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Comments
If you can't do the key in the flat configuration, they've got some pretty strong magnetic key storage boxes at Ace Hardware. I actually hung mine from a wire in the spare tire cavity...works for me.
I also want to comment on the seats (leather). I'm not a wide body ( 6'1" 225lb) but these seats have an interior rail on both sides that run from front to back right about the width of your hips, maybe slightly narrower. These rails feel like they are about 3/8ths wide. I can feel them, and I find myself shifting, especially to the left because of the right frame rail seems to be poking me. You can feel them if you put pressure on the seat enough. I am definitely bottoming out on these frame rails and after I drive for a while I have to shift my derrieirre, not comfortable and I'm dissappointed. I'll probably have to get a seat cushion like Gramps did. GEEEZE! Anybody else feel this? Not so Excelent Seats!
Does anyone know much about the a/c? I got mine in the fall and haven't had to use it in extreme conditions like Florida's heat. I wonder what the gas mileage is like?
HOWEVER, it takes a LONG time to cool the vehicle down especially if you have hot air coming out of the rear heating vents.
BE SURE and check that no air is coming out of the rear heating vents when the rear heater is OFF. (THE AIR IS ALWAYS HOT)
They may have this problem corrected already. I bought mine in AUGUST.
So far, love the van.
Also, how come we never see these cars on the road. We drove through a theatre etc this weekend and did not see one sedonna. What gives here? Are they for real?
I bought mine sight unseen. The Kia-Direct Sales and Leasing in west Salem (La Crosse), Wi is awesome, they sell nothing but Kias, and are "small town" friendly. 1-866-786-4542 toll free, at least from Wisconsin, or look up their number on KIA's website. Ask for Dan Skelton, General Manager, SUPER guy, he runs the dealership. They usually have 5-6 in stock. Tell them Excelent3 from Middleton sent you! ( Maybe I'de get a free oil change!) I bet you could get a better deal in January!
Steve
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Turns out it was another savvy car buyer with a new Kia.
My experience has been extremely pleasing so far, having towed about 10 times, weights up to 2,000 lbs. The Sedona is strong, gets up to speed quickly (torque!) holds the road extremely well when semis pass or when passing, resists crosswinds exceptionally well. An excellent testimony to it's framed reinforced steel uni-body design plays out in its complete absence of body flexing...truly Spartan! Great sound system for cruising is a big plus. I cannot attest to performance under extreme heat yet with A/C....that is forthcoming in future reports. We had icing today and when set at floor/defrost, the temperature of the heat at the windsheild defrost was warm at best, not overwhelming by any standard, this is with the heat setting at maximum. I turned the rear heat on today at it again comes out comfortably warm, but not hot as others have mentioned. ABS brakes work very nicely, having averted a fender bender already!
Also, I did my first oil change today at 1500 miles, noticed the oil was root beer colored meaning it had substantial amounts of particulate and showed some foaming, evidence of a detergent oil. I removed the filter, and it was marked Hyundai. Filter and drain plug are both easy to get at. I will again change at 5000 miles, and every 5000 miles thereafter following the recommended Kia "severe" maintenance schedule.
The right frame member in the seat jabs me causing some irratation, bearable but annoying.
I have yet to see another Sedona on the road in southern Wisconsin.....Geeez....I'm shall we say....................................UNIQUE!
Many cars recommend using the a/c unit vice heater at first in cold climates to get warmer air quicker, and to use defrost first. Might be a work around for the design flaw. Also, if you are really unhappy, check out your state's lemon laws. http://autopedia.com/html/HotLinks_Lemon.html
Van was impressive. Rear seat headroom too small for an adult, but everything else was great. Dealer's add on to MSRP of $2500 was insulting attempt, but somewhat common on a hot model. (Law of the greater fool). Very low pressure salesman and no attempt to get me to "buy today" Salesman did introduce me to manager...nice touch since I will have to deal with him anyway if I go back.
BTW, Honda dealers in Northern VA area all arrogant and glad to sell at MSRP,+, or ++ I never resell cars, so resale value not a factor in purchase.
The EX has everything except leather and ABS. The tires are kuhmo. The color was not the one we first wanted but for $21965, we could live with the "silky beige". So far we are happy with the Sedona, I still keep my fingers crossed that it was a good choice...We have not seen many other Sedonas(1) on the road, yet.
I am looking forward to reading about the other Sedona experiences.
Excelent3: Out there in Winter Wonderland (we had 65 degrees yesterday!), have you had occasion yet to use the electronic front windshield defroster, as opposed to the fan defroster? I don't think I've ever seen one on a windshield before.
/j
To Marcolius: I have seen the Defroster on the windshiled in the Subaru Outback Legacys. There used to warm the wipers when they freeze to the windshiled, there an excellent idea, and work pretty good. You still have to use the defroster to defog the windows in the morning, but the defroster thingy is for the wipers when its snowing or icy. Keeps buildup of ice and snow from them also.
I did notice that the wire for it only extends about as far up as the wipers in rest position, so maybe it's principal function is to thaw them loose. Fortunately, we've had mild weather this winter; haven't had a chance to put the defroster through its paces.
and I had the electronic windshield "de-icer" button depressed, it did nothing. I had to use deicer washer fluid constantly, because the heat from my defroster was not hot enough to keep my windshield clear either. My observation is the actual electronic windshield defroster is at the base of the windshield, similar to the rear window defroster lines. The wipers are situated right on top of them. It keeps your wipers warm so they don't gather any ice buildup. I hope someone else can substantiate my observations.
Can anyone tell me if they have had any mechanical problems with their Sedona, and help us make up our mind on whether or not to buy one!!
Excelent3@hotmail.com
***We also have heard that KIA was just awarded 5 stars by NAFTA for a safety rating. We were told this is being announced this weekend during the superbowl. Any confirmations on this?
We did drive the Odyssey and think the Sedona is a better ride and value.
To compare apples to apples, the Venture Value and Plus trims fit in the same price bracket (more or less) with the Kia LX and EX respectively. I drove the Montana Sport edition as a due diligence effort, and besides feeling huge and somewhat overpriced (~$27K), the suspension was too stiff for me. The wind noise at 60 on the beltway was louder than expected. The concrete on 66 was deafening.
I wish I could corroborate the feeling with someone, but I think the Kia can go toe-to-toe with the quiet and smooth ride of the Lexus RX300. And $ for $, my van has way more utility value, if not as much in the sport category
As for reliability, only time will tell, but charter customers will get extra attention if the dealers are reminded about the power of word of mouth. The warranty is sufficient to abate many of the fears, assuming you have other vehicles or arrangements in a worst case scenario. Moreover, postings about Hondas with balky transmissions and power doors that needed to be fixed, resulting in days at the dealer, are available in these forums. So, to a certain extent, the van you choose could always have problems no matter what name. Adding insult to pocketbook injury, the added security of a similar Honda warranty that is close to the Kia standard warranty runs an extra $800-$1000 on the drive out price. Ouch!
Everyone has their own interests and value calculations. I would prefer not to be your deciding factor, but I can tell you that the attention to detail found in the Sedona and the smooth, powerful driving feel have exceeded my expectations.
No info here on where crash tests data is, sorry
http://www.nhtsa.gov/NCAP/Cars/2026.html
I have posted previously that the heat in my van is not that hot in the rear. Also, you can turn it off and still get plenty of heat to the rear from the front. You get used to using your mirrors and even with the headrests up, you can still see....you get used to it, or as you suggest, you can remove them or lay the seats down. This may not always be practical with children...then you're back to getting used to it again! It truly is a bargain and us charter owners I think are more than content to put up with a few "flaws". I owned a Previa and I can tell you this van is every bit as good in many ways! Watch the price go up over time!:o)
Above link is for the crash test results. I have one word to say -- "WOW"
This link is for the check engine light. Since many owners in this board have check engine problem I thought this would help.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/020116.htm
WOW! I was surprised to read that the Sedona got 5 stars for both the front and side impacts. The side impact rating is impressive considering the lack of side airbags.
Now that the crash test results are in, Sedonas should be in even greater demand.
Steve
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The ABS also works extremely well in the snow. All my stops where the ABS was activated were straight and true. The vibration in the brake pedal was a bit disconcerting (this is my first vehicle with ABS), but you soon get used to it. It's an excellent feedback mechanism to let you know that maybe you're driving a little too fast for the conditions.
I'm still trying to figure out the auto-wipers (Canadian models of the Sedona). The "auto" setting replaces the "intermittent" setting on the American models. In theory, the intermittent delay is "automatically" adjusted by a rain sensor mounted on the windshield by the rear-view mirror. Today, the snow would stick to the windshield and melt into droplets that would obscure my vision, yet the auto-wipers would not wipe. Then suddenly, without warning, they would launch into a frenzy of high speed wiping (equivalent to setting the wipers on "high") forcing me to turn the wipers off. Adjusting the sensitivity ring on the control stalk didn't seem to have much effect. I don't think these wipers were designed for snow. I think I would've preferred good, old fashioned variable intermittent.
Excellent news regarding the impact ratings. You can't help but sense that you are driving a very solid vehicle. 5-star all around rating, without the help of side air bags!
As for the crash test results, suh-wheeeet!
I also have the heater problem you mention. The kids always complain about it. BUT, if it's cold and no one is sitting back there, it really heats up the car a lot faster than using the front heating system. Great for those frosty a.m. commutes!
BTW, thanks for the crash test link. Very comforting!
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Steve
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