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Kia Sorento

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Comments

  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    case? I gotta tell ya man, I really feel for you and what is happening with your situation. I hope your Sorento is running well and all components electrical or otherwise with it. Somebody really dropped the fly ball in your case and let at least 3 baserunners score as well. What makes it worse is that you are without your rig for a lot of that time...none of us likes to be without our vehicles for very long. If anybody wants to read about mikesf's situation here are the posts. Original post is 2703, followed up by post 2771, then 2780 and the last one I have written down is post#2816. He was going to bring Kia of Canada and Kia Montreal to court and that was a couple weeks ago. Hey, mikesf, I sincerely hope you're getting some remedy to your situation...I'm not looky-louing here I see the injustice of what happened to you and feel it's not right at all. Good fortune to you ahead, OK?

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    What is your dealer price? $24K seems good to me without rebate or incentive. I read some posts that 2WD with luxury package and ABS at $23K price range. 4WD probably costs you another grand.

    My little advice.. try email, internet price quote or faxing before heading to the dealer. It could save you some time and hassle.
  • dbgindydbgindy Member Posts: 351
    lok as usual has good advice.:-) If you can get get an EX 4x4 with lux & ABS for around 24-25K without rebates you are doing well. BTW I have the same type of equipment you are looking at and have over 7000 miles and am very happy with my purchase.
  • luvmysorentoluvmysorento Member Posts: 38
    Today had to be one of my worst days of this year. I had to go to the ER for a spasm in my shoulder. I was on my way to give my work excuse to my job and passed my husband in traffic. He called me on my cellphone and we made dinner plans. After I talked to my supervisor at work, I went to my Sorento and checked my messages on my phone and my hubby was on there...he had just been sideswiped by a car! He (Thank God) was not hurt at all, but the car may be totalled. I flew to where he was and pulled up ahead of the first police car. The accident was in a sharp curve on a hillside where there was no way to pull off. I got out of the Sorento to walk back where they were putting his car on a wrecker but I saw my hubby walking toward me so I crawled back in my SUV. I sat and waited for him to talk to the police and when he got back in the Sorento, that's when I noticed that, in my hysterical state or because of the 800mg of Motrin they gave me at the ER, had either put the Sorento back in Drive or never had put it in park in the first place!! I DID have the parking brake on. My Sorento had sat there without drifting away or rolling back into the police car. Whew! We would have been down to NO cars. As for my hubby's car...she hit the driver's door and swiped clear down the side..hubby's rear passenger door was laying crumpled in the road. I am trying to talk him into buying another KIA.

           ~Karen~
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    about the story from last year occurring on a Chicago-area expressway where a woman was squashed between two semi-truck-trailer rigs and lived to tell about it? Guess what kind of car she was driving? Yep-a Kia. A Kia Optima! Our Kia's are tough in wrecks. The top of her 2001 Optima was sheared right off and she wasn't hurt-must've ducked down in time. Our Kia's are heavier than you'd think and are sturdier than average...hurts gas mileage a tad but helps in wrecks. Whoo-hoo! Glad your Sorento didn't go anywhere!

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • dbgindydbgindy Member Posts: 351
    Not a fun day!Look on the bright side cars can be replaced husbands are tougher to replace (good ones anyway :-). Seriously I hope you are feeling better and I'm glad he is okay. Have her insurance company buy him a Kia.:-)

    Duncan
  • ansehdansehd Member Posts: 7
    Hi..guys
    Thz for everything you guys posted about a sorento i am about to buy.

    I just met a dealer dealing with invoce price and the availbility of the color i want. Unfortunatly they don't have what i want. So i said we can conpromise about the color then you guys have to give me the best shot.

    The final invoice price the sale manager suggested was 24,989(EX 4WD With LUX & ABS)with additional rear spolier. Do you guys think this is the limit i can't go futher to reduce price?

    I will go to other dealershops since this month will end which gives me better position because of pressure to meet sale volume the automaker request.
  • dbgindydbgindy Member Posts: 351
    Is the 24,989 before or after rebate? If before with the rear spoiler ( I also had to have that) I think you are doing fine. If that's after your $2,000 total rebate I think that's high.
  • luvmysorentoluvmysorento Member Posts: 38
    Thank you for the kind words.

    Now that I am escorting my hubby around in my Sorento, maybe he will be wanting the same. I already told him about the KIA Loyalty rebate. He doesn't like to spend $$$ but I am sure going without for a while will change his attitude! He could go for an LX if he wants to cut the payment a bit. He could also look on the bright side...it's about time for the 2004's so he might be able pick up a 2003 with great discounts.
    I would feel better knowing he's driving around in a KIA.

                 ~Karen~
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    consumer attitude towards Kia. I've been telling people for years that Kia is for real but people look at you like...yeah, right. It took a bit of a leap of faith because I had never bought an import before much less a Kia. I bought a '99 Sephia in May of '99(loved it)and an '01 Sportage in Sept.of '01(currently loving it). It would be cool if you guys both had Sorento's! I'm starting to look at the new '05 Sportage(may be named differently)or,<gasp> a non-Kia vehicle, a new-generation Hyundai Tiburon GT V6 for my next rig...but that's down the road a tad still. Keep us posted and take care!
     Oh, question to all Sorento owners: Do your factory stereo's rock your Sorento's or must you head to your local "mega-car stereo" stores to have another brand installed? I had a Kenwood AM/FM/cassette(no CD) player installed at Circuit City the day after I bought my Sportage..the factory speakers were already in(including the tweeters on the top corners of the dash). So, for about $150 installed I have great sounding tuneage in the Sport for very little cash. My Sportage didn't come with a stereo so I had to go get one but it did have the factory speakers already in place. Don't ask me why they skipped the stereo but I'm pretty sure I got a better one at Circuit City so that ended up good. Just wondering of you guys are digging your factory stereo's. Over and out! =;)

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • ansehdansehd Member Posts: 7
    Hello Guys!!

    I just bought a new sorento(EX 4wd with lux pack, ABS, Towing Pack, Cargo Tray and Rear spoiler except Auto Leveling) costing 26,000 after the rebate(1000)with indigo blue/pewter color we want.

    But i just wondered that whether it was a good deal or not and when i look at the contract of sale i found something called TDR costing $200. Is there anybody who knows What the TDR is and could tell me it was a good price or not.

    Appreciate You guys.

    I will post summary of contract of sale for the future purchsers. If you guys need any information about the deal, i am glad to assist you guys.

    Bye.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Only thing that rings any bells at all is some sort of theft deterrent charge:

    link

    If that's what it is and they want anything more than $5 for VIN etching, it's not worth it. Lots of police departments do it free, but I've never heard that any insurance company recommends it be done.

    Congrats on the new ride!

    Steve, Host
  • luvmysorentoluvmysorento Member Posts: 38
    What a great choice!

    ansehd ~Congrats on your purchase! Where are you from? I have yet to see another Indigo Blue in my area. I have seen alot of other colors lately though.

                        ~Karen~
  • ansehdansehd Member Posts: 7
    How is the weekend going guys?

    I think it is too early to evaluate the sorento i bought a day ago but i think the design and driving feeling are so far so good. As i posted before i was disappointed that they charged us additional 200 for TDR which is nothing for me. Since i want to make complaint to dealer, Do you guys think to have window etching is madatory in US or in some states? Everybody has seen this charge on the contract of sale? What are you guys opinions about this?

    Thanks for your help.

    P.S Iam in Utah
  • bigfurbigfur Member Posts: 649
    i dont have the time or patience to read thru 2900 posts so im gonna ask a question that probably has be answered two hundred times. What type of mileage are you getting with both 2 and 4 wheel drive???
  • dbgindydbgindy Member Posts: 351
    ansehd- Window etching is NOT a federal law. I know it's also not a state law in Indiana. I doubt it is in any state but it's possible. I didn't have that done on my EX I bought in April.

    bigfur I have an EX 4X4 and average about 17 mpg in a mix of highway ( 65%) & city(35). Have a little over 7000 miles and purchased just under 5 months ago.
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    Happy Labor Day to all!

    bigfur - My best gas mileage was 18.6 mpg when I was on a road trip from Boston to Washington, D.C. few weeks ago with A/C on the whole time. My average gas mileage is not more than 13 mpg with over 70% of city driving here in Boston. It just cost me over $30 (regular at $1.79) to fill the tank. I have over 9500 miles now.

    ansehd - Congrats! I haven't seen many Sorentos in my area. I think I saw one indigo blue on the road before. I have the same equipments that you have except I don't have tow hitch but with auto leveling. I purchased mine on December for $26100 ($1200 off MSRP) with no factory incentive or low APR offer back then. I am not saying you paid too much. But it is because the MSRP for the Sorento, optional equipments and dest. fee have been increased during the past several months. I think the MSRP for a fully loaded (factory installed equipments, not the accessories) Sorento could run over $28K these days. Feel free to ask questions and share experience.
  • dbgindydbgindy Member Posts: 351
    To all Sorento owners and other interested lurkers. :-)
  • jgrover13jgrover13 Member Posts: 1
    Hey ya'll - I've been following this board for a good bit now, but never threw my .02 in, as I had never had an SUV before, and all my off-road/truck experience is similar to Mikesf's. I first saw the Sorento on a stand outside a hotel in Kuwait in Jan 03, thought it was an Acura/Lexus, but walked up and saw KIA in big, bold letters. I was impressed, went back for a closer look a couple days later, but it had already sold to a hotel guest. I did some research while overseas, and when I came home in June, figured I'd go and take a look. I went and test drove one (finally) last weekend, then solicited quotes from about a dozen dealers in a 200 mile radius (from Ft. Polk, LA). A couple of guys in Houston got back to me, otherwise, no real response. I took a drive to some of the dealers just to see what was on the lot, but the dealer mark-up on most were outa hand - $435 "dealer prep fee", $500 Environmental fee, etc. - essentially MSRP + $1000.

    On a whim I called the guy I had test driven with in Alexandria, LA (they had 3 on the lot, 1 LX 4X2, 2 EX 4X4, 1 w/lthr, 1 w/o - I test drove the 1 w/o, but didn't like the color - red/grey) I asked him if they still had the 4X4 w/lthr on the lot, he said yes, quoted it to me at invoice, my wife and I went in, signed the paperwork, and I have an EX 4X4, ABS, spoiler, leather, tow-package, and load leveler sitting in my driveway - indigo blue with stone cladding&leather. The quoted price was $24,995 (which is actually $500 under invoice, after options) before rebate, took $1000 rebate and an additional $500 military rebate, traded in my 97 Accord EX (for about $500 under Blue Book @ $6350, which pissed me off, but they didn't know I was military till I pulled out the sheet from KIA.com, so it evened out), put an additional $2500 down and walked out happy. It rides like a dream, already got her out & muddy, can't wait till I move to Texas for hiking and ski trips to New Mexico!! Thanks for all the input from everyone - your stories made this one of the easiest decisions I've had to make all year!!
  • dekesterdekester Member Posts: 322
    same as making sure the car has all the latest safety equipment. The more airbags, if you have ABS, etc, saves you $ because it saves THEM $.

    Another reason to pop for the optional ABS and why the wife's new Camry will have the Stability Control package which includes skid control, traction control and side curtain airbags to supplement the standard seat-mounted side and front airbags.

    Deke
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    Correct me if I am wrong. My insurance agent told that it won't make any different in term of the insurance rate if the car has ABS, more airbags, traction control, 4WD, etc. How much you are going to pay for auto insurance is based upon the operator's driving record, factory or aftermarket anti-theft device, and vehicle type (coupe, sedan, SUV, minivan).
  • hciaffahciaffa Member Posts: 454
    For those interested most dealers will charge anywhere from $100 to $300 for this procedure. In my estimate this is a complete ripoff. You can get kits for about $20. Here is a web site that I have bought many kits for etching my family cars through the years,and it is so simple you'll see why its a ripoff. (http://www.autoetch.net/) You get 9 VIN labels to do you windows. You don't have to use all of them either. I have used one label to etch 2 windows and they are crystal clear. You can even take paint and fill inthe etch to make it more visible. Now as far as insurance companies giving a break because of this, many do not. I know for sure that mine does not (Colonial Penn/GE) because if the thives want the auto they will take it anyway and over etch the VIN with a large block of etch. Check with your insurance company to see what they will do. Also Lok888 many insurance companies do give discounts for ABS, front and side air bags and they can increase or lower your premiums if it is 4WD or AWD or if its a truck or not. Here in CT the insurance companies are deregulated and they have a field day as far as pricing goes. Again check with your agent. When we bought our Sorento and got rid of the Forester the premiums went down because it was a heavier vehicle and it had side air bags.
  • silverexsilverex Member Posts: 8
    HI ALL!
    JUST GOT BACK FROM A 800 MILE OR SO TRIP TO MYRTLE BEACH, FULLY LOADED WITH 4 PEOPLE AND LUGGAGE, A/C ON , AND DRIVING AROUND 75-80 MPH, GOT AN IMPRESSIVE 19.7 MPG:)
  • ansehdansehd Member Posts: 7
    I have been enjoying a ride since i bought my lovely sorento. I am pretty satisfied. after the realization that they ripped off us me in terms of VIN(199.50) and temporary loans rate(between 7.99 and 10.99 for 60 months), it keeps ringing my head how stupid iam.

    Since the interest rate is not fixed yet and high, Is there any way to find the low loan rate? Any companies i can contact can be recommended?

    Thanks guys
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    Thanks for the info. When I bought my Sorento in December, my insurance company (agent) estimated my rate as other mid-size SUV because it was new to the market and had no data yet. I will double check that.

    ansehd - It depends on your credit history. And if you take the cash back, you don't get the low ARP from Kia. I have seen people have as high as 15% ARP with poor credit report. You can refinance your car just like home. I looked at AAA before the dealer offered me a local bank with 3.9% APR for 36 months. Again, it wasn't any incentive offer back in December.
  • dbgindydbgindy Member Posts: 351
    Check with your local banks & credit Unions. If your credit is decent you should be able to get something in the 3.5%-5.5% range.
  • ivygrnsorentoivygrnsorento Member Posts: 119
    Just read in my Car and Driver that the only major change for the 2004 Sorento will be an offering of a 5 speed manual.

    Just a heads up for those wondering what was in store for the 2004 version.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    Some improvements in the folding of seats and convenience features of different varieties...using one of the seats for a pillow in the 2nd row back...you'll have to read the Kia news release. They added an airbag for the front passenger. Wasn't that already in place? A new two-tone interior cloth color scheme as well. The addition of the 5-speed manual transmission is very cool news, though. Just making an already spiffy SUV that much spiffier is what it looks like to me!

    http://www.kmcir.com/kia_e/news/newsview.asp?ino=126&page=1

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • dekesterdekester Member Posts: 322
    Here in New York, insurance companies give you discounts for safety equipment on your cars. When we bought our Intrigue in 1999, we ran down the list of equipment (all standard, too!) - dual airbags, traction control, ABS with 4-wheel discs, Daytime Running Lights - which resulted in some nice reductions.

    When I was young(er), my motto was "No substitute for cubic inches" and bought the largest engine available in a certain car, now, I opt for all the extra safety equipment because I want to be around for a few more years and save some $$ on the insurance, to boot!

    Deke
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    Thanks all for the info. I bet the insurance companies also give discount if car has highest rating on those crash test.

    About the 2004 model, it looks like these upgrades
    are for Korean market only or non-North America market. It is a third year model for them. The front passenger airbag is probably new to the Korean market. We probably get some minor changes. I hope the ABS is standard at least on EX model.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I live in NY and have allstate. They give you discounts for safety equipment, etc. It comes off the liability portion. Anti-theft items come off your comprehensive and theft coverage.

    -mike
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    At some point the discounts top off. I'm maxed out at 30% on my AIG policy, so while more safety features would be great, my insurance wouldn't go down any more.

    It always pays to shop your policy around every year or so though to make sure you're getting the benefit of all the discounts.

    Steve, Host
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    whole car insurance package around every renewal cycle. Sounds so obvious, but I couldn't believe it. The air bags and ABS and all should help, but ours went way up after moving to Missouri...I asked why and was given a vague reason. Is it the tornadoes...hailstorms? Drew a blank so I started calling... we are now paying less than half of what our old car insurer was going to ask us to pay here. It was the 3rd company I called that gave the best quote...hundreds and hundreds of dollars less for the same limits and liabilities, etc.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I know several people who have allstate and had great claim processing. I also know several with geiko and they had to jump through hoops when they had claims, and it took like 2 months to get it all resolved :(

    -mike
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    we won't have the opportunity to test how quick their claims department is at resolving our claim! We had this other company whose name starts with a big 'ole 'A' and were not happy with how long the claims process took, among other things like cost of the insurance overall. Rant over.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • alwaysaskingalwaysasking Member Posts: 4
    Trying to find out about the achive on this. I'm new to this and I am trying to get a 2004 Sorento. Would like to read info on this achive but don't know how to get it. Been lost so far.
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    I live in MA and have Arbella. They told the side airbag is not eligible for additional discount in MA (statewide) yet.
  • hciaffahciaffa Member Posts: 454
    I was wondering about this... as with many AWD type vehicles such as Subaru you have to keep the tires within a certain diameter and if you go below that, you have to replace the tires in pairs or all four at once. With the Sorento with Auto 4wd with the TOD isn't this a form of all wheel drive. As with our Forester you started off at 50/50 then went into 85/15 front wheel leading, with the Sorento it goes from 50/50 at start to I beleive 90/10 but with the rear wheels driving. There is no mention in the owners manual about tire replacement. What do think, any insight on this.
  • hciaffahciaffa Member Posts: 454
    I was just wondering if you ever got some rubber floor mats for your Sorento. If so from where. how do they look, do the fit the same as the stock rug ones. Now that winter is coming I want to prepare for it.
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    I have the complete set of WeatherTech rubber mats for my Sorento. They are tan which match the interior color. They fit well without trimming. The front set is very close to the stock floormats with a cutting for the foot rest on the driver's side. I didn't trim the rear set because they also fit well, not custom fit. But it is not the stock floormats which extend to the underneath the front seats. I am sure these mats will protect the interior from snow. I don't see any anti skip thing on the back. But they are well in place without any movement. Oh! You just reminded me to order those rain deflectors from WeatherTech. Because I won't be able to install them after the next couple weeks when the weather is getting cool here in MA.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    TOD does an initia 15/85 over 5mph, and then will move the split to 50/50 as needed based on weight shifts and accerator position and ABS engagement. On the subie Automatics it will do 80/20 and move to 40/60 as needed. On the subie manuals it's 50/50 and will move to 60/40-40/60 depending on slippage w/o use of sensors.

    In a word YES, you must keep the circumference of the tires on your sorento w/in 1/4" which comes out to a very small amount as far as diamter. If your tires are different sizes the AWD system will see this as a slipping wheel and take power away from that wheel. Also some Sorentos have a rear LSD so you will create excessive wear on that if the L<->R circumferences are different as well.

    -mike
  • hciaffahciaffa Member Posts: 454
    Thanks on the opinion on the tire circumference. I thought as much as most AWD type vehicles this happens to be the issue. I have to mention that I beleive that all the EX models do come with LSD, as I was at the dealer to pick up ours after service and I walked through the lot and noticed each and everyone of the EX models, 2WD (2WD has the snow button on it to allow the vehicle to start in 2nd gear to avoid slippage), 4wd, AWD had on the door sticker the they had LSD.
    Now I had to go back to a copy of our 99 Foresters shop manual to check this out but, in the auto Forester the car starts out at 60/40 (f/r) then in 2nd gear, you can hear the notorious clack sound that everyone used to talk about at the Forester forum when the rear differential would unlock and go into a 80/20 then it can go into a 60/40 when needed as per the auto tranny ECU.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    That is just the maximum that it will go to on the foresters. That is as per SOA engineers. The older 4EATs on the subies (pre 95/96) would do 90/10 up to 60/40. But in the 2nd gen 4EAT they moved it to 80/20 split.

    -mike

    There has always been a "rumor" that 1st and 2nd gear did a 50/50 split on the 4EATs but that it false.
  • hciaffahciaffa Member Posts: 454
    Even the slaes brochure has it at 50/50 and 60/40 well I guess they will print anything to sell the vehicle. Between sales, service, and the BS we got from SOA reps its just another reason I gave up on Subaru. Look at Mazda. Today they announced that they will buy back the RX8's from anyone who is not happy, as they had stated in the sales brochure that the horse power was ??? and they find out its about 15% lower.
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    This is not a first time for Mazda. It happened on the Miata before with a misprint on horsepower data on the sales brochure. They bought back the car regardless the mileage or gave some $500 cash refund if people want to keep their cars. Did they mention the cash refund?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    50/50 is for the Manual transmission vehicles, NOT the automatics, so the brochure wasn't lieing, it was truthful if you buy a 5MT v. 4EAT.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I never saw a brouchure from SOA that stated false items about the vehicle.
  • pathalogicalpathalogical Member Posts: 34
    Greetings from Canada, eh !

    I have been following this discussion for almost a year and have finally decided to register.
    After one and a half years of shopping for a new car, I narrowed down my search to
    three vehicles, in order 1) Kia Sorento 2) Nissan Pathfinder 3) Toyota Highlander.
    On April 1st of this year, I took delivery of my new, 2003 Pathfinder. I came very close to
    buying the Sorento, but I chose the Pathfinder because of brand name, recognition and
    product reliability. I still like the Sorento and I enjoy reading the discussions here from the
    satisfied owners. As with any car, there are likes and dislikes even after you buy, but since
    I plan on keeping it for as long as possible, reliability was the deciding factor. I traded in
    my 1990 Cavalier Z24, which I bought new, 13 years and 238,724 kms later, it was time
    to part with it. I currently have 6,451 kms and one dealer oil change at 6,000 kms, I have
    not had any problems/complaints about this suv. Fuel mileage is a hot topic here and with
    my most recent fill up, I calculated 20.03 mpg. The recent topic of auto insurance really
    got me interested, and it usually gets me all worked up. Discounts for safety equipment
    mean nothing here in the province of Ontario because too many cars have air bags, ABS,
    the only discount I got for the Pathfinder was for the engine immobilizer, the engine will
    not start without the proper key programmed for the car. Clean driving record means
    nothing, after-market car alarms and steering wheel club mean nothing, indoor private
    parking means nothing. You get discounts for seniors, multi vehicle, and number of years
    of driving, which maybe 20 or 25 years before you get that discount. Increasing your
    deductible does lower your rate. The more you&#146;re willing to pay up front for repairs, the
    less your rates will be. Our insurance rates are based on &#145;where you live&#146;. I live in the city,
    therefore I pay more than if I moved out in the suburbs. I hope this long write up didn&#146;t bore
    anyone. That&#146;s all for now, friends. Any subsequent posts won&#146;t be this long !
  • bigfurbigfur Member Posts: 649
    Is there anyone out there who really DOSENT like their truck??? Also i think the sales person i talked to the other day was a moron. He was telling my girl friend that the Sorento is built on the Lexus RX300 frame, i told him he was nuts. Am i right in believing that it is built on the Santa Fe frame??? Thanks for any help.
    Tom
  • hciaffahciaffa Member Posts: 454
    Your sales man is giving you a good line of BS. In Korea, Kia is a large manufacturer of vehicles including their own brand of trucks. They developed the frame for the Sorento themselves and they intend to elongate it for a third seat for the Korean market for now. Hyundia is the, what you would call the parent company as it owns a substantial part of Kia. The Santa Fe if I am not mistaken is a unibody vehicle having no frame and I think the Lexus is the same yet the Lexus is a very capable vehicle in receiving many accolades for its performance. When we purchased our Sorento in Nov of 02 the dealer gave an open house for new Kia owners and the Kia senior rep from CA was there to answer questions. He mentioned that Hyundia was annoyed the decision of the board to have Kia get the Sorento and have Kia upgrade its line of cars first so to give it a better reputation. With the future sale of the Amanti as a 04 and the possible release of the new Sportage as a unibody design taking some design tips from the Santa Fe. There were some spy photos not long ago of it in Popular Mechincs or Motor Trend.
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