Hi! My DH and I are thinking of buying a new vehicle and last night we looked at a KIA Sportage. I would love to hear any feedback on this vehicle good or bad. Don't hold back - thanks!!!

Michelle:D

OK, if you dont want me to hold back, lol. I once test drove one, about 9 years ago, it was awful, but Kia's have come a long way in Australia since then.

My main problem with korean cars is that here they are termed "throwaway cars". Cars are relatively more expensive in Australia than in America so that may make it different but here, you'd be insane to spend money on a now Korean car, they devalue so darn fast, they're a financial nightmare. Much much better to stick with something like a Honda, Toyota, etc. Unless you're buying it to run it into the ground over 15 years and then you'd STILL be better with something like a Toyota that will go the distance.

I've owned a Daewoo because I was desperately in need of a new car, but we kept it 3 years on the knocker, and got rid of it immediately, still did a ton of money on it, but were afraid to keep it, they seem to fall apart at the 3year/100,000 km mark.

I'd always buy a Japanese car second hand in preference but again, perhaps the whole finance thing is different here.

Jacqui (or anyone), what do you think of Hyundais? They were really maligned for years here but now they're earning a great reputation. They have a 10-year warranty and are coming out with new models that are pretty good-looking! (I just wish they'd do something about that cheesy slanted H emblem that looks like a Honda wanna-be.)

I have no experience with Kia but will be watching this thread. Our Toyota Sienna is about to bite the dust and we'll be looking for a replacement within the year.

I'm also not a huge fan of Kias or Hyundais. I have never personally owned one, but a friend of mine and I bought cars around the same time (this was about 6 years ago). I was just out of college and bought what I could afford -- a used 1993 Toyota Tercel with 176,000 miles on it. She bought a brand new Hyndai something (Elantra, I think). Over the next 2 years, all I had to do was change the oil and replace one headlight. In that same time, she had numerous problems and was always taking the car in for repairs -- mostly it was little dinky things, like the rearview mirror fell off and the radio had some problems, and then there was an electrical problem with the power windows and locks, and problems with the starter, and it went on and on. The car was under warranty, but it's almost a joke if you have to keep bringing the car back in. She finally got rid of it, but she ended up still owing money on the car after she sold it because it had significantly decreased in value.

My best suggestion is do your research. There are a lot of good resources online that give consumer reports on specific vehicles. I do think Hyndai and some of the car companies that had very bad reputations in the 80's and 90's are improving, but overall, they still don't compete with some of the better Japanese companies. Even if you get a used Honda or Toyota, you might be better off than with a new Kia.

That's just my view and experience with Korean cars. I'm sure there are a lot of people who have had good experiences with them.

Hi Michelle!

I am a proud owner of a 2006 Kia sportage and I love it except for the payment! :confused: I had to get the EX with all the upgrades so its not near the payment they advertise. It is great I can haul anything in it and we use it for all family trips because it is so roomy and comfortable. I love it but you will find many different opinions but yours will be the only on that matters!

Becky

I absolutely love my Kia Sedona....it is a great value and it rides like a dream. It is light years better than my Ford Aerostar and Windstar. Best vehicle I have ever owned. We will be purchasing a Kia Sportage within the next month. You can't beat the warranty.!

I test drove the Kias,Hyundais, Toyotas and Hondas. I ended up buying a Ford Escape. Why ??? I ended up with the best deals and got intrest free financing for 5 years. but the Korean cars have come along over the past several years.

Well, we took the plunge tonight and bought a 2007 KIA Sportage. Already we love it but we are crossing our fingers and hoping it will be a good car for us. We just couldn't find anything that beat the price, the warranty, and the low financing rate. We bought the EX/L with 4 WD. It is so new to me because I have been driving an Acura Legend since 1988 but told DH that it was seeing its last days(especially the body) still purrs like a kitten and starts everytime but car doors froze open last winter and I wasn't able to drive it for about 2 months in January and February. Yes it is true what they say about those Lake Erie Winters. Ever hear about the Edmund Fitzgerald???

Anyway, getting back to the new car - they gave us free car inspections for all the years we own it, 10 year warranty/100,000 miles for the power trane, 5year warranty/50,000 miles for everything else. It has power windows, doors, air conditioning, leather interior, moon roof, cd player, sirius radio, mp3 player capabilities, tinted windows, front air bags, side curtain air bags, and seat air bags - well its just really cool.

Alexandra - the KIA's are now being manufactured by the Hyundai Corporation and actually the Hyundai Tucson is on the same chassis as the KIA Sportage. Kelly Blue Book is giving the KIAs a 5 star safety rating now. You can write me anytime and I'll let you know how things are going with it.

Thanks to everyone for your input---

This is why I love this website---

Michelle:car:

we just bought a kia spectra car...we really like it. excellent gas mileage, and excellent warranty.

We came from a camry...still not as nice as that, but we had a accident and totalled the camry...

I think you will like it

thanks hoosierpoms!

sorry to hear about your accident

take care

Congrats, Michelle!

And look out because Sirius is ADDICTIVE! I bought a Jeep in February and it came with a free year of Sirius. I ended up buying another subscription/radio for my home office, I love it so much.