Considering a Kia! Any experiences? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Orkrist2 · #1 08-23-2006, 12:54 AM

So I sold my Explorer, I'm almost done with my MG motor rebuild, and I'm down to two cars I don't see driving daily long into the future. Its time for a regular use car to take the unpleasantries of daily use. I've thought about the Scion xB, the Nissan Versa. The I thought, what about the cheapest Kia? They're asking $7999 forf it right now. 10 year, 100K warrantee. Now, without saying that the xB is stupid or "you get what you pay for", does anyone have any experience with Kia? I want to use it to drive to work and so forth, just a daily driver car. Anyone have a Kia?

rg2098 · #2 08-23-2006, 12:58 AM

whunter worked at a Kia dealer for a period of time. He should be able to answer any questions you have.

#3 08-23-2006, 01:09 AM

If you just want a car to beat on, there are none cheaper.

Resale value is in the dumpster no matter the condition it's in.

snp8990 · #4 08-23-2006, 01:10 AM

If your considering anything used,you should consider a Jetta or a Camry.Very solid cars and the Jettas are awesome in the snow.After driving the Pre-99 body and the 99+ body,go for the 99+ they really drive smooth and are quick.As for me,no experiences with Kia,but I had experience with the Jetta and Camry's.

raymr · #5 08-23-2006, 01:38 AM

We have a 99 Sephia that my son is beating the crap out of delivering pizzas. It is holding up, but I think we got lucky. Others have not had good experiences. But the new ones are supposed to be better and they get decent reviews.

iwrock · #6 08-23-2006, 01:42 AM

A friend of mine has a Kia Rio...

Its a car that is meant to be cheap, and thats it. The suspension crashes when going over potholes, its shaky at speeds over 75, and for being as small as it is, it get poopy gas mileage. The interior is all plasticy the ride tries to mix an SLK with an S Class, and so far - reliability OK. The scary part is merging onto the freeway... A little scary at first, but once your moving along, its ok. And then there is the road noise... Dear god, there is no noise insulation anywhere on this thing.

He also uses it as a commuter car. It has about 12,000 miles on it, and other than those complaints above, its OK. Gets him from point A to point B with little to no problems, so its an OK daily beater.

Nate · #7 08-23-2006, 01:46 AM

8k for a throwaway??????? Wish I could do that, I'm spending 800 on something that I hope will last me at least 6 years...

I'd buy a nice 97-2003 grand prix, mabey even a GTP... Worst thing that could happen is the trans, and there's a million of theese cars that you could get another one from (or, have yours rebuilt and upgraded)

and, it will be worth SOMETHING when you're done with it... Who the heck wants a second hand kia?

It blows my mind that you want to spend that kind of money on something you could hardly use as a boat anchor when you're done...

~Nate

MS Fowler · #8 08-23-2006, 05:55 AM

Nate,
Maybe the idea of a car under warranty, no wrenching, just drive it when he wamts, appeals to some people.
No Kia experience, but 3 years with a Hyuandai Elantra. ( Kia is owned by Hyuandai) Its my wife;s car. She loves it. No tempermental A/C--it works great. Car has 26,XXX mile and there are zero issuese.
A guy I work with had the smallest Hyuandai (similar to the Rio). He did not like it, but then he traded a Camry on it. It is not a Camry--although the new Sonata just might be. His car was reliable except for some transmission computer issues all covered under the warranty.

Take one for a fairly extensive test drive, maybe even your daily commute and see how you feel about it then.

Botnst · #9 08-23-2006, 07:18 AM

My daughter's BF is the head mechanic (whatever the title) at a Kia dealership. He was previously with the same owner's Toyota dealership for 7-8 years. I was thinking about buying a used Kia for local driving and he said I'd be unhappy with it. The build quality and steel are both inferior in his opinion. Says they're good for 2 years. 3 years, max.

gmercoleza · #10 08-23-2006, 09:24 AM

I traded my Honda Odyssey in last year for a Kia Sedona. The Honda was facing its fourth transmission replacement as the warranty was running out at 99K. Meaning I would have been the one to pay for the next transmission.

Honda Odyssey = $32,000
Kia Sedona = $17,000 (including tax, title, license, prep)

It doesn't take a math genius to figure out the savings. And yes, you do get what you pay for. The KIA doesn't handle anywhere near as well as the Honda did - it's downright sloppy in comparison. It gets 3 to 4 miles less per gallon around town (they're almost a tie on the highway). It doesn't have the magic third row seat that folds into the floor. The cargo area overall is smaller. And no automatic climate control. But you know what? Those are the only negatives. The KIA has some redeeming qualities that stand out from the Honda. There is far less road noise and engine noise (the Honda was horrible). The KIA engine, though less powerful, is much smoother in its power delivery and doesn't sound like a blender grinding ice at wide open throttle. Transmission shifts are barely discernable (the Honda's tranny shifts were harsh at times).

I installed a nice 9-inch JVC overhead DVD system for the kids. Much nicer than either the Honda or KIA factory systems. The wife loves the van, the kids love it, and it's reliable and cost next to nothing which means I am also happy.

I was not all that impressed with Honda reliability and came to find that Odysseys and other Hondas and Acuras that use the same transmission experience problems. In 1 year and 16,000 miles we have not had one problem with the KIA. Very reliable. And even if it does have to go into the shop every 3 or 4 months, what do I care? The 100K warranty means it won't cost me a penny. I have other cars, so no rental needed. For a generic, reliable grocery getter and occasional road trip vehicle, what more could you ask for?

As for build quality, I would say both vehicles are on par with each other. I installed the DVD systems in both vans which required extensive disassembly of pillar trim, headliner, and other components. It's almost as if KIA copied Honda in their execution, as they are assembled almost identically, fasteners and all. Sheet metal appears to be the same thickness and hardness which isn't saying much - you could dent the Honda just by looking at it. But the point is, the KIA appears very well built. No squeaks or rattles so far, and knowing how it is put together, I don't expect any to show up any time soon.

I have owned 2 previous generation Sephias, a 99 and an 01. I will say the build quality was nowhere near as good as the newer ones. The sheet metal was very thin. I remember getting dents from falling berries when I would park under a tree in the front yard. Also, the paint was etched by a bird dropping that barely sat for 5 minutes. Doors sounded hollow when shut. The A/C clutch slammed loudly on the 01 when brand new - something didn't seem right and I knew it wouldn't last long. I never found out as I eventually got rid of the car.

I believe the quality of previous generation KIAs was substandard. New ones are another story. I was recently in a co-worker's newer KIA Sorento SUV, and it appeared very well built with no squeaks, rattles, or any other issues. Doors were solid when closing. It was about 2 years old and she had around 30K on the clock and hadn't been to the dealer for one thing. We work for a subsidiary of one of the big 3 automakers and are entitled to very good discounts. She was loyal for years but had enough of the poor reliability and switched to the KIA. That should say something.

For what it's worth, Consumer Reports finds the reliability of the Sedona to be average to above average. They simply don't recommend the vehicle because in handling and amenities, etc. it can't compete with the likes of Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. The KIA Amanti is recommended by CR and is supposedly very reliable.

TheDon · #11 08-23-2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate

I'd buy a nice 97-2003 grand prix, mabey even a GTP... Worst thing that could happen is the trans, and there's a million of theese cars that you could get another one from (or, have yours rebuilt and upgraded)

their is something about pontiac i dont like, the cars just make me want to hit it with a sledge hammer... i dont know why but i want to..

yal · #12 08-23-2006, 10:32 AM

Few people know that Kia is to Hyundai what Dodge is to Chrysler.

Basically Kia's/Hyundai's are now damn good cars. They are like the Toyotas of the 80's the kids are going to grow up to love them.

jeffoc · #13 08-23-2006, 10:46 AM

I was in Montana a couple of months ago and ended up with a Kia as a rental.
Holy cow what a POS! When I started it I thought they had put the engine in the passenger compartment. There really is no noise insulation whatsoever.
going down the highway will give you a headache, you actually have to shout to be heard. It was in the 90's when I was there and the AC really could'nt keep up so I had the added noise of the blower on high. The suspension sucks. Really absolutely nothing good about the car.
Of course just my opinion.

Jim Anderson · #14 08-23-2006, 11:12 AM

How are they in crashes?

pj67coll · #15 08-23-2006, 11:50 AM

I can only comment on the 02 Kia Rio I bought new in Sep of 02. I have 68K miles on it and now by preference only drive the 81 240D because if I dont drive the Kia then nothing else can break on it right?

Biggest piece of utter **** ever put on the roads. Maybe they improved their quality after that. Some people seem to think they are ok. I hope so. But I'll never waste another cent on a product of theirs as long as I live and as soon as I've paid off this one I'm dumping it for anohter old Mercedes.

Steering vibrations and shimmy at freeway speeds. Cannot keep the alignment straight for any length of time. Exterior mirror glass fell off. Chews thru break pads and rotors like crazy. Had to have mine turned after only about 20K miles. Had to have the tranny replaced at about 30K along with the starter which seems like it's going to die everytime I try starting it in temperatures above 90 degrees. And I live in Phoenix! AC is crappy. And the engine fan FELL OFF two summers ago. That's not everything but I think you get the picture. Oh yes. Both rear Shock absorbers BROKE. One under warrantee and the other out. That 10 year 100000 is only the power train not other things. I now drive around with a rattling left rear shock cos im simply not prepared to spend one more cent on the thing than is absolutely necessary. Oh yes the engine mountings sheared off at about 40K.

Utter ****. There are way better things out there to spend your money on.

- Peter.