FINALLY time to get a new car - KIA Sportage? Maybe PT Cruiser?

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: radioouman
Fix the Civic!

Its a 97 Civic with 5-speed. She's been wanting an automatic for quite some time. We know from previous experience, once a civic starts falling apart you're in for an expensive ride. Next it will be her muffler, then cvjoints, then radiator, then power steering, then ac, then.... and its always very expensive.

even if all that stuff does fail in the next 100,000 miles, you'll still spend less money than if you buy a used KIA. remember that depreciation is a huge factor in cost of ownership. even if you spend $2000 on maintanence over the next 5 years, that's nothing compared to the nose-dive depreciation on a korean car.

 

[Perknose]

Kias are fast coming up in the world, but the old model Sportage that you are looking at is as crude as crude can be, with iffy reliability. Please don't get it. Your wife will HATE driving it and you will not love it come repair time.

Like others have said, spend your $10,000 on a good, used Forester. It's the real sleeper pick in this class range.

Edit: Two minutes with Google:

Note the low, low, low "value in class" rating.

Now note the "Best Buy" award.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Glavinsolo
OP don't listen to them. You have my vote for your decision. The warranty alone makes it worth it.

They have warranties on 4-year-old KIAs?

No, KIAs may be getting better, but the earlier models were total and complete junk. Avoid them at all costs.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
your problem is your mechanic. despite his skill in manipulating you, your mechanic doesn't actually sound like a very good MECHANIC.

Calm down there kujo. The alternator was replaced 3 years ago, and I don't doubt they did something wrong or we wouldn't be having a problem now. But it did need replaced at the time, because the car's electrical system went totally haywire. But we moved to another state 6 months ago and what's done is done.

 

[CRXican]

if you can't take care of a honda, you'll be dead within a week in a Kia

 

[J0hnny]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
your problem is not your car. your problem is your mechanic. despite his skill in manipulating you, your mechanic doesn't actually sound like a very good MECHANIC. otherwise you wouldn't have a new alternator that isn't functioning properly. even i can change an alternator properly, and i can't even change my OIL. he needed to change a few belts and it will cost $700? the only belt that costs this much to replace on a Honda is the timing belt, and that is something that gets changed on a mileage interval, not by "taking a look at the car." how do you find the interval? look it up in your MANUAL. and ALL hondas need their timing belt changed on a set schedule, so if it is actually due for it, just pay for it, because it won't need to be done again for another 90,000 miles or whatever your internal is.

look up your timing belt interval yourself and see if it needs it. then take your car to a honda specialist. have him diagnose the electrical issue again. get it fixed. if you need to do the timing belt, do it. you'll have a car that will go another 100,000+ miles, all for less than $1000.

a used KIA is a BAD f'ing idea.

I was thinking the same thing but you said it better!

 

[lightpants]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
your problem is your mechanic. despite his skill in manipulating you, your mechanic doesn't actually sound like a very good MECHANIC.

Calm down there kujo. The alternator was replaced 3 years ago, and I don't doubt they did something wrong or we wouldn't be having a problem now. But it did need replaced at the time, because the car's electrical system went totally haywire. But we moved to another state 6 months ago and what's done is done.

How much do you want for the civic?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
$700 for 3 belts, a resonator and a battery? I should have been a mechanic.

I use to be a autotech and still do stuff on the side here in Cary(raleigh) NC and I still charge about the same rates I use to. But my mom brought her Z28 up for a FULL workup and told me she paid $500 for a brake job that is already bad after 5000miles. Then I had a muffler put on my Saab and that was more then what I charged for a FWD brake job. So yea the prices have gone up but more tech. tools are needed and the diff. between a good tech and a bolt turner are day and night now.

The Chevy dealer here has the worst techs I have seen. Our C5 2001 Vette had the wiper motor replaced and the idiot forgot to tighten the retaining nut. Now they want to replace both headlight motors even though that is not the problem and OH.. thats not covered by the warrenty.

One of the many reasons I ran my own shop, ethics, and got a college degree so I don;t have to be a autotech my life.

 

[fstime]

It's a piece of crap, trust me.......

 

[RichUK]

Lol they try to sell KIA's in my local shopping centre now and again.

If you buy one, atleast take the badges off.

 

[wyvrn]

I bought a 2005 Kia Spectra and so far have been surpised. It was a better price than any other foreign car in it's range, and has been suprisingly reliable and enjoyable to drive. We'll see how it drives in 5 years or so..

 

[WT]

Amazing the Kia bias in this thread from people who have never driven a new(er) Kia. I swear you guys must think its a Microsoft product and this is Slashdot from your bashing posts. Anyone that posts what they drive is subject to the same rhetoric and subjecture, and someone can find any lemon out of a batch of all makes and models, so before you post your 'facts', howza bout hearing from some Kia owners ?

 

[theknight571]

Not excatly on topic but:

There was a Kia dealer in Toledo, I believe, that was having a buy one - get one free.

But is was you buy the Kia Sedona and get a Kia Rio free.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: theknight571
Not excatly on topic but:

There was a Kia dealer in Toledo, I believe, that was having a buy one - get one free.

But is was you buy the Kia Sedona and get a Kia Rio free.

ROFLMAO :laugh:

On a serious note, i can't really comment, because i have never driven one. But hey i don?t plan to either.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: WT
Amazing the Kia bias in this thread from people who have never driven a new(er) Kia. I swear you guys must think its a Microsoft product and this is Slashdot from your bashing posts. Anyone that posts what they drive is subject to the same rhetoric and subjecture, and someone can find any lemon out of a batch of all makes and models, so before you post your 'facts', howza bout hearing from some Kia owners ?

I'm sorry but a 2002 Sportage is a tin can hunk of crap with subpar crash ratings, an underpowered engine, and terrible milage compared to others in it's class.

The new ones are pretty nice (Hyundai Tuscon rebadges) but the old ones are horrible.

 

[batmang]

DO NOT BUY A KIA. unless you want a peice of crap for a car.
look into a scion if you want something cheap that has space and is realiable.

$14k for a new xB. i bought a 06' and i love it. its the most practical thing ive ever driven.

 

[spaceman]

AIK!

 

[WT]

I'm sorry but a 2002 Sportage is a tin can hunk of crap with subpar crash ratings, an underpowered engine, and terrible milage compared to others in it's class.

Did you miss my earlier post saying the Sportage he looked at had its share of problems ?? I shall requote it:

Older Sportages had bad wear on the front brakes with warping rotors that were a costly nuisance. Also, Kia is not known for having long life from their wheel bearings but that supposedly was addressed on all models from '05 on

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: batmang
DO NOT BUY A KIA.

Okie dokie. :thumbsup:

 

[vi edit]

I still say look at a Subaru Forester. The PT Cruiser was one of the most uncomfortable vehicles I have ever sat in.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I still say look at a Subaru Forester. The PT Cruiser was one of the most uncomfortable vehicles I have ever sat in.

Hmm... would you consider yourself a large person? Or was it the contour of the seat you didn't like?

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: lokiju
My fiancee Mom has the KIA Sorento and swears she'll never get a KIA again.

It's a very rough ride for being such a new car.

Have you considered the Hyundai Santa Fe?

It's redesigned for this year and is actually a very good bang for the buck car with a nice smooth ride and ample power.

Is your fiancee's mom an idiot ? Didn't she test drive it prior to purchasing it ?
what do you mean rough ride ?
Why would she purchase it if she indeed test drove it and had a rough drive.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: isekii
Is your fiancee's mom an idiot ? Didn't she test drive it prior to purchasing it ?

I think that is uncalled for. It takes more than a few minutes of driving around to get a good feel for a car.

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: Perknose
Kias are fast coming up in the world, but the old model Sportage that you are looking at is as crude as crude can be, with iffy reliability. Please don't get it. Your wife will HATE driving it and you will not love it come repair time.

Like others have said, spend your $10,000 on a good, used Forester. It's the real sleeper pick in this class range.

Edit: Two minutes with Google:

Note the low, low, low "value in class" rating.

Now note the "Best Buy" award.

From your source

PT Cruiser an even better value


PT Cruisers are very good values, nicely put together and lots of versatility. And I'm willing to bet they're a lot cheaper to repair than a Subaru.

My brother has one, and I used to have the GT model. Other than the poor gas mileage with the GT, they are nice cars.

My other brother has a 5 door Ford Focus, which is another very nice car that is very affordable. Has a lot in common with the super popular Mazda 3, for a lot less money.

Cars like the Focus and PT Cruiser are less popular than Hondas and Subarus, but that just means you can get a car that is just as good for less money.

 

[iamwiz82]

If you don't mind anoyther car, check out a Taurus, as well. Their resale is just horrendous, $12k will get you a practically brand new one. The newer ones don't have the reliability issues that the older ones had, either.