Overall the SX has many interesting toys, and if that's what you're looking for, the Inspira will pale in comparison. Here's what I think:


My reason for picking Inspira over the forte and honda city is:

1. Future maintenance cost should be cheaper (based on my experience that local cars = more sold = cheaper parts).
2. Better handling characteristics (mutilink rear vs torsion beam).
3. Lower probability of failure (less electronic and mechanical components should GENERALLY equate to higher reliability).
4. Tonnes of modding options including performance upgrades.
5. Only new in 1.8-2.0 class with manual transmission for a more engaging drive.
6. Lotus/Proto handling

Negatives of Inspira:

1. Not as modern looking as the other cars
2. May get proton quality parts (especially later batches)
3. Higher interest rates (if you're taking a loan)



Plus points for City:

1. Really like the looks
2. Engine from vtec pedigree
3. Generally better resale value
4. Very intelligently designed
5. Very safe bet and general all rounder

Negatives for city

1. Not as quiet and smooth as I would like it to be
2. Feels overpriced for the engine capacity and features given



Plus points for Forte (only the SX)

1. Super amount of toys such as keyless start, reverse cam etc.
2. Won many awards both locally and internationally (but international awards are usually for the 2.4?)
3. Quite good looking as well, espcially with the right bodykit (not the one from naza)
4. Positive global brand image of korean cars

Negatives for Forte

1. Unknown reliability
2. Hard to get parts for maintenance
3. Probably low resale value
4. Few mods available
5. Feels underpowered (1.6 with heavy 17" rims >.<. Not sure if the new 6 speed improved much on this)



Between then 1.6 Forte SX and the 1.8 Inspira Manual, I personally chose the Inspira. Again, I have not tested the 6 speed transmission. With paddle shift, it may be a closer fight now.

In Maraishia... segments don't matter as much as price, but yeah.. B segment in a C price bracket. With regards to the Forte, I've read of problems with the keyless start not working, the keyless entry (proximity based) of the test car I tried wasn't working properly either.. the SA had trouble demonstrating it to me as it was misbehaving. Finaly, the aircon vents were broken, I suppose that's because as a test car... people tend to play aroud with these things. One really cool thing - Due to the keyless fob having a transmitter, if you accidentally leave your keys in the car, it will auto unlock, and if you left it in the boot, it will auto open haha. Bye bye to "keys locked in the car" problem". Forte also less chance of being stolen haha!

That's quite true. Totally agree ( = The shorter stroke does mean our revs will climb faster though, so it helps when trying to keep revs high. I guess the 1.8MT is meant for more "agressive drivers" hehe. Not sure a Myvi can beat me off the lights though...

I think when it comes to thefts, two general rules impact numbers: Does the same car have a large market here? and does the car have a large market overseas (especially thailand).

That's why toyotas are so popular (middle east, and smuggled up north) and local cars to be chopped for parts scavenging.

Using thumb >.< But the Inspira's plastic bumpers is quite soft. Chasis is strong though. The taxi that hit me from the back wasnt drivable anymore due to a caved in ruptured radiator. I only had to change my rear bumper. The body itself hardly had a dent.

Not necesarrily true also. Modern turbo engines with direct injection will save petrol if driven like a normal NA car. This is because unlike the normal fuel injected (which fuel is injected at various areas leading to the cylinder eg, manifold), direct injection engines can actually meter the fuel at more precise amounts to match the compression of the cylinder. The engine in effect, can actually burn at super lean mixtures due to the higher compression. For example, a "normal" car cruising at 110kmh may have its RPM hovering at around 3000-3500, but a direct injected turbo-ed engine can cruise at the same speed at 2000 or less rpm. This translates to fuel savings.

However, being turbo engines and having so much torque and power at the lower end (cars like 308turbo, max torque available at 1500rpm), it's kinda hard to drive them like a "normal" car haha. Hence fuel usage may indeed increase.

PDRM squad helang uses real EVO 10's. But The rest of the squad cars will probably be upgraded to Inspiras soon haha.

It's normal. The compressor turns on with a loud click. And depending on what temperature you set it to, it may cycle on and off more often.

Awesome! Going to get it done as soon as I'm free

Dude, did you read your manual? Your SC fellas also stupid. It's normal. I personally don't get it in my car, but it depends a lot on ambient temeprature and you being from KK, I assume it's cooler there. Vapour in the headlamps is normal as written in the manual, it's not due to leakage, but due to condensation of vapour due to temperature difference inside and outside the headlamp. The manual advises you to ignore it, as the heat from the bulb will eventually evaporate the water.

If you have water POOLING inside your headlamp however, that's a different problem altogether, but judging from what you write, nothing to worry about at all.

EDIT:

On my manual, I get on average 550km per full tank. Short distance driving everyday (not more than 10 minutes in the car), lots of bumps/humps, traffic lights, and no chance to get above 100kmh lol.

This post has been edited by RahXeph0n: Apr 29 2011, 11:46 AM