Latest news with #KiaForte
Toronto Star
02-08-2025
- Automotive
- Toronto Star
Sensible commuter cars you can buy today for less than $10,000
Somewhere there's a Porsche 911 adorned with a bumper sticker that reads: 'My other car is a Kia Forte.' Just kidding. Inexpensive cars rarely get our attention and adoration. Owners don't really boast about them, and they're often parked on the street, not in a choice spot on the driveway.
Hamilton Spectator
02-08-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Sensible commuter cars you can buy today for less than $10,000
Somewhere there's a Porsche 911 adorned with a bumper sticker that reads: 'My other car is a Kia Forte.' Just kidding. Inexpensive cars rarely get our attention and adoration. Owners don't really boast about them, and they're often parked on the street, not in a choice spot on the driveway. But times are changing. Given the present economic uncertainty, consumers are thinking twice about big expenditures. New cars continue to sell, albeit at a slower pace. The market is losing momentum after a strong start to the year, wrote Andrew King, managing partner of DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, in a business update. For those that need a durable car to get to work — hey, the office mandate is real — buying used makes infinite sense right now. But popular cars are pricey: a 2014 Toyota Corolla can still fetch $15,000 on used-car lots (not far off the base sticker price 11 years ago). There are sensible commuter cars you can buy today for less than $10,000. They may have high mileage — cars today can easily attain 350,000 km and more — yet these vehicles deliver reliability and bang-for-the-buck in spades. Here are our picks: 2011-15 Scion xB: Remember Scion? It was Toyota's hipster brand for disaffected millennials who had a licence, but didn't know what to drive. Scion didn't come to Canada until 2011. When it did, it was offering a lineup of tidy front-drive econoboxes with unconventional styling, draped over reliable Toyota drivetrains that power Corollas and Camrys. One of the best buys is the Scion xB with a design inspired by the toaster in your kitchen. Its boxy profile provides an astonishing amount of room for a wagon that's easy to drive and park. The high roofline yields excellent headroom front and back, and rear-seat passengers aren't relegated to a cramped penalty box. The xB is powered by the same 158-horsepower, 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engine found in the Camry, mated to either a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic. Fuel economy is not quite miserly, but the ride is decent and the steering is accurate. Other Scion models to consider: the subcompact xD with its Corolla mechanicals and the sporty tC coupe. They're thin on the ground, but all are worthy finds. 2014-15 Mazda 3: Redesigned for 2014, the Mazda 3 is a driver's car that is well above the econobox class and sells for a considerable discount compared to the Honda Civic. Available as a four-door sedan and five-door hatchback, the Mazda 3 is a sporty little number that delivers a lot of satisfaction, although the well-appointed cabin does feel a little claustrophobic. There are two engines to choose from: a 155-hp, 2.0-L four cylinder, or a 184-hp, 2.5-L four working through a manual or automatic transmission, both with six gears. Its all-new chassis and suspension provided a more refined, substantial ride without making the 3 feel any less athletic during quick drives on back roads. Reliability is very good. The most common complaint has to do with fast-wearing brakes, which isn't helped by a rust issue that's involved a recall. Infotainment displays may malfunction and reboot often, and software updates don't always restore order. There are complaints about easily chipped paint and windshields, and air-conditioners that check out early. 2009-2013 Acura TSX: Smaller and sportier than the American-scaled Honda Accord, Acura's TSX features an upscale interior, lots of standard gear and, with its Euro-spec suspension, lively road manners. Its agile handling recalls one of the best front-wheel-drive cars ever made, the Honda Prelude, and the TSX is one Japanese car that's actually assembled in Japan. Honda's K-series 201-hp, 2.4-L, four-cylinder engine loves to rev, yet it avoids gas stations. The slick six-speed manual gearbox is one of the best on the market, and there's a five-speed automatic available, too. In response to complaints that the TSX's four-cylinder was short of torque, Acura made its 280-hp, 3.5-L V6 engine available starting in 2010, coupled exclusively with the automatic transmission. Craving durability? Consider that the TSX achieved Consumer Reports' highest possible reliability rating every year between 2009 and 2014. The few mechanical complaints mention malfunctioning power-steering units, short-lived brake pads and batteries and blown stereo speakers. Do inspect for rust along the rocker panels! 2010-11 Honda CR-V: We'd be remiss if we didn't include a couple of crossover SUVs, especially the immensely popular Honda's CR-V. Unfortunately, we have to go back to 2010 to find a used CR-V that meets our intended budget. Regardless of the model year, every CR-V has a roomy, inviting cabin that can coddle five occupants with its tall seating and great sightlines. The 2010 and '11 models feature a revised 2.4-L, four-cylinder engine making 180 hp and 161 pounds-feet of torque — a welcome improvement. A five-speed automatic and front-wheel drive were standard, while all-wheel drive was a popular option. The CR-V sets itself apart with nimble handling, sharp steering and effective braking performance. If there's a downside, wind and road noise can be intrusive. The CR-V is the epitome of reliability. Don't shy away from high-mileage examples (but remember to inspect before you buy)! The AWD rear differential can become noisy or fail outright, so look for evidence that regular maintenance was done. The air-conditioning compressor is also fragile, and door locks may malfunction. 2011-14 Mitsubishi RVR: Addicted to extreme couponing, Mitsubishi Motors has a habit of creating new products on a shoestring budget. It took its Outlander sport-ute and trimmed 37 centimetres of sheet metal and 180 kg of mass to create the RVR crossover. It recycled the Lancer's 2.0-L, DOHC, four-cylinder, rated at 148 hp, mated to a five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable (CVT) automatic. The base model was front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive came bundled with the CVT. The RVR is a value-packed and reliable buy — as long as you're not in a hurry to get anywhere. Two litres is not enough motor to move the RVR with much authority, although owners praised its relaxed ride, precise steering, quiet operation and AWD traction. Later models offered a larger 168-hp, 2.4-L, four-banger as an option. Best of all, there are scant mechanical lapses. The most common are a finicky tire-pressure-monitoring system, as well as faulty oxygen sensors and premature brake wear. The front lower control arms can corrode; dealers will inspect the cross members and either apply a sealing anti-corrosion agent or replace the components. The best thing about buying a well-used vehicle? It comes pre-scratched and sometimes pre-dinged. Liberated from the fear of the first blemish, you can enjoy ownership of your new second-hand car.
CTV News
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Two vehicles stopped for racing on highway in Antigonish, N.S.
An RCMP collar tab pin is seen in Edmonton, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Two racing vehicles were stopped on Highway 104 in Antigonish, N.S. RCMP Northeast Traffic Services and Antigonish County District RCMP stopped a Toyota Corolla and Kia Forte as they raced around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Police say the cars reached speeds of 181 km/h. The traffic stops were a result of officers conducting speed enforcement patrols between Beaver Mountain and Antigonish, a release from the RCMP said. A 46-year-old woman and 20-year-old woman, both from Heatherton, were issued tickets resulting in a fine of $2422.20. Their drivers' licenses were seized for seven days and their vehicles impounded for seven days. 'Speed is one of the major causes of serious injury and fatal collisions on our roads. Road safety is a priority for the RCMP and drivers are reminded to make it their priority as well,' the release said. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
San Francisco Chronicle
16-06-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
S.F. coffee scion who tried to run for mayor arrested in bizarre incident — accused of ramming Tesla guard
A Bay Area entrepreneur, photographer, aspiring politician and heir to a historic San Francisco coffee company fortune chased down a Tesla security guard in a Land Rover, rammed another occupied car and fled from Fremont police in a bizarre incident last Thursday, authorities allege. Austin Hills, 45, is charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of evading an officer in connection with the alleged attack, according to Alameda County Superior Court records. At the time of his arrest, he allegedly had items including a pressure cooker, a gas mask, a drone and ammunition in his SUV. Hills, who has lived in San Francisco and Napa and according to court records suffers from bipolar disorder, had aspirations to run for San Francisco mayor last year and district attorney in 2022, despite not being a lawyer. While he took the initial steps to compete in both races, he did not appear on the ballot for either contest. Hills' great-grandfather and great-uncle founded Hills Bros. Coffee in the late 1800s, selling coffee at a shop on Harrison Street. Nestle, Sara Lee and eventually Massimo Zanetti purchased the company as it expanded nationwide. The prominent Hills Bros. Coffee sign can be seen along the Embarcadero waterfront. A Tesla security employee told Fremont police that he was taking his lunch break in a blue Tesla Model X around 3:15 a.m. last Thursday when a man driving a Land Rover 'made an unusual hand gesture,' then began to tailgate him, according to a probable cause declaration underlying the charges. The Land Rover driver, who police later identified as Hills, allegedly turned off his headlights and repeatedly tried to rear-end the Tesla 'at high speeds,' records show. The security guard said he drove to the Tesla warehouse on Page Avenue, where Hills pursued him into the parking lot, trying to ram and cut off the other car. Hills then allegedly rammed a parked and occupied Kia Forte on Page Avenue three times before fleeing onto Kato Road, where Fremont police located him. Authorities said Hills, wearing glasses and a grey sport jacket, ignored the officers and fled onto Interstate 680. Police authorized a pursuit but lost sight of the Land Rover after it turned off its lights and 'began driving erratically at a high rate of speed,' according to court records. Napa officers arrested Hills around 7:20 a.m. the same morning at Napa police headquarters, according to court records, before Fremont police took custody of him and his Land Rover. Investigators found multiple cell phones, laptops, a metal pressure cooker, a gas mask, a drone, 'extended shell casings,' gas cans and alcohol in the Land Rover, according to court records. According to the investigators, Hills admitted he was the driver of the Land Rover, but claimed the Tesla driver was driving erratically and that he collided with another vehicle that blocked him in. Police said Hills told investigators he had no recollection of ramming any other vehicles or fleeing from police, attributing his lack of memory to 'stress.' Police said he 'showed no remorse for his actions,' according to records. Hills was being held at Santa Rita Jail. He was scheduled to be arraigned Monday. A Facebook page for Hills describes him as the owner of San Francisco Supercars, an enterprise he founded in 2009 to 'share his love for cars with all,' by renting out rare 'exotic' sports cars, according to the company's Yelp page. A home address listed for Hills in court records is for Dos Colinas Events, a wedding venue in Napa wine country. Hills is the eldest son of Austin E. Hills, a San Francisco socialite and the co-founder and chairman of the board of Grgich Hills Estate, a family-owned winery in Napa Valley. 'He has a checkered employment history, having been unemployed far longer than employed throughout his adult life,' his father wrote in a 2020 court filing. Last week, San Francisco transportation officials towed away a Tesla registered to the Austin Edward Hills Trust that had been abandoned at Alta Plaza Park. Who parked the car there, and why, remained a mystery as of Monday. No one answered the doorbell at a Pacific Heights residence associated with the younger Austin Hills on Monday afternoon, a 9-bedroom, 9.5-bath home across the street from the section of the park where the blue Model S Tesla was found parked. Hills' neighbors declined to comment. Hills has an 'extensive and violent criminal history' that has included arrests on suspicion of arson, assault with a deadly weapon and firearms-related violations, Alameda County prosecutors said in court records. Court records show Hills has 11 criminal cases in San Francisco stemming from arrests spanning from 2009 through last summer. His most recent case, from July 2024, was referred to mental health diversion. Hills also has a long history of trying to run for office. In 2016, he wrote on Facebook, 'DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER TO VOTE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. I AM OFFICIALLY REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AS AN INDEPENDENT WRITE IN CANDIDATE!!!!'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
‘Tragic loss': Community mourns 8-year-old girl killed in head-on crash
A school in Burke County is taking donations for the family of an 8-year-old who was killed in a head-on crash along Highway 70 on Sunday. State troopers told Channel 9's Dave Faherty the girl's father, Jacob Ferguson, is still in the hospital in critical condition. ALSO READ >> 8-year-old killed in Burke County crash Community members have left stuffed animals and flowers for the family of the young girl. The little girls school, New Dimensions, posted about the 'tragic loss' and that they'll be taking up donations for the family. Faherty learned that other businesses in Burke County also plan on taking up donations for the family. Tommy Carpenter, a pastor who lives nearby, told Channel 9 that he watched the girls grow up, playing in the yard, and prays for the family. The accident happened after a pickup truck crossed the center line striking a Kia Forte with the father and daughter inside, officials said. Investigators believe impairment was a contributing factor in the crash, and charges are pending against the driver of that truck. VIDEO: 'Just unreal': Country music star, non-profit gift house to family who lost home in Helene
