Kia Sorento

lok888

Just curious if the sales person is responsible for any misrepresentation. I have seen Mazda is buying back the new RX-8 (same thing few years ago with its Miata) for sales brochure misprint on horsepower data. I mean, this is not the car that I want to buy. But I realize this is hard to pursue because we have many resources for car research these days. Any comments?

paisan

it's not built on the santafe frame, the santa fe doesn't have a frame, it's unibody, the sorento is body on frame.

It may be similar to another hyundai truck not sold in the US.

-mike

stever

A salesperson's representations can be held to be a warranty but good luck proving it.

link

Steve, Host

lok888

paisan - I have a question for you. I think I and hciaffa (I think there is one more person) all experiencing this thumping feeling on the rear wheels of our EX 4WD with TOD. In my case, it happens when I stop at the light (when brake from high speed). When I release the brake and before hit the gas pedal, I can feel this thump (or force) pulling from the rear wheels no matter how long that I stop (5 seconds or a mintue). Is this has something to do with the LSD? It seems it has something to do with the speed on the vehicle with TOD. However, I don't feel this much when braking from slow speed. Any suggestions?

bigfur

I wasnt sure what chassis it was on, but i knew for D*%N sure it wasnt a Lexus chassis. Thanks for everyone who dropped the info for me. As for my comment about the Santa Fe, it was my best guess as to what was the closest to it. Guess im too used to buying american cars lol.

dekester

Sound like that salesman needs to learn the basics of who builds what! Lexus is made by Toyota....

Some sales people will say anything to make a deal. Maybe he meant to say that it LOOKS like an RX300?

Deke

ivan4741

I discovered that by removing the rear seat headrests, I gain a lot of lost visibility looking out the rear window. Since I never have anyone in back seats it's a no brainer. If ever I do I just push them back on.

paisan

Hmm interesting. My guess is that it isn't the LSD, but it might be the transfer case or some driveshaft play. By a thump do you mean you let off the gas and it "slips" then thumps as it starts moving? On the troopers with TOD, we get a hard thump from the 3->2 and 2->1 shift, but this is normal on ours and is a result of a hard shifting tranny, which actually extends the life of the tranny.

It could also be the TOD shifting around power before you take off from the light or stop sign. For instance the ABS system is tied to the TOD and will actually shift power when the ABS system is engaged.

-mike

lok888

Since I am not the only one who experience this, I guess this is a common thing (or common problem) on TOD. But this definitely not a smooth ride. It is pretty much what you have describe My Sorento has 4WD, TOD, LSD, and ABS. You could be right about the transmission because it is related to the speed, braking from high speed.

bigfur

I knew he was just blowing me some hot air... seeing as how the Sorento is full frame AND its rear wheel drive in 2wd versions. The RX300 is front wheel drive in 2wd. I didnt say anything to the guy, i just laughed my butt off when i got into the car.

paisan

The reasoning behind the hard-shifting is that the less slip of the torque converter, the less heat and breakdown occurs. That is why smooth shifting Ford Crown Vics, have more tranny issues, the slip creates heat creates breakdown of the torque converter.

I'll buy this cause I hear of very few Troopers having AT problems even with lots of load, off-road and 200K miles on them.

-mike

bigfur

A salesperson told me today that there is a big strike in Korea so there is a shortage Sorento's in the US? Also can someone tell me what the snow on/off switch in the 2WD versions is all about? Thanks Tom

stever

First I'd heard of it, but your salesperson is right:

Business in Asia Today (Yahoo)

Steve, Host

rocketpop

Look in your manual, its in there. I can't remeber exactly what is saids but its something like:

It allows the Sorento to take off in 2nd gear so you get a slower/smoother take off when you are driving on snow. (something like that)

lok888

It looks like the management agrees the wage increase and work hours on late August without any interruption on 2003 production. See Kia News at www.kiamotors.com (dated 8/26/03).

bigfur

rocketpop: id love to look in my manual, cept i dont own one yet lol.
Was also wondering who owns Kia now? Couple people i know have been arguing this for a while and i figured you folks could settle it pretty fast for us. Thanks again for everything
Tom

dbgindy

Hyundai now owns the majority of KIA.

bigfur

Thats what i thought. Thanks

redzx3

If you guys like your Hyundai/Kia as much as i like my 2003 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 then you will love it . Good luck with the Kia guys i love the V6 it has lots of power .

lok888

Hi folks! I noticed a tremendous amount of water on the ground after use of the air conditioner. I came home late last night and the street was very quite. I could hear the sound of water hitting the ground. It is not that much water when the engine is running with A/C on. I have never seen this on other cars. Is it the air conditioning system too efficient or something wrong?

hciaffa

I would think that the system is working and its seems to be working real good. At least you can rest assure that the drip tube is working and not blocked up causing that much water to come in the cab interior. We noticed ours drips a lot of water also. Lok888 a little trick so you don't get that musty smell when you turn the vent or A/C on later and it smells like old socks. After you run the A/C and you get to your destination, shut of the A/C and then let the vent blow in outside air this will help any moisture dry off in the evaporator and prevent mold to grow. You can even turn on the heat to help in this. I kind of wish the Sorento had a in cabin air filter but I guess they wanted to keep cost down.

lok888

hciaffa - Thanks for the tips. I would think it shouldn't be a problem (smell and mold) during the hot weather because the moisture dries up quickly. But you never know inside the duct and vent. I use the A/C everytime I drive since spring. It works as a dehumidifier during a day like this. The storm didn't come to the northeast but she brings gusty wind and heavy rain.

tidester

I think it's better to link directly to the source of your pictures than to another message board. E.g. I notice one of your pics leads here: http://home.comcast.net/~rocketpop/sorento10.jpg

Alternatively, you could display the picture here directly from the host:



using the tags: <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~rocketpop/sorento10.jpg">

tidester, host

bigfur

That the strike got settled and now they are striking again??? anyone have any info on this???

stever

That I can find at the moment specific to Kia or Hyundai Heavy Industries, but a general strike has been threatened for next month, and the Hyundai union is a member of the trade union confederation:

Korea Herald

I think this was posted somewhere the other day, but in case you missed it:

Striking To Death? (Time Asia)

Steve, Host

alwaysasking

Need to hear from someone who has owned a Sorento that has several thousand miles. Would like to know how the car is doing? alwaysasking

alwaysasking

Need to hear from someone who has owned a Sorento that has several thousand miles. Would like to know how the car is doing? alwaysasking

ivygrnsorento

Hello...I bought my Sorento last November and now have just over 27,000 miles on mine. The Kia has been awesome so far. The only problems I've had so far were a replacement of all 4 brake rotors and pads 3 weeks ago. The rotors were warped because of over torqing the lug nuts. I have had an out of balance tire replaced and my drivers side airbag sensor had a recall on it. Other than those few issues, my Sorento has been very trouble free (knock on wood).

My only complaint would be with the sales and service departments of the Kia dealerships here in Colorado. After going to 4 shops, I have finally found one I feel I can trust to do the work correctly and professionally.

If you have any other questions, ask away...you will find some good input here.

valval

Hello! Thank you for providing such great info on this SUV for me! I have spent hours reading through your messages.
I want a 2004 2WD EX with ABS, white with gold cladding. I have to buy by Oct. 14th as the lease on my 4 Runner is up. Every dealer I have contacted says the 2004 won't be available for 3 to 5 weeks - too late for me! Would you buy a 2003 at a $2000.discount (rebate and dealer price drop), or go with another make? I hate to buy a car that's a year old as soon as I buy it!
Thank you very much.
Valval

dbgindy

First I've just done some checking around in my town (Indianapolis) and on the web. The 2004 Sorentos are out and at some dealers.
That being said if they truly won't have the 2004s until late Oct./early Nov. contact your bank or whoever holds your lease and ask if they can extend it for a month. Most will be more than happy to do that. Just a thought.

alwaysasking

Valval Central Kia in Dallas TX(plano) has a 2004 EX I believe White with gold. I'm waiting for a Alpine Grey myself. And thanks ivygrnsorento for telling me about yours. alwaysasking I love this talk line.

lok888

I bought my Sorento (beige, EX, 4WD, ABS, auto levelizer, luxury package with TOD) last December. It has 10400 miles now. I just did some light bulbs upgrade. There were several problems at around 7500 miles with transfer case, horn and radio rod replacement. I have a very good relationship with the service department. They took care of everything with free rental and follow up call for each service. It is my SUV and I love it.

broadband

Key quotes:

"The aggressive advance of Asian car makers has become one of the overriding concerns of domestic automotive groups, not only in the United States, but also in Europe."

"Hyundai's success in Europe has been particularly pronounced. The South Korean car maker experienced 11% growth in 2002 while the overall market shrank by about 3%."

"It seems it is what the Asian car makers are putting inside their vehicles that are making them so popular."

"A good example is the Kia Sorrento. It has been voted Europe's best 4x4 by journalists, and is the best-selling sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Europe. The standard interior specification is helping it to beat rivals hands down."

"It is no wonder that Western manufacturers are feeling nervous."

"The Koreans also want to tackle the top end of the market. At 36,000 euros, Kia's Oprius executive model does not exactly have a pocket-money price tag. But in Kia's eyes it is a head-on collision with Mercedes' E-class. Take a quick look at the German car's 57,000 euros starting price and you can see why cost-conscious companies might want to take a test drive with the Koreans."

The full article can be found at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3116180.stm

smulvey

I think I see where a european site mentioned Soreentos with manual transsmissions.

Has anyone driven one ?

I might be nice to have one here in the states.

lok888

If I am correct, Kia offers the manual transmission on the Sorento with the 2.5L diesel engine (4 cylinder 138 horsepower engine?) in European countries and Korea domestic market. Or maybe I am wrong about this.

saber86

In addition to MT for NA market, kia will offer sport package for 2004. The sport package comes standard with rear spoiler, factory installed step bars, different type of cladding, and few other options.

Kia USA is also pushing for stretch version for the US market so it can offer optional 3rd row seating. The ones in korea do come with 3rd row seating, but current size would not meet US safety requirements.

lok888

Correction: The manual transmission is on both 2.5L diesel and 2.4L gasoline engine for European countries and Korean domestic market, not on manual V6 Sorento.

I checked out the Kia Motors Korea website and still found nothing about the 2004 Sorento with 3rd seat. I would consider to trade mine for the stretch version. But I think the structure must be changed or redesigned for the stretch version with longer wheel base. Or maybe this is just a rumor.

dekester

Larger V8 engine in 2005/6
Manual tranny in 2005
Stretched version with third seat
Pickup

Deke

charlesm1950

I bought my Sorento in September 2002... the second one Austin's Southpoint Kia sold.
There has been one problem. A connector came loose and the center console lost power. That happened in the first month or two. I'm very happy with my EX with the luxury package and if I were in the market I would buy it again. It's a terrific value, had good looks and is proving to be reliable.
I have only two quibbles that I would recommend KIA address in the future:
1) the lowest setting for the power driver's seat is still slightly higher than the passenger seat. I'm tall and I have to recline the seat a bit to not rub the roof. I would recommend the power seat be modified to go an inch lower.
2) while the suspension is great for off roading, hauling and towing; it is too stiff for general highway driving. I'd offer a softer suspension and save the stiff one for a sports package.
Charles

ivygrnsorento

I recieve autoweek as well, and I can't find anything regarding what you said. What page is it on? Which week?

The only information I have read in Autoweek concerning the Sorento is a manual transmission being available in the 2004 Sorentos.

bigfur

will have a manual tranny optional with it according to a salesman in Florida i talked to.

lok888

Sorry folks. I couldn't find anything different from 2003 model except the 5-speed manual transmission for the U.S... no V8, 3rd seat nor sport package. Kia is pretty much stick with what they have until the major redesign. It doesn't seem that Kia is offering the 5-speed Sorento on V6 powered Sorento, only on 2.5L diesel engine and 2.4L gasoline 4 cylinder engine in Europe and Asia. Will see in about a month.

dekester

IIRC it was the 9/22 issue. I go through them fast and then toss them. But I remember it was under a picture of a white Sorento.....

Deke

lok888

It looks like the 2004 model info just came out. Just looked at vary websites and found few changes on 2004 Sorento including the side step bars. In addition, the price is also changed for 2004 Sorento with $24850 MSRP on EX 4WD. The CarsDirect.com indicated the 2004 Sorento with the metal-look dashboard trim, door panel insert, console insert and gear shift knob instead of the wood trim on 2003 model.

ivygrnsorento

Finally found the info that Dekester was talking about.

HIGHLIGHTS: Five-speed manual transmission now available.
 BASE PRICE: $19,635
 WHAT&#146;S NEXT: A redesign, plus the new 3.8-liter V6, for &#146;06. Look for a stretch version with three rows and, perhaps, a pickup.
 IN OUR OPINION: This little SUV offers shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive and can tow your snowmobile for under $20k.

dekester

Thanks for finding the article....I knew I saw it, didn't remember when. My mind slips now and again, but when I KNOW something, I KNOW it!

Deke

saturk

What is the invoice price on a 04 Sorrento with lux. package and ABS? Also, are the 04 incentives known, if any. What are your overall impressions of this suv?
Thanks guys, i'm thinking of getting one soon.
Sam

marcin

lok888
- metal trim look instead of wood trim or in addition to wood?

if instead, i'm not buying :-(

lok888

I don't know. Kelley Blue Book maybe wrong about the metal-look trims. I just looked at the 2004 Sorento sales brochure real quick. It has the same pictures with the 03 brochure (same wood trims). And they didn't have any pictures of the 5-speed Sorento. Well, I still prefer the wood trims even they are fake. BTW, many cars have fake wood. The wood on the steering wheel really looks like a Lexus.

Anyone confirm this 3.5L V6 engine on Sorento is made by Mitsubishi and it is on the Diamante (97 to present)?

broadband

http://worldwide.hyundai-motor.com/cybermall/showroom/index3.html