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Comments
You'd be surprised as what you get back. Don't forget that the Kia commercials state there is a $3,000 cash back on the Sorento, so keep that in mind when dealing. Don't let it slip the dealer's mind!
Deke
After getting a price quote from the first dealer, I use the first quote price to negotiate with the second dealer. Then on and on until I feel I am getting a good price.
Any suggestions? At least I feel better than just walk to the dealer and spend hours on price negotiation.
Internet vs. Traditional Car Buying
Steve, Host
For other makes, Ford offers 0% or $2500 cash back on Explorer (4Dr.), GMC with 0% or $2500, Buick (including RDV) gets 0% or $3000 cash back (both get additional $500 golf bonus cash). Dailydouble, you properly end up paying $23K minus $3500 for RDV. But I still recommend this stylish Sorento.
I beg to differ...Here in the Northeast US, the commercials state $3000 on Sorento and $1000 on the Rio. I don't know what section of the country you are in, but these rebates are all specific to region, not country-wide.
The lowest price I've received form a dealer on a full boat Sorento without only the towing and self-leveling suspension packages was $23G OTD (out the door). Sticker was around $27,400. This is all done anonymously VIA e-mail, and you get to bypass the salesman working the floor and deal direct with the internet sales department. You can cut a better deal with this method than the old 'I-have-to-check-with-my-manager-first" dance.
I have also gotten a quote on a fully loaded AWD Hyundai Santa Fe that stickered at $26800 for $21,600. A LOT less than I would have offered on a cash deal (I would have probably gone $24G myself).
It pays to do ones homework.
Paste
:-)
Steve, Host
mwitt58714 - For low RPM, I don't think this is a problem. I have about the same RPM when travel 50 or 60 mph. Are you driving it with the O/D off?
To the low RPM question: What did you drive before you got your Sorento? Was it perhaps a 4 cylinder? I know when I get in a car that hums along at 2000 rpms, I often wonder if the engine is even running. My 1.8 Sidekick purrs along 4500rpm at 70 in 5th gear.
First of all, SHOUTING is not necessary here! We use our indoor voice
Second, 2300 RPM @ 55 mph seems just about right for the Sorento. Mine does about that. My Jeep GC with the 4.0L turned about 2200 rpm @ 65 mph. This was with a 3.73 rear axle ratio. On the Jeep, there were optional ratios of 3.23 (lower rpm) and 4.10 (higher rpm). Depending upon your use and engine choice, one of these ratios would be more suitable. The Sorento has no axle ratio selection- as don't most imported vehicles (to my knowledge). Remember, the slower the engine turns, the less revolutions per mile. This translates to better fuel economy and longer engine life- provided that the rpm is not so low as to cause lugging (not a issue with oem gear ratios).
Just got back from the Chicago Auto show and got my first look in person at the sorrento. While sitting in it though my head hit the roof when a sunroof was installed. Only 6'1'', do others have this problem? The seat was a power seat but no power at thee show, so wondering if the seat bottom can move up and down and maybe they had it up high. Otherwise liked the look. Gotta say will have to also check out the Honda Pilot for a test drive when the time for buying comes around. Nice looking and much bigger. Anyway, Thanks for the info.
Last night, I put the transfer case in 4WD low to show my wife. I did this on wet pavement and moved a few feet forward and backward. I then put it back into the Auto position. I drove about 6 miles to the movie theater (Lord of the Rings- GREAT!). While I was driving in the parking lot, I noticed a vibration from the front axle and a different feel to the steering when making sharp turns at the end of the aisle. It felt just like a part time 4WD system feels when you drive it locked up on dry pavement. Although the transfer case shifted out of 4WD Low into Auto when I demonstrated for my wife, it appears that the clutch in the transfer case has not disengaged the lockup between the front and rear output shafts. Paisan can correct me if I'm wrong, but power is apportioned only in Auto but in Low the front and rear axles are locked together as in a typical part time 4WD system (such as Jeep's CommandTrack). I guess a call to Kia's 800 number is in order. I'll keep everyone posted.
Does anyone find even more difficult when sit on the passenger's seat? Both front seats have 38.3" headroom and 55.3" hip room. The passenger's seat is manual operate and it doesn't allow to you lower the seat position to make room.
FOR STANG003.... I can't figure out where the temperature probe might be either. The sensor for the auto headlights is a small button looking item clese to the windshield on the passenger side. In the manual it states to keep the temperature sensor clear of any items on the dash so I thought it was the button on the drivers side but its not. I think the sensor for the temperture AMB is in the front by the front grill. Still looking for it.
Anyway, I only received a phone call from Kia few days after I got my car with few quick questions about the experience with the dealer and the car. I could only able to answer those question (phone survey) with the scale from 1 to 10. I assume this J.D. Power survey has nothing to do with Kia.
Lok, here's the Motor Week site: Motor Week
Steve, Host
MotorWeek #2226
With Host John Davis
PBS Broadcast Window Begins February 28, 2003
Roadtest of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado
Roadtest of the 2003 Kia Sorento
Goss' Garage: Hitch me up
FYI: Land Rover Driving School
Car Keys: Mazda RX-8, Nissan Maxima & Cadillac SRX
Lok888 Our sorento EX TOD luxury, tow pack, autolevelers,abs, has close to 6000 miles. Now the average city/hwy from slow to upper 80 mph is now at 15.6 mpg, we are using mobil1 now since 3000 maybe that helped, it began at 12 mpg when it was new.
This sorento is one of the "no problems, no noises, no rattles, I love it" ones.
Anyone know why this is the case? 18 mpg on the highway is pathetic.
My wife drives a 02 cr-v and she gets 23 –26 mpg on mostly highway driving. The cr-v is only a 4 banger so even a 4 banger you are not getting that much of a high mpg.
I have yet to understand why people are so concern about MPG when they are looking at suv. If one wants a vehicle with high mpg than get a compact basic car and be happy with getting 35+ mpg.
Finally! Someone else that speaks with a clear mind and understanding about MPG! Thank you.
I've been debating this same issue in the "Sorento Problems" forum for a few days now...saying the same things you have.
Similar vehicles
Toyota Highlander AWD V6 18/22 for 220 hp
Buick Rendezvous AWD V6 18/24 for 185 hp
The engine is also used in the Sedona which has the worst mileage of any Minivan on the market. I just can't understand why it's so bad? Kia really needs to work on engine efficiency before I'll take a look. I was really surprised.
You should not be comparing a FULL FRAME vehicle to Uni-body ones.
Compare it to 4-runner, Rodeo, Axiom, X-terra, etc.
-mike
But ok then, even so..
4 Runner AWD V6 17/20 producing a whopping 245 hp
Better mileage and way more HP.
RX300 - 18/22 (city/highway)
MDX - 17/23
Pliot - 17/22
ML320 - 15/19
Disc. - 12/16
X5 - 15/21
Sorento - 15/18
Envoy - 15/21
Explorer - 15/20
It seems like 18 mpg is the best. I don't expect too much on Sorento (same as Sedona). On the other hand, most compact SUVs (CR-V, RAV4) will do 20 mpg or little more. But I am not compare this with mini SUV. Oh! Look for Ford Escape hybird in 2004.
paisan - It looks like car based SUV do slightly better and truck based, assuming all vehicles weight about the same.
If you don't like the milage, then don't buy it, get a honda civic or a Toyota Prius or something like that that gets 40-50mpg.
Think of it this way, the amount of $ you'll save over a v6 4-runner you'll never burn in extra gas.
It's what 10K less than a 4-runner and gets 1-2mpg less? So over 100K miles the Sorento will cost ~$10,666 in fuel to the ~$9,411 that the 4-runner will cost you. That's based on 15mpg for the sorento, 17 for the 4-runner and ~$1.60/gal for gas. So for ~$10K more you save ~$1000 in fuel in 100K miles. If you invest the ~$10K in a bank earning roughly 3% interest a year you will have earned ~$1300 in interest over the 5 years it will take to reach ~100K miles. So in the end you are actually AHEAD of the game in the Sorento...
-mike
Also what are the actual figures? I know that my Trooper is rated at 16/19 or something like that. And if I run it at stock pressures in the tires, and at 55-60mph I'll turn BETTER milage figures than that. However if I do 75mph and not 100% cruise control highway, then i will drop down to 16mpg or less on the highway.
-mike
Do you really think Kia designed the engine in the Sorento? Would you be suprised to know that the same engine in the Sorento is a close relative to the V6 engines in all Mitsubishi products? It's because they are the same. Mitsubishi realized years ago it can produce engines for other care manufactures, reducing said care manufactures R&D...thus, lowering the products selling cost. The unfortunate side effect of this, is you get engines in Kia and Hyndai products that aren't exactly the creame of the crop in technology....say like a Honda engine or a Toyota engine.
My guess is that in a year or so we will see a more powerful engine in the Sorento with about the same mileage as the current one. Is that a better comprimise? To me it is. And what are you going to say when a Sorento has 225hp or so in a year and the vehicle still costs $5k less than any of its competition? Honda, Toyota, Nissan and others work very hard and spend a lot of money and R&D in engine technology....for one reason...it appeals to those that want the impressive figures...and they are willing to pay for it. Thats how they make their money.
Should Kia and Hyundia have better mileage? Yes, they should. Should their vehicles be a little lighter (thus aiding in MPG)? Yes, they should. But I can take a pretty good guess in this assumption....If Kia could match or better the best numbers in its class....you would be paying the same as the "premium" brands.
I bought my Sorento for its VALUE and content. Not for better than average MPG numbers.
I liked the look and value of Sorento at the Car show, but was disappointed in the mileage regardless of who makes the motor. Just my opinion, nothing else. Enjoy your vehicle!