Where would you that in your Sedona???!! I'll go as far as a Swiss Champ Army knife adn a few extra fuses, maps. Kia road service gets the rest....
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!
My husband weighs 225 pds. and hates the seats as well. This will be a problem when we drive to Florida Disney from Missouri. Kia must have used 110 pd. Korean men to test drive the Sedona. I bet this will be something they will change for the American market.
I have been looking at the sedona ex for a few months. I live in Florida and don't see any on the road.. I put a deposit down on a ex with sunroof,and home link (didn't want either) the price is 20,700 but after reading I think leather is the way to go . the real point of this is...is this a van for Florida I mean a/c and all this rain we get???? I will be picking up on Monday any thoughts??
Pumpsky: My advice is to get what you want. Did you try Carsdirect.com? You can probably get just what you want if you're the slightest bit patient. I couldn't care less about my homelink, but I love our sunroof (no problems with leakage at all). My vote is definitely for leather though.
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?
thanks for your response but today became the day... I got some prices from invoice.com and a few others but I went through my husbands credit union (the car is for him) and I have been putting this on hold since Nov and he didn't want to wait ,anyway leather is nice but he is ok with cloth,,,the a/c on the ride home was very good its hot and sunny here today. he is not an a/c freak like me but I was happy. it is only the 2 of us but we get alot of company so I am sure it will work out well. I have been sitting on the fence with this but thanks to all of you for all your postings and I will keep you updated on the gas... he drives highway back and forth to work (60) miles a day and goes fishing the other 2 no city driving for him but I think I will be using it as well. I really love it!!!
I bought our van in August so had a chance to deal with hot weather (even in upstate NY). The A\C worked great BUT on those days when just outside air coming through the vents would be good, the air was always HOT. The air was much hotter than the outside air. I don't understand why this is, but it is annoying when the weather is already warm. My remedy was to turn on the A/C for a few minutes, turn it off, and THEN the air coming in from outside was the temp it should be. NOTE: This problem doesn't occur when just starting the car for the first time, only after it's been run, stopped, and started again. It seems to me that it must be the engine heat coming through for some reason.
Just bought an EX with leather, suroof, homelink, two tone. Live a little ways from Dealer. Noticed when we got home front seats had mats, second row seats had mats, but none for the third row bench. C an anyone else tell me if there is supposed to be mats for the third row. Thanks. So far, love the van.
They do not include mats for the rears seats. I told them to leave the shipping plastic on the floor, as I thought it would protect the carpet from salt. I got a matching tan (very inexpensive $10) rubber backed piece at Home Depot in a 27" width cut at 48" width. I used another piece to cover up the holes from the rather large second row seat channels that are left when you remove the seats. I have used this same carpet extensively in campers I refurbish, holds up well for the money. Hope this helps. Excelent3
We really want a Sedonna EX, originally without leather but it seems that leather comes standard. It seems that in Chicago, the Sedonna Ex's are slim picking, one dealer has none. I am trying to get a fair deal. Does anyone have an idea of what I should be paying for an EX, two tone, leather, sunrooof? 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?
We have plenty here in Wisconsin. I paid $22975 for a fully loaded Sedona, every option: Leather, Two tone, homelink, spoiler, sunroof, ABS.(subtract accordingly for options not needed) They've had EX's without leather but if I were you get leather, the seats are firmer, as many of us on this board attest to. 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!
My middle row seats have started rattling in a vibrating sort of way with no one sitting in them when I seem to reach a certain speed. This is annoying. I'm taking it in for an oil change tomorrow, any suggestions?
My seats do the same. My left middle won't stay locked, keeps sliding forward, but I took them out, don't need them. My rear seatsseem to rattle slightly on occasion, so I lay them down. May not be practical for you, with kids. Excelent3
Try Joe Rizza in Orland Park, they had five in stock on the 21st of January. I shopped by phone and used the computer to locate our van. I live in Chicago and so far I have seen approximately ten Sedona's on the street on the southside/south suburbs area where I reside.
Got 19.7 at last fill-up. The tank was half city and half expressway driving. I had only seen one other Sedona on the road until last week. Came out of work tired; it was just getting dark. I walked up to the Kia van in the parking lot, and as I was sticking the key in the lock, it occurred to me that a) I thought I'd parked over by the light pole today and b) Gee, my van looks more like royal blue than misty blue in this light.
Turns out it was another savvy car buyer with a new Kia.
I purchased my Sedona to primarily perform as a work vehicle towing up to 100 times per year, as my office, and as a personal vehicle. I average about 25,000 miles per year. My purchasing decision was heavily influenced by the following factors: Weighs 4700lbs, has a peak torque at 3500 rpms, 195hp engine mated to a 5 speed electronic overdrive transmission, and a standard factory transmission cooler.... superior qualifications to meet my needs. Not to mention the overwhelming value if you add the rest of the benefits in features, warranty and price! An even greater value if plan as I do to drive it for longevity. 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!
Test drove an EX in Fredricksburg VA this weekend. Didn't read the board postings again until tonight. Did any of the folks having heater bleed through problems in rear cockpit try using their a/c unit to mix the air?
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.
I found about this group after I bought my EX on 1/26/02 at St Augustine, FL. I have read all the posts and I am amazed that I have had most of the same experiences with dealers and initial doubts as the group has. I had gotten insulted by the Honda dealer and that took the ODY out of the picture and eventhough I had done research on the net and everything was positive, I was still skeptical on KIA. 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.
Navyair: Couldn't agree with you more about Northern VA Honda dealers; see my post #319 above. Felt good to tell that guy, "No thanks, pal."
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.
Rover's had them for years on the Discovery and I'd be almost positive the Range Rover. The Ford Taurus, I believe had them also back in the '90s. Dodge has had it on the Caravan in the past few years. IMHO, not a bad feature to have... wish more makers put them on cars.
Hi all, just picked up a '02 Sedona EX Shaphire Blue all options but Leather, two tone & rear spoiler... sorry personal preference. Paid $20,500 + Tax & DMV. Paid an extra $170 for the spoiler later, because I wanted it... not installed yet. I tihnk i got a great deal- pays to do some homework and shop around, I let the dealers battle over my buisness. Plus I got KBB's "excellent" price for my trade.
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.
Thanks for the posts, guys. Very interesting. Range Rovers would have be out of my league, but a Taurus and a Caravan wouldn't. Guess I wasn't shopping at the right time. (Probably didn't work in the Taurus, either.)
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.
mp1011 is right. The Sedona brochure states "Electric front windshield de-icer". This feature conincides with the heated mirrors. I agree the Ford Taurus had a true electronic windshield de-icer option as it MELTED the entire windshield evenly, very effectively. Looking at this type of windshield from the exterior it appears as a "mirror" look from certain angles. Our Sedonas do not have this feature. Last night we had iceing on the Interstate 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.
The heater grid won't keep the wiper blades from accumulating ice, however it thaws out the wipers frozen in the parked position. That way, when you do your cleanup routine (You do clean all the snow/ice possible off the car, I hope) The wipers are freed up so you don't damage them in trying to free them.
My husband and I test drove a new Sedona this weekend, and were thoroughly impressed with this mini-van! We also drove the Venture and Odyssey, but for the money, we think Kia offers the best buy. We are a little apprehensive, however, with buying a van that has little performance history. 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!!
If you want to E-Mail me I have several reviews saved on the Sedona. I would take some of them with a grain of salt. Hwy mileage is much better than 20 for instance. Of course read all the posts on this board also. Read the owner reviews on E-Opinions.com also which I will forward.
Just got home with out new Sedona. I am happy. We have a Black/Platinum EX, Sunroof,Leather,no ABS, paid 21800 in Chicago. ***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.
First, I think GM makes decent cars for the money. We've had two Cavaliers that have been excellent in the value, utility and dependability categories. The killer is that getting GM warranty service in Northern VA has been an ordeal for the relatively minor issues that did occur.
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 . The console configurations and gear shift placement are nearly identical, except for the LCD display. At 70, RPMs are 2100 an engine noise is non-existent. Of interest here, rear vents deployed and sunroof (try to get one of those from the competition) in tilt pushed that to 2400, fwiw.
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.
Took the van in last week because the check engine light keeps coming on every time I fill up. I've tried to make sure the gas cap is on really tight and the light still would come on after driving about 10 miles. The dealer ordered a new catalitic converter (I can't spell) and I take the van in tomorrow for installation. I'll let you all know if that fixes the problem. Someone had mentioned how their dealer had a hard time getting parts. I think a one week wait isn't too bad. Also the dealer is giving me a loaner car for the time the van is in the shop. Other than the engine light problem we still really like the van. Mileage is averaging 17 mpg in the city and 22 highway.
First, let me say i love my Sedona and wouldn't change my decision, but at 1900 miles I had to have the engine replaced. It developed a knock and the dealer didn't waste any time with trying to fix it they wanted to replace it right away. The new engine runs great. They said they didn't know what went wrong and probably never would. Hopefully just a fluke. Good luck with whatever you decide.
My husband and I have been following all the e-mail traffic on the Kia since we have decided to venture into the world of vans (2 kids, soccer, carpools, etc). We test drove the van and were extremely impressed. The power was unbelievable and the amenities alot better than most of the other vans we researched. Plus the price was too good to be true. I did sit in the 3rd row and have my husband turn on the heater and basically got scalded by hot air. Opening the windows may help with the temperature level but short of sitting on your legs the hot air is going to get very uncomfortable on your shins. Is this a quirk with all the vans or something they have fixed on some of them? I wouldn't want this to prevent us from buying what appears to be a great vehicle. Also, not being previous van owners, we are not used to the limited vision out the back window as a result of the headrests. Do you get used to it, or do most people remove the headrests? Thanks in advance.
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)
Thanks to yoonny for posting the URL for the crash test results.
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.
Those of you who live in the snow-belt regions of the continent may be interested to know that the Sedona's handling in slippery conditions is above average! (IMHO) I had the opportunity today to drive my Sedona in less than ideal conditions: hard packed snow covered with a layer of moderately slushy snow, combined with a strong and gusty side-wind (not a good combination). The Sedona handled with extreme confidence and sure-footedness ; not at all like the Dodge Caravan that I traded in. My van has the Hankook all-season radials which have a very aggressive tread (for an all-season). The tread depth and rubber compound seem to combine with the overall weight of the vehicle to produce a very confident ride (and I've only owned the van for six days!)
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!
After hearing about how these wipers operate, I'm glad I don't have them! I agree with you, the Sedona is surefooted alright. The 5 star ratings in my opinion will be promoted heavily in future advertising.Our Sedonas just went up in value....again! As "charter" buyers we are reaping the rewards of a very well designed first year model...reminds me of my '91 Toyota Previa...another outstanding, trouble free first year model.
When I activated the rear heater switch I heard what sounded like a damper activating, closing the driver-side middle seat vent. I could hear the air going through the other vents, but I don't know how many others remained open yet. Any ideas on what is happening?
vannewbe: Vision out the back was also my main complaint and I have owned Voyagers and Caravans for 10 years without this problem. It was worse in parking lots when mirrors are less helpful than on the road (anyway, I've learned not to completely trust them, too many times someone was in the "blind spot"). After I "tapped" a car while backing out of a spot, I took off the head rests. Vision is still not as good as the Caravan, but do-able. The high seats are still good head support for the kids who sit there. Those high seats and smaller rear window are the reasons for vision difference between the Caravan and Sedona.
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!
well to let you all know tomorrow will be a week since we received our new addition to our family.... my husband hadn't filled up yet so I can't report on gas mileage as of yet, we love it and I can drive it!!! as far as crash tests I hope it does well but that's not why I bought it. it's a great mini van and easy to drive we will bring it in because the ashtray doesn't close and my husband told me tonight driving at 35 mph he hears a knocking from the roof?? can there be a tag on top or maybe the rack roof is lose?? also does anyone know if the sunroof lights up at night so you can see to open or close it?? everything else is lit up and the inside lights what's with that ? do you need to have the button in or out? we never use the heat here in Florida and i have seen one in 4 months the a/c is good but may- nov will be the test the a/c in his taurus was GREAT but the car in whole was not (to many trips to the shop) no need for heat or a/c at this time but since i believe i am the only florida owner i will keep you informed..i love the way it is easy to park but we dont have parallel parking here only head on. one more thing , i just found out our machanic is in the hospital for a susiside attempt i guess he found out my husband bought a kia
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I towed an 18 ft travel trailer aboyt 150 miles yesterday, used a class II weight distribution hitch with no swaybar. I would NOT have towed this trailer without the WD hitch, to much tongue weight. Power was no problem at all, tranny was smooth, jump right into gears. Tires were also impressive, seem to have a solid sidewall. I had very good conditions, little wind, hilly terrain. Rest assured this van is awesome for towing, again absolutely no body flexing whatsoever!
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!
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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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