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I know I made an assumption. Nowhere in my post said that I stated true facts. My disease sounded more like something that would belong on Harry Potter than a medical book. Besides, it was just a joke anyway.
"My last truck a Nissan 4x4, before that a Toyota 4x4. Last car was Honda Accord."
Wow, if you are looking at the Sorento, you don't need to be here. If you trade this much (Which I totally disagree with) you probably can't deal with the Kia's resale value. (Although the Sedona already is doing pretty good)
No more "attacks". I just wanted to tell you that my post was a joke. That's all.
Edmunds-news on the "future vehicles" page is close, but not close enough. Following is a summary of the information I have up to now:
1) The new 2005 Santa Fe will be on the Sonata-platform as before. However, as the Sonata will gain overall, think of the upcoming 2005 SF more in the Higlander/Pilot direction.
2) The Kia Sportage replacement will be on a shortened Sorento (=truck) platform. Name of this 2004-Sportage is to change.
3) Edmunds (as others) mistook "mule"-testings of the Elantra platform. A direction of Hyundai is a possible extended LaVita/Matrix AWD-version in the upcoming years. For 2004? I doubt it. Think of it as a Forester/Outlander/RAV4/CRV-type vehicle.
The directions seem to be pretty clear: Kia will cover the market with truck-based vehicles (shorter Sorento as Sportage-replacement & Sorento), Hyundai with an Elantra-cute ute & Santa Fe going upwards & growing. Hyundai might still offer the Terracan (truck-based) as "high end" version here. My guess would be Spring 2003 as 2004-model to bridge the gap until a "Santa Fe XL 2006" (Alabama production) might be around...
-mike
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2002-08-14-kia_x.htm
Brought to you by Middle Earth, aimed squarely at the middle-market SUVs (TheCarConnection.com)
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5165&sid=181&n=157
Kia Sorento 3.5 V6 EX (UK's WhatCar.com)
http://www.whatcar.com/default.asp?a=roadtest&b=single&rt=3675&admake=17&admodel=915&c=otrverdicts
A little back of the envelope math indicates the Sorento has about 10% more torque per pound than the Santa Fe so hopefully, the Kia will be able to get to 60 mph in about 9 seconds.
The main selling point for Kia is price. I can't wait for Edmunds to post Sorento prices with options. You need to rethink this brand.
Once again Carspy01, you are correct as usual.
I have also heard buzz that the new Sportage (I refuse to call it something else) will use the 2.4L (Maybe) DC, Hyundai, Kia, Mitubishi Joint-Venture Engine. It's going to have all the goodies. VVT-i for an example. With the DOHC head, I heard (Somewhere, I can't remember) I think it's horsepower will be in the 170-180 Range from a 4 Banger. Sounds sweet to me.
Most Troopers go well over 200K miles w/o major repairs, that's a fact too. I have nothing but respect for Toyota trucks, just way too pricey for my tastes. If I could afford a TLC I'd get one, but since I can't then the Trooper which is #2 in it's segment will have to do as far as reliability.
-mike
Any new Kia owners in here that would like to jump in?
Steve
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-mike
Anyone know when they are hitting the East Coast Show rooms?
-mike
This is probably due to mostly personal reasons - I am going to buy something SUV before the end of the year - and have been considering the Jeep Liberty, Toyota RAV4 and Highlander, and the Honda CRV. Was really waiting anxiously for the Sorento - figured it would give me the room of a Highlander, the truck ride of a Liberty with the price of a CRV. While I think it delivers on that - it also seems to come with the gas mileage of an Expedition. 18 miles on the Highway for a 4WD? Yikes. Don't get me wrong - I know its a 6cyl - 4wd - heavy truck - I guess I just expected more. And we all know that mileage figure was obtained while the truck was rolling downhill with a strong tailwind, and the tranny in neutral. You and I are going to see something more like 15 mpg. ouch!
I also understand that in the scheme of things - a few miles per gallon doesn't amount to much - i.e. a couple thousand dollars in fuel costs (assuming $2/gal for $100,000 miles).
I was also a little bummed at comments like - "the leather feels stiff and cheap"
I won't know till I testdrive one - and I am still thinking this seems like a heck of a value overall - but I guess I was hoping for a little more.
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I'm still confused about the "segment killer" title, though.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still very interested in the Sorento. I think it will be a great value. I'll have to see it and drive it myself before I can decide if it rates so well in other respects to have to spend $1500 more a year for gas.
I have talked to my local dealer and he assured me he would call as soon as he has a Sorento. He is expecting them in September. Unfortunately, KIA has not given them an exact date or what the mix of models will be.
My point- Regardless of the overall impression left on edmund's reviewers, I think its important to use it as only one piece in the puzzle- and I think the Sorento is a promising vehicle.
~alpha
SEOUL (Bloomberg) Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's largest automaker, said its new venture with DaimlerChrysler AG and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will use an engine based on its technology and lead to royalty payments from the partners.
The automakers will each make 500,000 passenger car engines, based on Hyundai Motor's newly developed model. The 1.8 to 2.4- liter engines will be made at the automakers' own plants and be used for their own future models. The Korean automaker expects to receive royalty payments for its engine design starting in 2005.
The three automakers signed an accord yesterday to set up a venture for the design and development of four-cylinder gasoline engines. The venture, called Global Engine Alliance L.L.P., will be equally owned by the three companies. DaimlerChrysler owns 10.5 percent of Hyundai Motor and 37 percent of Mitsubishi Motors and is looking for ways to reduce costs and risks in developing cars.
"The agreement is a sign that Hyundai Motor has gained acceptance for its technology for engines used in smaller cars," said Lee Young Seog, who manages 500 billion won ($390 million) at Dongwon BNP Investment Trust Management Co. "The next step for Hyundai will be to raise its competitiveness for engines for bigger cars."
Hyundai Motor will begin using the engines for its own cars in March 2004, DaimlerChrysler will start using the engines in June 2005 and Mitsubishi Motors will begin using the engines in March 2006.
DaimlerChrysler and Hyundai Motor formed a venture last year to produce engines for commercial vehicles.
tidester
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SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
http://www.canadianautoreview.com/kia_sorento.htm
Our local dealer here in London Ontario told us he was expecting 2 "mid-August" for showroom and test drive, and a larger stock in early September.
#217: Adu - I know those reports in regard to the Elantra-based replacement for the Sportage, however, I stick to my previous postings. BTW, USA Today reported years ago that Hyundai will produce Mercedes cars after DCX bought into Hyundai... Well?!?
Various: Global Engine Alliance - in contrast to some of the rumors and previous reports, Mercedes will NOT use engines out of that joint-venture (yet???). Hyundai first, Mitsu and Chrysler division, yes. The smaller engines are to be used in the Smart-mini cars (2 doors) in Europe as well as the upcoming Smart 4-door, which is a joint venture with Mitsubishi. Decision of use in revised Mercedes A-class (Europe) is outstanding.
wonder if they will sell them as demos at a discounted rate.
So far I like these new SUV's. What shocked me though is the price tag. At $35,795 CAD, KIA is in the big leagues now. This is about $7000 more expensive than a Hyundai Santa Fe, top of the line. It is not a bargain, and it seems like the good old days of underpriced Korean cars is coming to an end.
Don't worry about losing low priced cars. If the Koreans abandon the low end, another seller will fill it (I hear Yugo is coming back). But, I fear that they will not have the quality of KIA. I have had my Sephia (one of CR's most hated cars) for four years with no problems. Oops, better knock on wood.
I've read in many places that Hyundai/Kia is putting a lot of their money into R&D of bigger and luxury vehicles. They're begging DXC to give them big-car technology, but I don't think Germans are dumb.
I don't either believe Yugo would come back (even if they want to). As far as I remember, we bombed one of their plants during the Bosnian war. And yes, I agree the small-car market will always be served by someone. There are plenty of decent carmakers out there (IE. Citroen, Peugeot, Seat or Skoda). Personally, would like to see Seat or Citroen in the US.
First off, I can't believe that Truck-Tough Kia would ever leave Truck Based Trucks and SUV's. I just can't see that happening.
Second off, I can't see how Kia would think that Sportage would cannabalize Sorento sales. They are both in a different calss and price range.
Also, the Sorento is now aimed in Grand Cherokee, and Pathfinder territory.
I posted somewhere a while back a link to the new Carens II and send a corresponding letter to Kia US. I think this vehicle will fit perfectly in the car based hatch category, and will complement Kia's car line here. However, Kia needs a Sportage replacement, no doubt about it.
Hyundai on the other hand is surely surprised about the success of the Optima/Magentis under the Kia-label, as well as the Sedona and Sorento. I bet there a some H-execs, who would have rather seen the Sedona and Sorento in their line-up. That is one of the reasons why the "Elantra-based-AWD-LaVita-hatch-crossover" testings are going on, with the rumor of giving it to Kia...
However, all in all, after H & K will leave the lower segment - and it's only a matter of when not if -, it will open the doors for others. I do not think that any of the current makes will be too successful, UNLESS they import lower priced vehicles from their transplants in Brazil, Thailand, China etc.... Yugo will come back (it's decided), and I'm sure the other European brands will re-enter via their highly important Mexican and Latin American markets. However, those are no "low-cost" players. Within the next 5 years I see additionally some of the mainland China companies exporting to the US, and the highly successful Tata-group from India.
I know how Kia can make a real hit with the Sedona! Use the TOD system with it! That'll surely turn some heads! (Of course, this'll rely on a change from Front to Rear wheel drive)
Another exclusive: You can now order parts for your new Sorento................before you even own it! I checked that out on http://www.kiausaparts.com today. Of course, none of the dealers have them in stock..........................
tidester
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SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
I read some messages in hyundai santa fe forum. It goes all the way back to 2000 and most people who purchased santa fe intially ended up paying MSRP or pretty close to it. There were lot of messages about how hyundai dealers were really marking up several thousand dollars above MSRP and how hyundai under estimated the demand and popularity of sante fe. I hope this will not be the case with Sorento.
Picture of the SORENTO in transit to Europe (July picture):
http://makeashorterlink.com/?G60C23BA1
Picture of the designated KIA handling port in Rotterdam, Europe (July picture):
http://makeashorterlink.com/?V32C25BA1
The European ones so far are NOT the 3.5l V6's we will get here, only Diesels and 2.4l 4-cyl., so the allocation of the US-bound Sorentos is secure. In 2003 Kia intends to sell 110,000 Sorentos in Europe and USA (split). For remaining 2002 Kia is planning on approx. 8,000 for the US, which are a 13-14 pcs. for each of the 600 dealerships. That said, saber86 and others, EXPECT dealers to get more than MSRP out of you! Which is sad, but capitalism...
As always, yours, Carspy01
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick