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Comments
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I hope Kia can figure out a way to up their hp and torque, or they will be suffering.
-mike
I agree 100% with you on the horsepower point. Though my Sorento never really feels underpowered, more is always welcome... especially for towing and the mountains. I would like to see Kia put the 3.8 liter engine that is currently under developement into the Sorento as soon as possible. I would hate to see Kia lose anymore ground than they already have in the horsepower war. Kia has a very good truck in the Sorento... but it can be an excellent truck with a more powerful and refined drivetrain.
2. I did not say the Xterra will be cheaper or even quite as inexpensive as a Sorento. But as the Xterra is improved, it will present an option to Sorento buyers, in terms of a more loaded Sorento (with some features that probably will not even be available on an Xterra) as compared to a more basic Xterra.
In any case, while all the cute utes and crossovers have given a niche to the Sorento, a redesigned and improved Xterra will provide stiffer competition. Right now, the way I see it the only competition is an aging Rodeo with a great engine, Jeep Liberty (maybe) and the Suzuki (maybe).
I for one think increased competition is good in this vehicle class and would be interested to see how Kia responds.
Lately, when I am driving on the street, it is like everyone's brother and sister drives an Xterra. It looked really cool when it first came out, but now it is so common. They are everywhere.
Nissan makes nice car, their new 350Z is just beautiful!! In fact, their entire new line of cars from 350Z to Pathfinder to Quest is just gorgeous. I don't think any other company right now has better looking cars and SUV than Nissan. That's just my opinion.
However, all in all, I still prefer my Sorento over an Xterra.
Just to let you all know that my Sorento is back in my driveway
Pictures here (taken today):
http://www.powow.com/mysorento#BACK_IN_DRIVEWAY
Duncan
slan - Glad that you have your baby back. It looks nice with the new front bumper guard and Sorento-T grill. You didn't put the alloy wheels and side step bars back yet.
My alloy wheels and my step bars will be back on in 1 or 2 weeks. I ordered something from Germany and I'm waiting for the product to arrives to put back my wheels.
kiasorentoexl...
Yes, this grill is HOT HOT HOT !
Aftermarket products for the Sorento are most of the time available only at the other side of the planet. In North America, there are not a lot of accessories available. I don't know why companies do not import such beautiful things !!
Also, please post the contact information for your guy at Tomato A&P
thanks in advance
As for the prices, I don't really remember as I bought the grill last year.
It's a good thing that I didn't installed it when I got it last year
slan - So, you will get new wheels and side side bars?
The Atlezza Tail lights (black Chrome) is on the way since some weeks now
No, it will be the same step bars and the same wheels of last year... It's because I ordered new center caps
http://www.teamsr.org/Kia/03sorento-eurolights.html
::I like the black chrome better than the clear
Me too !
The total of the repair was CDN$10,500
The only thing that I paid is the difference of the old bumper guard and the new one... which was about CDN$400.
What if I don't do all these stuff? Would my warranty be voided?
I usually only do oil change, and change spark plugs, that's about all the maintenance I do. I never followed the maintenance schedule in the manual. But with the 10 yr warranty, I wonder if I need to follow it in order for it to be active. What do you think?
Oh, some of the checkup stuff are done anyway, when I do my oil-change at Valvoline, or Jiffy Lube.
If you don't and repairs come up, KIA would have every right to deny coverage because you were negligent in caring for your vehicle.
I believe the warranty is only covered the factory defects. So if you don't change your timing belt at 60K miles like the Kia (or dealer) said or driving with a dirty air filter, that's your problem. I would reply on factory schedule. It is not necessary to bring to dealer for the service. But you need to prove you have these schedule done with documents from other places or receipts from the store.
Thanks.
-mike-
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I have been in touch with KIA Canada regarding the 2005 changes. As far as KIA Canada is concerned, there are no changes in 2005. However Kia is working to reinstate the towing capacity to the 2003 model year of 5000lbs. But you never know what is coming down the pipeline in the automotive industry. Every day changes are being made without being forwarded to the dealers or costumers. I hope that helps. Happy motoring.
Horst
Second, a general question. I assume that a dealer would prefer to sell a car from their lot, rather then find you one. I found a loaded EX (luxury package, ABS, cargo tray) about 75 miles from my home for $25k. Would a local dealer sell me the car at the same price? Do dealers lose money when they swap cars?
Thanks for your help.
horst1 - The 3rd row seat is available in Korea market as 2004 model. You can picture it as a Toyota Highland with 3rd seat. I don't know if Kia will make it available to the US. I am not a big fan of 3rd row seat. Or I would buy a minivan instead.
rob222 - You don't need to tell your local dealer about the deal from miles away. They may tell you to buy from them instead if they can't match the price like saying "Oh! That's too low, we can't do that. How about $XXXXX?". Just tell them what you like and how much you want to pay. Dealer don't lose money on swapping cars. They can check other dealers within the regions for car aviablity like on the ground, in freight, and to-be-built. Sometime the sales rep will drive you car back from other dealer or you pay for the flat bed if you don't want anyone drive it. I am not sure about the stereo downgrade. I assume labor will be applied plus the cost of a new AM/FM/CD/Cassette. BTW, what color you are looking for?
lok888-I believe the first time my maintenance schedule called for replacement of the fuel filter was at the 30,000-mile service appointment. I have had mine replaced twice, at the 30,000 mile-mark and 60,000 mile-mark.
The new Kia Sportage for 2005 will come out in the fall of 2004.
Kia really wants to build and sell a pickup for overseas markets. The Mojave will be built, although Kia has not yet announced that formally. Watch for that to happen, though. The Mojave offers some nice features on it.
There's talk of a re-designed Rio in the not-too-distant(maybe a year or a little more from now)as well, from some Internet reading tonight.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Any idea where the 280 hp V6 engine came from? By Hyundai?
If I am correct, the Hyundai plant in Alabama is scheduled to be complete in June 2004 and operate in 2005 for the next Sonata and Santa Fe. They expect a total of 300,000 vehicles will be built per year. Did you know Hyundai is the world's 7th largest auto marker now?
Also, since it is my understanding that Hyundai is an owner of Kia now, does my owner loyalty money still apply to a Kia since I'm the happy owner of a 2001 Elantra? My wife and I have put 67,000 miles on that car without a single problem with it. I was just wondering about the owner loyalty thing since we had been told that we'd get $1000 towards a Hyundai if we purchased one. Thanks. :-)
The black/pewter is much, much more appealing. There is just something a little discordant about the black/gold combo.
In the end I decided to go with the silver/pewter since black gets dirtier than just about any other color.
robb22 - I have seen one. It is on my driveway. Seriously, I heard the gold beige is on limited production, especially the EX two-tone model.
Anyone know that I need to replace the whole wiper blades instead of the inserts on Sorento? It seems Kia don't have inserts.
And about the fuel filter change... is at 60,000 mile. And one dealer said there is no need for PCV value change.
Lok, I just purchased a set of head light and fog light protectors called Rok-guards. Should be here in a week and I will try to install them ASAP to see how they are. These are made of a thermoplastic material and uses 3M adhesive to mount them. Comes with 4 yr and $1000 warranty against breakage. I'll let everyone know how they work.
kiaparts - I don't think so. Like I mentioned before, they already have the 3rd row seat option on the current model in Korean market. See www.kia.co.kr The seat layout pretty much looks like the Toyota Highlander with 3rd seat. I sat on one Highlander before. It was so uncomfortable for the 3rd seat passengers. Kia may bring this option to the states due to people's need for mid-size SUV with 3rd seat. It will be cheaper to add the seats than redesign the chassis or a major redesignment.
ivygrnsorento - How long you have to wait to see a Kia rep? Where are they come from? Regional office? I found saw rust inside the edge of the both rear passenger doors. It is on above the plastic body cladding, still inside. My dealer said it is like an orange peel. He touched it and it has no rust residue on his finger. I insisted and he scheduled a Kia rep for me.
The inserts can be bought at any auto parts place such as Pep Boys or Auto Zone. The drivers side is the 24 inch and its called a wide insert and the passenger side is 18 inch and it is a narrow insert. The rear is a narrow insert as well
What are average city numbers coming in at? This vehicle will be my wifes TAXI, and am trying to get a clearer picture on actual milage, and can it be helped. I would like to shoot for 17.5 average mpg city for my area (no hills, flat land). Thanks.
As for the wipers on wide or narrow refills, take a look at your wipers and you will notice that the driver side is a wider blade than the passenger side as well as longer.