Kia Optima Video Review -- Edmunds.com

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We really appreciate this awesome review. Thank you Dan!

In all honesty, if you asked me a couple months ago I probably wouldn t be favorable but as I get in my car every day I am thankful that they had it in stock, exactly what I was looking for. There were some bumps in the road (no pun intended) during the purchase process, the original sales guy wasn t the greatest help at all, but we did get to meet with another man who was excellent! He made sure we understood EVERY thing we needed to know about the car and any benefits they offer. Yes, I would probably shop here again, and I do appreciate that they did what they could to make things right.- Dan

Entry-level owners won't be settling with 2012 Kia Rio

Courtesy of Chicago Tribune

Kia's entry-level Rio was, not that long ago, a settle-for car that was an alternative to a new car, but not exactly the ride of anyone's dreams. Plucky but anonymous-looking, the Rio served as an adequate placeholder until its owners could afford something more substantial.

That changed with the 2012 model, when the Rio grew, got pretty and became a car most of us could live with for quite a while. The Rio is five inches longer than it was in 2011, with 28 more horsepower. I spent about 600 miles with the Rio on several hundred-mile trips, and while I never felt I was basking in luxury, the Rio was very good company.

While the Rio starts at under $15,000, this particular Rio was a well-equipped SX model with a level of equipment that the smallest car in the lineup might never have previouslyenjoyed. There was leather upholstery — OK, not Jaguar-like leather, but leather nonetheless — a sliding glass sunroof, heated front seats and mirrors, cruise control, push-button start, a navigation system, Sirius satellite radio, fog lights, and a tilting and telescoping steering wheel. Safety features included a color rear-view camera, electronic stability control, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction control and side- and side-curtain airbags.

The inside looked upscale and felt comfortable, though the front bucket seats needed a little more support. Two adults fit in the rear seat if they aren't too long-legged, but three is a stretch. Trunk space is generous, with 13.7 cubic feet of room. The sound system was a good one, and the satellite radio was easy to access and tune.

Outside, the designers really outdid themselves on our "signal red" SX. The car had LED positioning lights and taillights, 205/45R-17-inch tires with very pretty alloy wheels and the general profile of a more expensive car — a Volkswagen Jetta came to mind.

On the road, the little direct-injected four-cylinder worked well with the six-speed automatic transmission — another rarity at this price range — as they tried hard to maximize acceleration when needed, but use as little gas as possible in the process. That caused the transmission to shift up a little quickly to lower revs, but it was only annoying, not a deal breaker. That said, the EPA-rated 40 mpg on the highway was simply not attainable in our test car, even driven very gently, but it did manage a 35.7-mpg average on regular gas. A six-speed manual transmission is also offered, and is EPA-rated at the same 30/40 mpg.

The sport-tuned suspension and fat, low-profile tires made the ride on rough roads a little jittery, but above-average cornering ability more than made up for it. The Rio's ride was never uncomfortable, and on par with anything else in the class. I was not a fan of the feel of the electric-boosted power steering — sure, it saves gas over hydraulic units, but other companies, like Honda, have done a better job in tuning out the video-game feel.

The Rio was new for 2012, and there are no substantial changes for 2013.

Our SX was the top-of-the-line Rio, but if you don't need a color back-up camera or leather seats, you can save quite a bit of money by opting for the LX or EX models. You can also save $1,100 by foregoing the automatic transmission.

Kia has done an amazingly good job of upping the little Rio's game, moving the entry-level model into a class of car that stands on its own. Honest consumers will have to decide if they really need something larger and more expensive, like the Kia Forte or even an Optima — one reason why Kia may be the hottest car company in the business right now.

Get a great deal on a Kia Forte EX for only $18,475

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Importance of Oil Changes

Courtesy of Ehow

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Oil changes are an important part of a regular vehicle maintenance program. Engine oil is responsible for carrying out a number of important engine-related duties, and regular oil changes ensure that a vehicle has a constant supply of clean, fresh oil.

 

1. Reduce Engine Friction

   • As oil ages and becomes dirty, it loses its friction-reducing capabilities, which increases wear within an engine. Changing oil regularly ensures that engine friction is kept at a minimum by replacing old, degraded oil with new, clean oil.

   Reduce Engine Operating Temperatures

   • By helping to reduce engine friction, engine oil naturally results in a decrease in engine operating temperatures. Regular oil changes ensure that a vehicle's engine has a steady supply of clean engine oil that is better able to flow and absorb engine-related heat, which reduces engine operating temperatures.

   Increase Engine Lubrication

   • Proper engine lubrication is vital to ensure the health and longevity of a vehicle's engine; all internal engine parts require a thick coating of oil to function properly.

   Remove Engine Sludge

   • Regular oil changes help to prevent engine sludge from forming and help to remove sludge from a vehicle's engine once it has formed.

   Remove Engine Wear Particles

   • Engine wear particles develop naturally as the result of normal engine operation. Small pieces of metal flake off from engine mechanical parts and get picked up by circulating engine oil. Old engine oil can get overloaded with wear particulate and cause excessive wear particles to build up within an engine and cause damage.

 

Has it been a while since your car has had a tune-up? Check out these easy car safety tips in this video.

How Old — and Dangerous — Are Your Tires?

Courtesy of Edmunds

In February 2008, the owner of a 1998 Ford Explorer in Georgia needed a new tire for his SUV and ended up buying a used one. When he was driving two weeks later, the tread suddenly separated from the tire. The Explorer went out of control and hit a motorcycle, killing its rider. An analysis of the used tire revealed that it was nearly 10 years old.

The incident illustrates not only the potential danger of buying a used tire but also the perils of aging tires — including those that have never spent a day on the road.

For years, people have relied on a tire's tread depth to determine its condition. But the rubber compounds in a tire deteriorate with time, regardless of the condition of the tread. An old tire poses a safety hazard.

For some people, old tires might never be an issue. If you drive a typical number of miles — 12,000-15,000 miles annually — a tire's tread will wear out in three to four years, long before the rubber compound does. But if you only drive 6,000 miles a year, or have a car that you only drive on weekends, aging tires could be an issue. The age warning also applies to spare tires and "new" tires that have never been used but are old.

What Happens to a Tire as It Ages?
Sean Kane, president of Safety Research & Strategies, Inc., compares an aging tire to an old rubber band. "If you take a rubber band that's been sitting around a long time and stretch it, you will start to see cracks in the rubber," says Kane, whose organization is involved in research, analysis and advocacy on safety matters for the public and clients including attorneys, engineering firms, supplier companies, media and government.

That's essentially what happens to a tire that's put on a vehicle and driven. Cracks in the rubber begin to develop over time. They may appear on the surface and inside the tire as well. This cracking can eventually cause the steel belts in the tread to separate from the rest of the tire. An animation on the Safety Research & Strategies Web site shows how this happens. Improper maintenance and heat accelerate the process.

Every tire that's on the road long enough will succumb to age. Tires that are rated for higher mileage have "anti-ozinant" chemical compounds built into the rubber that will slow the aging process, but nothing stops the effects of time on rubber, says Doug Gervin, Michelin's director of product marketing for passenger cars and light trucks.

How Long Does a Tire Last?
Carmakers, tiremakers and rubber manufacturers differ in their opinions about the lifespan of a tire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has no specific guidelines on tire aging and defers to the recommendations of carmakers and tire manufacturers. Carmakers such as Nissan and Mercedes-Benz tell consumers to replace tires six years after their production date, regardless of tread life. Tire manufacturers such as Continental and Michelin say a tire can last up to 10 years, provided you get annual tire inspections after the fifth year. The Rubber Manufacturers Association says there is no way to put a date on when a tire "expires," because such factors as heat, storage and conditions of use can dramatically reduce the life of a tire.

Heat: NHTSA research has found that tires age more quickly in warmer climates. NHTSA also found that environmental conditions like exposure to sunlight and coastal climates can hasten the aging process. People who live in warm weather and coastal states should keep this in mind when deciding whether they should retire a tire.

Storage: This applies to spare tires and tires that are sitting in a garage or shop. Consider how a spare tire lives its life. If you own a truck, the spare may be mounted underneath the vehicle, exposed to the dirt and the elements.

If your spare is in the trunk, it's as if it is "baking in a miniature oven," says Dan Zielinski, senior vice president of Public Affairs for the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Most often, the spare never sees the light of day. But if the tire has been inflated and mounted on a wheel, it is technically "in service" — even if it's never been used, Gervin says.

A tire that has not been mounted and is just sitting in a tire shop or your garage will age more slowly than one that has been put into service on a car. But it ages nonetheless.

Conditions of use: This refers to how the tire is treated. Is it properly inflated? Has it hit the curb too many times? Has it ever been repaired for a puncture? Tires on a car that's only driven on the weekends will have a different aging pattern than those on a car that's driven daily on the highway. All these factors contribute to how quickly or slowly a tire wears out. Proper maintenance is the best thing a person can do to ensure a long tire life. Gervin recommends that you maintain proper air pressure in tires, have them rotated regularly and have them routinely inspected.

How To Determine the Age of a Tire
The sidewall of a tire is littered with numbers and letters. They all mean something, but deciphering them can be a challenge. This Edmunds article about reading a tire's sidewall goes into greater detail, but for the purposes of determining the age of a tire, you'll just need to know its U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number.

Tires made after 2000 have a four-digit DOT code. The first two numbers represent the week in which the tire was made. The second two represent the year. A tire with a DOT code of 1109 was made in the 11th week of 2009. Tires with a three-digit code were made prior to 2000 and are trickier to decode. The first two digits still tell you the week, but the third digit tells you the year in the decade that it was created. The hard part is knowing what decade that was. Some tires made in the 1990s — but not all — have a triangle after the DOT code, denoting that decade. But for tires without that, a code of "328" could be from the 32nd week of 1988 — or 1978.

Clearly, these DOT numbers weren't designed with the consumer in mind. They were originally put on tires to make it easier for NHTSA to recall tires and keep track of their manufacturing date.

To make matters worse, you might not always find the DOT number on the outer side of the tire. Because of the way a tire is made, it is actually safer for the technician operating the mold to imprint information on the inner side of the tire, so some manufacturers will opt to put the number there. It is still possible to check the DOT code, but you might have to jack the car up to see it. Keep the visibility of the DOT number in mind the next time you are at a tire shop and the installer asks if you want the tires to be mounted with the raised lettering facing in.

That potential inconvenience is going away, however. NHTSA says that the sidewall information about the tire's date of manufacture, size and other pertinent data is now required to be on both sides of the tire for easier reading.

After checking out a tire's birth date, give the rubber a visual inspection. Some of the best advice on such an inspection comes from the British Tyre Manufacturers' Association. It recommends that consumers check tires regularly for any sign of aging, such as tread distortion or large or small hairline cracks in the sidewall. Vibrations or a change in the dynamic properties of the tire could also be an indicator of aging problems, the association says. It recommends replacing the tire immediately if such symptoms appear.

Don't Buy Used
Tires are expensive, especially when you factor in the price of mounting and balancing. That's why used tires become more attractive to consumers who are strapped for cash. But the purchase of used tires is very much a buyer-beware situation, Zielinski says. "Even a one-year-old tire can be dangerous if it was poorly maintained," he says.

When a consumer buys a used tire, he has no idea how well it was maintained or the conditions in which it has been used. The previous owner might have driven it with low pressure. It could have hit curbs repeatedly. It could have been patched for a nail. Further, it's a dated product.

"You wouldn't want a used tire for the same reason that you wouldn't buy a 10-year-old computer," Zielinski says. "You are denying yourself the advancements in tire technology over the past few years."

Make Sure You're Getting a "Fresh" Tire
Just because a tire is unused doesn't mean it's new. In a number of instances, consumers have purchased "new" tires at retail stores only to find out later that they were manufactured years earlier. In addition to having a shorter life on the road, a tire that's supposedly new but is actually old may be past its warranty period.

If you buy tires and soon after discover that they're actually a few years old, you have the right to request newer ones, Zielinski says. Any reputable store should be willing to make amends. "It is fair for a consumer to expect that 'new' is not several years old," he says.

Letting Go
Getting rid of an unused spare or a tire with good-looking tread may be the hardest thing for a thrifty consumer to do. "Nobody's going to take a tire that looks like it's never been used and throw it out," Kane says. But if it's old, that's exactly what the owner should do.

Although Kane has lobbied NHTSA to enact regulations on tire aging, nothing is currently on the books. A NHTSA spokesman says the organization is "continuing to conduct research into the effects of tire aging, and what actions consumers can do to safely monitor their tires when they are on their vehicles."

It's too bad that tires don't have a "sell by" date, like cartons of milk. Since there's no consensus from government or industry sources, we'll just say that if your tire has plenty of tread left but is nearing the five-year mark, it's time to get it inspected for signs of aging.

Of all your vehicle's components, tires have the greatest effect on the way it handles and brakes. So if the tire store recommends new tires at your five-year check-up, spend the money and don't put it off. Your life could depend on it.

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First Drive: 2012 Kia Optima Limited

Courtesy of Automobile

The Kia brand's bold design language, under styling chief -- and Automobile Magazine Man of the Year -- Peter Schreyer, is perhaps most impressive on the Optima mid-size sedan, which was unveiled at the 2010 New York auto show. Consumers took note, snapping up 84,590 Optimas in 2011, nearly doubling the nameplate's previous best year. (That number, however, still puts the model far behind class leaders such as the Toyota Camry, the Nissan Altima, and the Honda Accord, all of which sold more than 250,000 copies last year.) Kia officials expect to move even more Optimas in 2012, as production at the company's two-year-old factory in West Point, Georgia, ramps up fully.

The Optima is currently the largest and most expensive sedan in Kia's U.S. lineup. That will remain the case for at least the next several months, as Kia won't yet confirm whether the larger Cadenza (a.k.a. the K7) will be sold here. Expect an announcement on this front sometime this summer, when we will likely also learn if we'll get the rear-wheel-drive Kia K9, which is just making its debut at the Geneva show.

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In the meantime, Kia has added the top-of-the-line Limited to the Optima lineup. The "Drive the Dream" Super Bowl commercial with Adriana Lima, Motley Crue, and Chuck Liddell actually marked the debut of the Limited, although you might have missed that nuance while watching the overstimulating ninety-second ad.

The Limited itself is a bit of a nuance, too, since it's not a trim level but merely a $3300 option package for the top-of-the-line SX models equipped with the $4350 "SX Technology & Premium Package." Making your Optima a Limited adds only cosmetic touches: softer leather upholstery, LED daytime running lights, chrome wheels, red-painted front brake calipers, chrome-accented side sills and a similarly finished rear spoiler, subtle wood interior trim, nicer material for the headliner, and, yes, a first-aid kit. Also, a blue "L" badge is installed next to the "SX" lettering on the trunk lid, so you could actually call it the Optima SXL.

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The $34,900 Limited is as fancy as you can build an Optima; the required technology/premium package means that it also includes navigation, a cool panoramic sunroof, an upgraded stereo, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seat cushions. Kia's head product planner, Ralph Tjoa, says that the Limited is designed to appeal to buyers who previously owned luxury cars such as the Lexus ES, the Nissan Maxima, the Toyota Avalon, and the Volkswagen CC. "These buyers expect more," Tjoa says, pointing out that they're able to pay for more, as 27 percent of Optima buyers have an annual household income of more than $100,000.

A base Optima -- still a very nice car -- starts at $21,750. About half of Optima buyers so far have sprung for the upper EX, EX Turbo, or SX trim levels, so Kia figures that about ten percent will opt for the Optima Limited.

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Frank Deneu was fantastic! Buying a new car was very stressful and Frank took the time to hold my hand through the process. I went to Commonwealth FIRST despite the shop us last motto and I ended up not going anywhere else! I will be looking to Commonwealth Motors for all my car needs, now and in the future.- Anonymous

What Your Check Engine Light Is Telling You

Courtesy of Edmunds.com

When your car's "Check Engine" light comes on, it's usually accompanied by a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. The light could mean a costly problem, like a bad catalytic converter, or it could be something minor, like a loose gas cap. But in many cases, it means at minimum that you'll be visiting the car dealer to locate the malfunction and get the light turned off.

The Check Engine light — more formally known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) — is a signal from the car's engine computer that something is wrong. The car dealer's service department can diagnose the problem for about $75. But there's a way to preview what the problem might be.

Prior to 1996, carmakers had their own engine diagnostic systems, primarily to ensure their cars were compliant with Environmental Protection Agency pollution-control requirements. Starting with model-year 1996, automakers standardized their systems under a protocol called OBD-II, which stipulated a standardized list of diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) and mandated that all cars provide a universal connector to access this information. It's usually located under the steering column and is easy to access.

Deciphering the Code
Do-it-yourselfers can buy inexpensive code readers that connect to this standardized onboard diagnostics (OBD) port and search for the code's meaning on Web sites such as Engine Light Help. The Check Engine light can even be turned off by some code readers, even though this action alone does not actually repair the underlying problem. In many such cases the light will simply come back on later.

Experts say that many drivers confuse the "service required" light on the gauge cluster for the Check Engine light. These warning lights are unrelated. The service required light just means the car is due for an oil change or other routine maintenance. It is not the indicator of trouble that the Check Engine light is.

Check Engine lights come in orange, yellow or amber, depending on the manufacturer. If the light begins flashing, however, it indicates a more serious problem, such as a misfire that can quickly overheat the catalytic converter. These emissions devices operate at high temperatures to cut emissions, but can pose a fire hazard if faulty.

Don't Ignore That Light
So if the Check Engine light comes on and it's steady rather than flashing, what do you do? The most obvious answer, of course, is to get the engine checked. But many people do nothing, perhaps fearing an expensive repair bill. Some drivers with older cars want to squeeze out as many remaining miles as possible without visiting a service garage. But before they can pass their state's vehicle inspection, they have to get the light turned off. And a state inspection is a good motivator for dealing with the problem. If the light is lit, there's a good chance the car is releasing excess pollutants or consuming too much gas.

Ten percent of all cars on the road have a Check Engine light on, and the drivers of half of these cars have ignored the light for more than three months, says Kristin Brocoff, a spokesperson for CarMD.com. The company sells a $119 device that reads engine codes and provides access to a Web site database that identifies the problem (according to the code) and estimates the cost of repair.

CarMD isn't alone in the code-reader market. An Internet search will bring up countless devices, some costing as little as $40. Most come with a booklet listing the codes, but it is also easy to do a Google search to locate the codes. Aamco will check the Check Engine light for free and provides a fact sheet.

As Dan Edmunds, director of vehicle testing for Edmunds.com, points out, the system is primarily designed to continuously monitor a car's emissions system over the life of the car. However, he notes, "The engine and the emission control system are so interlinked that the health of the emission control system is a good indication of the general health of the car's engine."

Steve Mazor, the Auto Club of Southern California's chief automotive engineer, says that while some people freak out when they see the Check Engine light, "others just put a piece of black tape over it and keep driving." Mazor says it's important to promptly address problems indicated by the light. Ignoring them could lead to larger, more costly problems later.

If the light comes on, Mazor says the driver should first see if the gas cap is loose: That's a common cause. A loose cap sends an error message to the car's computer, reporting a leak in the vapor recovery system, which is one aspect of a car's emissions system. If the gas cap is loose, tighten it and continue driving. Even so, it will take some time for the light to go off, he says.

Mazor says that even an inexpensive code reader could be useful for car owners, even if they aren't mechanically inclined.

"If the mechanic gives you the same information, at least you know they are going down the right road," he notes. Edmunds agrees, adding that a code reader provides car owners with one more data point to help them talk with their mechanic and avoid costly or unnecessary auto repairs.

Mixed Signals
But even with the code and its meaning in hand, do-it-yourself interpretation can be a little tricky — even if you are mechanically inclined, as Dan Edmunds explains.

"My wife's car started running poorly and there was a Check Engine light. My code reader detected a code for the Cam Angle Sensor. I thought about buying the sensor and installing it myself, but if I had, I would have wasted time and money because it turned out that the sensor was fine. Instead, mice had gotten under the hood and had chewed some of the wires leading to it."

Occasionally, the Check Engine light comes on when nothing is wrong with the car, Mazor says. It could be a temporary problem caused by a change in humidity or other factors. In such cases, the light should go off by itself after a short time.

CarMD published a list of the five most common Check Engine light codes in 2010 and estimated cost of repair. In order of frequency, they are:

• O2 sensor (part of the emissions system, monitoring and helping adjust the air-fuel mixture)
• Loose gas cap
• Catalytic converter
• Mass air flow sensor (monitoring the amount of air mixed in the fuel injection system)
• Spark plug wires

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Frank was fantastic! Buying a new car was very stressful and Frank took the time to hold my hand through the process. I went to Commonwealth FIRST despite the shop us last motto and I ended up not going anywhere else! I will be looking to Commonwealth Motors for all my car needs, now and in the future. - kscarpaci

Michelle Wie returns in her Molten red Kia Soul for a little target practice.

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Have you checked out Kia Motors' "Kia Rio Windows Down" playlist on Spotify where users submit their favorite songs yet?

Courtesy of Kia Media

IRVINE, Calif., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In an automotive first, Kia Motors America (KMA) and music-loving Facebook users are creating a one-of-a-kind online playlist, titled "Kia Rio Windows Down," through Spotify, the award-winning digital music service that embraces sharing music and hearing tracks instantly by hitting play on any music post or posting tracks on Facebook and Twitter.  Since the submission period began on the Kia Rio Facebook page in February, more than 1,100 songs have been submitted for inclusion on the playlist on Spotify, with song selections totaling 15 hours of music and an average of 24 minutes of time spent per user listening to the playlist, which provides an environment for users to listen, discover, and share the unique playlist with their friends.  To create the perfect playlist for a joyride in the all-new Kia Rio subcompact, songs from Spotify's library of more than 15 million tracks can be submitted for the playlist until April 15, and will remain on the Spotify platform indefinitely.

"From our 'Share Some Soul' ad featuring LMFAO's 'Party Rock Anthem' to Motley Crue belting out 'Kickstart My Heart' in last month's Super Bowl commercial, music plays an important role in Kia's marketing efforts and being the first in the auto industry to partner with Spotify continues that trend," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.  "Spotify is an innovative music service, and aligning with a new platform that embraces the sharing of music was a natural fit for Kia to extend our Rio launch.  Being the first to create a car-centric playlist on Spotify in the U.S. increases Kia's interaction with our target audiences that are passionate about music and social media."

About the Kia Rio 5-Door and Rio Sedan

Available in a sedan or hatchback configuration, the eco-friendly Rio and Rio 5-door offer three trims – LX, EX and SX – and are equipped with a 1.6-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) four-cylinder with the option of either a six-speed manual transmission (LX only) or efficient six-speed automatic. One of only two vehicles in the segment to offer a GDI engine, the 2012 Rio provides an inviting combination of power and fuel efficiency, achieving standard class-leading 138 horsepower[1] while maintaining a standard class-leading fuel economy rating of 30/40 mpg (city/highway)[2].

Kia's Unprecedented Growth

Kia Motors is the one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling.  Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand.  In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality[3] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[4].  Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company's two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan[5].  Kia's value and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America 

Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA."  In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

About Spotify

Spotify is an award-winning digital music service that gives you on-demand access to over 15* million tracks. Our dream is to make all the world's music available instantly to everyone, wherever and whenever they want it. Spotify makes it easier than ever to discover, manage and share music with your friends, while making sure that artists get a fair deal.

* Number of tracks licensed globally. Catalogue size varies in each country.

Spotify is available in 12 countries:  USA, UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, France, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands and Spain, with more than 10 million active users, and over 3 million paying subscribers.

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"We purchased our awesome, brand new Kia Sorrento from Commonwealth Motors of Lawrence, MA. We haven't purchased a new car for decades, we have always purchased used vehicles. I compare buying a car like contemplating a visit to the dentist, a necessary but generally speaking, an uncomfortable encounter.  With no pre-determined plan to purchase a car on that particular day, we for the hell of it, visited my old neighborhood and the dealership.  From our entrance to present, through the introduction and greeting, trial and error test runs of different vehicles, number crunching and the final decisions, we found the complete transaction and follow-ups to be professional and mutually satisfying to all concerned parties.  Our initial contact with Markino Mathurin was cordial, informative, and actually enjoyable. As time progressed and our interest peaked our final decision, because of a double trade in became more involved to finalize. Therefore Sales Manager Shawn Berryman and Charles Dahar Jr., had to authorize the final agreement. All personnel continued to be professional and dedicated toward customer satisfaction.  Thanks to Markino, Shawn, and Charles Jr., for all their insights toward this purchase. Without their expertise it wouldn't have happened. Keith Audy was a post-sale plus, his unselfish world of knowledge and assistance is what separates Commonwealth from the rest. Hiram Creig finalized the paperwork with efficiency. We are happy Kia owners and Commonwealth believers. We will not hesitate, in the future, to shop Commonwealth FIRST and LAST." - The Colettis
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The Dirty Car Artist - Scott Wade (Official Video)

Driving the Kia Rio B-Spec Race Car

Courtesy of Edmunds Inside Line

A Kia Rio race car. Frankly, that just sounds absurd. And yet, here I am folding myself into just that on a small track carved next to a rural airport 13 miles east of Nowhere, Florida.

The new-for-2012 Rio, like its other recently updated Kia siblings, represents a stunning transformation of improved quality, strong engines and dynamic design. It demands a change in perception for this once-maligned brand and nameplate, and to further enhance that effort Kia has decided to dip its toe into motorsports.

Last April, Dan Edmunds ventured to Thunderhill Raceway to drive the pioneering Honda Fit and Mazda 3 B-Spec race cars. In case you don't want to spend the time revisiting that, here's a nice little nugget...

"Representatives from Mazdaspeed and Honda Performance Development put their heads together to create a rules framework for a "B-Spec" race series in which the Mazda 2, Honda Fit and their (subcompact/B-segment) competitors can race in all four major racing sanctioning bodies -- SCCA, Grand Am, NASA and World Challenge. Other manufacturers have been invited to join in."

Kia accepted that invitation on the heals of its two road racing championships in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. Kia's B-segment car is the Rio, and together with its racing partner Kinetic Motorsports, they created the B-Spec kit you see here. Potential racers start off by buying a base Rio hatchback then immediately double its price with the $14,000 package of roll cage, racing seat, quick-release steering wheel, racing harness, race shocks, lightweight wheels, spec-series semi-slick tires, oil sump pan expansion kit and complete build instructions. If you don't feel like going the Ikea route, Kinetic will do it for you in their Georgia shop for an extra $6,000.

 

To achieve the full B-Spec race car you see here, they'll also strip out just about everything from the car's interior for a net weight savings of about 900 pounds. That's pretty much where you'll get any performance improvement from as the B-Spec series specifies that the engine and transmission must go unaltered. Same with the brakes (besides pads).

As I haven't driven Honda's and Mazda's B-Spec cars, I can't exactly offer any opinion on how the Rio stacks up against them. However, I can definitely report that they've created a wickedly fun little car.

The Brandford Long Course at the European Rally School and Motorsports Park is a short, technical track perfectly suited for low-powered, agile cars like these. A Corvette or AMG Mercedes would be pointless here. I start on street tires as the track is still damp from a ubiquitous Floridian morning shower, and although the suspension modifications impress, it's not until the slicks go on later when the Rio B-Spec really shows how quickly it can tackle this course. As Dan Edmunds discovered, the Fit and Mazda 2 pulled more than 1 g on the skidpad, and I'd wager the Rio would do the same thanks to these tires.  

 

 

Immediately, the transmission surprises. Is it a short-throw, narrow gate racing gearbox? No, but it's precise and the clutch take-up is well sorted, which should be a surprise to anyone who has driven a Kia manual in the past (the Forte's is abysmal). When I eventually ended my laps, the pits were filled with disbelieving journalists asking questions of whether this was truly the stock Rio transmission. It is indeed.

The steering does a similarly good job of not drawing attention to itself, as not once did I find this stock electric system to be betraying the car in any way. Again, maybe I'd feel differently after driving the Rio's competitors, but in a vacuum, the steering's certainly acting the part. As the number of laps and confidence increase, so does my speed and my appreciation for the idea of the B-Spec racing series. Small cars like these can be a hoot, and are wonderful learning tools as well, as you can't simply rely on power to go fast. You really get the feel for the car, its grip and its ability to rotate with the throttle. And rotate it will, since its interior liquidation results in the weight distribution shifting further forward.

As my laps come to an end, I walk away with a few conclusions. First, I really want one of these tracks in my backyard someday. Second, I really want to come back and take on Magrath and Takahashi in a B-Spec racer challenge. In fact, buying a couple of these would be a great way for a rich guy to spend weekends with his friends. But most importantly, the idea of a Kia Rio race car is no longer absurd.

 

 

Riswick in the cockpit. Got to love the exposed shift linkage.

 

 

Nothing special under here. The B-Spec series specifies stock engines.

 

 

 

 

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2012 KIA SORENTO NAMED TO "10 BEST FAMILY CARS OF 2012" LIST BY KELLEY BLUE BOOK'S KBB.COM

Courtesy of Kia Media

The award-winning Kia Sorento is again in the limelight, this time being named to Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com coveted "10 Best Family Cars of 2012" list. The ultra-popular CUV enjoys this accolade for a second year in a row. Lauded for its outstanding drivability, functionality, refinement and comfort, the Sorento has defined a number of milestones for Kia, including becoming the first model in the product line to surpass 100,000 sales in a single year as well as being Kia's first U.S.-built vehicle at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) in West Point, Ga.

"Sorento's achievement of being recognized as one of the '10 Best Family Cars of 2012' by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com is a testament to its exceptional safety, comfort and feature content," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America. "As Kia's best-selling vehicle, Sorento's low cost of ownership has resulted in strong consumer ratings, making it a favorite among family buyers."

Editors from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com evaluated vehicles based on several main criteria important to family car buyers, including safety, child-friendliness, comfort, economy of operation – which factors fuel consumption, insurance premiums and repair costs – and resale value. The kbb.com editors selected the vehicles that offer the best combination of these characteristics and the highest overall value for everyday families.

Kbb.com editors underscored the Sorento's available three row seating capacity and highway fuel economy of 32 miles-per-gallon. "Good fuel economy is only part of the story," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "The Sorento starts under $24,000 and offers a voice-controlled infotainment system plus a great big panoramic moonroof."