Tell me about Kia, who ownes one?

[look 171]

Gone shopping with my sister and her husband a couple of weeks ago. They looked at Kia due to their offering and price point. Still, they are a Korean car co, so I think. Wow, they have come a long way since the Hyundia of the early years. the Sportage is a nice little vehicle. Heck, since I rode in one, I have been thinking about it on and off for the past two weeks now that I am SUVless. I went from wanting a Ford full size truck, to a 4 runner, now this? 27 mpg is something to write home about. They have a little turbo version but we did not drive it. Any tips?

[porsche4life]

My parents have an '09 Kia Spectra 5 they bought with ~25k on it. Its a decent little car, drives ok and doesn't ride too terribly. The clutch seems a little wonky, and it takes a few stop and gos for me to get the groove of it if I haven't driven it in a while. However by 25k it had more squeaks and rattles than my '07 Corolla had on it when they bought the Kia. At the time the Corolla had ~50k on it. The Corolla drove better and rode better, despite some hoon putting 18" Scion wheels on it (). Now they've had the kia for a year, and both cars have seen around 10k in that time. The Corolla still has been flawless, the kia has needed a new A/C compressor and has developed a few more rattles...

My opinion, take the new kia money and buy something better a few years older. I have been rather underwhelmed with the one my folks have.

[iplagolf]

Kia has gone the way of all the Japanese auto makers. They have built THE most modern automotive plant in the world in the state of Georgia. I bought a 2004 Kia Rio Cinco. It was absolutely bare bones. No cruise, no power locks, crank windows, etc. GREAT car, I paid 10K out the door for it. It's engine was 10CC's larger than my motorcycle. The only thing I did to it was oil changes and a new set of tires at 60K miles. Great gas milage, 32-34 highway, and had lots of pep. My wife traded it in last spring for a 2012 Kia Forte SX. This new car is a mini race car. The 170 HP 4 cylinder non turbo, will pin you back in your seat. It's a six speed auto or a 6 speed paddle shifter. It has a beefed up suspension, over sized front disc brakes and 17 inch wheels. Kia service is second to none. It's almost embarrassing how well they treat you. It's just not our local dealer either. I looked around at other brands before she bought this one. You'll pay more to get the same. I asked my wife if she wanted to look around and she said she wanted another Kia.

[cashflyer]

The only car I have ever purchased brand-new off the lot was a 2004 Kia Optima with a 2.7 V6, for my wife to drive. I was drawn in by the 10 year / 100,000 mile warranty, and by the low price point.

It has been reliable and trouble free for 170k miles now, however it is a thoroughly unremarkable car. It's more exciting to toast a bagel than to drive that car.

It gets about 19/20 mpg, which I consider low for what it is.
Heck, my SC did that good with CIS. But I guess the SC weighed less.

Would I buy another? Probably not. My wife and I both have decided that whatever car we own has to be something that brings us enjoyment as well as utility.

[onewhippedpuppy]

My parents have owned three Hyundais, which are basically the same thing. All three have been really good cars (2x Sonata and 1x Accent). They are appliances, but based on driving my dad's 2010-ish Sonata I'd rate them right up there with the Japanese appliances. Feedback on a 2004 model is irrelevant to a 2013, they've improved that much in a very short period of time.

I've had a Soul on two occasions for a rental, other than the goofy exterior it was actually a pretty good car. Not inspiring to drive but nicely appointed with lots of features, and surprisingly roomy for the small size. Another member of our team had an Optima which was also pretty nice.

[Rot 911]

Nice, but boring cars. And when you get to looking at the higher end Kia SUV's you will be surprised to find they are not so cheap any more. With some decent options they are getting close to the $30K range!

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Feedback on a 2004 model is irrelevant to a 2013

Irrelevant? I don't know... sounds the same to me.

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

... a pretty good car. Not inspiring to drive ...

Originally Posted by cashflyer

... reliable and trouble free for 170k miles now, however it is a thoroughly unremarkable car.

[sammyg2]

Decent cars, probably the best value for the money out there.

A guy I occasionally carpool with has a hampster wagon (kia soul) and except for getting teased about being a teenager, it's a great little car.
Nice ride, comfortable with plenty of head and leg room, not to rattly, and moves OK when he stomps on it.

As I've posted before, in a few more years "made in Korea" will be as good or better than "made in Japan".

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Irrelevant? I don't know... sounds the same to me.

The brand is evolving rapidly and the newer cars and significantly better than the older ones as far as build quality and options and design.
Kinda like when toyota in the 70's went from little sheet-box rattle cans to decent cars like the celica.

[NO LIFT]

Mrs & I bought a new 2007 Kia Sedona in March of 2007.

HUGE rebate. I was enticed by the warranty too.

Its a van, so I don't expect too much excitement from it, but it does have great power and is tight and quiet.

Sedona has 97k now, and has never let us down. Great service from my local dealer.

I think Kia is somewhat like Honda and Toyota 25 years ago when the public didn't trust them (yet).

Have recommended Kia to friends and relatives. 4 have purchased Kias and are happy.

I'd buy another one with no reservations.

[sailchef]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

It's more exciting to toast a bagel than to drive that car.

Now that's funny!

[VincentVega]

Just did a service on a 2008 Hyundai, very simple to work on. I assume the Kia counterpart is the same.

[Tervuren]

I got chased by a Kia a couple years ago, took a long time to finally be left alone.

[yazhound]

While I do not own one, I frequently get them as rental cars. I have been very impressed with the new models over the past couple years. Prefer them over same class US products. Cannot speck on longevity...

[FLYGEEZER]

My son & his wife have a Kia Soul. It has been 100% trouble free for 145,000 miles. My kids think of a car as an appliance and have no attachments to any kind of vehichle. Her mom & dad have a BMW & a Mercedes. It ain't like they have not been exposed to "high end" cars, they just don't have the love for them. The both of them could screw up an anvil so the KIA is a good choice and the dealer has been wonderful.

[look 171]

Wow,, anyone with experience or know someone that has a Sportage? All positive comments except for a couple is great news. Yes, I need an appliance where I am not worry about dings and such. boring to drive is ok, it is what it is. It will live outside with my other beaters. 100 drive train warranty is a great deal.

[onewhippedpuppy]

If you have to buy a car that you don't care about, might as well buy a cheap one.

Is the Kia Sportage cheaper than an Escape? The new Escapes are getting really positive reviews.

[Bill Douglas]

A great car as long as you don't intend crashing it or selling it in the future.



Speaking of crash testing, you may wish to google for kia crash test results. Some Australian tests a few years ago showed kias shouldn't even be on the road.

[Halm]

I am looking hard at either a 2013 Kia Sorento or a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport as a replacement to my '05 BMW X5. We have test driven the Kia. Very impressed with it on the short time I had behind the wheel. Plus the price points and warranty are very aggressive.

[Bill Douglas]

A mechanic buddy says the Santa Fe is an excellent vehicle.