIA move in and handle their car themselves. This will definetly be very much better than NAZA.

I do agree with you, taking Sentra as an example. 1.6cc should be fine for normal driving. What is the weight of the 1.6cc Forte? I can't get any info from their website.

So, now, the biggest questions is

1) When is the launching?
2) Any sneak preview?
3) Why our car writter is keeping silent about this car? The only thing I got is from Paul Tan which is also a basic review.
4) What would be the launching price?

Regards.

Thanks for the info.

Could you furnish me, in cruise mode what is the RPM for 100km/h and 120km/h?

What is the mileage of your car now? FC 10l/100km. Maybe it will be better once is driven thru.

Any other complain or problem about this car? Does your Forte comes in full spec? Like keyless ?

I hope KIA Malaysia will bring in the full spec and not the lowest spec. Normally Singapore has better spec like Leather seat and so on.

I do believe Vios will have a better FC.

That is why if KIA is serious of a come back. It should be priced below RM70K. Or else, not many will take the risk to buy this car.

Hi Burgerlim,

Any chance of taking some photo of your Cerato, especially the interior?

V would like to know what specs or goodies Spore Cerato is getting? Everybody here in Msia is having a guessing game about the interior.

Thank you.

Don't think V (Msian) here gets such goodies like your Spore version. Especially it is going to be assembled by NAZA. JUst look at Rondo, 2nd row seat is not a 60:40 foldable. So its pretty hard for ppl to align and get out of 3rd row. Real KIA ROndo has 60:40 foldable seat.

I would like to see the original spec such original dashboard when KIA deliver the car. Not those who make modification and add on.

It will be good if there is photo of the original spec.

Thanks alot. U guys r lucky to have the Forte 1st than Msia.

Could please just update us any problem (if any) such as NVH and so on?

Also, the FC, any imrovement from week to week as your car is doing more mileage and run in.

Thanks.

There is so much advertisement and good review for this Forte.

Hope it is really that good or compartable to Japanese made.

The main problem from Spore owner is windscreen cracked but KIA confirmed those were the 1st bacth. Other than that, nothing much except the FC.

You are rite!!

MIJ entry cars nowadays is very light to achieve very good FC.

For example Spectra 5 (Forte not availble yet in Msia) hood cover and door is much heavier and solid than my Vios. Korea made car is more solid and heavy which is good for safety.

What is the weight of Cerato 1.6cc?

Is Cerato 1.6cc engine same as Spectra 5 1.6cc engine? Msia salemans says its the same engine. I was think Cerato is using newer engine.

Regards.

From the KIA Cerato Spore forum,

It seems that the Spectra 5 is using Gamma 1 engine and Cerato is using Gamma 2 engine, which is newer.

Is this true?

So, confirm Forte is using Gamma 2.0 engine same as Spectra 5 but with tuned up to achieve power and better FC?