Kia Amanti 2006 and earlier

buff · March 2005

I just love my car and it drives great. Who know's about CR maybe some car manufactors send all the editors on a nice trip to Vegas with a 500,000 bonus if they give a good write up. It's not impossible. Where do they come up with all this negatives about this great car. You would think some of us would be unhappy and express this on this forum. Remember the saying Money Talks and the rest is history. Buff

staceyaz · March 2005

Sure, my Amanti has terrible handling. THAT'S ONE REASON I BOUGHT IT!

I just sold a car that most people hate, but I loved - a full-sized 1977 Ford LTD. The car was big and soft and lumbering. I used to tell people I didn't "drive" that car, I "set sail" in it. It was a big old land yacht, with 45k total miles since new (it was in my family since new). I love that sort of ride - it makes me feel like I'm on a vacation road trip, rather than feeling like just another frantic commuter.

When I tried the Amanti, I remember loving it because:
- "It rides like my old Ford LTD."
- "It has the classy features of my old Mercedes".
- "It has the conveniences of my '95 Chrysler."
- "All this, with a 100,000-mile warranty!"

When you buy the Amanti, you are getting the very best features from several different cars. In mine, I found a "77 Ford / 95 Mercedes / 95 Chrysler". For less money than the Chrysler cost me in 1995, and with the best warranty around.

If you are looking for a car that combines a Corvette with a Mustang with a Miata, don't buy an Amanti.

If you are looking for a car that combines an SUV with a minivan with a pickup truck, don't buy an Amanti.

If you are looking for a car that is big and soft and luxurious, with a great price and a great warranty, then YOU should look at an Amanti.

Reviewers like Consumer Reports seem to think the Amanti was "accidentally" made soft and smooth. I guess they think the Kia engineers were shooting for a "sporty suspension" but failed. Um, no. This isn't the sort of car you put racing stripes on the sides and a spoiler on the back.

topgear · March 2005

I just wanted to say to all of you fellow Amanti owners who responded,
-these comments were very well put!
Thanks!
-Pete

iluvmysephia1 · March 2005

I think you hit the nail on the head...the dopes at CR blew it again. What a lame excuse for good paper that mag is. I don't even pick it up at Barnes&Noble to glance at for free. It's not worth my time. Bought off by other carmakers? Who would be able to tell us that it's not?

fr8god · March 2005

First I would like to say I have read all of your post and thank all of you. I bought a pre-driven Amanti last Friday. It was $18,890 USD and it is Pearl White with Grey interior with a sunroof and the leather package. I just love it. It had 11,000 miles and I believe and hope that this seems like I got a good deal???? The thing that bothers me is the feedback and kidding I receive for the Kia logo. Still not an impressive name, yet the style and package is just stunning. I have owned Lincolns, Cadillacs and this car gives you so much for so little. I was shopping for the Ford 500 and even looked at the Chrysler 300. Was almost sold on the 350 but on a whim looked at the Amanti. And here I am. I looked the Kelly blue book up for 25,000 miles and find that I would not lose a penny on it. Keep up all the writings and any suggestions on some wheels? I live in Northern Indiana, near Chicago.

lokisince89 · March 2005

Sorry for the new topic...
Has anyone here been inside the dash on an '04 Amanti? I'm looking to run an RF box for my XM radio to the factory head unit. In other cars I've owned, you could see under the dash and see easily where the access areas were. I'm also thinking of running a direct line for my radar detector- anyone know what the small plug all the way forward on top of the dash is, and if I could run a power line through it?
Thanks!

katraveler · March 2005

My Amanti and I will be celebrating our first anniversary next week, and I am ashamed to say that only today did I discover this forum.

I have read most of the postings and couldn't agree more with all the lavish praise -- It's a great car. However, I did note that last May "boa35" mentioned a "creaking noise" in the steering, and I'm pretty sure it's the same noise I have experienced since October. Although it has progressively grown worse, it still wasn't bad enough for the dealer to admit it even existed three months ago when I brought it in. On my next visit (very soon) there will be no denying it. Any turn of more than about 45 degrees in either direction results in a creaking sound that should only come from a 1975 Oldsmobile.

I wonder if boa35's noise disappeared for good, and if anyone else with a year-old car is experiencing anything like this.

I've enjoyed reading all your messages.

kmq · March 2005

My shop manual says that plug is a photo sensor. It detects solar radiation and generates signals used by the automatic temperature control so that solar radiation compensation will be performed.

magmax · March 2005

Most new car ads really bug me because they all seem to focus on sporty qualities. I see no reason why every car should be sporty. Okay, so sports cars should be sporty. Maybe sport sedans should be sporty as well. But luxury cars, family cars, SUVs, trucks, station wagons, and so on don't have to be sporty. They should be smooth, quiet, comfortable, reliable, roomy, and so on, all qualities that my Amanti has in spades. I have never met anyone who drives his/her car at top speed around a circle until it spins out; in the real world we don't drive like that. I'm actually quite surprised at CR's comments about the Amanti and, frankly, I disagree completely with them. I've driven my Amanti in rain and snow, on ice and gravel, and it's never skidded or slid. I've gone fast onto curving on-ramps so that the car leans, but I've never heard the tires make any noise at all. I've jammed on the brakes at speed and the front dips down, but I expect that, just as in other cars. Yes, the steering is very light, especially in comparison to some of the imports like my previous Maxima but once you're used to it, it's wonderful, and the turning circle is much smaller than most other cars of its size. And at higher speeds the steering feel firms up nicely. But I also think that Kia needs to advertise this car. They need to spend some money to make money. They need to build up product awareness and they need to do it by focusing on the very qualities that we, the owners, like about our Amantis. I didn't buy my car to race it and I'll bet that nobody else on this forum did either. I bought it because it had every bell and whistle imaginable and it's affordable, with good fit and finish, good quality, and it looks great. I'll bet there are lots of people who would agree with me if they'd ever heard of the Amanti. I still have people stopping me in parking lots and at the curb to ask me about my car and they're all amazed when they see the interior. I say, forget Consumer Reports. Let's just enjoy our Amantis and let's spread the word. I'd like to see lots more of them on the street

MagMax

topgear · March 2005

I wonder if you all noticed that the date on our clocks was off by a day. This is because Feb had its usual 28 days and not 29. The calendar on the Amanti does not know what year it is for the adjustment, so it defaults to 29 days and you may be off a day.

Also, I wish to (again) say to everyone, all of your positive comments are right on!!
-Pete

billh6 · March 2005

Man I couldn't agree with you more. I say the hell with CR. I hope the world takes notice of what "we" Amanti drivers think about our beautiful vehicle. I'm proud of it. I never thought much of the Kia name until I purchased my car. I wish we could put an ad in CR and tell its viewers to checkout this forum if they want a true, unbiased opinion about this vehicle and it's drivability. So when's the first Amanti Club meeting? hehe
Bill

mpappas11 · March 2005

A few days ago, in the course of my job, I met with an outside representative from a large bank. After the meeting at the office, we went out for lunch, and I drove ( in my ancient, high mileage 1991 Subaru Legacy which has been a really good car ). When we finished lunch, I drove back to my company's headquarters and asked her where her car was so I could drop her off right next to it. She said "that black car" and I said, Oh, wow, it's a Kia Amanti, and she said, "well it's a rental, is that what it is" and I said," yeah, how do you like that car?" and she responded very emphatically, "I love it." I asked her if she thought the ride was too soft, and she said, "No, I love it." So this is just one more example of someone completely independent, who didn't even know about the car, and loved it when she drove it. Anyway, I've got to run, but more power to all of you Amanti owners. If I ever get a new car, this is absolutely at the top of my list.

digitodd · March 2005

Hello
Just wanted to ask if anyone else has added the 3m clear bra to there Amanti? I just parked my new blk on blk at home. And for the person asking about the XM radio Yes i'm looking around the car also more so where am I going to put the tuner at. I was thinking about the arm rest.

baseballbernie · March 2005

I had the clear bra (6in hood w/mirrors)and tinted windows done the first week. I think the medium dark tint looks great with the white Amanti.

digitodd · March 2005

Yes I go in next week for my clear bra and headlights. Cann't wait to get on the highway with this baby. See how much gas its going to drink up

billh6 · March 2005

I'm not sure I understand about the clear bra. Is it like a clear polish that is applied to the hood and mirrors? My Amanti is the charcoal grey, and I had the windows tinted the legal in the U.S. lighter grey (not the windshield though) and it looks great. I had just gotten it detailed today and was driving home and saw a white Amanti in front of me. I didn't even recognize it from the back at first. I kinda wish I had gotten the white (not the pearl) it was very luxurious. Naturally we did the wave thing. Some of you have remove the Kia emblem and put on the Opirus. I thought Opirus was the name used in other countries but was the same as Amanti in the U.S., indicating the model. If you replace Kia with Opirus, isn't that basically an Amanti/Amanti vehicle? Kinda advertise the same model vehicle with different names. Wonder if people will think Opirus is a new car manufacture.

fr8god · March 2005

Is the warranty transfered with an owner change? I need to know about the warranty on a used 2004 Amanti. Thank you

digitodd · March 2005

Hello Amanti family
here is the link if you ride on the highway as much as I do and dont want your front end lookin like swiss cheese you have to add this product. Any window tint place and install this.
http://www.xpeleu.com/index.jsp

I have a blk on blk first time with a dark car
enjoy

lshack55 · March 2005

Just noticed two weird weld spots on my Amanti. Whe the sun hits the rear body just right you can see two ripples where it looks like the fuel filler box was weilded to the body and two more lines were the trunk latch was welded to the trunk lid. Any one else notice these?

wakin · March 2005

I used to think that my Opirus has a big mouth for oil. But today, I found I am wrong: 520 km(323 miles) for only 3 quarter of the full oil tank; average fuel consumption at 9.5 liters/100km (25 m/g). Is it amazing? I do not know. All I did was to utilize the speed cruise as much as possible. To accelerate and decelerate with you finger touch of the buttons on the steering wheel when your speed is above 60 km/h and seldom to kick on the brake padel.
That's all. hehe

boa36 · March 2005

katraveler: boa35 here [disguised as boa36; boa35 hasn't worked since I commented on that kia-forum being hosted by an Indonesian isp...hmmm] Anyway, that noise (hard to describe--something between a ratchet or creaking or deck of cards being thumbed) lasted on/off for about the first 4 months. Sounded like it was in the middle of the steering wheel or column--I was concerned it might have been an air bag problem. Just about the last time it was so loud and annoying, I emailed KIA and they opened a case; I got a couple of very responsive phone calls. Then it just disappeared; I haven't heard it for the last 11 months. Good luck.

harmar2 · March 2005

Since I don't buy new cars anymore (prefer to let someone else eat the depreciation), I was surfing Yahoo! Classifieds (AutoTrader) looking for a used Amanti. (I've bought my last two year-old cars from dealers I located online. Both pleasant experiences and great deals.) There are seldom many; this evening - 6. Most were selling for $19.995 with anywhere from 14 - 18K miles. However, one was $17,990 with <5700 miles on it. It was completely loaded, leather and the works.

AutoTrader now has a history check button. Uh, oh! Former lease car; odometer not working - mileage higher than shows on odometer; car was in a flood. That's enough! Click!

I'm always very careful to inspect, car and records, and drive anything I get serious about, but this reminds us once again to do our homework even if it takes awhile.

Incidentally, the car was for sale in Illinois at a Kia dealership. I usually associate floods with the SE, Gulf Coast or eastern seaboard. But they obviously can show up anywhere in the nation.

Buyer beware!

tmeyers2 · March 2005

The 10 year 100,000 does not transfer....the remainder of the 5 year 60,000 does transfer to the new owner

tmeyers2 · March 2005

Hi all,
Just purchased a 2004 with 5800 miles fully loaded, even had a first aid kit! We love the car... I've put a thousand miles on it since last week and am getting 26MPG on the highway and 23MPG on every day driving (mix of highway and city, 50 mile commute to work each way). We have noticed a little "clunk" on the suspension at slow speeds over heavy bumps... anyone else have this sound?... it's very minor

Very happy with the car......

rgur · March 2005

rgur · March 2005

figuring out how to not post a blank message

. .

I am posting one of my own. I bought a 2004 Silver with Grey Leather on December 31, 2004. I now have just ober 5K miles on it. I have had a few problems which may be of interest to some of you. I was looking for a new car and just didn't like any body styles that were in my price range (my usual comment was "yeah, it's just a car" but when I first saw the Amanti it was parked in front of a (Home-a-rama) model home in an extremely luxurious neighborhood, I thought it was a Rolls Royce/Bentley or Jag at first from far away. What a classy looking car! Then I saw it was a Kia. My friend said that Kia's weren't known to be great cars. I responded "looks like a great car to me". The next time I saw one, I asked the owner what it was - lo and behold an Amanti again. He raved over the car and said what a great deal it was given the options. I went to the Kia dealer that night. When I found out about the warrenty and price - I was hooked. I researched to find nothing bad about it. I drove by every day to look at it for a week until I finally took it for a 24 hour test drive. With only 35 miles on it when I first got it I was impressed. But at 50 miles I felt a very starnge feeling while accelerating between 45-50 mph. It felt almost like the back tires were kicking out backward - someone else described it as feeling as if someone were rearending the car while we were driving. The check engine light came on - I figured it was maybe a maintenance notification light that simply meant take it in and have it reset and that the jerking was just my driving car that I wasn't used to. Afraid that the salesman might make the calim that it was normal and me never knowing, I called service. I asked when the regular maintenance was due (not 50) so I asked if the light goes on as a notification..they said no, if the light is on it's a problem bring it in and put it on the diagnostic machine - turned out it was a misfire in the 3rd cylinder. So they changed the spark plugs claiming that the car was not shipped with the "right" plugs for the engine. They also changed (rerouted?) the gas line because they once had another car that the engine light came on and that was how they fixed that. I didn't drive the car again until after I bought it (I figured if it wasn't fixed I'd bring it back again and if it couldn't ever be fixed that I would deal with it under the lemon law) I took a chance. I got what I believe to be a great deal on it fully loaded (with ESP and moonroof etc.) my dealer ship also does free factory maintence for 3 years 28K miles and lots of other extras. BUT....after only a couple of days I started noticing the same problem I felt when I test drove it. My passengers could feel it, my kids could feel it. A couple of passengers were a little freaked out by it. I also noticed the RPMs would drop slightly while at idle. So I took it back - they couldn't duuplicate it and suggested that it was likely "the computer getting used to my driving" - I was insulted by that suggestion like it was my imagination - this was serious and I knew it wasn't normal. Meanwhile, the night I took my car home I noticed a large scratch across the trunk lid. I caled immediately since it wasn't there when I test drove it and supposedly no one else had it since my test drive at 35 miles on the odometer. Turns out several of the others on the lot had the same scratch in the same spot (some worse than mine) That myster was resolved and it turned out soem MORON at the lot had shoveled the snow off the back of all the cars with a snow shovel! They promised to fix it. After several discussions over whether the trunk could be "touched up" we resolved that my brand new car would be taken to the body shop to be properly painted. At the same time the service manager would drive the car to see if he could duplicate the hesitation/jerking and dropping RPM issues. After a bit of fuss, the dealership rented me a 2005 Nissan Maxima for the time I didn't have my baby. Long story short, I learned to hate the Maxima and couldn't wait to have my Amanti back. Whn I got it the trunk looked great and the engine problem ended up being a bad gel pack in the 3rd cylinder (although I can't say I know what that is - if anyone wants more info about that I would be happy to get it from my service manager). They replaced it and I have not had any other problems with my car. I LOVE IT! I will keep up with the posts from now on and let you all know if the problem rears its ugly head again or if other problems arise.

topgear · March 2005

Well...it's great to hear the problem was resolved and you like your Amanti so much! We are all curious as to what a gel pack is, too -as I've never heard of such a thing, either. I'm also glad to hear they re-painted your trunk and took responsibility. Imagine if yours was the only damaged car? You'd have a hard time proving it to them.
Anyway, good news and enjoy your car!

I have 22,000 miles on mine and it seems to improve with age!

Pete, Sarasota

clgdenver · March 2005

VERY IMPORTANT FOR AMANTI OWNERS!!!

KIA is on the verge of a recall for the Amanti concerning the "suspension" problems many people are having. I was fortunate because the service manager at my dealership was havaing the same problems with his Amanti and had been corresponding with KIA engineers on a fix. Apparently, it can occur on the minivan also since they share some of the same suspension components. They applied an experimental part to my car but it actually made it worse. Eventually, they were able to fix the problem with some adjustments I didn't really understand. I know that it can be frustrating because unless the dealership really understands the problem then they assume it's "normal", one KIA mechanic even told me it was the gas pedal (huh!), or they say it's in your head. KIA is well aware of this problem so don't give up. I don't feel comfortable giving phone numbers on this forum but you can call the Ft. Collins, Colorado KIA dealership (Tynan's KIA/Nissan) and talk to either Scott or Margarito, they are familiar with this problem and perhaps they can advise your dealership on how to fix the noise. Hope this helps!

billh6 · March 2005

Well, I have read about this frontend noise being like a knock, clunk, tennis ball, etc., and never heard it with my Amanti. I figured because mine was manufactured after that magical April 04 date. I bought mine in Nov. and only have 2400 miles. But then recently over very rough roads, cobblestone roads, where it's uneven I started hearing what sounded like something was lose or hitting against the frame of the vehicle, but not all the time. So I called my deal last Friday and she told me to bring in next morning, Sat. at 9:00. I did. I watched the young tech through the window in the garage bay. The guy had the hood open and was using a tool on what looked like the suspension. Then he took it for a test drive. He and the service rep said they retorqued it or something per Kia's specs, and they do not hear it now, but should it resurface again to bring back and they will install new suspenion, shock or whatever. I'm happy to say "at the moment" my noise is gone. I love my car! I think I've said that. It's weird because I traded in my '99 Lexus RX300 in on it and here Consumer Report picked the RX300 as the best SUV and Amanti as the worse riding Sedan. Well, I'm here to tell you that is false. I disagree with their slanted assessment. Without a doubt the best riding vehicle I've ever own. I'm so proud of it that I've never kept a car this clean and shiny. I enjoy the compliments. My only concern is I still do not see a lot in Orlando area, and 3 of the 4 Kia dealers are still advertising new 2004 Amantis loaded for 18k. Makes me think they aren't selling very well here. Oh, when I took my car in I saw a new 2005 with the cushion leather Landau top on it, Limited Edition. Looked like a limo, beautiful, but no sunroof; also with a new oval shaped gold clock with the moving hands. I'm curious if anyone has seen that model. Naturally I wanted to trade mine in and buy it (I could have) but thought that was crazy, plus no sunroof. Bill

topgear · March 2005

Hi Bill!
I'm pretty certain the Amanti you saw was equipped with an after market, dealer installed padded roof and did not come that way from Korea.
If you like that kind of padded roof, it seems to me you could have that added to your car right now by the dealer. And, I'm sure it can be installed on yours even if you have a moonroof.
The analog clock you describe sounds like the one that comes with the base Amanti model. It' only with the premium options (that most Amanti's have) that the vehicle is equipped the blue LCD screen.
Enjoy your Amanti and keep us posted!
Pete Sarasota

billh6 · March 2005

Pete, I think you are right on both accounts, especially the clock. It was not leather, now that I think about it. Now the padded roof looked factory and it had a very impressive enblem on the side of it saying something about limited edition, or something like that. Anyway, thinks for the info.
Bill Orlando

sailormannorth · March 2005

Does anyone know how much of the Amanti's interior is real leather? Just the seats? Door panels? Head rests? Arm rests?

Kia did such a great job I just can't tell how much is real and how much is simulated.

Any help would be appreciated....the leather conditioner awaits!!

Todd

topgear · March 2005

It was rather windy today here in Florida and while driving under a tree, something was blown off it and dented the hood. As much as I love my car, I feel the steel used in the body panels is soft and dents very easily.
I already have a couple of dents and see minor waves and distortions around the car. I hope Kia considers using a stronger gauge material for its body panels in the future.
Anybody else experience this yet?
I have already (twice) had the body dent guy remove some dents. I'm afraid I'll have to call him again.
Pete Sarasota

baseballbernie · March 2005

If the steel is not a strong gauge material, then where does all the weight come from?

I asked a question on this forum on why the Amanti was so heavy and was told Kia uses heavy weight steel. If you compare the Amanti's weight with other cars it's size the Amanti weighs a lot more.

topgear · March 2005

Good question!...And one I've asked myself many times. Perhaps the gauge is heavy, but it is still softer somehow? Maybe this automotive steel is cheaper and easier to form?
It is my personal belief that Kia (maybe most -if not all Korean?) metal damages more easily. I take great pains to stay away from other cars when parking, but this car is like a magnet.
Don't get me wrong, I still think Amanti is a great car, but this is annoying.
Maybe I'm wrong about this, but I'm still curious to hear from other Amanti owners.
Pete Sarasota

lexusrocks · March 2005

Here is a comparison test idea with large sedans.

Kia Amanti
Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego
Buick Lesabre/Park Avenue/Lacrosse
Chrysler 300C
Cadillac Deville?
Lincoln Town Car?
Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis?
Dodge Charger

buff · March 2005

if you put the drivers or any other window down a crack or so the rain comes in big time. Not just a little bit but big time. Next time I go in for an oil change I might mention this and they can fix it somehow. I like the window cracked just a little when I drive but my car gets soaked. Any oneelse have this problem. As far as the metal goes yes it seems to dent easily. I also park not close to anyone because of this reason. I love my Amanti. Thanks Buff

stockchaser · March 2005

Pete,
I have had a body shop use the "paintless dent repair" method to remove dents from the hood, driver's door and right-rear quarter panel. The results were fantastic, and the cost was very reasonable. But you mentioned that you have seen minor waves and distortions around the car. I have that same thing--they're only visible when the sunlight is at a certain angle and are not apparent to the touch. There are places on the doors and fenders that are smooth as silk to the touch, but when in the proper light, it looks like there are dents (actually more like a crease).

lngtonge18 · March 2005

Kia does use heavy gauge steel and iron but its in the suspension and frame. This is what makes them so heavy, not the sheetmetal. The Sedona minivan is the worst offender and it was determined that the suspension was mostly to blame. These heavier suspension components are much cheaper and help keep prices down.

topgear · March 2005

Hi everyone! Thanks for your input so far! Stockchaser, I'm curious as to what kind of dent you have on your hood. I have an (at least to me) unexplainable small double dent near the area where the VIN number is by the windshield. This is in addition to the new dent given to me by the item fallen from the tree I mentioned in my previous message.
Buff, I think the reason rain enters the car window so easily is because cars today have "lost" their rain gutters. Years ago cars had these gutters and most of the water was routed way from the windows. Nowadays, cars are more streamlined and these seemed to have disappeared.
Let me wrap up by adding, I don't want to imply I'm unhappy with the Amanti, but it is such a nice looking car that I want it to remain good looking and dislike these imperfections that seem to happen so easily.
I hope Kia considers using a stronger sheetmetal in its future premium cars.
Thanks all!
-Pete

stockchaser · March 2005

Pete,
The dent on the hood was about the size of a half-dollar, about four inches from the windshield in front of the VIN number. It was right on the "ridge". I first noticed it after having the car serviced, so I accused the dealer of denting the car, and they took care of it. Then, I mentioned it to my buddy who got his car the same day as I, and he had the same dent in the same place. We decided it must be something caused in shipping, and we just hadn't noticed it for some reason. Is this the same type of dent you had?

topgear · March 2005

Hey,...that sounds like the same location on mine, too! One day just noticed it. But, I'm sure it wasn't there when I first bought the car. I'll have to ask my dealer about this. If you have it, and your buddy has it and I have it also, who knows how many others may have this, too.
My dents happen to be two little dents on the ridge you mentioned, also about 4 inches from the VIN number. They're mostly visible when I drive as they're right in front of me when I drive, looking down the hood.
I wonder what causes it?
Thanks for the info!
-Pete

n2lth · March 2005

WOW I just bought a new 2004. It Has been a month and we are enjoying the ride. We have 850 miles on it so far and it is a 5 star car. The leather is nice along with the Infinity 9 Speaker 6 CD changer sound system. This is my first Kia and I can not believe the attention to detail. For the price you can NOT go wrong.

wakin · March 2005

Dear all, this is a website of Kia Opirus in Korea: www.opirus.com

You can have a look at the new type of 2005 Opirus. Wow, great improvement! with Keyless Start, Navigation system, double exhausting pipe, rear DVD, different side mirror, telephone, even VDC(Vehicle Dynamic Control)system. Really amazing!

topgear · March 2005

Thanks!
Beautiful website (too bad I can't read Korean) and the car IS fully loaded. Too bad also, we won't get it equipped that way here in the US. Maybe in '06 or '07?
In Korea they have all those goodies available, but they seem to think (and maybe they're right) that we're not ready for such a loaded Kia here in the states. Although I would have loved it and purchased one. We can only dream for now.
At least they have given us a pretty good version for us to enjoy and build our following on. Speaking of following, I am seeing a lot of Amanti's now. Almost two or three a day!! That's an incredible improvement.
Bye for now!
-Pete

kribe123 · March 2005

HI FOLKS,
SOMEBODY KNOWS WHERE CAN I "CUSTOM-MADE" MY RIDE,
YOU KNOW COOL WHEELS, GRILLS, WINGS, ETC....

I AM IN POMPANO BEACH FLORIDA...

REGARDS,

KRIBE123

pat · March 2005

Hi - I'll bet you would be interested in our brand new board at this link: Speed Shop: Tuning & Modification. Enjoy!

P.S. Please turn off your caps lock - your message will be easier to read and it won't look like you're yelling at us.

eylar · March 2005

It's about time! One of the new KIA dealers in the Pittsburgh area told me they had a bulletin concerning the Amanti's front end noise.

I just got the car back yesterday and the 'tennis ball in a tube' noise is gone. It was caused by an improper bushing size. Their WO stated that they "replaced upper strut mount bushings and collars per update". THANK YOU KIA !!!
- Larry

stockchaser · March 2005

Thank you eylar!
After reading your post, I wasted no time calling my dealer. The service writer knew all about the service bulletin and offered to get my Amanti in next week. I'm going to wait, though, until my next oil-change in May, but meanwhile, any of you on this board who has the repair made, please post your results. It would be nice to know this really IS the fix!

verveka · April 2005

So, I was at the Washington,DC car show in December, 2003 (yes, 2003) and was in the empty KIA section. There was no one anywhere to be seen. Of course the BMW and Lexus areas were packed. They sell beer at this particular show so I sat in the back seat of the new-to-the-U.S. Amanti (in awe) and drank my beer. I couldn't believe how quiet it was when I closed the door. The dull roar of the huge car show was gone. I couldn't believe how beautiful this car was. It was so comfortable that I sat there and drank the whole beer playing with buttons, touching the leather and wood, etc. I wasn't in the market for a new car but went to the car show because I have gone every year for 20 years. A year later and I am finally in the market for a car and I started researching big cars and, being a pretty dedicated Ford guy, planned on getting a Marquis or Town Car. They are very reliable cars. Long story short, I got an Amanti. The Marquis is using too much cheap, hard plastic and the leather feels like K-Mart grade stretched over a particle-board frame. Am I allowed to say that? Town Car was nice but too spendy.

I never was thrilled with the outside of the Amanti but never forgot the inside that I enjoyed that day at the car show. I showed a picture of it to my wife and she really liked it and is the one who pushed me towards the Amanti. I test drove an '05 and loved it but the dealer had full sticker on it and I didn't feel like playing the game to see how low I could get him. I went to another dealer who had big sale stickers hanging from the mirror with a considerable discount off sticker for the '04's. Of course I had been stalking this forum for some time by then and read so many postings saying how great these cars were that I was hooked. I test drove 3 cars on different occasions this week and had to have one. I ended up buying a used '04 grey on grey with leather and sunroof. The one I'm getting even had the tennis-ball-in-a-tube thing going on but I don't care. Sadly, I can't have it until Monday as they are detailing it and getting state inspections done for me. The outside of the car has grown on me since I am now noticing them around town and the recent bulletin to free the tennis ball really sealed the deal for me.

The way I see it, I don't care if other people don't know how incredible the Amanti is because then it won't become too popular, driving prices through the roof. I might want another one in a few years! Remember when Lexus was brand new? The first year, their top of the line car was a steal because they were new to the world. Look at their prices now! Let's just keep the Amanti our little secret.

I have learned so much from you guys. I probably wouldn't have bought KIA because of the perceived quality. I remember my brother in law and I were discussing warranties and I mentioned the 5 year one that Hyundai offered and he quipped "well you'd need it." That has been proved false and I think this Hyundai cousin will fare just as well. I won't ramble so long next time. Thanks for the forum.

Kia Amanti 2006 and earlier

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