KIA? econo car or junk?

[1969FordMan]

I have been seeing these KIAs around. The thought has crossed my mind about in the future getting one as a first inexpensive family car, but I dont know if they are reliable or not. Are these cars problematic? Are they worth the money? I have always heard you get what you pay for................. And would my bump scare it out of the driveway? I mean would I walk outside and find it in a tree with my bump biting at it? (sorry, it was just a really funny mental picture)

[jp2005]

I brought a 2007 kia opitma brand new and it has 65000 on it now. My lady drives it, but its been fine. Just change the oil and keep up on maint. no comments!

[69rangerf100]

the are complete junk in my opinion had an 2003 Kia Sedona the thing was a money pit this of course being the wifes car. in march of 09 when the part of the computer that controlled the a/c went out got a qoute for the repair and it was of course out of warrenty and was gonna cost almost 3k. so i traded that POS for a 07 Sport trak which my wife now loves and she gets better mpg with the sport trak 4.0 than she did with the kia 3.0

[stephen44]

quality seems to be getting better now that Hyundai bought them out

I do wonder what the resale will be once warranty is over though

- Stephen

[69rangerf100]

i got 2450 in trade and had to eat 3000 that was left on the loan so that was added into the sport trac but luckily i got the 07 for 16,900 which was 6k under blue book value

[fuzzier1]

I don't have a problem with Kia per say except they aren't American. Check out the Ford Focus, they are cool also and we keep the money here in America where we need it.

Fuzz

[sargentrs]

While I agree with fuzzier1, I bought one for the same reason stephen44 did. We put 38K/yr on our car just going back and forth to work. My wife works 5 miles from me but it's a 57 mi. one way trip by the time we both get to work so we carpool. Had a 2005 Cobalt and put 160K miles on it in 3 1/2 years when grandkids came along and my wife decided she wanted an SUV. We still owed $8000 on the Cobalt! Bought a 2008 Kia Sorento. They had a $5000 cash rebate, 100K bumper to bumper warranty and it still got 20 mpg with a strong V6. Bought it, took the $5K and paid it on the Cobalt and her mother made the last 10 payments and drives the Cobalt cuz her Toyota Corrolla was dying. We've put 60K miles on it since Dec. 2008. However, it listed for $23000 and book value on it now is just $10000!

On another note, bought a '97 Kia Sephia, in '98 with 21K miles on it, 4 banger, 4 speed manual trans. Got it for under $7000. I drove it HARD for 5 years and gave it to my stepson who drove it 2 more years until he totaled it. It had over 250K miles on it and was still running strong. No smoke, no noise. Great car.

Got a friend who just bought a Sedona with 100K miles for $7000. He had the same problems as 69RangerF100. His problems were computer related but affected the door locks, windows, A/C, etc. Cost to replace comp and install was around $300. Also has catalytic converter issues that's going to cost around $500 to replace.

My ... Overall, good cars if you get the 100K warranty and have it paid for while still under warranty. Expensive to repair. Be wary of used! Massive drop in book value so you don't get diddly for trade in. Automatic transmissions nothing to brag about but stick shift's run pretty darn good.

[Mancar1]

Have a Uncle who is on his 5th Sante Fe. He runs all over the country fishing, and hunting, and border watching. He loves them. I know not a Kia, but close. My wife wanted a Sante Fe, but we stopped at the Ford dealer 1st She loves her 2010 steel blue Ford Escape and so do I Can tow the boat or a small camp trailer with it, and the damn thing really gets up and goes Got the biggest power plant they offer. Lotta fun to drive

[SteveC]

Can't remember the kia. It was one of those mini suvs I did a ac compresser on one. It took a lot of work. Then had to replace the evaporator at the same time had to drop most of the heater box. FUN. Seem like good vehicles to drive just I don't like to work on them. Guess it could be worse. Could be a cadillac North star.

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

i've worked on many kia spectras, rio, and sorentos in the shop and they seem to be ok. most of the time only needing brakes, tune ups, or the occasional fuel pump.

[fbomb100]

I'd never buy it! nevvveeer!! I hate all ricers

[basketcase0302]

I mean would I walk outside and find it in a tree with my bump biting at it? (sorry, it was just a really funny mental picture)

No joke...I too can see this happening!
I can see our brother "60's slicks", being right there at the bottom of the tree with our trucks!
Please buy American! We've got a lot of unemployed auto workers still!

[DuckRyder]

I agree I would look at the new Festiva or wait for the new Focus.

I have a friend who works at a Hyundai dealer, he says they are good cars but never buy one with an automatic transmission. I get to see quite a few cars at work and it seems to me that Hyundai's and Kia's that are just few years old don't hold up very well, I'm sure they run fine but they always seem like they are a lot older than they actually are and they don't seem hold their value very well.

[1969FordMan]

I like the new Feista, but its TINY. but it gets 40 mpg, and has a very stylish interior.

[big block]

i am not trying to say all are bad but i had one here at my shop my clean up boy had a newer 08/09 he lost control trying to miss a couple deer spun out hit the ditch and a tree broke susp off one side motor and trans into floor and fire wall bad wreck when i talked to him the next day he told me the air bag didnt go off when he showed me the pics i told him he wasnt wearing his seatbelt! (air bags will not!! go off unless belt is buckled ) i was wrong the belt bruised and cut his chest and he broke his nose on the wheel or something . first car in my body shop career 22 years that happened / law suit pending these cars today have black boxs to ! seatbelt / brackes applied / rpm / speed / ect... i think JUNK! but i guess i am bias to ford!!!!