Kia Sorento

lok888

It certainly gives me a bad taste in the mouth. Because it is more than a bad horn rely or something. But so far, my service people have been greatful from problem diagonsis, free car rental, part ordering & replacement (probably with overnight shipping from CA) and the scratch paint.

For the side step bars (round type), they are from Kia. They are in black powder finish. I think they are 3" in diameter. They are selling this for about $450 installed. They didn't tell much about the installation.

In addition to the Corba products (I only found the Corba sidestep board with wider rear passengers step), you also find this T&H tubular products from the same website. They have the tail light guards for $155.99.

I have no problem with the Kia one. But I want to see if they have a stainles steel one and more discount from them.

hciaffa

Listed below is the Cobra website for thier products. They manufacture some of the best stainless steel auto parts in Europe and they manufacture this part for Kia of Europe. You can view the round step and flat step here. The other site is the distributor of Corbra parts in USA. Right now at the Kia dealers they are only selling the round or oval step bars and they are a simple bolt on. the kia part number is UB030-AY-120 and from other sorento owners that have posted on other sites they cost about 380.00 plus installation (1hr to install). Or you can so so very easy to install easy bolton no drilling. Like I mentioned I tend to lean to the running boards so that you can step up to reach the luggage rack as it tends to get wider by the rear passenger door.

http://www.cobra-sor.com/
http://www.truckaccessories4less.net/kiasocotupr.html

lok888

Thanks for the link. The price that I found from truckaccessories is $539.99 ($369.99 for black powder coat version) for chrome Cobra side steps (with wider rear passenger steps). The company (AutoAccessories4Less) is located in MI. They imported these from Germany. AutoAccessories also carries this T&H tubular products like 76mm side steps ($349.99) and tail light guards ($155.99), extra cost for chrome.

I am not sure that one from Kia is also made by Cobra in Germany. The Kia one (side steps bars) has black powder coating and with Kia logo. My dealer quoted $450 with installation.

drhalo

Hi everyone, this is my first posting (it’s taken me two weeks to read the 2800+ postings on the board) and I want to let you know what a great education it has been reading your stories and comments. I must say that I am more than a little nervous about purchasing a KIA, but after doing my research and test driving the different vehicles the Surento kept finding it’s to the top of my list. So a red and beige EX with TOD, ABS and LUX package now sits in my North Carolina mountain driveway. Time will tell the wisdom of the choice, but for the present it seems like the best equipped for the money.
In posting 2558 tedya mentioned a constant strange sound (“kinda like tires humming but it’s not the tires”) coming from the vehicle. I have noticed the same type of noise in my Surento. It sounds a little like when the brake pads are rubbing the disc, but the sound does not change when I apply the brakes. I only hear the noise when I have the windows down but it does annoy me. If tedya or anyone else knows what this might be I would be grateful for your input.

tidester

Welcome aboard!

it's taken me two weeks to read the 2800+ postings on the board

I am impressed! Now you know we have a great group here and they're more than willing to help out. We look forward to hearing more from you!

tidester, host

lok888

drhalo - Congrats! Your Sorento has the same equipments like mine. Can you tell us how much did you pay? I just want to see how is the market doing. By the way, you can post it on a new discussion "Kia Sorento - Price paid & buying experience".

For the humming sound, I can hear a little when it travels 50 mph and over with windows close and radio off.

carinc

Hi all.. new to the board, new to Kia for that matter. Just bought mine on Monday (I posted in the Price Paid & buying experience thread already if anyone's interested.)

Anyhow.. I've always been skeptical of Kia's quality and when I saw the Sorento I loved the look but I was not comfortable with the idea of owning one until I read these boards. I really appreciate the time you all put into sharing your experiences, it really made the difference for me.

No initial post here would be complete w/o a full accounting of my Sorento so here goes.. 2WD EX, Aqua/Pewter, ABS, LUX Pkg, Cargo Tray, Spoiler. The only modification I plan to make to it are step bars and putting a darker tint on the front windows.. it's hot here in AZ and the lack of tint in the front is killing me!

Thanks again everyone and if anyone has actually bought the Cobra running boards I'd be interested in seeing a better picture picture or hearing more about them because while I tend to agree with hciaffa about the handiness of them it looks like (in the limited pictures they have on their site) they have diamond plating on the top and I'm not sure I like that look.

Thanks again!

stever

Sorento Wins 4X4 Magazine ‘Car Of The Year 2004’ (CarPages)

Steve, Host

nvbanker

Had a chance to drive a new Sorento at lunch today. I'm a guy who doesn't really consider Kia to be much of a car, so I must confess first off, I was pretty stunned at how decent this car is for the money.

Highs: Comfortable cabin, competent A/C, Stereo and attractive interior design. Great power, nice steering, quiet cabin, good seats. Good looks overall. No rattles or squeaks, handled well.

Lows: No rear air conditioner vents. Leather seating surfaces seemed somewhat low grade, but not too low for the price. KIA billboard on front of car could be scaled back a bit.

Conclusion: A lot of car for the money! It definitely earned my grudging respect.

hciaffa

I came across this site that was posted on another forum. There had been post at one time some people asking about what light bulb numbers the Sorento has. Check out theis site.

http://www.sylvania.com/bin/carApp/carApp_ver2.pl?flag=model_qual- s&make=&make=Kia&year=&year=2003&model=Sorent- o&x=19&y=4

hciaffa

I was wondering since you have an EX like us on how you like the Lexol leather conditioner that you bought. Have you tried using it yet. I am just asking as I tried using Meguires this weekend. I gave our EX a thorough cleaning on the inside using 303 Protectant on the dash and other vinyl trim. This is a good protectant against UV rays leaves a nice satin sheen and not greasy. I then used the Meguires on the leather to condition them felt ok and made the leather softer feeling. Just wondering how you like the Lexol. Has anyone else an opinion on a leather conditioner?
By the way I still can't get an answer from KIA on how much of the leather sets are leather and vinyl. I am assuming that the inserts are just leather. I have had a terrible time in contacting Kia through the web site. Sorry to say there response just sucks.

slan_canada

To all Canadian here...

Just saw the ' Canadian ' specs for the 2004 Sorento. We now have a manual transmission! But only for the LX model ( which BTW, cost about the same thing as the 2003 model !! ). With the AT transmission; the LX Sorento is $900 CDN more !! The horsepower and the torque is the same as 2003 for all models.

Glad that I bought my Sorento in 2002 as a 2003 model (I saved $900 CDN)

But for those who like manual transmissions, you now have the choice with the 2004 Sorento (but again, only available on the LX version).

jethrojackson

Greetings,

Do you know if the 2004 you saw has front passenger lumbar support? On the 2003 models here in the States, only the driver has it. Thanks!

Jethro

slan_canada

Sorry, I don't know. I only saw the specs on the web. I did not saw a 2004 model in real.

paisan

Hey folks, saw a nice black sorento tonight. Loved the tail lights on it. Great lookin truck for the $.

-mike

iluvmysephia1

kit installed on it? That looks so cool...if I had a Sorento I'd pop that on...no drilling required, or bolting even! Will the 2004 Sorento's imported to the U.S. have manual transmission? Sorento is a great choice and manual tranny would be great to have, too, even if it doesn't improve gas mileage at all...eh?

paisan

I hate chrome

Manuals in SUVs are a thing of the past. It's cheaper for production to have all one tranny/gear-set and with electronic controls of the tranny there is no milage improvement given by MTs anymore.

-mike

iluvmysephia1

is so habitforming and fun! I really like to slow the Sport down that way and I do think it saves a titch of brake wear. I suppose in this throwaway society we live in now those concerns are about as important as wondering which NBA team will get the honor of putting up with..uhh...I mean enjoying Dennis Rodman's presence on their team this season.

paisan

I was recently at a racing school and they were teaching us in the classroom sessions how bad it is for the car to use engine braking except in emergency situations.

Engine braking will at most provide 100hp or less whereas most brake pads these days on vehicles provide over 2500hp of braking! It's also significantly cheaper to replace your pads than to replace your clutch and/or tranny!

-mike

tidester

I do think it saves a titch of brake wear.

But don't transmissions cost a LOT more than brake pads? ;-)

tidester, host

iluvmysephia1

less down time in the shop and are more reliable overall. Eh? It's so..now, you could dice this discussion hundreds of times into manufacturer and model and tranny supplier until our little hearts are content but that's not necessary. Offering the Kia Sorento in only automatic transmission could limit sales interest for some buyers. My first car('65 Ford Mustang)had a 3spd manual tranny 6cyl 200 c.i. motor. My next rig had an automatic tranny(in 1983)and all rigs I drove for the next 16 years were automatics. In 1999 I bought the infamous Kia Sephia with a 5-speed manual transmission. I don't intend to look back from this latest tranny trend...driving is funner FOR ME when I drive with a manual transmission. Better gas mileage(albeit this can vary a lot)is another plus. An automatic tranny with that awful 'CLUNK' between lurching and gulching for the right gear is so, so...short of a well-timed driving experience. Back to Sorento....if they bring a manual tranny Sorento to U.S. shores I'll pop the handsome SUV back onto my 'personal possible next car' list. Oh, I just got a horrible thought. What if Kia eliminates manual transmissions as an offering on the next-gen Sportage that's purportedly NOT going to be unibody constructed.....!!!!!! Rambling on? Me? Never!

paisan

SUVs offered for sale in the US:

Rodeo
Xterra
Grand Vitara?
That's about it.

Face it they are going the way of the dodo bird...

-mike

abc246

Rodeo
Xterra
Grand Vitara
Chevy Blazer
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Liberty

-mike

paisan

Ok, but they are NOT common.

Not to mention how many of those are on the lots in that form, most I'll bet are "special" order like the last year of the Cherokee that was theoretically available in 5MT but you had to special order and wait like 6+ months to get it delivered.

Chevy Blazer, what the heck is that? Thought that was discoed already, certainly not commonly seen at your Chevy dealer.

-mike

abc246

Are you kidding? GM sold 45,000 Blazers year to date. I do not know how many YTD for the Sorento, but it would be interesting if anyone has the number.

-mike

sorentoguy

abc246 - from Kia website Sorentos sold YTD 23,611 (through 7/31/03)

dalancroft

Last statistic I read was that 87% of all vehicles sold in the U.S. are now automatic transmissions.

I've always and I mean ALWAYS driven a manual, and I will continue to for sportier cars such as my Audi A4, but even my wife was surprised that I want an automatic for our next vehicle. Just so much more convenient when you've got children, cell phones ringing, CDs to change, etc.

Have to admit, I'm intrigued by the Nissan Murano's CVT. Too bad that vehicle's some $5K out of my price range ...

dekester

The Blazer is the "old" body style that GM kept around for some unknown reason. The TrailBlazer/GMC Envoy is a totaly different vehicle.

Check out the TrailBlazer board if you want to see some dissatisfied owners....engines replaced due to cylinder sleeves dropping! And GM will not say whether the replacements are new engines, or reman engines that had the problem before.

No more GM cars for me.....

lok888

Hello folks! I just came back from my family vacation trip from Boston to Washington, D.C. with my Sorento. It was a great trip! There was no off road experience this time. We lodged in Mount Laurel, NJ. We made a several stops at New York City, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Six Flags/Safari Zoo and finally our nation's capitol. I just added 1200 plus miles on my Sorento in 4 days.

I drove almost 10 hours during the first day. The seat is very comfortable. But I would say more lumber support will be appreciated. It is just too little on the driver's seat. The cargo space seems a bit smaller than many mid-size SUVs. It was filled after a big suitcase, baby stroller, few personal items and some food & water supplies. The A/C works very efficient in warm and humid weather. But a rear A/C vent will be perfect. There is no variation even at 90 mph. It was the higher speed that I could do. There were many unmarked state police cruiser along the New Jersey Turnpike and CT area. And I have no problem with the cruise control. The best gas mileage was 18.6 mpg.

We travelled to several states and many cities. Still, I only saw two Sorentos: a black LX (NJ plate) on New Jersey Turnpike and a black EX (NY plate) in New York's Chinatown. Oh! Two trucks loaded of Sorento on NJ Turnpike.

luvmysorento

my new hood protector, sport visors and mudflaps today. I decided to try putting them on myself since they wanted to charge me $68 for them to do it (plus wait another week for an appointment). By saving on the labor, I should be able to go back and get the sunroof deflector. Has anyone installed a sunroof deflector themselves yet? Is it hard?
 The next item on my shopping list will be the spoiler. I saw a red/stone beige EX on Sunday with all of these accessories and it looked really sharp!

lok888

hciaffa - I didn't use Lexol products. I got the Turtle Wax leather cleaner and conditioner (not 2-in-1 formula) from BJ's. The label on the cleaner said for leather and vinyl. It works great on the leather seat surface. It cleans without discolor the tan leather seat. I cleaned the surface with damp cloth before spraying the leather cleaner. Then I applied the conditioner. The conditioner feels more creamy than the cleaner. After the application, the leather looks clean (no chemical smell) and without those shinny or plastic look. I don't feel oily or sticky on the leather surface.

jaylin

hai, any body knows if there are any changes.
is it worth the wait?
how about kia auotos holding the value in 5 years

stever

Check out our True Cost to Own tool.

Steve, Host

luvmysorento

I got the mudflaps and sport visors on without any problems. After a trip to the pool with the kids (it was humid and around 90 today) I started to install the hood protector. I got out the box and the only thing in it was the hood protector! No clips, no screws, no instructions! I called the service department and was told that I could purchase clips and they "might" have some installation instructions for me to borrow. The parts department was closed so I am calling back first thing tomorrow morning and complaining. I ordered this hood protector and had to wait for it to come in since they did not have it in stock. This was not a box that had been sitting on the shelf for who knows how long. Someone has pilfered through my box and helped themselves to my stuff! Since I had so many boxes at the same time, I hadn't noticed it was already opened. My son said that he knew it was open and was careful to hold the open end up. I wish he would have told me while we were there, but he is only 10 so I can't complain too much about that. They had better make good on this situation or someone's getting a hood protector shoved where the sun doesn't shine!

      ~Karen~

hciaffa

I would try to return the item and tell them that it was incomplete and try to have them re-order a new one. If the parts guy is no holp get the parts manager and talk to him. Tell him the parts were missing and what can be done. If you install the front protector be aware that you have to remove the grill and there are two stubborn clips at the top that if you have needle nose pliers you squeeze the clip together to release the pressure and it will give. Use a grease ppencil for you marking on the hood and have you sone help in aligning or just to hold it up to mark the hood. when you do screw it to the small plastic screw clips do not use force as it will strip. Any questions just post

jaylin

hai
in florida, many dealers say they don't have 4wd sorentos. any suggestions in locating. is 4wd that much better thab 2wd

hciaffa

in the snow belt areas 4WD would be better but in Florida not needed unless you plan to do any 4wd driving in some bad areas.. How about geting the luxury package which has the AWD torque on demand(TOD)it even comes with a 4wd lo engagement switch. I have this up here in Conn. and it runs just perfect in our heavy snow

jaylin

thanks for the suggestion re 4 wd.
how about the false wood trim in the dash board. it looks fake ofcourse. is it the only trim available.
does 2004 come with any different trim

zzeeker

Hi everyone. I have been following this board for about a month and have been enjoying everyone's input. Although I have some concerns about Kia in general, I am seriously considering the purchase of a sorento and am wondering if anyone has any input on the 2004 models. Is there any reason to wait? Is Kia making any improvements? I haven't seen many on the roads on Long Island. Thanks for any help

jaylin

hai
thanks to hciaffe # 2858 for input,
but i am confused; as i understand torque on demand is an option for 4wd only, am i wrong?
can i get ex or lx 2wd and luxury package and get torque on demand?
if you or steve the host or any one can shed more light i will be thankful
any one knows changes for 2004

stever

I thought it was just 4WD too.

Our review says "Those who opt for a luxury package-equipped EX model will get the aforementioned automatic Torque-On-Demand 4WD system." link

Hciaffe?

Steve, Host

smulvey

don't slow down by dumping a low gear on the tranny, brakes are only $ 50 a set and trannys cost about $ 2,000.

paisan

There is TOD = AWD + Low Range (does a 15/85 torque split between the front and rear axles and can vary it up to 50/50) and CAN be used on DRY Pavement for better daily driving.

PT4wd= 50/50 lock and can only be used on off-road trails/snow etc.

-mike

stever

This week's New Vehicle Spotlight ad features the Sorento:

2003 Kia Sorento

Steve, Host

iamru2

I just bought a Sorento after many, "Do you really want to buy a Kia" thoughts. The Sorento, is a fine SUV from what I can tell and has a wonderful warranty. Perhaps someone can answere a few questions.

1) Is the Sorento's paint clear coated?
2) What's a good wax or sealer to help keep the paint looking good? I've had very bad luck with swirls with various products in the past.

luvmysorento

I don't know how to post links or anything but if you would refer back to post #2449, the host offered a link that was very helpful to me about waxes. It is a discussion of the many waxes and other people's experiences with them. I am currently using Zymol (the kind from Auto Zone) and it works great. I have been to rub out with the Zymol the tiny scratches that my cat left on my Sorento. This gave my kitty back his nine lives! My Sorento is so shiny and slippery when I am finished waxing that I can't even close the back hatch without the handle!

         ~Karen~

Placeman

I believe every modern vehicle is now clear coated. That is why you see those swirl marks. The swirls are actually in the clear coat (which is softer than the paint) and not the paint. Lighter colored vehilces hide the swirls better. One of the reasons I went with the silver. I use McGuires Gold Class and have had good luck. I havn't tried the Zymol yet...guess I'm a creature of habit.

lok888

I believe cars have clear coated paint these days. I am using several auto detailing products from Meguiar's. The Meguiar's Gold Class wax (paste) gives a mirror-like shine and easy to work with. It is a quick fix for some minor scratches. And the Meguiar's All-Wheel Cleaner also cleans brake dust very easy and leaves no residue on wheels. I also have the Gold Class Leather Cleaner and Conditioner (all-in-one). But I prefer the Blue Coral Leather/Vinyl Cleaner and Conditioner (not 2-in-1). They give no plastic shinny look on leather seats and dash area with no sticky surface or chemical smell. And I am looking for something for tar remover. I think WD40 will do the trick.

stever

Clear coat is paint. I don't know why it'd be any softer than the pigmented layer underneath, or if so, why you couldn't keep it swirl free.

I think most swirls come from the dealer prep. Imagine you're the lot tech and a load of new vehicles just arrived. I don't think these folks care about swirls, clean cloths or rags, etc. when they prep and detail them. They strip the plastic off and get the power buffer out, and rinse the rags and sponges in dirty water.

Check the Store Bought Waxes Part II (No Zaino Posts) discussion for tips. Search in there for swirl, and check out the posts about clay - that's a great product.

Steve, Host

ansehd

Hello & Thanks guys serving nourishment of information about Sorento iam interested in purchasing!!

One question i would like to ask is I have an intention to buy an Ex 4*4 model with luxury pack & ABS, What price i have to pay called the best deal calculating with a 1,000 rebate and a pre-kia owner special incentive 1,000? Is 24,0000 the good estimation?

I have never made negotation with dealers to buy a car. Any recommendation i should keep in mind before heading to dealer shop?