Faults:

Replaced all tires after 5 years.

Replaced brakes and bearings at 60000 miles.

Had the belt pulley tightened at 40000 miles.

General Comments:

I researched this vehicle and compared it to more expensive competitors before buying. The KIA had more interior space and a stronger engine to make up for lack of name recognition. We are amazed at the negative reports. This car has been reliable for us and we get offers to sell it all the time.

This car was paid off in 2003 and we enjoy the idea that we are driving for "free".

Mileage is great and I am very comfortable in it front and back seats. I am 6 feet 3 inches tall and all legs.

Storage capacity is great. Durability is better than expected.

My advice is to have realistic expectations of your cars and don't push beyond that too often. With normal maintenance you will be rewarded with many years of service.

Faults:

The things gone wrong with the car are most likely my fault and really lack of maintenance, but in the whole time of my ownership I never really had a problem! -

All of the recall things went which the dealer fixed promptly, but I really had no additional problems.

The only thing that I don't like is that the muffler seems to melt away. Currently, I have the third muffler on the car!

No pick up so if you like to take off from red lights this is not a car for you.

General Comments:

Great gas mileage - between 25-28 miles. per gallon.

Very cute girly car... the only way I can describe it... is that this car fit my personality it was just great!!!

I would like to say that I drove the car from NJ to Cali three times and that each trip was a smooth and worry free!!!

I wish I would have taken better care of it and did the mainteance as scheduled then I wouldn't have to find a new one!

I loved this car and wish it could last forever, but as my friends are telling me I am ending an era... everyone that has known me in my adult life has taken a ride in my Kia and loved it!!! :)

Faults:

Cam shaft froze up at 100,000 miles; had to get a new engine.

The check engine light has been on forever, and now has burnt out.

A/C doesn't work right, and water from the evaporator leaks on passenger side.

Had to put new coils on it after they broke.

New starter.

Paint is chipping off the front bumper.

General Comments:

Not too bad for the 2,500 I paid for it. Doesn't run too bad and goes good in the snow and off road when needed.

Faults:

Belts replaced.

Front wheel 4WD hubs replaced.

Rear springs replaced.

Front suspension work done.

Struts currently need replacing.

General Comments:

Cheaply made and relatively uncomfortable. However, I still think it's a great value for the price I paid. Most of the problems (other than what I would consider normal maintenance) have been minor annoyances, such as the sun visor breaking, air conditioner leaking on the floor, rattling sounds everywhere, etc.

You should plan on replacing the vacuum-operated 4WD hubs, they are a joke. I replaced them with manual hubs. Now the 4WD works when I want it to, and it performs like a champ.

Overall, if you want a daily driver to get you through snow drifts and muddy dirt roads, then this is a bargain. If you're a city dweller and never need 4WD, don't bother.

Faults:

My wife bought the SUV before we married and has put on a new muffler before 35K miles. and a new battery before 40K miles.

Last summer (06) I completely disassembles drives side hub. 58K miles.

*The brakes where completely wore down from the failed bearings.

*Both inner and outer bearings wore out.

*Replaced free wheeling hub

*It took an extreme amount of effort and new tools to remove female spline off of axle. It is suppose to easily come off as one unit with the free wheeling hub. It rusted in place.

*Unable to replace weak seals due to 1 -2 week waiting time.

The cause: The free wheeling hub had corroded away allowing water intrusion into the bearing assembly. So when you pushed the 4X4 switch on and engaged the transfer case it turned on the vacuum activated 4X4 sucking moisture and water into the housing. The corrosion was due to insufficient dielectric grease on the hubs O-ring, which in turn allowed the aluminum alloy to corrode on the steel alloy disk.

Tire replacement with cooper all terrains, big difference in traction. 64Kmi.

4X4 not working again. 65K miles.

I just recently put on another tail pipe rusted out. 66K miles.

While under the car looking around I noticed that the fuel tank skid plate is 35% rusted out with the tank starting to rust. I also noticed antifreeze dripping off of the engine from odd places. Hopefully it is just blowing off the rotten radiator to the back of the engine. The valve cover gasket is leaking and the axle on the same free wheeling hub from earlier was not seated all the way. I tore it apart again. I repacked all the bearings and replaced the spring clip holding the axle in place with a better one. It was weak.

General Comments:

Parts: Just about every thing is dealer only. So far exhaust is after market, brake pads, wheel bearings, spark plugs, oil filter, and air filter parts store. The hub was purchased at a junkyard for $20 vs. $225 from a dealer.

4X4: Works great because all the weight is in the front, terrible weight distribution. From what I have learned in the last year, if there is just a little bit of snow or moisture on the road. You can forget about going anywhere in 2-wheel drive just sit and spin.

Ride: OK.

Handling: Actually good, like a go-cart.

Interior wear: Cant say, my wife is the only one that usually rides in it.

Interior noise: Loud at hi speeds. Door seals must not be seating correctly.

Pick up: Slow. It doesnt really start to get moving until 3500 RPM. If the AC is on you will kill you self pulling in to heavy traffic. But with the AC off, 4X4 on (with out the 4x4 working), and the power button pushed you can't get out of its way fast enough!

If you like to work on cars and surfing your local junk yards it is a must have.