Input On The Kia
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Yeah, nobody who buys a $10K new car cares what its trade-in or resale value is. That 10-yr/100k warranty is worth as much as the car. You buy it with the idea of running the wheels off for 7-10 years and then giving it away, not with the idea of getting anything back out of it.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Independence, MO
My one and only experience with a Kia was the minivan my company rented to haul us around once. Those backseats are tiny and uncomfortable for an adult. I've had better trips riding in the back of my Ford Escort.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 2
From: Northwest Fl
Hawk, your right, I'm sure the ratio of vehicles on the road vs. problems is leaning heavily toward Ford being the best when it comes to reliability and without question they wouldn't be around if they didn't offer a decent product.
I didn't mean for my statement to come off as a knock against Ford as it was only posted to point out that all companies offering a product will have tons of information on the net, both for and against them. It is the customers’ responsibility to do the research, wading through the hype and the crap to find at least half the truth.
I didn't mean for my statement to come off as a knock against Ford as it was only posted to point out that all companies offering a product will have tons of information on the net, both for and against them. It is the customers’ responsibility to do the research, wading through the hype and the crap to find at least half the truth.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
From: State of Misery (Missouri
Originally Posted by polarbear
For 10 years? Hard to say- track record isn't there. I'm not writing them off- the Koreans will give us all fits before it's done- I just wouldn't be a player yet.
I still have one, though it's been sitting a year.
In response to the original question, they are as dependable as any econobox. They were not supposed to last as long, but with proper maintenance, they should be a cheap dailly driver (saving wear and tear on the Ford truck). I did have to work on one that they didn't maintain it. They are a lot less forgiving!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
Korea's Inept Automobile
Killed In Action
Kan't be Incognito Anywhere
K-car Incarnate Again
Kicked In ****
Krap In Action
So, are they going to come out with one that has herbs growing on the roof and call it a Kia Pet?
Look on the bright side, if you get killed in one, your family won't have to pay for a coffin (although, I've seen sturdier coffins).
Jason
Killed In Action
Kan't be Incognito Anywhere
K-car Incarnate Again
Kicked In ****
Krap In Action
So, are they going to come out with one that has herbs growing on the roof and call it a Kia Pet?
Look on the bright side, if you get killed in one, your family won't have to pay for a coffin (although, I've seen sturdier coffins).
Jason
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 42,594
Likes: 3,124
From: Fraziers Bottom, WV
I had a 1997 Sportage (purchased late 1996) and ran it for 110,000 miles with the following problems!
1 battery
4 tires
1 recall - engine wireing plug (don't remember where/what)
1 MIL light issue - reset it's self and never came back on and no code!
I loved it and would buy another. The only reason we traded it was we (the family) out grew it in leg room (daughter grew up with long legs).
I have co-workers that drive the KIAs and some of the Sportages have 250,000 miles with out a problem
1 battery
4 tires
1 recall - engine wireing plug (don't remember where/what)
1 MIL light issue - reset it's self and never came back on and no code!
I loved it and would buy another. The only reason we traded it was we (the family) out grew it in leg room (daughter grew up with long legs).
I have co-workers that drive the KIAs and some of the Sportages have 250,000 miles with out a problem
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,858
Likes: 1
From: Dark side of the sun.
Originally Posted by jroehl
Korea's Inept Automobile
Killed In Action
Kan't be Incognito Anywhere
K-car Incarnate Again
Kicked In ****
Krap In Action
So, are they going to come out with one that has herbs growing on the roof and call it a Kia Pet?
Look on the bright side, if you get killed in one, your family won't have to pay for a coffin (although, I've seen sturdier coffins).
Jason
Killed In Action
Kan't be Incognito Anywhere
K-car Incarnate Again
Kicked In ****
Krap In Action
So, are they going to come out with one that has herbs growing on the roof and call it a Kia Pet?
Look on the bright side, if you get killed in one, your family won't have to pay for a coffin (although, I've seen sturdier coffins).
Jason
Keep It Away
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
I've actually heard that Kia and Hyundai are making huge improvements in quality and fit and finish. I personally wouldn't own one, I think they still have a ways to go before they can really compete with domestics, but from what I've been hearing they make decent cars. I figure Ford, Chevy, and Chrysler have been making cars for about 100 years, and Kia has been making them for 15......I like my Fords! 
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster
About 3-months ago, I had to get a car, right at that moment, so I called up the local Enterprise, and I rented a Rio.
I thought it was alright. It was easy to drive, didn't feel anemic on the highway, and was comfortable.
Only complaint, seemed to have rather poor milage, 23-MPG, about what my '95 Monte Carlo Z34, a bigger more powerful car, gets. Edmunds listed it as having not so great milage as well, but one poster here has done much better. Interesting.
Alvie.
I thought it was alright. It was easy to drive, didn't feel anemic on the highway, and was comfortable.
Only complaint, seemed to have rather poor milage, 23-MPG, about what my '95 Monte Carlo Z34, a bigger more powerful car, gets. Edmunds listed it as having not so great milage as well, but one poster here has done much better. Interesting.
Alvie.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I have checked out the Sorrento, along with the older Ford Explorers, and I actually prefer the Kia. By the time the Ford gets to a comperable price, the warranty is usually gone, the truck has 60k plus on it, and is starting to show signs of wear. Plus, the Ford doesn't look like it would be as durable off road. I have seen the Kias with about 4" of lift and 33" tires, and they look pretty good like that.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa
Well Kia is owned by their parent company Hyundia, and Ford owns Hyundia. By how much I don't know. I had a Kia Sportage so under rated for Power, it's get up and go , got up and went. Besides the Kia didn't like the Mrs. , she managed to Dump it twice. The 2nd time wrote it off
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
Likes: 1
From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
No, the Korean Government owns Hyundai (long story. Short form, it kept them out of BK court). Ford owned part of Kia, but they went under and Hyundai (remember who owns them) took 'em over.
