Hi to all, especially those tested or owned the 1.6SX.

I have some questions / doubts that need your helps. I tested the 1.6SX at Kia @ Crystal Point, Penang today. First half, I am the driver and my wife sat at the left side at the back as usual when I am doing test drive. Right after we left the showroom and hit the road, my wife started to ask, what is that noisy sound. she described that sound as like "Groong Groong" especially when the car gaining more speed. That is even with the radio is turned on at a volume. We off the radio and hearing some noise from the back.

I then pulled over and let my wife take the wheel and I sat at the back. As soon as the car picks up speed about only 50km/h. I am hearing very noisy road noise .. that exactly like what she described... like running an empty barrel on wheels.. very noisy. I cannot imagine if someone has to be in that environment for higher speed for long period of time. (The noise even covered the conversation sound level at certain points)

I kept asking the SA if they have adjusted the tires pressure from the 300psi to normal psi and he said he was the one that adjusted all tires pressure before sending the car for registration.

So, anyone can shares their experience on their 1.6SX rides especially the experience as a passenger sitting at the back at higher car speed. This is especially I read from most posts here saying the NVH is better than some of the C-Segment car. I am planning to pay a visit to Autocity Juru to try on another car to see if the experience would be the same... if the results are the same.. I will have to reconsider if this is the car or not.

When I asked the SA if anyone before us has complaint about the noise and he said we were the first. He will try to test it out when has the chance ( btw, this branch practiced the "Pull the plug" on the test drive unit. Pity to the owner who will end up own this car thinking it is new. The SA also said they have discussed with the branch Manager that there is potential chances for changing the 17" tires to 15" tires if the owner request for it ( with rims ). When I asked what about changing to 16', he said that could probably do able with some charges. ( 17" to 15" - FOC, 17" to 16" - Charges )

This post has been edited by bbear: Dec 13 2009, 12:16 AM

We open the boot to check after the test drove. There are nothing extra at the boot. Spare wheel is inside.

I visited Kia AutoCity today.. asking for test drive. They said... "Today is Sunday.. no appointment = no test drive !!". These people do not know how to do business lah .. the test drive car is sitting there.. no appointment and they do not let me test drive. I said I just want to verify something very fast.. no need to drive far.. just the road beside the showroom in less than 5 Mins.. the sales there insisted.. No Appointment = No test drive.. I left the premises and went to Mazda showroom instead... Started to feel like I will go back to decided between the Mazda 3 and 407

Yes, sounded like Hollow barrel which like Groong Groong Groong...

I wonder if changing to 16" will ease out the noisy cabin sound or not.

This post has been edited by bbear: Dec 13 2009, 10:58 PM

There were at least 5 or 6 EX and SX sitting outside of the Autocity showroom where SA said all are pending for registration.. they don't look like traveled on the Highway before.

Norhafiza and another staff also..

Nevermind lah.. I already cool down.. but I did purposely drive cross the bridge there to test the car to verify the noisy cabin problem. Probably wait until the 2.0 is here before testing again.. or when i can find an EX to test out with the 15" wheels. I did told her that.. i actually purposely cross the bridge to visit them for the test drives but they do not care.

The worst part is.. I am bringing my father in law there as i need to convince him Korean car is not that bad after all.

This post has been edited by bbear: Dec 13 2009, 11:16 PM

Just cannot imagine have to deal with them for long term.. e.g. for servicing, warranty ... after sales service. If not because of the Spec and Price... I would have just move on.

Some extra frustration is the news / stories from each different SA are different.. the uncertainty on the cars are just too much. The same SA that refuse to give me test drive.. saying 2.0SX are under assembly line now at Gurun and hence no car to deliver and there will be no CBU.. only CKD.... if that is the case.. my choice will be easy... to leave the Forte out of the equation that is spinning in my head.

This post has been edited by bbear: Dec 13 2009, 11:36 PM

Note, she does not even try to ask if I am interested to schedule a proper test drive and send me off. If there are another SA there that serve me.. I will on the spot place the booking in front of the SA to show her what she is missing... but cannot do that because I am only going there to verify something.. not to book a car there.

I saw the test drive unit there in good shape. But anyway, I will continue to wait.

Does not want to disclose this much earlier.... I actually had a booking for the 2.0SX Clear White / Bright Silver since last month. According to the SA in the Bayan Lepas whom I booked the car from. I was the 1st or 2nd in that branch that booked the 2.0L. They requested Booking fees of RM2k... I am now pending for my personal loan approval which will take longer than the normal loan application process. Planning to take RM80K Loan for 5 years with 1.56% interest rate.

My SA said since actual car is not available for viewing / testing, the Booking fees are refundable and in order not to have some problem afterwards. I had him written on the booking receipt with carbon copy stating Booking fees to be full refunded if I cancel the order. Last week when I went for the 1.6SX test drive.. he confirmed that my order is in the system but he does not know where am I in the waiting list for the whole Malaysia... i.e. my trip to Autocity is entirely for the confirmation of the cabin noise / NVH of the car.

hewyk, letmein & phelix

It is part of employee's benefit from my company .

This post has been edited by bbear: Dec 14 2009, 10:35 AM

Is not really personal loan.. it is a valid hired purchase deal just like what Tan Chong Motor is offering their 1.99%.. i.e. the loan is from Tan Chong. For my case.. the Loan is from the company i worked for.

- Get quotation from Dealer
- Submit loan application, the panel will review and let know approve or disapprove
- Company to prepare under-taking notification to the Dealer
- Dealer to submit allocated Chassis & Engine no when available
- Company's panel to take cares of the E-Hak Milik with JPJ and info again returns to Dealer
- Dealer to process car's registration at JPJ.
- Insurance can only be done with company's identified company.

a lengthy process to get the 1.56%

high paid ??? err.. I don't think I am getting high paid lah.. if not.. don't have to think too much on getting car.

This post has been edited by bbear: Dec 14 2009, 10:42 AM

By the way... you guys should be feeling proud as I am comparing the Forte 2.0SX with Nissan Selphy, Mazda 3 2.0L and Peugeot 407. Not like some that comparing it with Toyota's Vios, Honda's City and Nissan Latio.

Can someone shares if the car's back seats are capable of ISOFIX mount ? Don't want to ask the SA since I doubt they knew what is it.

Thanks for the information and links. btw, another 2 cars that have ISOFIX within my budget is 308 and 407

Actually, I am thinking of there will be any bulk buy for K&N filter for the Forte.. My current iswara using the drop in K&N which allows the car to be more responsive than the stock. Thinking of doing that also if i am picking up a new car.

My SA said they have no idea when the 2.0SX will be available. Crystal Point's branch... wonder if the same SA is telling different story ?

When I test droved the Mazda 3. it was showing 12km to empty when i started the car and after a few 2 to 3 km drive.. it shows 8km to empty.. and that is when my SA decided to fill the gas tank for me to continue the test drive. I have driven other car that showing sub 50km to empty so far.

The last time i test drove the Forte.. it is also showing --/-- to empty... even after refueled

If only they have something more useful on the updates in the FB.. e.g. a finite weeks or dates on when the 2.0SX can be available rather than kept saying 90-120 days ( is that including early booked customers ? or only new customers ? early booked customer waiting time = 90-120 days + prebook ~ launching days ? )

The test unit I droved... all electronics on the dashboard is without power. I wonder how much they have clock the car on top of that 135km you are reading. By the way, the Test drive unit at Juru, Penang. It was one of the car the Journalist tested back in Nov.. those WTF car.. and the one at Juru is WTF 4780, Red... of cause, that one with the dashboard powered...

This post has been edited by bbear: Dec 16 2009, 03:26 PM

FL,

What I meant is the unit there was one of the car that were seen / used during the media test activities back in Nov.

Due to the uncertainty of the 2.0SX.. CFO is suggesting to make a decision between the Forte vs 407 before end of this month as 407's promo only valid if car is delivered in Dec... headache

This post has been edited by bbear: Dec 16 2009, 03:50 PM