The purpose of this thread is to document the path that I take modifying my 2023 Kia Forte GT Manual. I will be sharing my thoughts and reaction to each of the modifications I install on the Forte GT. I expect this thread will be somewhat informative and mildly entertaining.
My new 2023 Forte GT Manual will be serving as my daily driver, full-time commuter, spirited canyon-carver and an occasional track-day trinket.
So, why a 2023 Kia Forte GT Manual?
My criteria for this particular vehicle purchase was relatively simple; my new vehicle had to be well, new. It had to be sporty, fun to drive, have 4 doors, provide modern tech features, deliver good MPG, offer heated seats and a heated steering wheel (I eventually conceded on the steering wheel) and most importantly, have a traditional manual transmission.
I HAD to have a manual transmission!
In this day and age, there aren't many new vehicles available with a traditional manual transmission, especially one’s with 4 doors. However, I did my research and found all of the applicable options on the market and began my hunt.
I looked at and considered the Honda Civic Si (and Civic Type R), the Acura Integra A-Spec Tech 6MT (and Integra Type S), the Mazda 3 2.5 S Premium, the Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition (I still have one on order but, likely won't see it until late 2024, or 2025, or ever), the Kia Forte GT Manual, the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, the Subaru WRX Limited and the Hyundai Elantra N.
I excluded the Volkswagen Jetta GLI, Golf GTI and the Golf R from consideration based on my prior ownership experiences with the brand.
And, it’s worth mentioning, based on my deep rooted principles and 20 plus years working within the automotive industry, I flat-out refuse to pay ANY amount over MSRP on a new vehicle purchase. Sadly, because of my ideals, the Honda Civic Type R and the Acura Integra Type S were systematically removed from my short list and any further consideration.
Decisions, decisions…
Let’s start with the Subaru WRX Limited! Living in the PNW’s wet and formidable climate, the WRX makes a TON of sense due to its AWD powertrain and rock solid all-weather performance. However, I decided against the Subaru WRX simply because I didn't like the interior appearance, ergonomics and infotainment system. Let’s face it, you spend virtually all of your time inside your vehicle. If there are elements of the vehicle that you find undesirable, living with them on a daily basis is not going to lead to an enjoyable ownership experience.
Hard pass on the WRX.
The Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition. I absolutely love the concept! The ultra aggressive GR Corolla boasts an AWD powertrain delivering 300 HP and 4-door hatchback practicality. It’s unquestionably sporty, fast and fun. It is reasonably priced considering today’s market and amazingly, it has both heated seats and a heated steering wheel! The GR Corolla also comes standard with Toyota’s historic reputation for durability and reliability. Eureka! I’ve found my new commuter!!! Ahhh, no. Well, kinda. 99% of the Toyota dealers in my area are charging criminally insane markups on these vehicles. However, my local Toyota dealer is not. The issue is, however, I’m not the only customer on their waiting list and Toyota is limiting the production of the Circuit Edition to some extent. So, basically, it’s gonna take quite some time before my dealer pulls my name from the hat. I can’t wait that long, I need a vehicle now! It looks like I’ll have to revisit the temptation of the mighty GR Corolla at some point down the road, or whenever my dealer calls.
The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is badass. Heading into my car shopping expedition, the Cadillac was my immediate favorite, regardless of its rational usefulness. It’s wicked fast and super nice inside and out. The transmission and shifter are fantastic! However, the truth is, RWD isn’t going to be a wise choice for commuting during the daunting PNW winter months and purchasing a second set of winter wheels and tires and tire pressure sensors would not only be necessary, but also pretty expensive for this particular Cadillac. Moreover, the CT4-V Blackwing doesn’t get all that great of MPG. So realistically, it truly is not a prudent choice. However, nobody wants to be practical. There’s no fun in that! My fiancée however, didn't appreciate my never ending enthusiasm for the CT4-V Blackwing, or it’s lack of rear seat legroom, or the $70K asking price (I could afford it, but no doubt, it was over the planned budget). That was a huge disappointment! Of course she’s right though. We need a usable backseat and ultimately the Cadillac wasn’t meeting our requirements. Damn!
Moving on….The Hyundai Elantra N!
Plainly speaking, neither of us liked the appearance of the Elantra N. It’s fugly. I didn’t drive it, or give it a second thought. DOA.
I liked the new Honda Civic Si for many reasons. The price. The interior design and appearance and the quality of materials. The comfort and the overall size. It has a wonderful transmission and smooth shifter action (no surprise coming from Honda) and gets great MPG. It’s sporty and has TONS of aftermarket support. On paper, it’s perfect! Sometimes, however, the devil is in the details. My issues began with the local Honda dealers. I didn’t appreciate, nor anticipate the dealer asking prices. I was highly disappointed that I was unable to find a single Civic Si selling for MSRP, even after trying to call in some dealer-to-dealer favors. The Civic Si is without a doubt, in high demand. I totally get it. At that time, ‘ALL’ the cars I was considering, were in incredibly high demand. Regardless, EVERY Honda dealer was taking advantage of the situation and demanding $5K over MSRP for the Civic. With a $5K markup, it made the Civic Si basically the same price as the Acura Integra A-Spec Tech 6MT, which I might mention, is literally, a much nicer and better equipped Honda Civic Si. Ironically, the Acura Integra’s were selling for MSRP in my area. Why in God’s name would I (or any sane, well informed consumer), buy a Civic Si at $5K over MSRP? I’ll just go buy the Integra for the same price! Freaking idiots!
But, I gotta say, to those Honda dealers credit, apparently folks were paying the insane markups. Heavy sigh. Shame on us consumers!
Eventually, I narrowed my search down to three vehicles; the Acura Integra A-Spec Tech 6MT, the Mazda 3 2.5 S Premium 6MT and the Kia Forte GT Manual.
The Acura Integra A-Spec Tech 6MT offered EVERYTHING I was looking for. It had every option and feature, including an optional heated steering wheel! I was throughly impressed with it. It looked great, felt great, drove great. It had all the positive aspects of the Civic Si and then some. But, just like the Civic Si, I knew 200HP wouldn’t be enough power to keep me satisfied and after researching my planned modification path for the Integra, I began to have second thoughts once I started uncovering details about weak OEM clutches, engine rotating assembly cost cutting and weight reduction measures. I discovered several reports of vehicles with blown head gaskets and engines grenading in spectacular fashion; hurtling connecting rods through the sides of the aluminum engine blocks. KABOOM! These particulars were seriously concerning and frankly, should be for anyone looking to modify one of these vehicles. To make matters worse, my closest Acura dealer was over an hour away and although the Integra was very nice, I felt it was a little overpriced at roughly $37K. In the end, I felt the Integra fell short on overall value compared to my other two options.
I’ve previously owned several Mazdas. Six, actually. Three Mazda Miata’s, Two RX7’s and a Mazda 2. I’ve had nothing but positive ownership experiences with each of my Mazda vehicles. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I really like Mazda vehicles and the Mazda car company as a whole.
As I began my car shopping journey, I wasn’t a huge fan of the exterior appearance of the Mazda 3 2.5 S Premium 6MT. It has some really odd angles, shapes and features. I originally wasn’t even going to consider it because of its looks but, sometimes it’s better to see things in person rather than trusting pictures and videos. I’m glad I did. The Mazda 3 was super nice! Yeah, it still has some contentious features and angles but, it really is pleasant, inside and out. The interior is very nice, richly appointed and all the materials are high quality. Even the knobs and switches look and feel great. The level of attention to detail found in the new Mazda 3 usually doesn’t apply to a vehicle in this price range and is most often reserved for much more expensive vehicles. Great job Mazda! The Mazda 3 drove great, handled really well and the shifter was precise with smooth action and positive engagement. The Mazda 3 is playful and satisfying to drive. The entire driving experience reminded me of and felt very much like driving an ND Miata (MX-5) which, is a really good thing! Even the 191 HP naturally aspirated engine felt strong and the car accelerated nicely through the gears. Moreover, I really like Mazda’s non-touchscreen infotainment system. I actually prefer the system’s archaic joystick control knob when compared to modern touchscreen infotainment systems. Mazda’s control arrangement is more intuitive and I don’t have to take my eyes off the road to use it. Huge plus! Sadly though, there isn’t much aftermarket performance support for this particular Mazda 3 model and that was an enormous disappointment. In addition, Mazda wasn’t offering any audacious factory incentives to persuade me to pull the trigger at that moment. You win some, you lose some. That’s how the Mazda 3 2.5 S Premium 6MT became my second choice and my immediate backup to the Forte GT had anything gone wrong with my Kia purchase experience.
The winner!!!
The Kia Forte GT Manual was the biggest surprise of my car shopping experience. We were totally impressed by it! And trust me, I wanted to HATE it. I’ve never owned a Kia before, or any Korean car for that matter. Honestly, I really didn’t want to either. I’m old enough to remember the original P.O.S. Hyundai Excel and my only previous Kia experience was with a Kia Rondo rental car and it was terrible! These cars are cheap for a reason! Right? Regardless of my preconceived automotive prejudices we pushed on.
We really liked the Forte GT’s exterior and interior appearance. We were impressed with the comfort and the interior space. We appreciated all the standard options and features. Plus, during our test drive, it drove exceptionally well. To boot, who could complain about a 10 year manufacturer warranty and of course, the insanely competitive price! There was nothing not to like about it. The Forte GT shocked me to the core! Considering all the other new vehicle options in my repertoire, the Forte GT proved to be an exceptional value, and that accomplishment alone catapulted it to the top of my list and is precisely why I chose the Kia Forte GT Manual. Well done Kia!
Not surprisingly, however, Kia Forte GT’s in my area were also selling for over MSRP. Really? A Kia? Please. Basically ALL the dealers in my region were trying to get away with murder. But, as luck would have it, my dealer was willing to negotiate after realizing I was willing to walk away and buy from a competitor if we couldn’t come to an immediate agreement on price. Once they agreed to sell the vehicle for MSRP (a mutually fair price at the time of purchase) and confirmed the numbers on paper, I gave them a deposit to reserve my new 2023 Steel Gray, Kia Forte GT Manual.
After waiting nearly 4 months, my Forte GT Manual finally arrived. It was certainly worth the delay. I am very happy with my decision.
Mike
My new 2023 Forte GT Manual will be serving as my daily driver, full-time commuter, spirited canyon-carver and an occasional track-day trinket.
So, why a 2023 Kia Forte GT Manual?
My criteria for this particular vehicle purchase was relatively simple; my new vehicle had to be well, new. It had to be sporty, fun to drive, have 4 doors, provide modern tech features, deliver good MPG, offer heated seats and a heated steering wheel (I eventually conceded on the steering wheel) and most importantly, have a traditional manual transmission.
I HAD to have a manual transmission!
In this day and age, there aren't many new vehicles available with a traditional manual transmission, especially one’s with 4 doors. However, I did my research and found all of the applicable options on the market and began my hunt.
I looked at and considered the Honda Civic Si (and Civic Type R), the Acura Integra A-Spec Tech 6MT (and Integra Type S), the Mazda 3 2.5 S Premium, the Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition (I still have one on order but, likely won't see it until late 2024, or 2025, or ever), the Kia Forte GT Manual, the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, the Subaru WRX Limited and the Hyundai Elantra N.
I excluded the Volkswagen Jetta GLI, Golf GTI and the Golf R from consideration based on my prior ownership experiences with the brand.
And, it’s worth mentioning, based on my deep rooted principles and 20 plus years working within the automotive industry, I flat-out refuse to pay ANY amount over MSRP on a new vehicle purchase. Sadly, because of my ideals, the Honda Civic Type R and the Acura Integra Type S were systematically removed from my short list and any further consideration.
Decisions, decisions…
Let’s start with the Subaru WRX Limited! Living in the PNW’s wet and formidable climate, the WRX makes a TON of sense due to its AWD powertrain and rock solid all-weather performance. However, I decided against the Subaru WRX simply because I didn't like the interior appearance, ergonomics and infotainment system. Let’s face it, you spend virtually all of your time inside your vehicle. If there are elements of the vehicle that you find undesirable, living with them on a daily basis is not going to lead to an enjoyable ownership experience.
Hard pass on the WRX.
The Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition. I absolutely love the concept! The ultra aggressive GR Corolla boasts an AWD powertrain delivering 300 HP and 4-door hatchback practicality. It’s unquestionably sporty, fast and fun. It is reasonably priced considering today’s market and amazingly, it has both heated seats and a heated steering wheel! The GR Corolla also comes standard with Toyota’s historic reputation for durability and reliability. Eureka! I’ve found my new commuter!!! Ahhh, no. Well, kinda. 99% of the Toyota dealers in my area are charging criminally insane markups on these vehicles. However, my local Toyota dealer is not. The issue is, however, I’m not the only customer on their waiting list and Toyota is limiting the production of the Circuit Edition to some extent. So, basically, it’s gonna take quite some time before my dealer pulls my name from the hat. I can’t wait that long, I need a vehicle now! It looks like I’ll have to revisit the temptation of the mighty GR Corolla at some point down the road, or whenever my dealer calls.
The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is badass. Heading into my car shopping expedition, the Cadillac was my immediate favorite, regardless of its rational usefulness. It’s wicked fast and super nice inside and out. The transmission and shifter are fantastic! However, the truth is, RWD isn’t going to be a wise choice for commuting during the daunting PNW winter months and purchasing a second set of winter wheels and tires and tire pressure sensors would not only be necessary, but also pretty expensive for this particular Cadillac. Moreover, the CT4-V Blackwing doesn’t get all that great of MPG. So realistically, it truly is not a prudent choice. However, nobody wants to be practical. There’s no fun in that! My fiancée however, didn't appreciate my never ending enthusiasm for the CT4-V Blackwing, or it’s lack of rear seat legroom, or the $70K asking price (I could afford it, but no doubt, it was over the planned budget). That was a huge disappointment! Of course she’s right though. We need a usable backseat and ultimately the Cadillac wasn’t meeting our requirements. Damn!
Moving on….The Hyundai Elantra N!
Plainly speaking, neither of us liked the appearance of the Elantra N. It’s fugly. I didn’t drive it, or give it a second thought. DOA.
I liked the new Honda Civic Si for many reasons. The price. The interior design and appearance and the quality of materials. The comfort and the overall size. It has a wonderful transmission and smooth shifter action (no surprise coming from Honda) and gets great MPG. It’s sporty and has TONS of aftermarket support. On paper, it’s perfect! Sometimes, however, the devil is in the details. My issues began with the local Honda dealers. I didn’t appreciate, nor anticipate the dealer asking prices. I was highly disappointed that I was unable to find a single Civic Si selling for MSRP, even after trying to call in some dealer-to-dealer favors. The Civic Si is without a doubt, in high demand. I totally get it. At that time, ‘ALL’ the cars I was considering, were in incredibly high demand. Regardless, EVERY Honda dealer was taking advantage of the situation and demanding $5K over MSRP for the Civic. With a $5K markup, it made the Civic Si basically the same price as the Acura Integra A-Spec Tech 6MT, which I might mention, is literally, a much nicer and better equipped Honda Civic Si. Ironically, the Acura Integra’s were selling for MSRP in my area. Why in God’s name would I (or any sane, well informed consumer), buy a Civic Si at $5K over MSRP? I’ll just go buy the Integra for the same price! Freaking idiots!
But, I gotta say, to those Honda dealers credit, apparently folks were paying the insane markups. Heavy sigh. Shame on us consumers!
Eventually, I narrowed my search down to three vehicles; the Acura Integra A-Spec Tech 6MT, the Mazda 3 2.5 S Premium 6MT and the Kia Forte GT Manual.
The Acura Integra A-Spec Tech 6MT offered EVERYTHING I was looking for. It had every option and feature, including an optional heated steering wheel! I was throughly impressed with it. It looked great, felt great, drove great. It had all the positive aspects of the Civic Si and then some. But, just like the Civic Si, I knew 200HP wouldn’t be enough power to keep me satisfied and after researching my planned modification path for the Integra, I began to have second thoughts once I started uncovering details about weak OEM clutches, engine rotating assembly cost cutting and weight reduction measures. I discovered several reports of vehicles with blown head gaskets and engines grenading in spectacular fashion; hurtling connecting rods through the sides of the aluminum engine blocks. KABOOM! These particulars were seriously concerning and frankly, should be for anyone looking to modify one of these vehicles. To make matters worse, my closest Acura dealer was over an hour away and although the Integra was very nice, I felt it was a little overpriced at roughly $37K. In the end, I felt the Integra fell short on overall value compared to my other two options.
I’ve previously owned several Mazdas. Six, actually. Three Mazda Miata’s, Two RX7’s and a Mazda 2. I’ve had nothing but positive ownership experiences with each of my Mazda vehicles. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I really like Mazda vehicles and the Mazda car company as a whole.
As I began my car shopping journey, I wasn’t a huge fan of the exterior appearance of the Mazda 3 2.5 S Premium 6MT. It has some really odd angles, shapes and features. I originally wasn’t even going to consider it because of its looks but, sometimes it’s better to see things in person rather than trusting pictures and videos. I’m glad I did. The Mazda 3 was super nice! Yeah, it still has some contentious features and angles but, it really is pleasant, inside and out. The interior is very nice, richly appointed and all the materials are high quality. Even the knobs and switches look and feel great. The level of attention to detail found in the new Mazda 3 usually doesn’t apply to a vehicle in this price range and is most often reserved for much more expensive vehicles. Great job Mazda! The Mazda 3 drove great, handled really well and the shifter was precise with smooth action and positive engagement. The Mazda 3 is playful and satisfying to drive. The entire driving experience reminded me of and felt very much like driving an ND Miata (MX-5) which, is a really good thing! Even the 191 HP naturally aspirated engine felt strong and the car accelerated nicely through the gears. Moreover, I really like Mazda’s non-touchscreen infotainment system. I actually prefer the system’s archaic joystick control knob when compared to modern touchscreen infotainment systems. Mazda’s control arrangement is more intuitive and I don’t have to take my eyes off the road to use it. Huge plus! Sadly though, there isn’t much aftermarket performance support for this particular Mazda 3 model and that was an enormous disappointment. In addition, Mazda wasn’t offering any audacious factory incentives to persuade me to pull the trigger at that moment. You win some, you lose some. That’s how the Mazda 3 2.5 S Premium 6MT became my second choice and my immediate backup to the Forte GT had anything gone wrong with my Kia purchase experience.
The winner!!!
The Kia Forte GT Manual was the biggest surprise of my car shopping experience. We were totally impressed by it! And trust me, I wanted to HATE it. I’ve never owned a Kia before, or any Korean car for that matter. Honestly, I really didn’t want to either. I’m old enough to remember the original P.O.S. Hyundai Excel and my only previous Kia experience was with a Kia Rondo rental car and it was terrible! These cars are cheap for a reason! Right? Regardless of my preconceived automotive prejudices we pushed on.
We really liked the Forte GT’s exterior and interior appearance. We were impressed with the comfort and the interior space. We appreciated all the standard options and features. Plus, during our test drive, it drove exceptionally well. To boot, who could complain about a 10 year manufacturer warranty and of course, the insanely competitive price! There was nothing not to like about it. The Forte GT shocked me to the core! Considering all the other new vehicle options in my repertoire, the Forte GT proved to be an exceptional value, and that accomplishment alone catapulted it to the top of my list and is precisely why I chose the Kia Forte GT Manual. Well done Kia!
Not surprisingly, however, Kia Forte GT’s in my area were also selling for over MSRP. Really? A Kia? Please. Basically ALL the dealers in my region were trying to get away with murder. But, as luck would have it, my dealer was willing to negotiate after realizing I was willing to walk away and buy from a competitor if we couldn’t come to an immediate agreement on price. Once they agreed to sell the vehicle for MSRP (a mutually fair price at the time of purchase) and confirmed the numbers on paper, I gave them a deposit to reserve my new 2023 Steel Gray, Kia Forte GT Manual.
After waiting nearly 4 months, my Forte GT Manual finally arrived. It was certainly worth the delay. I am very happy with my decision.
Mike
