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I think the 100,000 mile warranty improved the reliability of Hyundai/Kia vehicles in a back-handed way: A lot of people bought the cars for the warranty, but then learned that the warranty can be voided if the car is not properly maintained. As a result, the cars are being maintained better than they were when the warranty was not a selling point and no one thought about it. Hyundai/Kia is training its customers to be responsible car owners (which is a good thing for everyone because a lot of people who buy these cars are first-time new-car buyers and need to be educated on car maintenance).
That would be sweet, I would love to see them come out with a midsize all wheel drive crossover to compete on the highly touted rally sport circuit. Wouldn't it be nice to see a korean car taking a top spot beside an Imprezza WRX?
ah, but alas I may just be dreaming.
Keep up the good postings guys, a good community is the key to raising the public status of an auto manufacturer.
Geo.
Come on Kia, do it! You're already building the best vehicles on the planet, enter the rally sport racing field, too!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
- Third consecutive series win for Rio
(SEOUL) February 3, 2006 -- Kia Rio driver, Yvan Muller, has taken sufficient points in the final round of what is regarded as the World Championship for the unique motorsport of ice racing, the Andros Trophy, to beat former F1 Grand Prix World Champion Alain Prost and win the championship title for the third successive year.
The domination of the series, which is held in freezing conditions on specially-built race tracks on the top of mountains in the Alps, by Muller and the Rio was achieved despite Muller carrying more weight-penalty ballast as the twice-previous championship winner. Muller comprehensively fought off last minute challenges from former F1 Grand Prix World Champion Alain Prost in a Toyota, Jean-Phillipe Dayraut in a BMW and Franck Lagorce in a Fiat.
The Kia team wrapped up the title with a superb tactical performance in Super-Besse, high in the Alps, recording solid placings in both races that were sufficient to secure enough points for Muller to win his tenth ice racing title.
According to Muller, "It was the hardest ice racing season in my career, and surely the most beautiful victory, even if I had to play a game I'm not used to. During the last three seasons, the team proved we could beat everybody, dominating in 2004 and 2005, or playing tactics and nerve breaking games this season.”
"In racing we are used to hearing about 'fastest times,' but this year we had our 'fastest' time even with 490 kilos of ballast," commented Paul Bourion, Kmotorsport team principal. "We did three seasons with the Kia Rio and we won three championships, thanks to Yvan, while this year and in 2005 we also won the constructor's championship. And we are very proud of that record," he added.
Muller and the Kmotorsport team now go to Paris and the Stade de France for the final event of the season -- a non-championship round on a specially created ice-track at the country's national stadium on 18 March.
That won't help Kia with their image though: You don't have hundreds, or even tens, of thousands of fans at an ice race.
Now maybe if they followed Toyota into NASCAR...!
Geo.
What a waste of fuel, time and money.
Kia is proceeding just fine, IMHO. I wouldn't mind reading about their other racing involvement, if it should come about.
Besides, I can see car racing anytime by just heading out to my local freeway system and bumping butts with the big boys in their big 'ole pick-em-up trucks from GM and Ford.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Go team Kia.
Geo.
I *just* found the perfect powertrain for my "wish" above. Check out the new motor that the Dodge Caliber is getting, compliments of Chrysler's alliance with Mitsu and more importantly: HYUNDAI!
Hopefully their technology sharing contract will allow Hyundai/KIA to have access to these bad boys. Since Dodge is able to stuff it into a Caliber, hopefully it could fit under the hood of the Elantra/Spectra family!
-SM
2007 Caliber SRT4 - A 300 Horsepower Screamer
http://www.getrammed.com/index.php?categoryid=8&p2_articleid=64
Standout Powertrain
The all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 is capable of a 0-60 mph time in under six seconds. How is that possible?
The all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber gets its motivation from an all-new "World Engine" produced at the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) facility in Dundee, Mich. The World Engine is a family of small fuel- and emissions-efficient aluminum four-cylinder gasoline engines co-developed by DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group, Hyundai Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.
The all-new 2.4-liter turbocharged World Engine delivers a level of power you'd expect from a V-8," said Pete Gladysz, Senior Manager – Powertrain, SRT. "With the engine in the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4, we were able to take advantage of tried-and-true performance improvements, such as increased cylinder-head flow and higher compression ratio, as well as newer technologies such as Variable Valve Timing (VVT)."
I gotta tell ya, I kind of like this new Caliber from Dodge. A cool small car that is American...albeit sort of?
Wow! I like the sporty style of the Caliber with the sort of toned down Dodge Ram design up in the grille. They do a tasteful job of it, indeed. I also like how they handled the rear end of it, the way they mold the plastic into the metal back there, real sporty looking.
But it's how Hyundai and Kia will put these engines to use that really has me interested! How about that little Kia turbo-4 cyl screamer we were talking about, for starters? :surprise:
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
The chunky, angular lines of the grill just don't match the otherwise sleek lines of the rest of the car.
Back to the engine, though: It is my understanding that the new Elantra will be getting a detuned version of the engine in the Caliber. So there is a chance that future sport versions could get the full performance version. The Spectra and Elantra seem to piggy-back each other on a staggered release schedule. I would expect the Spectra to be at least updated in 2008 or 09; not sure if it will leap ahead of the 07 Elantra or not or whether it will get the new engine.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Has anyone else had this issue? perhaps someone knows of a technical service bulliton that explaines this problem?
Thanks all, keep up the good work.
Geo
Can KIA disable the keyless entry feature (aka: the FOB) of your car for awhile? This would allow you to determine whether errant radio signals are confusing the signal receiver in the car.
A couple of DJs at a local radio station in the Detroit area say that no one's key FOBs work at their station due to all the radio wave interference generated by "radio row". There's numerous stations all lined up on the particular road/highway their station's located on.
I don't think you want the power lock fuse to simply be pulled.... because that wouldn't prove out my radio wave theory. The power locks would simply stop working.
Somehow KIA needs to disable the FOB signal receiver.... and then any errant automatic locks or unlocks may point at a short circuit, etc.
Keep us posted!
-SM
I do not belive that it is in the fob. If it were the lights would flash on the car as it does when the fob is pressed (I think anyway). I have read on other forums that it is probablly a moisture issue with the central locking mechanism on the drivers side door. Your theory is sound, but I live out in the country where you can barely even get a cellular signal, not to mention no AM radio after 5pm. I am yanking the battery out of the fob tonight to test your theory. I will keep the board informed.
Thanks again for you input.
Geo.
Geo:
I'm wondering if the actual *receiver* inside the car could be picking up an errant or NON-fob generated signal.
The fact that you're in the country sort of precludes this, but stranger things have happened. Do you live near an airport, or airport radar facility?
You have a point though that it seems that the lights would flash and such if the car was being fooled into locking/unlocking by other signals.
Problems like this are one reason that I'm not a big fan of radio controlled access. My car hasn't acted up, but I've seen plenty that have!
A Pontiac van in the parking structure I park in had it's passenger-side slider WIDE OPEN as I walked past it. No one was in the van. I tried sliding it shut, and it re-opened automatically. Weeeeiiirrrrd.
My friend's Pontiac Grand Prix (about 10 years ago) had a trunk that I'd find popped and in the totally up position about once or twice a week in our parking lot at work.
Would you want to store much of value in either of these vehicles????
Sometimes old fashioned is the MOST secure way!
-SM
I mean, I will take the AM/FM/CD player inside the cabin, though. The Rio LX sedan (it's looking like that is the one I will go for, hopefully real soon now)comes standard without power windows/locks and mirrors. I'm thinking it's so Kia can save money on the overall Rio package and offer front airbags, side airbags and side curtain airbags standard. Ya know, I am glad Kia offers those airbags with the Rio being the small rig it is.
Oh, I may test drive a Spectra SX, Spectra LX or Spectra5 too. I may, but, then again, I'm thinking I'll have my mind made up by that point with getting one of the Rio's. I got an e-mail today from a guy in Idaho Falls, ID, that's going to buy the 5-speed Rio5 in Tropical Red from Robert Allen Kia in Pocatello, ID, this Friday, if he can fit into it. I want it, too, but am in the process of justifying it to my wife before I go get it.
She likes our Sportage and it's running fine. I just want the better gas mileage of the 2006 Kia Rio LX and Rio5. We'll see.
Happy motoring, car nuts! Enjoy your Spectra5's and post away with your comments, good, bad or indifferent!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I posted the message below about two weeks ago concerning our Sedona and haven't heard from anyone else on this topic. I also own a 2004.5 Spectra--that's why I visited this forum.
"We have a 2002 Sedona EX with about 65,000 miles on it. We have had some minor issues with the van since we bought it three and a half years ago but overall we have been very pleased. About four months ago the door locks started locking on their own. Sometimes it would happen after the front passenger door handle was used to open the door from the inside then it just started happening intermittently whenever it wanted to-sometimes while driving sometimes while the van was sitting still. Has anyone else experienced this?"
Two days ago my wife and 5 year old could not get out of the van--every time my wife unlocked the doors they would re-lock. This happened about ten times in a row. Crazy. Please let me know if you figure this out.
I will keep you informed, i am trying another dealer next week, and will report back then.
I have since taped the extra key under my bumper just to be safe.
Regards.
Geo
If they won't/can't do it have them call the service manager at Fredericton Kia.
They replaced mine and two others.
d **
thanks again ddrie
Geo.
I took it to an automatic car wash and it locked the keys
inside. Fortunately I had a spare key on me.What an embarassment!I like the quality and the luxury stuff that I have but sometimes it locks by itself juat sitting in the garage.I have read that moisture will cause this
problem.I was considering downsizing to a Spectra5 but if they have this problem too I will look at Honda FIT or Scion.I have not read about this problem with Hyundai
but I thought they were they same design. :confuse:
system my locks have been working right.In my research there was an ongoing discussion about this in the KIA FORUM
Phillipines where as it was found that improper installation of after market systems will cause problems.
Kia is the least likely car to be stolen so who needs it.
I hope you all enjoy your S5 Experience as much as me.
Later.
Geo.
"Then yesterday I was in a collision - I slid into a stopped car on slippery, wet pavement; approximately 1 minute later another car crashed into me......NO AIRBAGS!!!! You'd think with all of the hype of these airbags even one of them would have.....thank God it wasn't too serious of a collision because obviously I couldn't count on my car to protect me or my son!!!"
Lap:
The fact that you are uninjured enough to post your complaint is *some* proof that your Spectra5 protected you to a large degree.
As it was previously stated, airbags ONLY fire in cases where there is sufficent force to trip the activators. Obviously, your accident(s) didn't meet that requirement.
Let me ask you a few questions if I may:
Was your car totaled?
Were you able to drive it away from the scene of the accident?
Did you first hit someone from behind, and then someone hit you from behind? Were you ever hit in the side ("T-boned")?
Remember... airbags don't usual fire when you're hit from behind. In those cases, your protection is your seats, headrests, and the body structure of the vehicle.
Side airbags usually only fire when a vehicle is signficantly impacted *from the side*. Some cars fire their side airbags when the fronts are triggered, but I don't think KIA has theirs programmed that way.
Do you have a picture of your car after it was hit that you can post online somewhere? To give you the benefit of the doubt, I'd be interested to see how bad the damage was.
-SM
I’m a newbie here and I must say that I have enjoyed reading all the posts on the Spectra5. I am soon to become a first-time Dad and I am looking for a safe, reliable car to transport baby and all the associated gear.
As you may have gathered from my interest in this topic, I am considering purchasing a Kia Spectra5 EX Sport with automatic transmission. My question is what is the best price for this vehicle? According to the Kia Canada Web site, the price (including delivery and destination) is $23465.00 Canadian pesos. This price seems higher than what others in this forum have said they paid. Any thoughts on what the current “best price” is? Also, my local dealer does not seem to be able to keep them on the lot. Is it the 1.9% financing or are these vehicles hard to get?
Everyone here seems to be enjoying their cars. I am a bit concerned about the stories of premature rusting that have been discussed in this forum. How widespread is this rusting issue? Is it localized to a small area or is the entire car susceptible?
Thanks in advance for the advice!
PW
I love my Spec 5, I bought it just over a Year ago in Ottawa On. Can. paid 19,450 @ 0%. no rust on car at all.
Good Luck with your purchace.
Geo.
Thanks for the info. Can I have your deal?!
Was your car top of the line? How's it handle the winter? I understand from your earlier posts that you bought a set of snow tires for your Spec5 and that made a world of difference. I bought a set of Michelin X Ice snow tires for my current vehicle and it was the best purchase I have made in quite some time! My current car has a hard time coping with the -55 Regina winters and I am looking forward to a car that warms up quicker.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
PW
Enjoy
Geo.
I just read on another well-visited KIA forum that a person with a 2005 Spectra5 discovered that the rear seat belt bolts were NOT screwed into the body/belt anchors at all. He discovered it due to a "chirping" noise near where the seat belt entered the rear deck.
This person reports that they took off 3 bolts that held the rear plastic side panel in place, and then discovered what he called the 'MAJOR' bolt sitting there with a loose washer on it that was "chirping" or jingling. He then made the assumption that perhaps the other side was not fastened too, removed the cover, and bingo... same problem.
If true (which I believe it is), this may have just been a one-off or at least limited problem.
But.... you may want ask your dealer to check this out for you.
I'd post the link to the actual poster's article, but the Moderator would probably yank my post. Sorry.
Report back here if any of you find anything similar!
-SM
I think the belt anchors were the upper "over the shoulder" ones if I read the other person's post correctly.
-SM
A few notes on my kia:
I've noticed that my gas mileage is not that great, it seems to empty faster when its below half a tank.
I have been able to squeeze in 15 gallons of gas to my kia, by topping off the tank, great for long trips.
The only thing I don't like about my spec5 Is the seats, they don't feel comfortable in long trips. They have a seat elevator but it only goes up at an angle,so my butt is higher and my feet are at the bottom.
TTYL
'05'
Happy motoring
just thought that i would share.
Geo.
Not really pleased at all to see the paint is an issue with others, but am glad to know that I'm not making this all up. Totally agree with you princessmeliss, I felt like they were trying to make me feel like I was an ignorant gal and that this is the norm, so suck it up - nice try, but I won't buy it.
Still haven't got mine to another dealer yet for proposals for resolution, but after reading Geos post, am thinking of other options.
Too bad, because I do like the performance - it's a good little car. The dealership called to tell me I'd be receiving a survey, and that they hoped I would rank them well - told them I couldn't & why - again, nice try.
If Kia ever wants to lose the bad rap, they better start focussing on quality AND service.
Good luck to all,
S-cannuckkiafan-W
Sales Consultant
Briggs Kia
Topeka, KS
This is my last post here, I no longer own the car... rust after 1.5 years.."NICE", i can only imagine the rust that i can not see.
Done with Kia.
Geo.
:mad: