Comments on: Kia Forte/Spectra vs. Daewoo Lacetti/Chevrolet Cruze

By: paul

paul — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:51:57 +0000

when i drive manual, i think i drive a ferari on f1… driving an auto… is for ….xxxxxx

By: wheelywheel

wheelywheel — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:54:13 +0000

I like it. I like manual cars…True drivers are those who drive manual transmissions.

By: isellkia

isellkia — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:58:04 +0000

i don’t like manual cars because they don’t sell. People in the Chicago land area have some of the worst traffic conditions and manual is simple too much of an annoyance. Granted its fun when you are driving around on the highway in light traffic but other then that automatic is the way to go.

By: Kevo

Kevo — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:35:27 +0000

Are you kidding people? I’ve avoid some cars just because they have 4spd trannys. In my opinion they are old technology and they do get worse gas mileage. Manuals are fun, I’ve owned some, but ever drive a manual in bumper to bumper traffice for 3 hrs, well, I have! My next manual will be a weekend car.

By: James

James — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:09:24 +0000

Jonathan 6 spd Autos have proven (in GM’s case anyway) to be as efficient and faster than their manual counterparts. Take a look at the CTS-V and the Camaro. Sure these are performance iterations, but 6spd autos can be calibrated for the best of both worlds. The Malibu 4cyl 6spd gets better mileage numbers than a comparable Camry with 5spd manual.

By: BJD(Boris)

BJD(Boris) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 05:23:13 +0000

we dont want automatics. we want manuamatics.
.
there are alot of traffic jams these days and autos are needed for these jams. fine, a 6 speed tranny will not give better fuel economy compared to a 6 speed manual but…

By: JonathanLGardner

JonathanLGardner — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:26:35 +0000

I was talking about Americans =S
Anyway, I wasn’t saying autos were bad BUT I thought it was hypocritical to fuss about the difference in fuel efficiency of a 4 speed auto and 6 speed when auto uses more fuel over manual in the first place

By: OzyTone

OzyTone — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 01:33:18 +0000

Sorry Jonathan, I’m a big fat Aussie (well not too fat) and I’m just over manual transmissions. Why not have the best of both worlds with a “tiptronic” or sport change if you want and beautiful sweet auto when you want, where all the gear changes have been scientifically worked out for the best and most efficient for the size motor. Rather than red-linning it in every gear. Not saying that you would.
I don’t know about where you come from, but here, if there’s any problem traffic condition, they just put in a set of lights, which is a real pain in medium to heavy road conditions, you’re sitting there riding the clutch most times just inching forward. Well I know in that situation I’d rather have an auto. Sorry mate, but that’s my opinion.
Anyway good to see a pom on this forum, see you next year when we come to take the Ashes back.

By: JonathanLGardner

JonathanLGardner — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:51:15 +0000

No offence but Americans confuse me.
How can you go on about 6 speed AUTO transmissions and how they are more fuel efficient when it is AUTO. If you so concerned then buy a manual – no offence Americans but what is so wrong with manuals, I’m sure the nation isn’t so fat that you can’t change gears LOOL.

Anyway, I think the Forte looks GREAT. The Daewoo bagde looks much neater than the Chevrolet – which ruins the front.

Kia should bring the Forte to the UK instead of the Magentis (aka Optima).

By: BJD(Boris)

BJD(Boris) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:02:58 +0000

I like the lacetti. chrome grille and those simple flowing design of the large alloys like the golf. Just amke Lacetti a tad better for me – just a tad. I still like Forte as well. it looks sporty in its own way.

By: JTZ

JTZ — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:59:25 +0000

I look at it this way at least the Forte isn’t 100% clone like the Cruze is the Lacetti. I find it pretty difficult to use the same platform and yet differ them as much as possible without just changing the grille and badge. I bet that’s more expensive too car manufactors as well. And if you ask me, it’s more talented too. I’m sure cloning is easier than designing. I’ll take the design (knowing I’m not driving a clone (or Daewoo)) over a 6 speed tranny. The clone looks way better with the chrome though. I also want to say this. I see Mazda’s new face and all but all of those are just CX-7 faces. Unlike the new face of Kia’s new models. All faces are not designed the same and I think it is very talented that the Borrego in concept form had a design simiular but still base off the Mesa concept. How talented is that? I give that 5 thumbs up.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:27:58 +0000

Thank you for the explanation, I now see what the big deal is. Thanks again.

By: OzyTone

OzyTone — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:51:50 +0000

Oh, and another thing Greg, the manufacturers wouldn’t be updating and modernizing their vehicles at a cost to them if they didn’t think the market or customers didn’t want it. If it was up to them, they’d still have us driving around in single cylinder direct drive (no speed Transmissions). If a car sold like that, we’d be still driving them. You know, no roof, no doors, no windscreen no wipers, no seats, no heaters or aircond, no radios, no CD or DVD players. You could go on forever. Thank god we’ve demanded a few luxuries from the manufacturers and so we got what we have today, beautiful, comfortable nice to drive and be in and seen in motor vehicles.

By: Ksport(Boris)

Ksport(Boris) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:48:42 +0000

now the 1.6 soul [gas] should be able to give a range of 650 km based on the ratings shown in that korean catalogue. 6 speed tranny might’ve pushed that to 680-690km.
just look at how many ‘people cars’ are getting 5 and 6 speed tannies. And Kia has just started using 6 speed for their MOhave!

By: OzyTone

OzyTone — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:31:11 +0000

Yes I agree with comments from Bancho with regards to his comments on the 6 speed Auto Vs 4 speed transmission.
it’s heaps better with the more ratios, especially with a small high revving 4 cylinder engine with limited low down torque. With 6 or more speeds the drive experience is much smmmoother, because the steps from ratio to ratio are a lot less and the 6th gear ratio can be a lot higher, (lower RPM) thus a lot better fuel consumption, with less stress on the gear-box and engine. Also the first ratio can be set a lot lower, so you can get off the line quicker than the 4 speed trans. I haven’t driven a 4 speed automatic transmission for at least 10 years, so I don’t want to go backwards now. Six speeds and more are the norm now and let’s keep it that way. I’m not keen on the 6 speed manual trans though, I’m over that forever changing gears….in any car!! It’s ok for you young fellas, where you want to red-line in every gear.