[David Scott]

I went with the SX and I'm glad I did. Heated steering is nice. But what I really most appreciate, and never thought I would, is the push button start. It's sooooo nice to just walk up to the car, open the door, and drive away, without ever having to reach for the key fob. The 17's give the car a better overall look too. For me, the difference in price between the EX and the SX is worth it. In the long run I knew that if I had decided to "cheap out" for lack of a better term, I would have been sorry for it later.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Also, having a loaded car is easier to sell in the used market than a base model. If you are on the used car market and have, say, $10k to spend are you going to buy a base model car or one that is a year or two older with all the bells and whistles?

 

[rroyce46]

willywidget &vagabond142, I am in Calgary too. I pondered the EX vs SX when my car came in after waiting 4 months. I could have bought a 2012 EX UVO for $3500 less than my 2013 SX UVO due to KIA incentives on 2012.I went with the SX & have never regretted it. Adding to Marleyfan61s great comments I also really like the Auto Climate Control & the Automatic Heated Driver's Seat.The ride isn't great on bumps but all models of Rio have this problem.My only real issues are persistent dash rattle (Dealer fixed once but came back). Other pain is the ridiculously low Passengers Seat.Other than these issues I love this car

 

[willywidget]

I thought the lower passenger seat would be a concern. I certainly notice it when I sit passenger. However I've only received comments on it followed by wow there is a lot of room for such a small car.

 

[Vagabond142]

A lot of my friends are tall, so a lower passenger seat might be a bonus!

 

[willywidget]

A lot of my friends are tall, so a lower passenger seat might be a bonus!

Same here, I am 6.1'. Most of my friends are between 6.1' to 6.8' at the far end. Definitely lots of leg room but you do notice how low it is when you initially sit on that side. Next time you're at the dealership, sit on the passenger side.

As a side note and recommendation to everyone, make sure to sit in all of the seating locations when buying a new car. Trust me; it helps to know what it's like to sit on the passenger side and in the back (driver and passenger sides). Sometimes the weird 60/40 split can create a different experience. I am a big guy and sometimes sitting on the passenger side rear seat, the 40 split, can be a little uncomfortable on the back. It also helps you to detect possible defects on the interior at the point of purchase.

 

[flem]

I love my SX. The 2 things I want most was Leather and automatic climate control, and nothing to complain over here. I have to say that the automatic climate is really good, better than the one in my Acura CSX. The automatic seat heater for driver is also a good feature. The ride is firm but I love it in curve !

 

[Vagabond142]

So, I went down to Kia on Saturday and took out three cars for a test: Forte 5, Rio 5, Forte Koup.

-Loved the power of the Koup, although it did feel a little twitchy in cornering, like it almost didn't know if it wanted to step the back end out or not (granted, Saturday here was icy and a little snowy). Also, as it was the SX model, I kept bumping my head on the headliner (I am very tall in the torso), even with the seat reclined beyond comfortable.

-The Forte 5 (the 158 HP model) felt a lot more balanced and neutral, tracked well. No sunroof = looooooooads of headroom. Nice and spacious, although there is a whiff of "last generation" about the interior (same as with the Koup).

-The Rio5 (SX model) felt peppy and the 6MT was very well suited for city traffic, although finding third was a bit of a chore the first few shifts, the gating is very vague 2->3, although I assume that one gets used to it over time. 4->5 was nice and snappy. The ride was compliant, however over some of the cracks and bumps in our major roadway (those that live here: Deerfoot), it was a little jarring. Not like being kicked in the rump with a steel toed boot, but enough to go "hmmm, could I live with this for longer distance trips."

So, of the three, I think the Rio 5 is still my best bet Still on the SX/EX fence though... the EX 6AT I tested before was nice and comfortable, but didn't have the front end confidence and "scrabbly let's go let's go" feeling the SX does when entering a corner.

 

[rroyce46]

vagabond142 Which dealer are you dealing with? Have a friend who is a dealer principal @ one of the Calgary Dealers .LMK? Thanks Terry

 

[Vagabond142]

I haven't decided on dealer yet, but I'm fairly sure I will be going through Eastside Kia. Kia City just gives off a bit of a "Greasy dealer" vibe, especially as one sales guy has called me back about 13 times "So, ready to buy a Rio yet?" "No, I told you, I'm buying in April, stop calling me"

My roomy bought his Optima through Eastside and has recommended me a salesperson to go through, and he works in internet sales and marketing, so when he likes a salesperson, I put a LOT of faith in his recommendations

 

[willywidget]

I didn't know any better and did some research and ended up going with Kia City myself. I actually found the whole process actually very pleasant. They we easy to negotiate with and my sales person was awesome. I have friend who works for Kia in B.C. and the employee/family discount is not much better than what I negotiated for myself. I had some practice too, having negotiated my Fiancee's Fiesta the year before. Definitely go in prepared. I still have some unused car-cost reports on my account, PM me and I will create one for you. It came in very handy.

 

[conwelpic]

-The Rio5 (SX model) felt peppy and the 6MT was very well suited for city traffic, although finding third was a bit of a chore the first few shifts, the gating is very vague 2->3, although I assume that one gets used to it over time. 4->5 was nice and snappy. The ride was compliant, however over some of the cracks and bumps in our major roadway (those that live here: Deerfoot), it was a little jarring. Not like being kicked in the rump with a steel toed boot, but enough to go "hmmm, could I live with this for longer distance trips."

just as a tip, if you drive one again, just confirm the tire pressure is correct, as it appears that it is very common for many dealers not to check this when they PDI the vehicle and leave in the very high pressure setting that the factory has for shipping the vehicle overseas.

I guess you know that there is a whole new Forte, Forte 5 and Forte Koup coming out this year which is vast difference over the current model.

 

[Vagabond142]

Yes, I know about the new Forte's.... and the fact that they are at least half a year from even being able to be ordered, and the Koup is going to be waitlisted to hell and back. And honestly, I'm a small car kinda guy (not like an iQ or SMART small, but Rio5 small ).

The fact of the matter is I bought my 626 last year as a "survival car." It was never meant to last more than a few months, and here i am over a half a year into ownership and it's dying fast. I've been researching for a while now... I was sold on a Genesis Coupe 2.0T from 2010 until I read that their turbos liked to explode... then I researched and was happy looking at a Ford Focus, until I read that their gearboxes liked to... explode. (And to get equivalent of a Rio5 EX's equipment level, you need to spec up to $25k or better).

And then there's the Rio5, with the biggest complaint I've seen being that the dashboard creaks when it's a little nippy out. I can live with that XD

 

[Racineur]

Yes, I know about the new Forte's.... and the fact that they are at least half a year from even being able to be ordered, and the Koup is going to be waitlisted to hell and back. And honestly, I'm a small car kinda guy (not like an iQ or SMART small, but Rio5 small ).

And then there's the Rio5, with the biggest complaint I've seen being that the dashboard creaks when it's a little nippy out. I can live with that XD

Vagabond, you'll be happy with the Rio 5. The way you talk about it makes me say this is the car you want. You're a wise shopper though: you went through all the other makes and models that were attractive to you and you seem to come back to the Rio. As for creaks, some have them loud, some less than others like me. My Ex Sedan has some creaks and I hear them cause I drive windows up and listen mostly to talk radio. I guess when you play music loud, the creaks fade away. And those creaks blend with every other inside and outside noise. Don't let that shy away from a transaction but if I may, speak with your salesman truthfully about your apprehensions. Just to make sure he will know and remember when -the car bought- you come back fro service. Now tell me: which trim you'll go for, color, Auto or Speed.

For the new Forte: it's a 2015-2016 car to get. I have me eyes on it...Love my small Tanzanite beauty but the new Forte...

 

[Vagabond142]

I'm with you there, Racineur. I actually never buy in to the first release of anything (except some video games), such as my buying a PS3 slim instead of a PS3 fat, mostly because of the price drop and by then, they had figured out most of the overheating problems.

So I won't be buying a 2014 Forte, but a 2013 Rio is already 2+ years into model life, meaning a lot of the "bugs" should be worked out by now

 

[Vagabond142]

As to what I would like (responding to Racineur):

-Manual (still on the fence about the auto as I am not in that much stop n go traffic and I do so love a manual)
-Blue (depending on if I like it in person) otherwise White or Silver
-SX trim (hey, why not, $2.5k extra for a LOT of extras, and leather lasts longer than cloth if you take care of it)

 

[Racineur]

Hi Vagabond42. Go for the SX trim. One year later and after daily use of the car, I can say I should have gone for the SX. Was not a bad decision to buy EX trim but the difference in price was (and is) not so big that you don't go for it. I have no regrets at all but I don't save that many of my precious hard earned dollars on the monthly payment. Manual or auto, I think there's no big difference in the FE department. A matter of own's taste. Color: I've had dark colored cars for 20 years+. The only EX available at the time were black, white, silver, Tanzanite blue midnight blue and red. Chose the body color you'll be happy people see you on the road. Tell us when you intend to make the transaction. Happy for you.

 

[Vagabond142]

I will be buying, at the latest, April 19. So I will very likely take Willy up on his offer of a car-price sheet sometime in early April d(^^ d)

 

[RHuckster]

I luv my 2013 Rio5 SX, auto, premium package. I would'nt take any less when I bought mine. The dealer had to go to ther dealer to get the car in the color & package I wanted. I talked to several salesman & they had never seen the 13 Rio 5 with auto, premium package in red. When I bought mine there was only 4 in southern calif. in the SX, auto & premium.

Rick

 

[Vagabond142]

Looks like I'm going in to buy next weekend! My 626 is making some wholly unnatural noises Need a new car pronto

 

[Vagabond142]

Annnnnnnd I now have a Kia

I ended up getting a 2013 Kia Rio 5 EX Auto in white. Why not the SX? Because I drove them back to back, and the EX has all I need and want, and the SX, even when I had them pressurize the front wheels correctly, still crashed and jarred on Deerfoot over the bumps and such, while the EX was a much more comfortable, manageable ride. While the SX was "Rah rah extra stuff!" I realized that it wasn't for me, and buying a car is a very personal decision that has to be done with the butt dyno telling you which car will be more liveable in the long run, which for me is the EX.

I ended up negotiating to be right on dealership MSRP ($19,700) after taxes, value adds, and fees. HOWEVER, I have all maintenance/oil changes up to the $500 service included, and I have the "Alberta Climate Treatment" which is underbody and paint sealant spray included. I did opt for the Kia Protect package as well, as my roommate's ordeal with an Optima windshield replacement (over $1000 for the GLASS alone) make that deal worth it in one go.

I pick her up on Saturday.

Also, why auto? Because the only manuals in CANADA are LX's, and I can't wait 16 weeks for the 2014 models... plus, the auto shifts at points where I would shift with a manual, so meh, I'm over 30, I can claim to be old and weak and feeble and such