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Comments
plenty of power for passing. IMHO the Sorento is currently the best kept secret in the SUV world!! Why would anyone pay thousands more
for another brand?? We have an EX w/luxury package, ABS, spoiler, tow package and load leveler in silver. The last 6 years we had a QX4 and a loaded Pathfinder (3 year leases each). To me the Sorento is as good or better than almost anything out there regardless of
the price! If you are looking for a new SUV, check out the Sorento! I'm so glad I did!!!
What a joke? Did he really even drive the Sorento? I would hate to see what he considers a "good" vehicle.
All I know is this...I have 9000 miles on my Sorento...and I have loved every mile of it.
Anyone... is Rain X the only product to repellant water on glass and window? I found after couple of car wash and rain storm, it is completely wash out and have to re-apply it again.
I lived in West Central Florida for 8 years and really appreciated the Rain-X! With the Summer afternoon thunderstorms, I found that I rarely needed my wipers, especially when the car was moving. The rain just blows off. Another advantage is longer wiper blade life since it lubricates the glass. It's a little of a pain in the a** to apply, but the results are worth it.
Here's a little trick from a professional auto detail shop I used to use for my restored '69 Fury convertible....Take some 00000 steel wool (the more zeroes, the finer the grade), spray on your usual window cleaner (Windex, etc) and rub the steel wool over the glass. Keep the window wet, then wife off with a cloth. Cleans up the nasty bugs, and rubber wiper blade residue and gets the glass clean enough to make you wonder if there's anything in the opening! You can do the same on the inside - will help to remove the oily build-up modern cars seem to get.
Sorry for the long post.
Deke
Yeah, that review kinda came out of left field. I put no stock in it but thought I'd share it with you.
I'm going to knock on wood here, because we've been lucky enough to not have any major or even minor problems with our Sorento since we got it last December.
We did have an engine warning light come on during a cross country road trip and had to stop at a Kia dealership in New Orleans -- they told us it was a false reading! Other than that... nada.
Oh, and has anyone else received a recall notice regarding the driver's seat airbag (I think it was the airbag) -- it had something to do with an indicator light?
Last question: is there a recommened dealership tune-up at 7,500? And does this have anything to do with maintaining warranty coverage?
Sorry so many questions! We've put just over 7,500 miles on our Sorento and it still feels brand new!
Tune up... I haven't looked at the owner's manual. Isn't it just regular oil change (check all fluid) and tire rotation at 7 to 7.5K miles? Sorry, there is nothing to do with the warranty coverage.
Review... That's suck! I want to hear from him what is "good".
Anyway, the letter reads:
"Dear Kia Sorento Owner:
Kia Motors America, Inc. has determined that some 2003 Sorento models may experience illumination of the Air Bag Warning Light.
A wire harness under the driver seat cushion may be mis-positioned, which could result in damage to the wire harness from contact with the power seat adjusting mechanism."
The letter goes on to say that they'll inspect, repair or even replace the harness.
I have an EX with the luxury package, so I assume that it's those models that will experience this recall (at the very least, those models with the electric driver's seat).
If you think you might need this repair work done, you should call your dealership or Kia's Consumer Assistance Center at 1-800-333-4542.
The letter says the work takes less than one hour.
Anyone else get this letter?
I hope no one thinks they have to really scour the window with the steel wool, God forbid someone scratches the heck out of it!
Many other "tricks" I learned in the shop while watching my big Plymouth get it's semi-annual "makeover" I don't use on my daily drivers. I did see a show on the Speed Channel that the steel wool was used on cars being detailed for the Pebble Beach Concours... If cars worth a million dollars and up can stand it, so can my $22,000 domestic!
Deke
Apparently the wiring harness (for the airbag sensors in the seat) is not long enough for the electric seat to fully extend to its highest level. Meaning...that the wiring harness and connection become disengaged or loose, causing the airbag warning light to come on.
lok888....you will get one. If you don't, have it checked anyway. And don't be so surprised about things...it makes you sound naive. Most of the posters in this room are educated and intelligent...they know what they are talking about.
My wife was very impressed by the looks, fit 'n' finish, extra space, laundry list of features and amenities, and overall quality. Although it was dinner time -- and if you've had toddlers, you know not to mess with food access -- and we didn't get to drive it, we were left with a positive overall impression.
Another note: I noticed there hasn't been a post to the "Sorento problems" bulletin board since 4/7! That's GOT to be a great sign. At one point we were interested in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and that thing was getting like 10 complaints a day. That ended that.
One more question: A much earlier post spoke of potential engine modifications to boost the Sorento's horsepower. Anyone have any additional info on that topic? Just for reference, our other car is a 1998.5 Audi A4 with a 2.8 liter V6. For $300, you can buy an engine management chip (ECU) that boosts horsepower from 190 to 200 and (its owners claim) adds about 1 mile per gallon. Outside of CA, A4 owners also upgrade their intake and exhaust systems to get another 15-20 more hp. While that's not legal in CA, an engine management chip may be the answer to those who want a little more pep and an improvement -- even if slight -- in their mediocre gas mileage (the Sorento's biggest flaw, in my book).
Thanks in advance!
dalancraft - I see your point. But that's not the factor when I looked for this SUV. You see, unlike many people out there (I hope you look at my previous links about those Sorento owners in Germany and Korea who would like dress up their cars), not too many people are willing to spend money on parts and accessories here. Don't you agree? I don't see they will upgrade its engine in the future. Personally, I love my Sorento. It has more for less and problem free.
Believe me: if there's an ECU chip for $300 that will give me 10 more HP and 1 more MPG, I'll buy it in a heartbeat! ;-)
You don't have to be so rude. There are many many EX owners who haven't gotten this so called notice. And maybe we won't all get it. If you know anything about recalls, you will know that they can be very selective. I have seen recalls that only include a couple hundred people in one model year and only cars that were made on a certain date on a certain line. I am sorry that you got one but you don't have to be mean to lok888 because he didn't get one.
Just curious.
You would think that Kia might even now be addressing the HP and MPG issues in their plans for the 2004 or 2005 models. But IMHO, they're probably looking at increasing HP and not MPG -- I think a stronger engine's more than likely coming soon.
SUV's and higher MPG's just aren't synonymous yet. Maybe some day...!
We have a EX with Luxury since Nov 2002 and I have played with the drivers power seat and looked under it. The radio amp is under there as well in the Luxury models so it gets in the way and I bet this is the problem and noticed a connector that could get in the way of the seat travel becasue of the amp being there, so I just moved it a little and tied it down with a cable tie. So far no problem. If it does occur I would be at the service dept. doors early in the morning.
And that perhaps posters should refrain from making sweeping assumptions, presumptions about facts lest people misinterpret their intentions...
No one "knows it all" -- which is exactly why we're all here. To benefit from each other's Sorento experiences.
Nuff said.
Another tack many take is to wait for the vehicle to come off warranty, at which time it's a moot point. At 5 years/60K and 10 years/100K, though, that's a LONG wait for new Kia owners! Which is part of why I'm ready to trade a perfectly serviceable 6-year-old Sportage with 60K for a new Sorento -- I'm afraid the little one may cost dearly in the next 3-4 years (brakes, clutch, alternator, etc. etc.).
hicaffa - It is hard to predict what Kia is going do with the Sorento next year. Properly remains the same. There are 3 versions being sold worldwide: 2.5 (4 cyl), 2.5 (diesel) and 3.5 (V6). And Kia made a good choice and picked the 3.5 (V6) for North America market. The 4 cyl only has 135 hp. And the diesel may not pass the EPA's standard. Kia only in US for 9/10 years. And the 2004 Sportage will properly the first one Kia will keep, others were just out of the production line with new model introduce. Maybe Kia has some secret weapons.
Not a good day of travel today...bad traffic. Anyways...I think I took my early morning bad attitude to this Sorento post. My apologies to lok888. I felt that you were questioning the legitimacy of the recall. And like yosorento elluded to...we all love our Sorentos...and are all in this together...I promise to be a better team player.
lilac0422...I agree, sometimes recall notices are based on locations or regions...and some of us get them earlier or later, ....usually later. But my experience was easy and a quick one with the dealership. They fixed it while I waited, which was about 20 minutes.
Yo I totally agree with posting 2267 great job.
Dalancroft I drove my EX 308 miles today almost all interstate and had no problem with horsepower. Didn't strain at all at 75-80 when I needed passing power.I also got right at 18 per gallon so I don't think the chip is really needed.
Thanks again to all and keep up the great posts.
I read this forum and also was interested in Kia Sorento and had a test drive last week. I am impressed by the SUV and its features. I am not impressed with the price though. If some one can help !!!!!
I priced Sorento EX with luxury package and with ABS and rear spoiler (all using carsdirect.com all top of the line 4x4) and it came to about 27K+. I priced Hyundai Santa fe fully loaded and it came to 24K and same with Mazda tribute. I am not comparing the prices of Sorento with the bigger SUVs since I think Sorento is not that big like Ford explorer etc. Whatever vehicles they are comparing Sorento on Kia's site itself is mostly the entry level SUVs and if we do that the price seems not all that cheap.
So can some one sell me on a Sorento?
Thanks for all the feedback in advance.
This is what I found. The Sorento comes in at $28,135.00
(all prices i mention also include destination charges).
Hyundai comes in at $26,119.00. Not bad. Much cheaper than the Kia...but it is butt [non-permissible content removed] ugly in my opionion. Plus, it is not a true 4x4. The places I can take my Sorento...I would never think twice about taking a Sante Fe. The interior is also smaller and a little more cramped...plus looks a little cheaper as well.
Ford Escape come in at a very surprising $28,860.00!! Note: you 600 bones extra for the sunroof...which isnt even bundled into the Limited version I priced...which is the top of the line...containing all the amenities the Kia has. Again...not a true 4x4 (if thats important to you)...and has an interior that is very bland and cheap. Though the car magazines love this vehicle...Ford still offers a crappy 3year 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. What!!!! Boy, that blows!!! And the powertrain warranty is only to 50,000 miles. Yippee!
Ill be honest, the mileage on the Sorento sucks...but most of us did not buy the Sorento for great mpg numbers. But other than that...I still feel the Sorento is the best buy for the type of vehicle it is and the content.
And one more thing...I purchased my Sorento EX with abs and destination charges at $200.00 BELOW invoice. A great deal in my opinion...plus a five year 0% interest rate. I could not have asked for anything more.
Not bad...much better price than the Escape...strangly enough. But where are the side curtain airbags?? Or Homelink?? Or heated mirrors?? Or Automatice Climate control system?? Or First Aid Kit?? Or......the list goes on.
In all seriousness...you can't go wrong with any of these three vehicles. They are all good SUVs. My bet is that when some of these magazines and online (edmunds) mags do some comparison tests...the Sorento is going to be at the top...or very near.
I hope.
Good luck in your research, and I hope you the best.
First I agree with stockey. The Sorento is a cut above those vehicles. I think as ivygrnsorento's research shows when you compare apples to apples for a true 4 wheel drive the Sorento is the best value.
When I was doing my research I was comparing the Sorento against the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Toyota Highlander and for the money the Sorento was the overall best value.
Depending where in the Country you are you should be able to get the Sorento for just a little above invoice and in many parts of the US they are running low APR deals.
I hope this helps.
Here is the specs for the light bulbs. BTW, Kia can only give you the part number. Just in case the bulb is out and you are far away from Kia dealer. You can find these at Auto Zone, etc.
Turn signal (Front and rear) - 1156
Back up - 1156
Stop light (Tail light) - 2357
Front marker - 1156
Low beam - H7 (12V55W)
High beam - H1 (12V55W)
License plate - 168 or 194
So far, I replaced the rear turn signal and high beam with super white bulbs. It gives you an European car look when you turn the turn signal.
I know Sorento EX-Lux is better eqipped. But if the price is not attractive enough, I'm hesitant to try a new brand Korean-made car with uncertain resale value.
Can anyone who bought this car in Canada and paid less than the MRSP? I asked one saleperson at the showroom who said the price is fixed like Saturn. Maybe he even didn't dare to answer my question as I told him that I'm just asking and not in a buying mode now.
I live in Maryland. Would anyone that has bought a Sorento in Maryland please let me know where they bought/which salesperson they recommend and what their deal was? Thanks for your help!
Steve, Host
I still like the styling of Sorento. I like the Santa Fe too ( my wife does not). I really am not planning to take this to any off road at all. So I am going to wait for some more time for the initial demand to cool off and then get a better price. I saw an ad for a fully loaded Sedona van EX for 21.5K.
Thanks for all the inputs.
But I am surely glad that I made the Sorento my choice- going on 5200 trouble-free miles! (Except for that unexplained TOD lockup problem that went away by itself.)
Mitsubishi Montero Sport
Isuzu Axiom
Jeep Liberty (barely)
Explorer
Envoy/Trailblazer
These all are truck-based(except the liberty) offer front engine/rearwheeldrive based.
It's significantly larger than the car-based Santa Fe and Escape/tribute. Not to mention off-road prowess and towing would be far better in the Sorento.
-mike
Regarding engines...I don't think there is a engine alive that hasn't had some early teething problems. But with that said, GM really can't afford to have the problems they have had with build quality, transmission problems, and engine problems they have had with the Envoy/Trailblazer. I'm really hoping Bob Lutz can start to turn things around there.
Ok, question here...has anybody noticed the Borometer in their Sorentos never moves more than 5 hpx's?? Mine always reads between 840 and 845. Doesn't matter if its snowing or 80 degrees and sunny. I'm guessing this is not right....anybody having the same problem?