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Comments
Normally you would want to start off in a low gear on snow and ice for traction.
Also, if it does upshift to top gear as per normal, then I guess gas mileage may not really be affected, unless higher rpm's are required to get moving from a stop.
The theory behind starting in second gear on snow or ice is to reduce the tendency for wheelspin. This is because in general static friction (when a wheel is sliding) is lower than dynamic friction (when a wheel is hooked up). However, in deep snow there may be times when sliding a tire may help you.
Therefore, a good 4wd vehicle will have both capabilities, depending upon what you are driving through.
Duncan
Steve, Host
I was out 'playing' in my backyard (I've got hundreds of acres of state land plus the Tonto Nat'l Forrest next to me) here in Arizona, going through some pretty rough washes, over some larger rocks, up some pretty steep and loose hills, and I got to say, that the KIA performed admirably (that is, didn't get stuck once) Did get a few 'Arizona pinstripes' - but hey, this is a off road vehicle, after all.
Just want to know if others have played with their KIA's yet, and also, have you done any mods to improve the off road capabilities - like larger tires, shocks, etc...
THANKS!
I am in the market for a small SUV and had originally been just looking at used Libertys and 2002 or 2003 Grand Cherokees. I have also test driven a VUE, CRV, and Element. I test drove the Sorento almost on a lark, but had seen them being driven around and have thought that they were one of the most attractive SUVs out there! So, I went in for a drive and I like the dealer. All positives so far.
I test drove a Ruby Red LX 4x4 with a manual(sport package). I loved the feel. Interior seemed almost on par with my buddies VW Jetta--of course not AS good... Anyway, the thing that kept going through my head was that IT IS A KIA and I dont have a good impression of them (no first had experience)--Korean design has always been ugly to me, except for now. I kept thinking what will I feel having to look down at the steering wheel everyday and see KIA and not something like HONDA or JEEP? This is a major concern for me since i (unfortunatly) tend to get hung up on 'image' things and for some odd reason feel that a Jeep or Honda "Badge" would look better. Now, as far as feedback here, no need to tell me I am stupid or anything, but I would like to hear from people who maybe can relate. I guess car is image a lot of times and I like my vehicle to be an EXPRESSION of me
Anyway in addition/aside from this, after having looked and test driven others, the Kia is moving up on my list (cost is a big variable) but really would like some feedback from people who have driven them.
Concerns that I have:
1. Gas milage on this seems terrible LOW! It seems on par with an Explorer and Ranier! What seems even odder is that the manual has lower ratings than the auto. Any thoughts/comments on this? How much are people spending at the pump? BTW, I live in Illinois.
2. I like the idea of a manual, but like the look of the two tone EX. Of course that adds a lot to the price so I thought about getting a 4x2 EX. What are people's thoughts to not having 4 wheel drive on this vehicle. Also, what are people's thoughts about having the manual? I am kinda caught on this one...
3. Is ABS somthing i need in this vehicle? I read parts of this thread that referenced this topic, but am not sure my dealer has the ABS on the wehicle. Seems like with this hefty machine ABS would be good. My parents Volvo that I have been driving sure benefits from it.
4. RESALE value. I have heard terrible things about the Sportage. Now, I know that this IS NOT the Sportage, but I have had to look at it to get an estimate of how much Kia SUVs tend to depreciate. I would like to be able to trade in 3 years and dont want to have negative equity!
5. The 'image' concerns I addressed above...
Anyway, I would appreciate all feedback and your honest opinions to the issues that I have raised. I want to make an informed decision!!
THANKS IN ADVANCE! -Steve
ONE HUGE THING with me is that i do not want to get a new car and have it be dated in a year or two. How old will an 04 sorento look in 3 years?
THANKS!
You can also get an idea about resale value by looking at the Edmunds Maintenance Guide under the depreciation column for the SUVs you are interested in.
Steve, Host
I was the one that posted about the ABS or Manual issue - ended up taking the manual. Here are some thoughts on your questions.
1) Image - the other car I was looking at was a maroon 2001 Land Rover Discovery with 51k miles -I know what you mean! The thing with the Disco, after test driving a good number of them - I know exactly where you can expect rattles, things to come loose, etc... I figured, image would just be a headache... For the Kia, the looks is what I think makes up for the nameplate... Most people won't know its a Kia... As for comparing to a Honda - you do have the warranty to cover things... Even then, overall build quality of the car feels very good... As for comparing to a Jeep Liberty - the Kia rides much quieter/smoother on the highway, provides more interior space... Though obviously will not be as competent a hard core offroader...
2) ABS - tough call... there are no sport editions (manuals) out there with ABS - I looked everywhere in New England... with a manual, I do feel more in control (I can engine brake when needed)... also, brakes are very progressive and provide great feedback for modulation... rule of thumb, just keep your distance to the next car! Also, the cheapest LX I could find with ABS (also very rare to find) cost $1,000plus more than the LX sport because the autobox adds $1700... I figure, when I upgrade in 3 years (hopefully, they'll have a monotone EX, 5 speed loaded up with everything available by then - with ABS standard!)
3) Manual - Sorento has a very light clutch... Very easy to drive and hard to stall...
4) Depending on where you live, a 4X2 could be just fine... In New England, its good to have for sure (even though in my previous truck (a Trooper) I engaged it maybe 4 times in an entire year)...
5) As for the bankruptcy thing - yup, that was true, but that is old story. Kia was bought by Hyundai and has actually been doing a good job turning itself around. There is now a lot of overlap between Hyundai and Kia cars. As for the Sorento, its drivetrain is based on the Mitsubishi Pajero (known as Montero in the US). Kia designed its own ladder frame which appears quite rigid.
Goodluck!
I live in North Central Illinois and the ABS and 4-wheel would be good in the winter at times. However, seems as though our winters have been getting more Oklahoma like and have not had too much probles with the harsh snow.
The only way the car will go off road is if I were to go into a ditch. Maybe the 4x4 is not as needed.
Will the manual and (possibly lack of 4`x4 affect resale greatly in 3 years?
Thanks!
On resale value it's still too early too tell. The folks like me who buy Sorentos are either planning on running them for several years so the resale value isn't that big a deal or betting on the come that by the time the Sorento has been out several years it will overcome the KIA "stigma" and be a decent resale value.
I don't regret my decision for a minute and the vast majority of Sorento owners I would guess feel the same way.
Duncan
2 - Tranny. IMO, skip the manual. You mentioned resale value, it'll be much better with the auto. Mileage doesn't really improve with the manual, either.
3 - ABS. If you drive alot in the snow, probably a good investment. Also, again, should help with resale.
4 - Resale. The real question is, who knows? The Sorento is all new. Been getting rave reviews overseas, and some here. Depends how well they really hold up, how much KIA stands behind thier product, and if they sell well and become popular.
5 - Image. IMO, one of the best looking small/mid SUV's out there. The Infinity/Murano - wierd. You either like it or hate it. Pilot/Highlander/CRV/RAV4/Escape-Tribute? Yawn City. Land Rovers are in a class of thier own. Jeeps will always be Jeeps. Either you want a Jeep or you don't. I think the KIA will be way more reliable than any Jeep, BUT, if you are really into offroading, the Jeep is probably better not so much for it's capibilities, but availble upgrade parts and support.
My '04 Sorenot is 2 months old and I have 4k miles on it (yikes!). Not one problem. I have even taken it truly off road a few times, and the thing not only held its own, but came back out rattle free. (a few pics here - http://www.friendshiking.com/photos/10304/verdeRiver1.htm) This is one fine machine. BUT, getting any sort of upgraded suspension parts, shocks, etc... will be super difficult at this time.
One thing you need to decide is if you want a car based SUV - a general grocery getter and smooth dirt road rider, or if you would like a truck based SUV with some decent off road capibilities, towing capcity (5k pounds, not the 3.5k listed by KIA), etc.. Apple and oranges here.
BTW, your Sorento looked cool with the mud look!
tidester, host
If you drive them forever (7 to 10 years or more), depreciation becomes much less of an issue, since few ten year old cars are worth much of anything on trade.
But if you like to trade every 3 years, then you'll take a bigger financial hit with a car that depreciates fast.
Steve, Host
Try this one :-)
True Cost to Own
Steve, Host
(I know this site like the back of my hand, lol)
Anyway, I told him that I don't trade cars, I drive until the wheels fall off and he had nothing else to say. Long story short, I saw and I liked it right away after the test drive and I purchased a Sorento LX for $2,000 less than the CRV
$200 for both keyless entry and alarm, I guess that's pretty good.
And then we found out that one of the speaker was bad when we purchased the car. I called him about that and asked for a better deal on the keyless entry because the hassle I have to go through with the speaker. Plus, I told him I wanted to add alarm too and wanted him to find out how much to do both. He then came back with this $200 to add both.
You are right. Alarm is not an option on the EX nor the LX, but my dealer will install it.
Horst1
And your speaker problem should have been no hassle with the warranty!
Sounds to me like your dealer has been giving you some kind of run around.
The cost for an aftermarket starter/alarm system can vary widely, it depends on the quality of system in terms of range of unit, lcd display remote vs non-display, frequency used (am/fm/uhf etc). And by far the easiest thing to do on them is program the button to do keyless entry, open rear glass, etc.
We have TOD but it is still RWD. I think it is 80% rear and 20% front on dry pavement. We still need to rotate the tire to make them last longer.
-mike
I've just bought an beige LX with bumper guard, side bars, dash board and a new grill (this one from Germany). Pictures to follow. My decision was greatly influenced by this forum, so thanks for your posts. I'm gonna pick her up next Saturday and I wonder, what things I have to check before driving home if any?
lilac0422 - I still don't know the tire rotation suggestion from the manufacturer. It seems the left and right tires have the same tread. I think front to rear should be fine. There is no need for left to right unless you have a different tires size.
I prefer the cross-rotation myself. Years ago when radial tires were still a new thing, you couldn't change from side to side because of certain "wear patterns" the tire would pick up on one side which would be detrimental to the other (i.e. possible alignment problems).
Since radials are now the norm and suspension systems have been developed for them - and tire technology had advanced - this is no longer a worry. Remember in the mid-late 70s Pontiac advertised "Radial Tuned Suspension"? You guessed it, it was set up just for radial tires!
Deke
Second, check everything. Check the speakers by testing it with some bass. Check the cruise control.
Don't race the engine. Drive at various speed as often as possible to break the engine in. Warm up your car before you drive.
About rotating tires. I must have missed the post. Why is it important to rotate according to the recommendation? I usually rotate the tires when they need to be rotate and that's it.
I've had a Toyota Rav4 for a long time. I only rotated the tires when there are wears on certain tires and never stick to the maintenance schedule. I never had problems with it.
However, with that being said, I always buy tires in pairs and rotate them.
As for the Sorento, mine is 4x2 so that's not a problem at all then, right?
Dealer charge me $16.50 to fix the hood release. I complained and they said it was a mistake !
Money was refunded.
LX started this morning at minus -27F... yep -27F! Transmission and tires were stiff but so was I.
I called Kia Canada today about the bicycle sized mud guards on the 2004 LX... they told me design... considerations were a factor not just pratical needs :-(
Doesn't look like this is going to be recall material !! I now need 2 sets ($40 each) of mud guards to keep the muck of the side panels. I am just waiting to get my satisfaction questionnaire from Kia !!!!!! The rest is fine ! Futur buyers beware
the customer satisfaction survey from Kia Canada will have a question asking you what you dislike most about the vehicle ... I said the 'non-functioning MUDGUARDS!' and that they were replaced within the first week of ownership with some real ones.
mr_bots,
As already said, about 3000 rpm for 70mph.
The wiper deicer is actually a defrost filament along the bottom of the windshield, not attached to the wiper blades. It seems to work ok but I notice the wipers sit a bit lower than the main defrost line and consequently ice buildup doesn't really melt off the blades. The feature does more to assist in defrosting the windshield quickly, IMO.
That engine cover also helps to heat the engine up quicker (and interior) in the cold temps. Haven't had to work under the hood, so don't know if it affects access in any way, but have also not had any problems with it.
Anyway, I've been negotiating with several Kia dealers in the Sacramento area for an 04 EX 4WD with luxury package, ABS, and spoiler. The lowest quote I have so far is $25,515 after rebate.
How does that sound?
I hope this helps.
In fact, if you can find a 2003 LX, you get $2,000 rebate.