Faults:

First of all I did not know that cars can have TWO catalytic converters... on this thing I have had BOTH of them replaced... and still the problem with the car still persists.

I have also changed the spark plugs (TWICE WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER)

This car is worse than the dealer who sold it to me... the check engine light won't go off, no matter how many times I fix what they say the problem is...

General Comments:

I would not recommend the car to ANYONE.

It's terrible.

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car.

General Comments:

This car has been extremely reliable for the last 7 years. I expect it to continue for another 7 years. I just had it inspected for New York State DMV and even the automotive technician remarked on how well it was running. It of course does not have the power and pick up of a 6 cylinder car, but it does move fairly quickly and does handle well at high speed. As for comfort, it is as comfortable as a $10k car can be. I enjoy driving it.

Faults:

Brakes were replaced yearly no matter what the mileage. Every July.

Went through 3 mufflers.

Alternator at 8,000.

2 transmissions at 8,000 and at 97,000.

Fuel door was replaced the first winter.

Door locks froze shut or open every winter.

Windsheild gasket caved in a 80,000.

The second transmission went at 97,000 and I did not feel it was worth $3,000 to fix a car worth $1,500.

The Dealer was very Bad about fixing the car. When it started over heating they said everything was working. They Missed the blown fuse.

General Comments:

I bought this car brand new off the truck and am the only driver it ever had. It was a very reliable car when it ran.

A/c worked great.

Handles good, great fuel economy.

Survived accidents very well.

Faults:

I have not had any major problems with the Sephia. I have had regular oil changes, brake pads x1 on front, shoes x1 on rear and a (somewhat costly) 60,000 mile maintenance since I've owned it.

General Comments:

I think it's attributable to the manual transmission, but my Kia has plenty of get up & go. She won't go above 75 without a rattle & hum, but that's "speeding" anyway. However, I pushed her 3500 miles over 6 days at a pretty constant 85-90 mph. NO problem.

As I said, I drove over 3500 miles from Tampa, FL to Seattle- over the Rockies, the Sierra-Nevadas and the Cascade mountain ranges with NO problem. I also drove the same distance, from Seattle BACK to FL, then on to Boston, MA and back to FL again. I've put about 30,000 miles on in less than 2 years and have done no repairs other than standard maintenance.

My only complaint is that the seats are pretty uncomfortable- my rear end is asleep after about 5 hours, then for the duration of the trip.

By the way, all of the above traveling has been with the car stuffed full of my belongings, including a Karrite clamshell cargo carrier strapped to the roof. I'd estimate about 1000 lbs. of cargo and my 6'1, 200 lb. self. NOT BAD, I say!

All of this great performance, for an incredible value at $2500.

Faults:

Seats are cheaply made with thin fabric. The stitching has come apart, several times. Good thing I can sew.

Plastic components, from the glove compartment and storage compartment between the driver and passenger seat, have broken handles.

General Comments:

The Kia Sephia was the wisest choice I have ever made, in purchasing a vehicle.

I love my Kia! I have driven from Iowa to Oregon and back, twice.

The gas mileage rocks! I get an average for 34 miles/gallon. I have an 11 gallon tank. At one point going cross country, I got 44 miles/gallon.

I have performed no (real) repairs on the car, just maintenance. I have only had the plugs changed once, oil changed every 5,000 miles, and changed the front brakes once (lifetime warranty).

I have an overhead CAM, on this car. So, as a result, when the car needs an oil change, it talks to me. I was told it was called "lifters". All I know is that whenever I change the oil, the car is rendered "speechless".

It is the quietest car I have ever had the pleasure of driving.

The Sephia is easy to handle. Great control in cornering, braking, and stopping. I have never needed chains even when driving on snow or ice (as I live in Iowa).