Anyone own a Kia

chillywilly

Wife is looking a a new Kia magentis. I've heard Kia has come a long way the passed couple years but have had no real experiance with them. They look decent comes with alot of standard equipment that are options on most other make. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I would personally avoid them. They may look appealing, but everyone I know with one has had problems. I think they're a good example of you get what you pay for.

nooshinjohn

^^^Agreed, and I sell them. There is a huge reason why their warranty is 10 years/100k, and quality has nothing to do with it.

zarrdoss

2000 KIA Sephia 113000 miles and no problems what so ever! of course now it will fall apart the next time I drive it, lol

eeagle

I've rented a couple and been very pleased...especially with the van....lots of well thought out space.

Had a Sorento and it ran right up to the top of Mt Evans in CO which is 14K.....didn't miss a lick....had neat tire pressure monitor right in the dash display too.

TroyD

TLW has a KIA Sorento that we bought new in 2004 and it has been fantastic. 130K miles and counting with no major mechanical issues (note that TLW is religious about the MX schedule). The only issue that we've had is a rear tail light that kept blowing out. The fit'n'finish was not as nice as some other brands but it was also about 10 grand south of Toyota wanted. Also, from what I've seen, the fit'n'finish is improving, probably still not on par with Toyota per se but thier prices are still quite a bit less.

I would have zero reservations about buying another Kia.

BDT

ohskigod

Kia has been improving over the years. only buy a Kia if your going to own it for a while, as the depreciation is still a bit of a mother effer with this brand...if you plan to own it 5-6 years it isnt much of a factor. do not buy it with plans to trade it in in 2 or 3, you will get @ssraped on trade in.

nooshinjohn

For about the same money, you can get a base Subaru Legacy with all-wheel drive. It will prove itself to be a better car in terms of safety, performance and resale value. I doubt however, that selling it would be an option, as most that buy a Subaru don't give them up unless they already have another one to take it's place.

Pauly

125K on my Spectra. No real issues other than exhaust. I bought it new in 2001. Would buy another.
It boils down to Maintenance on any car.

Pauly

TroyD

Lou makes a salient point, which we knew going in....but TLW and I keep cars 10+ years...yeah, that effer is worthless after you drive it off the lot.

BDT

mhardy6647

The Hyundais are a lot less horrible than they used to be... I dunno about the Kias.

Jstas

Hyundai and Kia are the same cars, different badging. Hyundai has owned Kia since 1998. Before that, Kia didn't do much here until 1994 when they started selling the Sephia. But before that, they pretty much made other cars for other companies like Ford, Mazda and Asian market GMs. But they went bankrupt in '97 prompting the acquisition of Kia by Hyundai. Now, most if not all Kias share platforms with Hyundais and are a "downmarket Hyundai" (I didn't think that was possible).

I'll reserve my comments since most people have a problem with my extremely low opinion of anything from Hyundai.

I would go with the Subaru suggestion. Rock solid cars. Either that or check out the Ford Fusion. Both will cost a bit more but you get more car and they both get stellar reviews from magazines and consumers alike. Also, both the Subaru and the Ford have very low depreciation rates.

mhardy6647

I did not realize that Hyundai owned Kia; didn't Ford used to have a big stake in Kia? As I recall, Kia made the (rather forgettable) Ford Fiestiva...

Jstas

They didn't have a stake in Kia. They had a partnership with Kia to manufacture cars. In return, Kia was also given the opportunity to market the cars they made for Ford and Mazda as Kias (Kia Pride and Kia Avella) in the Korean markets and other non-North American and non-Japanese markets. But that pretty much ended in 2000 when the Festiva (Aspire in North American markets) ended sales in Australia. The North American market put the Aspire out to pasture, thankfully, in 1996. The North American market had no small car from Ford until this year when the Fiesta was re-introduced. The new Fiesta is a Ford of Europe design based on the B3 global platform. The only other car related to it is the Mazda 2. But the B3 platform is a Ford platform, not a Mazda platform.

nooshinjohn

Jstas wrote: »

I would go with the Subaru suggestion...

Holy SHEEET!!!!
Jstas agrees with me! I hope everybody has their end of the world insurance up to date, as the Mayans may well be right after all.;);):p:D

exalted512

My brother and his wife had a Kia Sorento. I was very impressed with it and no major problems. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if its what you like and in your price range.
-Cody

schutz2106

Relatives have had 1 for 10 years and only repair was a starter

codyc1ark

Jstas wrote: »

Hyundai and Kia are the same cars, different badging. Hyundai has owned Kia since 1998. Before that, Kia didn't do much here until 1994 when they started selling the Sephia. But before that, they pretty much made other cars for other companies like Ford, Mazda and Asian market GMs. But they went bankrupt in '97 prompting the acquisition of Kia by Hyundai. Now, most if not all Kias share platforms with Hyundais and are a "downmarket Hyundai" (I didn't think that was possible).

I work for a major insurance company, in the field, every day. When I have a customer with a total loss ask me what to buy, I tell them Hyundai or Kia. For the money, today, they are making a better car then most out there. They come with a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. Take a look at the 2011's, very sharp, drive one, they no longer feel cheep and flimsy. They have really stepped up quality in the last 5 years. For the most part they are problem free, and a lot of my customers get put into rentals which are either Hyundai/Kia, and don't want to give them up. Good car, great deal. Just my 2 cents... But like most of my customers, ignore me, because this what I do every day.
P.S. - Subaru is a very good car, always get my vote, but you may not need all wheel drive.

Bobsama

codyc1ark wrote: »

Jstas wrote: »

Hyundai and Kia are the same cars, different badging. Hyundai has owned Kia since 1998. Before that, Kia didn't do much here until 1994 when they started selling the Sephia. But before that, they pretty much made other cars for other companies like Ford, Mazda and Asian market GMs. But they went bankrupt in '97 prompting the acquisition of Kia by Hyundai. Now, most if not all Kias share platforms with Hyundais and are a "downmarket Hyundai" (I didn't think that was possible).

I work for a major insurance company, in the field, every day. When I have a customer with a total loss ask me what to buy, I tell them Hyundai or Kia. For the money, today, they are making a better car then most out there. They come with a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. Take a look at the 2011's, very sharp, drive one, they no longer feel cheep and flimsy. They have really stepped up quality in the last 5 years. For the most part they are problem free, and a lot of my customers get put into rentals which are either Hyundai/Kia, and don't want to give them up. Good car, great deal. Just my 2 cents... But like most of my customers, ignore me, because this what I do every day.
P.S. - Subaru is a very good car, always get my vote, but you may not need all wheel drive.

I've always heard complaints about the back row seats in Kia/Hyundai cars. The last few that I've been in, the back seat was basically cardboard & an inch of foam.

Jstas

codyc1ark wrote: »

Jstas wrote: »

Hyundai and Kia are the same cars, different badging. Hyundai has owned Kia since 1998. Before that, Kia didn't do much here until 1994 when they started selling the Sephia. But before that, they pretty much made other cars for other companies like Ford, Mazda and Asian market GMs. But they went bankrupt in '97 prompting the acquisition of Kia by Hyundai. Now, most if not all Kias share platforms with Hyundais and are a "downmarket Hyundai" (I didn't think that was possible).

I work for a major insurance company, in the field, every day. When I have a customer with a total loss ask me what to buy, I tell them Hyundai or Kia. For the money, today, they are making a better car then most out there. They come with a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. Take a look at the 2011's, very sharp, drive one, they no longer feel cheep and flimsy. They have really stepped up quality in the last 5 years. For the most part they are problem free, and a lot of my customers get put into rentals which are either Hyundai/Kia, and don't want to give them up. Good car, great deal. Just my 2 cents... But like most of my customers, ignore me, because this what I do every day.
P.S. - Subaru is a very good car, always get my vote, but you may not need all wheel drive.

Here we go again.

Whoop-tee-do, I don't care.

Unlike an insurance adjuster (accountant that tries to play service writer), I actually have mechanical experience in repairing cars. It my years of doing the work, I have yet to see anything you speak of in concerns towards Kia or Hyundai. I have actually owned Hyundais. Gave them 3 chances to impress me. They failed. I've even had the piles of garbage as rentals and could not wait to give them back. I will not ever recommend a Hyundai or Kia. Even if they are made of solid gold, blessed by God and and maintained by angels.

So, to summarize, I have owned Hyundais. I have driven Hyundais and Kias. I was thoroughly disgusted with my ownership. I am still unimpressed with anything from either company.

I still recommend the Subaru and Ford over either the Kia or the Hyundai. If the Accord wasn't so expensive, I'd recommend that too. The only thing Hyundai/Kia has going for it is at least it isn't a fiery ball of death like Toyotas.

bigaudiofanatic

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I would personally avoid them. They may look appealing, but everyone I know with one has had problems. I think they're a good example of you get what you pay for.

X2 is you want bang for the buck go with honda just my opinion.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Ahhhhh, it just wouldn't be a true car thread without John working in a slam on Toyota.

Good times......

TECHNOKID

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

X2 is you want bang for the buck go with honda just my opinion.

You are going from one extreme to the other. Just like telling someone that ask if so and so Sony receiver is decent and you lead him into buying a carver amp. Hyundai & Kia are budget cars (of course you get what you pay for...) Honda is NOT. While Honda makes great quality cars like high end electronics you pay a good chunk for the name (therefore you pay more than what you actually get). Again, you are going from one extreme to the other.

Cheers!
TK

codyc1ark

Jstas wrote: »

Here we go again.

Whoop-tee-do, I don't care.

Unlike an insurance adjuster (accountant that tries to play service writer), I actually have mechanical experience in repairing cars.QUOTE]

Ha. I love to be blasted here, by a person who assumes that I don't have anywhere near the kind of experence they may have, or the training. You sound like a few of the rednecks I work with on a daily basis, perhaps... I'll leave it alone, whatever makes you feel better about yourself.

But then again, like mentioned above we are looking at budget cars. I can only speak for what I see my self, what people tell me face to face, and industry reviews. I try to not give my opinion on what I see just myself.

gdb

Buy Kia, support Korea! I personally prefer to support the US carmakers. YMMV

Ricardo

gdb wrote: »

Buy Kia, support Korea! I personally prefer to support the US carmakers. YMMV

Ha ha ha.

gdb

Ricardo wrote: »

Ha ha ha.

That's funny to you ??

Ricardo

gdb wrote: »

That's funny to you ??

Yes. It's amazing that there's still people that think that buying a Ford, GM or Chrysler will do more good to the U.S. economy than buying a foreign car.

Supporting these companies has done more damage than good to our economy. Oh, of course YMMV.

gdb

Post bailout interest and sales seem to "validate" my outlook, and yes, my GMs get great mileage.:D

nooshinjohn

gdb wrote: »

... my GMs get great mileage.:D

and they are built in Canada and Mexico. bailout money to GM built new plants in Mexico and China. Good of them to feel obligated to the US taxpayer and bring some jobs back home.:rolleyes:

sucks2beme

When my son was working at a extended warranty company
researching failure rates, the Kia had a higher failure rate than
the Hyundia cars did. But both brands made big improvements
in recent years.
I really wish it was more cut and dried as to how much good buying a big
three car was over the other brands. Some models are more "American made"
than the big three are. Of the big three, I definately prefer Ford.
I work for an American company. Ask me how much of the hardware is
really made here. They would like to send my job to India, and very well
might soon enough.
I'd buy all American more if I could figure out if I was really helping, or
being duped.