Once I’m done commuting I will no longer need a small car. Nothing will be taking its place.

 

My current replacement list, however no plans for at least 7 years to replace.

K4 Hatch (sedan is fugly)
Elantra
New Prius
Corolla

 

I wouldn't buy any new vehicles that have:

▪︎Battery located anywhere else than in the engine bay/under the hood. IDGAF if it's for weight distribution, allow other parts space, makes it easier for engineers & auto manufacturers & accounts dept.

▪︎Any OEM/factory stereo is 100% integrated to vehicle therefore if it delaminates, splits, breaks, malfunctions, cuts off, looses connections demands updates even for basic use.

▪︎Any today's modern vehicles that require/demands software updates for headlights, steering, suspension, exhaust, fuel,cooling, braking, stereo, HVAC, seat belts/airbags/SRS, transmission, engine, windshield/cameras/lane assist, rear view mirror update, side mirrors updates, forward crash/collision, backup.

Any pos planned obsolescence made vehicles

I want to own & drive a car, not a damn cellphone/laptop.

 

Not aware of any new vehicles that don't have at least some of these things.

 

Forgot to add, electronic "E brake". Means more sh!t that breaks & more expensive to repair.

I like my 07 Scion TC 2.4L, 2010 Forte Koup, 2011 JGC. Yes there's computerization in them but alot better than today's modern laptop's with wheels.

 

Next vehicles planned:
Elantra N
F-250
80s and older truck for the wife

 

Elantrra N here as well most likely.

First have to replace wife's 2006 Eddie Bauer Explorer though, so a few more years on that. Let's hope they (Hyundai) don't get too stupid with any changes like KIA did on the K4.

 

We have one Forte left, a 2022 GT-line. Her plans are to replace it with a 2026 or 2027 Santa Fe now that they went back to the traditional 8spd auto (no DCT) combined with a nice 2.5 turbo awd powertrain.

Our other Forte's were all replaced already with two 2025 Sorento S awd and a 2025 Seltos X-line awd. We do not miss the dct or 6spd transmission in the Forte GT. The GT was otherwise a ton of fun and the 40-50mpg on our LXS models was amazing.

 

Maybe with a mid 2000's Dodge Grand Caravan. I need something easy for my wife and daughter to get in and out of and I'm a Mopar man at heart. However, I MIGHT consider a Seltos or Sorento if I could find what I consider a good deal. After all, I have 182,000+ miles on this Forte and it's been the best new vehicle I've ever purchased.

 

I'm not getting rid of mine. 124k miles and 6 years old (bought my 2020 in 2019). In another 6 i'll be at 240 and I can make it there I think.

My next vehicle will most likely be a truck to tow with so I can get a camper.

 

This article sums up why small ICE sedans still offer the lowest cost per mile when used as a commuter car. They even beat out hybrids. Driving Costs Got Cheaper But It’s Not All Good News | Carscoops

 

If it weren't for the "cash for clunkers" program, I'd still be looking for cheap 90s vehicles.

 

It did what it was designed for. To take & remove reliable, dependable long lasting vehicles off the .market to make space for planned obsolescence laptops with wheels.

 

My Forte is at 132k miles. I pray to the Gods it lasts at least 250k miles. If I have to pay cash or finance a new vehicle in the next 3 years, I will never pay off my medical debt that I have. This car staying reliable for at least another 3 or 4 years will determine our financial success in the near future. A lot is riding on me keeping this car going for another 100k miles.

 

My last 3 Kia/Hyundai vehicles (2003 Tiburon, 2004 Tiburon, 2010 Forte Koup SX) were all still running GREAT at 200k miles. The only reason I had to get rid of them was because they were rusting out. Also had a 2000 Accent and 2013 Sportage that were running great at 200k miles too.

I replaced my 2010 Forte Koup SX with a 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T Love it. Got it last year with 43,000 miles.

 

Our '16 Forte has 122k miles now. Still going strong. Its only downside is we have some difficulty crawling out of it (it's LOW). We would like a (small) car which has seating that's higher off the ground, if we replaced the Forte.

I really dread looking for another car.
We think touch-screen panels are stupid.
Don't want a CVT. Nor turbo. Nor GDI. Don't need or want 4wd.

Maybe a Lexus RX?
Small Soobie? Though its CVT and head gasket failures are negatives.
A small Honda?
Certainly something Asian. Never German or U.S.

[I was lucky with our Forte. Solid 1.8 motor, lovely 6-speed A/T, good MPG]

 

I replaced my 21 GT with a 25 Soul GT Line. I drove such short trips I found the GT felt wasted around town. I would have considered a K4 if it wasn’t so fugly.

 

Mine will either be a Toyota or Honda. If Toyota, either a Camry or Rav4 and if Honda, Civic or CR-V. My Forte has been great for the long trips to and from work.

 

I wonder if there's a hyundai equivalent to the forte

 

Yeah it's called an Elantra. The 3rd generation Forte was on the previous generation Elantra platform. K4 now shares same platform as the current generation Elantra for about another year. 2017 will be new platform / generation Elantra. Kia is always a platform behind at least with their compacts.

 

Running these older platforms generally improves Kia's reliability over Hyundai's.

 

No cvt or turbo for me. A 4 cyl and 6 or 8 speed automatic is best for me mileage and longevity

 

CVT's from the last five years don't really have many issues. Even the JATCO units Nissan uses are ok now.

 

cvt reminds me of driving a snowmobile the roar of the cvt when you pass a slow driver I experienced it on my wife's Nissan. Non turbo 4 cyl automatic with more speeds shifting is better for me.

 

The average car owner trades vehicles about every seven years. For Forte owners who bought their BD model in 2019, that seven year mark is coming up next year.

You can't buy a new Forte as that model was discontinued last year.

So, if you were to trade, would you go for a Kia K4, its corporate sister the Elantra, or another compact car?

Maybe a popular compact SUV? Pickup truck? Or even something electric?

Since Kia no longer manufactures cars with manual transmissions, it will probably be a Subaru WRX with a manual transmission, though I intend to keep my 2023 Forte GT 6M as long as I can.

 

I have heard nice things about the Genesis G70. I think I will look at one of those .

 

Honda Civic SI or Acura Integra, both are still available with a stick. Really sad that Kia dropped that option, I love my Forte GT.

 

I'm currently eye balling the future and I'm thinking a 3-4 year old used Genesis GV80 Coupe with 30k miles is what I want. Perfect 2 row for me and the wife and our 2 dogs. It can tow 6k so I can a medium size camper to haul every now and again, and its luxury so it can double as my "arrival car" for outings to friends events and a weekend car. I'm hoping they face lift it and apple carplay ultra is in the facelift.

I am super intrigued by the e-supercharger.

 

There is always hope that the next refresh of the Kia K4, 5 or 6 years from now, will look better...

Sales of the K4 are really good right now - we'll see what happens as years go by.

 

My two next's that I want is Highway driving assist level 3 and carplay ultra.