Input On The Kia
Tuned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
STAY AWAY FROM THE SPORTAGES!!!! I made the mistake of buying one used. 1995 SOHC 5 speed, 112k miles. Had it for 4 days and it quit- i tinkered with it for a month (and i consider myself an *okay* mechanic), took it to the shop, they've had it for 1.5 months, and STILL nobody knows whats wrong with it. course, wiring/electrical issues are like that, but kia does NOT offer repair manuals, chiltons/haynes dont write them, and there isnt a website with any real info on them either.
Dont get me wrong, it was a great car to drive for the 4 days we had it. aside from the problems i loved driving it. It was VERY cheaply built inside- various broken switches, door handles, etc.
anyways, thats my .02
Dont get me wrong, it was a great car to drive for the 4 days we had it. aside from the problems i loved driving it. It was VERY cheaply built inside- various broken switches, door handles, etc.
anyways, thats my .02
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
i drive a kia spectra to work almost everyday, its only about 1.5 miles to work. used to drive about 20 miles one way to work and got 30 mpg, mileage has gone down now b/c its barely warmed up when i get there. i havent had any major problems, i figure its smarter to put the wear and tear on that than my 01 F250 psd with 38's, i drive it about twice a week just to keep everything lubed up, and to town which is ten miles away, i live on mountain home AFB in the middle of nowhere idaho.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 2
From: Northwest Fl
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,043
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I don't know anything about Kia's. I've seen a bunch on the road and I realize there is a demand for low dollar cars.
I'm just not going to buy a car with the initials K. I. A. (killed in action)! Same reason the chevy Nova didn't sell well in Spanish speaking countries. Nova sounds like the spanish words for "no go".
I'm just not going to buy a car with the initials K. I. A. (killed in action)! Same reason the chevy Nova didn't sell well in Spanish speaking countries. Nova sounds like the spanish words for "no go".
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,157
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From: Wichita, KS
Last edited by mikebon08; Jul 28, 2005 at 11:17 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 106
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A few years ago my mom was looking for a new car (couldnt convince he she needed a ford truck. 
) We did some research and a t the time (2002) KIA was at the very bottom of the list in quality and customer satisfaction, Maybe they are better now, some people have quite good experiences with KIA. I think shortly after KIA started their 10year 100,000 warrenty, they almost went bankrupt because of all the work and if you car broke it was weeks before they got to you.
KIA is probably here to stay, but Remember DEWOO cars? Got to feel bad for the suckers still drivig those.
) We did some research and a t the time (2002) KIA was at the very bottom of the list in quality and customer satisfaction, Maybe they are better now, some people have quite good experiences with KIA. I think shortly after KIA started their 10year 100,000 warrenty, they almost went bankrupt because of all the work and if you car broke it was weeks before they got to you.KIA is probably here to stay, but Remember DEWOO cars? Got to feel bad for the suckers still drivig those.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
Likes: 1
From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
Actually they did go broke- and Hyundai took 'em over, so I wouldn't worry about that part of it. There's a local dealer here advertising a free Kia Rio if you buy one of the Vans. So what's the resale on a Rio trade-in when the dealership's giving them away brand-new? 
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 2
From: Northwest Fl
I doubt anyone is buying $10K cars strictly for investment purposes, instead with 100K warrenty, they are attempting to find inexpensive and half way reliable transportation for them and their families while they try to keep their heads above water in our robust "Global economy". Sure their are other choices but none that offer such a warrenty.
Worst case scenerio, you blow a tranny or engine at 75K and have to wait a month on parts, the alternative to that could be in blowing another brand engine and having to save for 6 months to pay for the repairs because of no warrenty.
The real value is in the fact that you will know what your expences are likely to be up front, at least for the next few years.
Worst case scenerio, you blow a tranny or engine at 75K and have to wait a month on parts, the alternative to that could be in blowing another brand engine and having to save for 6 months to pay for the repairs because of no warrenty.
The real value is in the fact that you will know what your expences are likely to be up front, at least for the next few years.