2000 Kia Sephia

Summary:

227,000 and still going!!!

Faults:

Rotors go bad quickly, tie rod, power steering pump.

General Comments:

I am still driving my KIA with 227,000 miles on it!!! If you keep up with regular maintenance you will be fine. I drive my car 125 miles round trip everyday for the last 4 years to school and back. I still get 38 miles to a gallon. Only problem is that I had to add a heater core because it doesn't like northern Wisconsin winters so I have to keep it plugged in. Otherwise great car, if you take care of it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st August, 2007

2000 Kia Sephia base 109.4 cu. in / 1.8 lit.

Summary:

This car is, if maintained, a good vehicle

Faults:

2002

The first thing that broke on my KIA was the latch on the glove box ; this was shortly followed by the cup holder in the center console.

I replaced the front brakes, and due to the check engine light, plugs and coil wires at approx. 60k miles.

2003

I replaced the alternator at approx. 75k miles followed the next week by the battery.

2004

I replaced the front brakes and rotors at approx. 100k.

2005

Car was parked for 4 months due to being hit in passenger rear quarter panel.

Door seals on rt side and trunk start leaking.

2006

Replaced timing belt, water pump, and cam seal at approx 110k miles.

Car was once again hit on rt side from front fender to rear quarter panel. The driver door and rear bumper also were damaged in accident.

"Car totaled"

2007

Replaced thermostat, gasket upper and lower, and seal on heater feeder line.

Vehicle has approx 163k miles on it now and is running fine. I am looking for 200k + miles before I put her down.

General Comments:

I bought this car as a commuter car to travel back and forth to work. I put 200 miles a day on this vehicle. I have been very pleased with its performance and affordability. This car is neither sporty or luxurious, but has been reliable and cost effective. I have performed all the preventive maintenance as scheduled.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st March, 2007

5th Feb 2009, 13:59

Me again.

I finally had to put her in the bone yard.

210132 total miles.

The car just became too much to keep on the road after about around 200k miles. I regret all the money I put into her after about 190k miles.

I am very pleased with its overall life span, but it literally fell apart after 200k miles. I was spending more keeping it running in the end than a car payment and the availability of parts are very slim now.

I believe this car performed well, but the end was inevitable.

13th Apr 2009, 19:45

This was helpful to read. I can't help but feel like the majority of these comments are biased. People who have reliable and dependable cars seldom go on a rant about it online, but people who have had awful experiences want to go shout it to the world. I live a modest, cautious life, and I think the KIA has been the perfect car for me. Things go wrong with cars.

It depends on the care of the car and the individual vehicle, there are cars that tend to suck but they happen in every make and within every model. Toyota Corolla, one of the most praised cars of all time, has still produced a vehicle or two that did not meet the same greatness.

2000 Kia Sephia

Summary:

Doesn't give me a better opinion

Faults:

Bad, bad car. My cousin left her car with us for the winter, since she moved. She planned to give it to mom when she got her license. BIG, BIG MISTAKE to leave it standing, w/o driving. I would turn it on every week in order for the battery not go out. After a while, I wanted to drive it, the transmission would not even shift. This is an automatic transmission. the first mechanic said it was a cable that went from the transmission shifter to the transmission was rusted. OK, my cousin decided to leave it until she got more money. After a second opinion, the pin that goes into the transmission is rusted. This means, the transmission does not work! The mechanic suggested to change the whole transmission, since it would be hard to change the pin.

I guess it was true what they said about the KIA.

General Comments:

Apparently a good car, according to my cousin.

4 cylinder, saving money.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th August, 2006

20th Aug 2006, 15:30

Well maybe the sitting was the problem because I have the same car and I think it has around 155,000 miles and I've not had any major problems with my car.

4th Oct 2006, 22:18

Mine is terrible, the brakes don't work right, have to replace them every six months, rotors, dashboard is peeling badly by front windshield, the transmission is jumpy and weak, the engine revs too much before shifts many times. kia has offered no help, nor descent comments. I will never buy another and I recommend anyone-else to do the same. All of these problems are serious, draining on the bank account and unsafe.

19th Oct 2006, 09:09

UPDATE: I have finally sold this car for my cousin. After consulting a couple of more mechanics, I was told that parts for KIA cars are hard to find. That sort of threw out the window the idea of fixing the car. I sold it as is for a mere $200.