Just got a Kia Borrego Limited (Pics inside) - best kept used vehicle "secret"?

[ScoobMaster]

My wife and I love to camp and are looking to upgrade from our 12 -foot popup camper. The problem is that our 2003 Explorer with the 4.0 V6 could tow a max of 3500lbs. Most of the current generation Crossover (no frame ) SUVs can only tow 5000lbs or less - so outside of Expeditions and Tahoes, only full size pickups can tow decent sized campers. Then I stumbled onto the Kia Borrego... Kia introduced these body-on-frame SUVs at the WORST possible time (when gas hit $5/gal in 2008-2009) and NOBODY bought them. They dropped them after 1 model year in the US (I never even heard of them until I started looking for an Explorer replacement). Kia's loss was my gain - these have dropped in value like a rock and are a good buy used if you have a need for body-on-frame (like towing). The 4.6L V8 actually gets better fuel economy than my 4.0 V6 Explorer did (thanks I am sure to to the 6-speed German ZF transmission).

Anyway - here it is... a 2009 Borrego V8 Limited:

Now we have 7500lbs of tow capacity!
I took several more pictures that you can see if you wish by clicking on this link.


And if you REALLY are curious about this vehicle, here is a youtube video that shows and explains all of the features. (It is identical to mine except we only have RWD, not 4WD.) Other than that, all the toys and goodies are the same.

 

[joutlaw]

My experience with limited run, no longer produced vehicles is that the purchase prices will be much lower than similar competitors but maintenance will make up for the difference in the long run.

 

[CraigRT]

Looks nice.
Never heard of that vehicle ever.

 

[ScoobMaster]

My experience with limited run, no longer produced vehicles is that the purchase prices will be much lower than similar competitors but maintenance will make up for the difference in the long run.

I was thinking about that too, but while they stopped the US sales after 1 year, they continued to build and sell them in other countries (Mexico, Canada, Russia) as the Kia Mohave,

 

[Puddle Jumper]

A friend of mine had one as a rental and it was a surprisingly impressive vehicle.

 

[WT]

Oh I would SO love to trade in my Sorento for a Borrego, just for the extra towing capacity. Wife isn't buying my reasons, so I just have to live with what I have. I bought mine as a leftover in '06 and it has required nothing since other than gas and new tires.

Congrats on the nice ride. It really is a shame the Borrego came out under the current economic conditions and was doomed before it got started.

 

[halik]

How much does that camper weigh?

I've seen one or two on the road before, always was impressed how non-korean (ie good) those look, especially compared to a sorrento.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_Mohave

It was made for a few years, so that's good parts-wise.

 

[ScoobMaster]

How much does that camper weigh?

My current popup? only 1950lbs. The 26' travel trailer I want to get? 4600lbs.

 

[boomhower]

Are those things Explorer sized or bigger?

 

[ScoobMaster]

About the same size as an Explorer (slightly bigger)

The wheelbase is an inch or so longer (114") than my 3rd generation Explorer was. I believe they are an inch or two wider and maybe a tad longer as well.

 

[jlee]

Looks nice.
Never heard of that vehicle ever.

Neither have I.

 

[bbs lm-r]

Kia Baby Sheep (well in spanish...)

They could've picked a better name for a V8 SUV, but that's nit-picking really. It honestly looks real nice from those pics.

 

[NutBucket]

You forgot the important stuff: how much?

 

[amdhunter]

Kia Booger.

 

[Throckmorton]

Never heard of it. Found a review though
http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...an-pathfinder-toyota-4runner-comparison-tests

 

[KentState]

Funny how a Korean company is using a Spanish word for their vehicle. Sounds like something I'd find in Mexico.

 

[Throckmorton]

Funny how a Korean company is using a Spanish word for their vehicle. Sounds like something I'd find in Mexico.

 

[ScoobMaster]

You forgot the important stuff: how much?

Ah, yep. Forgot to post that. I got it for $19k (it has 23k miles). Not bad considering MSRP on it when new was $38k. The limited model has heated first AND second row leather seats and is fully loaded with options.

 

[50 mpg by 2012]

VERY NICE FIND! CONGRATULATIONS!

It was apparently available in the US 2009 through 2011 according to EPA data.

2WD and 4WD and 3.8~4.6 Liter.

Fuel economy 17~18 mpg combined with same "Our User's Average MPG" where available

ENJOY!!!

 

[ScoobMaster]

Two week update; so far so good. We just took it on a 3 hour trip to an amusement park in Rochester and back. Loved all the luxury creature comforts and the rear A/C. My wife even used the heated seats to remedy a sore and tight back on the way up (I found it ironic that with it over 90 degrees outside and 67 inside with the A/C blaring, she turned on the heated seat).

If anyone is interested in owning one of these rare vehicles... I found another V8 Limited almost identical to the one we just bought. It is in Erie, PA: http://cargur.us/727S

 

[kevman]

Nice dude! Hows the ride , comfort wise? I have an 06 pathfinder that is Body on frame as well. The ride tends to get a little too rough for my wife, granted she is expecting in 8 weeks so its more rougher then usual. It was the only body on frame SUV that I thought was still being made when I bought it and it had a third row seat which I wanted. Does this one have a third row ?

 

[ScoobMaster]

Nice dude! Hows the ride , comfort wise? I have an 06 pathfinder that is Body on frame as well. The ride tends to get a little too rough for my wife, granted she is expecting in 8 weeks so its more rougher then usual. It was the only body on frame SUV that I thought was still being made when I bought it and it had a third row seat which I wanted. Does this one have a third row ?

Yes - the Borrego does have third row seating. The ride is much more truck-like and you do know when you are hitting bumps, but you can't really have your cake and eat it too (have a chassis capable of pulling 7500 lbs and be baby-soft on ride). I am really happy with it so far. It is a shame that the market for them was gone before they went on sale and they didn't really get a fair shot at competing against the established SUV lines.

 

[redgtxdi]

Only reason is because the new sorrento/Santa fe will be taking over both roles. They are going to make 5 seat versioons and 7 seat versions of the current mid sized suv's from the sister companies but the 7 seat versions will be bigger than they are now and take over that full sized market.

Oh and if you want your cake and eat it too... A Mercedes gl450 or better yet, gl550 will fit the bill, though at a few bucks more than $19k or even $38k.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

I always had a soft spot for this car. It looks very nice in Black! Congratulations on your purchase!