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Comments
Thank you for your recent correspondence. The ECAT button shown on the brochure is not located in any Kia Sedona located in the United States. The button is used in Korea where they have small engines and the button control the automatic transmission with will provide more power / conserve fuel. A far as the slot above the coin holder, it is not used for anything at this time. The suggestions you have mentioned have also be forwarded to our product planning team in Korea for review.
Thank you
Kia Motors America
Here is the response:
The EX model Sedona, fully loaded, sells faster than the LX model due to the ABS brakes and the leather package. I am sure Kia Motors Corporate is aware of the pace that Kia Motors America is selling the Ex model vehicle. They will do everything possible to have more vehicles shipped to the United States so we can meet the demands of our buying customers. We apologizes if this has caused any inconveniences.
Sincerely
Kia Motors America
2) I am trying to get an average on MPG's for the Sedona and since you are a regular poster here would you mind offering yours? Excelent3
Message: I own a 2002 Mercedes C-Class and I have just bought a new 2002 Kia Sedona LX Van. I must have looked at SUV's and Vans for 4 months, and I am very impressed with the quality and value in the Sedona. It handles like a sports car, looks great, and is very versatile. I love the 4 back seats that can be snapped out and rolled on rollers to the garage. Fabulous stereo/CD. Just wish it had power sliding doors. Priced at 23k out the door totally loaded. You can't beat it.
I was curious about post #457. Was the $23,000 spent on a US Sedona LX? That seems like a lot to pay for an LX model. For that price the author should have got an EX instead.
I have the same EX model (Leather, Sunroof, Two Tone,Spoiler,Homelink and ABS) Paid exactly $22,885. I think I could have done even better but the exact vehicle I wanted was literally rolling off the truck while I was at the dealership and I couldn't find one with ABS in that color in a 6 state area, so I nailed it down. Easiest sale that salesman ever had.
Excel, your question about having those plastic ridges down each side of the roof - no, we don't have them. We only have the usual pre-molded ridges that are a part of the top of the roof. So you think we ar our of luck for attaching that old roof-top carrier?
I personally would not add leather to a van that has everything else you need. In my case, the only van with ABS also had leather, and then the option cost only adds $850 to the sticker. As previously posted, there are some shortcuts - the headrests and armrests feel like vinyl, but so what.
...mileage, only have 200 miles. I will post substantive results at the appropriate time.
That is probably more important than saving another $100 on the sale.
TB
Not in the Car Biz, nor in Sales.
beav3, many posters will be waiting with bated breath for updates of your experience. Here are some of my thoughts after a month of ownership:
-Got 15.7 mpg in town on a recent fill-up, using about 80% 93 octane gas. I had intended to measure mileage on both 87 and 93, because I'd found a fairly significant difference on a previous car. However, in reading the manual, they actually recommend using the lowest octane, at least during the break in period. Anyone have thoughts on that?
-I've found it's taken about a full month and 800 miles for that new car "burning plastic" smell, noticeable when shutting off the car, to go away. I was just about at the point of worrying.
-For new buyers or test drivers: watch yourself when opening the rear hatch. It's spring loaded, and I just about clipped my chin and bit off my a chunk o' my tongue the first few times I opened it.
-Had some trouble reinstalling my removable seats. They went in fine; I just couldn't get the securing latch to slip over the floor attachment and engage. Finally put just a touch of WD40 on it, and *ka-chunck*...worked fine.
Thanks for the lexol recommendation. Anybody have any non-Amway wax/finish recommendations?
Mark
Beav-
Make sure your Sedona is as clean as you left it with them when you pick it up. I had a situtation last year where a shop greased my carpet up my motorhome quite severely, and actually had the audacity to expect me to drive it home that way. It cost them $100 to have it cleaned by MY shop ( not theirs) and they have never looked at me the same since...like it was my fault!
marcolius: I'll keep everyone updated. Just as an fyi, I was using the low octane only. Would be curious what everyone else is doing.
15.5 city
23.725 Hwy.......almost 24! AVERAGE
That's very respectable considering varying driving conditions, we are in winter months, and most of these Sedonas are not even close to being broke in. Once we get 10-15K on our vehicles it will get better and the fact that MPG's increase in warmer weather. In my opinion, excellent performance for a 3.5 liter pulling 4700+lbs, it's about all you could ask for. The major magazine reviews all make me puke with their MPG condemnations of the Sedona....who pays those clowns anyway? I gace more weight in make my buying decision to this board than those reviews! The owners know the truth.
On the subject of finish, the Turtle Wax finish 2001 is the best I've tried, only about $2.50 at Walmart.
Some people may try to discredit you by calling your data "anecdotal" even though most of us believe the facts you gathered more than the "predictions" of automotive reviewers.
When Kia has the numbers that Toyota or Honda have, sheer demographics would inevitably deliver a " Kia Sedona Problems" board(s). I must say that if my Sedona holds up as well as my '91 Toyota Previa has, I WILL be impressed, to say the least. I have 148K on it, and it has the original suspension and exhaust, non oil burning engine, no creeks, rattles, noises, annoyances, etc. of any kind and everything works. I believe Kia is out to prove they can build a solid, reliable vehicle, and the Sedona is the result of that effort.
By the way, can anyone verify if the Sedona exhaust is stainless?, I was told it was and it appears to be so. Excelent3
#82 of 485 Weight, MPG, rambling.. by jimjps [ United States of America ] Sep 09, 2001 (09:15 pm)
...Results of the MPG survey are self-evident. Everyone reporting said about 15-16 city and
24-25 highway, much better than the EPA 15/20. The 15 city is a matter of physics, accelerating 4700 lbs just takes a lot of energy, the 25 highway is an excellent showing and I think another testimony to this great engine. I think the engine's most efficient torque band is right around highway speed and this may account for the good showing. Typically MPG improves after a few thousand miles so it could get even better. The transmission shifts are excellent...
I tow mostly popups and small (20' and under hardside travel trailers) Any one ever have any towing questions let me know. We never did get a GVCR rating out of Kia but you can figure if you have a loaded Sedona (7 passengers, gear, fuel) you can pull about 1750lbs and not be "on the bubble". Most 10-12' popups would be in that category. Try doing that with a Dodge Caravan. Scary thought. I probably shouldn't talk to soon, as the Sedona has yet to prove itself, I feel very confident this setup will offer few problems. I checked with several transmission shops before I purchased and the overwhelming consensus was that there was no question the imports far outshined the domestics as far as very minimal frequency of repair. If it is true that the Sedona engine is basically a Mitsubishi Montero spinoff mated to a similiar transmission we are in good company! Excelent3
I hope you can reconcile with yourself and find a dealer that's willing to work with you on YOUR terms...that way you get the vehicle you really want. Rebound buying is not wise, think it over a day or two. Excelent3
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
2. Msju. Sorry about the turkey dealer. Unfortunately, it can happen with any car. I used to be amused at these antics in my younger days and would sometimes leave the showroom laughing (but it was not a productive use of time). Now I am ready to walk as soon as any BS starts and it seems they usually sense that. You can always go the carsdirect.com route. Feedback is pretty good on them.
msju - do try to find another dealer. They (a different dealer than my service dealer)tried to play games with me too, quoted a price over the phone $500 below MSRP and told me they couldn't possibly sell it for that once I got there. In the end they did, the paperwork reflected the MSRP but I got that much more in my trade. We were both happy. Thankfully, I'm not financially challenged. My husband and I are the dynamic duo - he does the mechanical thing and I do the haggling. He tries to keep a straight face. Sometimes he has to leave.
Just my two won worth.....