RM3,000++ will most definitely get you some nice original Japanese rims.
For a more local (local as in Thailand) flavour, you can try surfing thru LENSO's website.
LENSO is a brand from Thailand.

In short, RM 3K will definitely be more than enough to get you some low-mid range ori sport rims (without rubbers).

Hope this helps

EDIT: Be mindful though, those ori and attractive rims will most definitely garner many envious stares from all sorts of people. People in this context includes those who would genuinely admire your rims (like myself), downright to those whom are professional rim hunters/ninjas.
These rim ninjas will come in the middle of the night and work their magic before leaving your dear car sitting on bricks...
To mitigate, one must ensure that jis/her vehicle is parked within a gated porch/garage.

This post has been edited by rompers: Aug 1 2014, 01:12 AM

Great review Vanguard!

This post has been edited by rompers: Aug 2 2014, 01:54 PM

Don't lah buy so many biji...leave some for first time buyers leh

This post has been edited by rompers: Aug 16 2014, 02:40 PM

All post-2011 Naza-KIA Forte SX range comes with a LCD+GPS Radio Head Unit (HU). Only the EX range doesn't.
The HUs all come pre-loaded with SPEEDNAVI GPS software (saved in a mini-SD card).

This post has been edited by rompers: Aug 23 2014, 02:21 PM

Which SC bro?
I'm looking for one that is open on Sundays.
Thanks

On the subject of bumper..
Does anyone know where to get the best deal/price for a Stock Forte Bodykit (Front Bumper)?
I've read through a number of posts, and the price range that keeps popping up is between RM 400~600 (inclusive of paint+installation).

However, can anyone actually recommend where to buy and pasang the bumper in Klang Valley please?
Preferably a place whose spray painting and installation workmanship is above average/good.
Price range on the medium scale is acceptable for me as long as the work is cekap and good....manga after pasang, lampu senget..fender senget..bonnet senget..etc.

Anybody?

EDIT - by saying FORTE Front Stock Bodykit Bumper, I mean to say the Front Bumper + the Bodykit Front Bumper Skirt .....not just the Stock Bumper. Don't want anyone to be confused

This post has been edited by rompers: Aug 30 2014, 01:35 AM

Care to elaborate further on this "irritating sound" along with the solution please?

I could be wrong, but your problem here sounds a lot like there's an issue with your car's Starter Module (the device that detects the presence of your Keyfob within the vehicle).

Btw, was there any alert/error messages shown on the Multi-Function Display (MFD) of your car when you were experiencing such problems while trying to start/crank your car engine?

This post has been edited by rompers: Oct 3 2014, 05:17 AM

Original stock is colored.

Btw, I've seen B&W ones on Toyota Estimas...and I've also noticed that they are much better at night, compared to colored ones.
Are you also getting the same feeling/results with the B&W unit?

It's actually normal for B&W to be clearer in comparison to Coloured (except those super HD Colour type of course).
Simply because Colour LCD shows the exact 'picture' of the dark location whereas B&W translates the dark area into grey/white or pitch black.

Hence, even with little light, the contrast between B&W will cause the LCD to illustrate a better 'picture' whilst the Coloured one will show you a multitude of shades (Black, Dark Grey, Grey, etc.) for a low light area.

Steps to Troubleshoot:

1) Check the water level of the Wiper Water Reservoir (WWR).
2) Check to ensure that the hose (the thin one connecting the WWR to the Nozzles) are not kinked/clipped/punctured (quite a common occurrence).
3) Use a sewing needle OR safety pin, of normal thickness, to clear the Nozzle heads.
4) If all else fails, it either means that your WWR electric pump is faulty OR something has gotten stuck somewhere in between the WWR and the Nozzle.

Hope this helps.

Another personal tip from me:

If you wanna set the angle of the spray nozzle, use the same sewing needle (but this time with a foot-long thread attached).
Once ready, poke the nozzle outlet hole lightly and pull the thread towards the windscreen, adjusting the nozzle to the desired spot

One last thing, try to use Filtered Tap Water only to top-up the WWR. That way, you'd minimize the chances of sediment build-up.

This post has been edited by rompers: Nov 22 2014, 09:44 AM

The simple and most truthful answer is NO.
The newly repainted parts will most definitely be in a different shade compared to the existing-seasoned paint.

As far as I'm aware, it is next to impossible for the colors to match.
Only closest solution (which is imperfect as well), would be for the entire car waxed and polished professionally/thoroughly.
Even then, if you have a sharp eye, the colour shade will look different.

Hope that answers your question.

But after all said and done, please go and get your car repainted if you really feel like it and if it eases your mind.
No point getting stressed thinking whether you should or should not repaint.

My opinion is just based on my own personal experiences.
Also, the difference in colour is not really that much of a difference actually (especially if your car is in Silver).

I have a friend who runs a Shop @ Kampung Subang (close to the Old Subang Airport), specializing in Vehciel Upholstery works.
Most cars (ranging from Vintage-Classic to Supercars) will go there for upholstery works, as the material & workmanship is pretty remarkable.

However, the price is slightly towards the high side (we're talking about 20~30% more).
Since you're not changing the entire vehicle's interior trim, it may be worth trying this place out.

PM me because this guy doesn't really layan walk-in customers whom only want to carry out small jobs.
But he really is a super good/friendly guy to those whom he is already familiar with.

Hello NoiZy, I'm an owner of a 1.6 Forte (6-speed g/box).

Here are my experiences with the car, thus far:

1) Mechanical = My Forte is pretty solid in terms of wear and tear. However, pls be mindful that I'm a very careful driver (whom religiously avoid pot-holes at all costs). I do not go through speed-bumps/humps at anything more than 20km/h (meaning oftentimes I drop the speed to at least 10km/h or less, before negotiating our average speed-bumps..for those big ones, I will almost come to a standstill before rolling over). Anyway, I hope you get what I'm trying to say here. The reliability of any vehicle is directly proportional to the amount of time/care that one is willing to invest on it.

My personal tip (speaking from own experience owning/maintaining/modding vehicles of various models): Try downgrading the rim sizes (from the ori 17" to 16" or 15") and you should be able to stretch the wear and tear of any vehicle's handling-suspension system (i.e. Joint Bushes, Absorbers, Links, etc.). This step should also drastically reduce the jitter/rattle of cabin parts (provided nothing have been loosened/broken to begin with). Do however ask yourself if the looks of a vehicle is of more importance or otherwise, because smaller rims will be less "garang" to most folks.

2) Electrical = It's a pretty simple conclusion for me here. More electronics/gadgetry, equals a higher tendency for something to fail/malfunction. Ask any BMW owners (post-E46 model) and you'll most definitely hear at least 1 or 2 of such electronic malfunctions. I'll not even touch on VWs and/or other continental makes.
So, in simple words (again), you want more hi-tech stuffs, be prepared to also encounter higher chances of these items failing (pls don't bash me and say not every gadget will/must fail...I'm simply saying "higher/possible tendency for failing").
The Forte (in my opinion) has an average amount of gadgetry (with a below average complexity, in terms of maintenance for the said-electronics). Try not to expose any of these electrical items (like any other electronic items that you have in your pocket, except for the SONY waterproof smart-phones ) to moisture or rough use, and they should serve you well.

3) Spare-Parts = On spare-parts availability and prices; I'd have to agree that some Forte parts may be hard to come by. Simple reasoning, Spare-Part Shops may not have them in ready-stock due to the lower number of Kimchis on our Malaysian shores, compared to her Japanese counter-parts. However, I do know that Korean Car Specialty Shops are available in the Klang Valley area and I'm sure many of the forumers here would also be glad to point them out to you.

On the issue of prices for these spare-parts; on an average, HYUNDAI/KIA parts are not as expensive as their Japanese brethren. You should be aware and shouldn't compare OEM prices with ORIGINAL prices. In any case, this particular point (about prices/availability of parts) is a somewhat sticky point, in my humble opinion. Some homework/research may be needed in order for one to be able to find the best deals in town for replacement parts. Good negotiation skills and a whole load of patience will be of great help on this as well

Well, maybe you should also try and join/ask a few of our forumers here out for teh-tarik (and maybe even belanja them that few cup of drinks) and glean from them the bittersweet experiences that they have with their respective Fortes. That should give you a whole lot more info to work with. Besides, there's just too much for me or for most of the forumers here to type everything out

Whatever it is, I wish you all the very best in your quest (whether new/used or Kimchi or Jap or who knows, maybe you'll kena lottery and be seen driving an Italian bull/horse )

This post has been edited by rompers: Mar 29 2015, 04:39 AM

Assuming that you've checked and verified that no nuts/bolts have been loosened and that no foreign matter have been dropped into any of those nooks and crannies; try adjusting the seat to every other position-combination and see if there is/are any of those combo that eliminates the rattle (coz sometimes certain combis will cause some parts to become loose while other combis will just magically "heal" them).

Hey Buddy..how've you been? It's been a long time since you were last active in this forum (same goes for me).

Btw, pls let me know when you are closer to the tyre changing (not rotating) procedure as I'm also looking to procure new sets as well .

I'm also seriously contemplating to service my car out of KIA as the prices charged are crazily expensive (once you make a comparison with buying the replacement parts yourself and having them installed via a trusty 3rd party mechanic). Any opinions?
My car is a 2012 model (25,xxxKM) and I've yet to receive the so called "Warranty Letter" from NAZA-KIA.

This post has been edited by rompers: Mar 29 2015, 04:54 AM

Yes , please do ping me 2 or 3 weeks earlier after you've decided on a specific date for the tyre change.
Much appreciated

LOLs, sounds like you really should drive more and ride less

Yes, pls do try it and let us all know if it works for you because it sure did work for me with my previous Satria