3rd Oct 2008, 15:22
Purchased my 2002 Kia Sedona in November 2002. Other than the usual maintenance there have been very few issues. I'm getting the alternator replaced right now. It just went yesterday. I'm at about 84,000 miles.
The van has been really good transportation for my family of 6. We've taken it on family vacations. I've commuted and car pooled with it. Now I just drive around town because I work so close to home. It's been great in all instances.
The only issue, other than the alternator, was a relay switch for the passenger side door lock that had an issue. I got it fixed at the dealer and it was covered by warranty, but I had to fight to get the dealer to do it under warranty.
I usually don't use the dealer for maintenance or repairs unless I have to. They are much more expensive than my mechanic. I have a great mechanic who has worked on every car I've had since 1994.
1st Sep 2008, 11:58
I bought my '02 Sedona EX new on August 14, 2002. It now has 58,700 miles on it and it's for sale. It was stellar for the first 50,000 miles. No repairs. I replaced the tires at about 48,000 miles.
Once I hit 50k, I did have some problems: alternator, A/C compressor (burned out bearing), front brakes ($500, I waited too long). I also replaced the timing belt when the alternator was replaced (another $500; my mechanic knocked $200 off the combined price). Dealer cost for the belt, installed, is $700 today. I also had the inner cv boots replaced, under warranty, in the past month.
The mileage is not great (15/20, exactly what the window sticker estimated). It has some rust on the lower front edge of the hood, not surprisingly given the salt used on the roads in my area and my own lack of diligence in washing it.
I paid $19,200.00 for it, substantially less than Dodge and Chrysler wanted for a comparably equipped mini (3.5L 6 cyl, loaded interior). It's been great for road trips and in town. It was two thirds the cost of a Toyota or Honda. That ratio is about the same on resale today.
Insurance costs have been low, due in part to the safety rating it carried in '02, the best of the bunch.
It wasn't state of the art and I knew that when I bought it. But six years later, I still think I made the right choice. I expect to sell it for close to $6,000., a bit less than 1/3 of what I paid for it. $13,000.00 for 6 years of use, under $2200.00 a year, is reasonable. It would have cost me more to drive a Sienna for the same period and I have no complaints at all about the comfort, handling. or reliability of the Sedona. If they got better mileage, I might have bought another one, but I don't need to carry 7 passengers and don't want my 16 year old to be able to.