Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Had a 2009 Optima and after about 60k miles the car started falling apart. Can def tell its cheaply made even moreso than Hondas and Toytoa. I dont get why some people think these cars are so great.
Getting back to Hyundai/Kia being in a similar position to that of Toyota and Honda years ago:
We can start a laundry list of what people were saying about Toyota and Honda 40 years ago.... How about:
1. Japanese junk
2. Won't last
3. Fred Flintstone cars
4. Nothing like an American car
5. There's a reason why GM has a 60% share of the market.
My son and I were talking about this very issues a few weeks ago. I remember those days and I also of the opinion Hyundai/Kia are cars to watch and take seriously.
My wife bought a Kia Sorento brand new back in 06(we were just dating then). At that time Kia was improving but still questionable. I was/am a Subaru guy so I tried talking her out of it but she bought a completely optioned out one for around 23k. She had to take it to the dealership once for a small recall on a window switch. Other than that, it was a rock solid car that completely changed how I viewed Hyundai/Kia. Sadly, it was totaled last March at around 75k when my wife was rearended. She was sitting still and got hit at 50mph by a Chevy Trailblazer. The front of the Chevy was tore all to pieces. However, I was absolutely amazed at how well that Kia took that hit. You would have thought someone hit her at 20mph. But that whole back is one piece so it I guess it was cheaper for them just to total.
I wouldn't hesitate in buying one. I've owned a few Hyundai's now (a 2002 Accent and a 2011 Genesis Coupe) and they have been rock solid! Feedback from KIA owners seems to follow the same lines.
This doesn't relate to a certain type of car but.....
It would seem to me that the real "guinea pigs" are the owners of CVT and DCT transmissions and engine management systems that cut cylinders to save gas.
OR
How about just about all of us who 25 years ago bought a car with the early rubber timing belts that snapped like twigs in a forest...usually at 2:00am when your driving through a bad neighborhood.
I had a 1993 Ford Festiva it was made by Kia, great motor 1.3 stick. Lousy brakes the front rotors were pressed on. Had to be turned while on the car few shops had that kind of lath. Body rusted out like it had cancer, exhaust was one pice cost $300 to replace back in the 90's. I kept it till well over 100,000 miles. Was made in south Korea.
My son and I were talking about this very issues a few weeks ago. I remember those days and I also of the opinion Hyundai/Kia are cars to watch and take seriously.
Not made by the japanese made by the South Koreans
I drove a 2004 Kia Optima up until August, 2012. The car was up to 180,000 miles. The airbag sensor went bad in the front passenger seat and fuel pump needed replacing. I ended up getting a new for then 2013 Forte. I miss the Optima, pretty good car. It was paid off, but due to moving I opted to invest what I would have paid in repairs to get a new car that had its warranty. The Forte now has 40,000 miles and doing well. One set of tires, one headlight, and one license plate light is the only thing I've done on the car. We average 34 MPG, which consists of 90% highway/10 city.
A good friend and neighbor has a 2012 Sorento. This KIA has given excellent service and my friend has had no trouble with it, just a minor recall or two and both were handled expeditiously by the dealership. His car has over 90,000 miles, has held up well, and only now is he looking at replacing the remaining OEM tires. One was replaced about a year or so ago due to damage. In fact, my friend went about 19,000 miles (yes, 19,000 and it's a long story) which is about a years worth of driving for him without changing the oil. While I won't get into it about what long term damage his car has suffered, the car still runs and sounds fine.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
