The Car Connection is a popular site to research cars. I was pretty shocked to see their list of the most researched cars for November 2010...


Clearly people are liking the new KIA lineup.

Okay, it's not technically a Hyundai, but it's pretty close so I put it here. I mentioned this one in the "Why not a 2.4L" thread (because it has the 2.4L) but it deserves its own thread.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/30/la-auto...sms-mark-debut/
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Autos...icleId=117786#1
http://www.kia.com/index.php

I think it's awesome. You have a new family, so you're dealing with car seats and a lot of junk, or you have more than two kids and your compact is getting cramped. You hate the look of minivans (which a lot of people do...) and you're not crazy about SUVs either. You want cargo space and/or seating for up to seven, lots of important safety features like ABS, stability control and side curtain airbags, lots of practicality and some decent-average power under the hood. Plus you're on a budget and you don't like unexpected expenses so you want a Kia-length warranty. This fits the bill perfectly.

It could have the 235hp V6 from the Sonata too, it could handle like a Mazda5, it could have some better styling (the front/rear are not bad, the side is ok...) ... but it's cheap, and that's what a lot of people with young families care about. More importantly, quality, reliability and crash test results are still in the "wait and see," phase. I'll look forward to reading the reviews.

I guess this is as close to harakiri as one can get in this day and age:

http://www.insideline.com/kia/soul/kia-ceo...ecall-flap.html

So, the wife's Rio has been leaking brake fluid from the proportioning valve for a while now. Finally decided that it's time to be fixed. Call up the local dealership, and they want $414 to swap it out, with no guarantee that they won't break anything else. So instead I just hit them up for the valve (and an oil filter and plug gasket while I'm there) and decided to do it myself.

You have to take the air box off (and the throttle body, we later discovered) to get at the proportioning valve, but that's not a terribly difficult thing to do. Getting brake fittings with 95k+ miles on them to come loose without losing their shape? Quite another story. They were all doused in copious amounts of PB'laster (most awesome stuff ever), and a few of them even cooperated without much of a fight. The rest required vice grips and a firm but gentle touch... don't want to do anything to the lines.

After a long struggle with those (thanks, Dad!) the old valve came out and the new valve *slowly* went in. Things never line up 100% with a new part, do they? Got the lines back in, got everything snugged up and started putting the intake back together. Did a little bleeding of the brakes, fired up the car and a couple seconds later... WHOA! SHUT IT OFF! Turns out we missed a coolant line on the TB that was more than willing to dump coolant everywhere. There was a clamp on the hose, but it wasn't on the nipple... because it's just about impossible to get into the right spot unless you're a double-jointed midget. Got it back on (figured "hey, it didn't leak before, why would it leak now") put the air box *back* on, connected everything, and we get a bunch of OBD codes. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!@$!@21~3!

Limped the car home from my folks' as it was late, I had to work at 0600, I was supposed to go set up my band gear for our gig this weekend, and the kiddo was getting very cranky. What normally takes 1/2 hour took the full hour, since the car wouldn't shift itself and wouldn't use a gear higher than 2nd. Swear I will defeat it after work the next day.

Fast forward to this afternoon, after work and a trip to the parts store for a new TPS (which was what 2 of the codes were regarding). Take off the air box YET AGAIN and take a look at the TPS. Oh, wait, is the connector even on it?! OF COURSE NOT, YOU BLOODY FOOL! Turns out that sensors communicate with the ECM a lot better when they're actually connected to the harness. Put that back on, put the air box BACK ON, fired it up and went for a test spin.

<cue Handel>

HALLELUJAH! It drives just like it did! Returned the sensor, cleared the codes, and now everything is as back to normal as it gets around here. Now for some more work on the amp (and a blog is coming, I swear!).

I think the article is way off but according to an online source, Kia may go the way of Pontiac and Hummer in 2011. This was from an article entitled "10 Brands That May Disappear in 2011". While some of the brands they mention like BP and Radio Shack seem feasible I just don't think Kia is going anywhere. Here's what they said:



Here's the link to the article which is featured on Yahoo's front page:

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting...sappear-in-2011

Yep, that's right.

Those Top Gear kooks across the pond seem like they're going to be using the Kia Cee'd as their Reasonably Priced Car to pass everyone around their track in.
Should be interesting to see how well it handles everyone tearing it up on the curves.

Looks like I'm gonna have to find the seasons I'm missing and catch up on some goodies, and watch the new ones. Go Kia Go!

Saw this on Autoblog today. I like the front end way better than the Elantra Touring and 174 ponies sounds pretty good to me.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/24/2011-ki...r-hits-the-web/

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/02/iihs-ru...mid-sized-suvs/

Read this about the iihs roll over testing, Kia Sorento get a rating of good.

.....
In addition to earning good ratings for rollover protection, the Equinox, Grand Cherokee, Highlander, Sorento, and Venza also earn the Institute's TOP SAFETY PICK award. To achieve this, a vehicle has to earn good ratings for occupant protection in front, side, rear, and rollover crashes. It also has to have electronic stability control.

...Vehicles rated good must have roofs that are more than twice as strong as the minimum required under the current federal safety standard......

Hey all,
My bro and I are going to look at this tomorrow: http://wausau.craigslist.org/cto/1680329605.html
Any impressions of the Accent/Rio5?

From what I can tell, its a sweet price for the mileage. ($6500/20kmiles)
The picture sucks, but there is a scratch on the hood, and a shopping cart dent in the door.

Let me know what you guys know about the Rio5! We are going to look at it tomorrow!
Thanks!
Ewang...

I know you've heard me complain a ton that Hyundai should have brought over the i30 hatch versus the wagon that we got. On the other hand, Kia has the similar Cee'd that was not brought to the US and, in particular, the hot looking Pro Cee'd (I think it has a little bit of the Veloster look from the side).

The Pro Cee'd might have done very well with the first time car buyer and tuner crowd. Why wasn't this brought over?

Here's the car's factory look:



Here's the stock interior:



Here it is with a lip kit:




That's a sweet looking ride. What was Kia thinking. Especially considering Hyundai said they were going to make Kia the division of youthful and sporty...

Hmmmm.

This car is based on the Azera platform but seems world's nicer:

The Kia Forte Koup was unveiled today at the NY auto show. I must say it looks pretty tempting. In the words of Borat I must say "Very nice, how much?"

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/04...-auto-show.html
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/04...e-up-close.html
http://jalopnik.com/5205341/2010-kia-forte...stay-klassy-kia

Tons of pics
http://www.netcarshow.com/kia/2010-forte_koup/

Anybody have a guess as to the size of the steel brake lines on an '03 Rio? The right rear one on my wife's car got bent and I need to replace it. Fun fun fun!

i saw it yesterday and totally spaced on the name of model and it doesn't quite look like the kia picanto.

but it could be...





i think its funny how they look like spy shots.

I like what they've done here... no more huge taillights. This is a car that would complement the Forte very well and hopefully they'll consider marketing this in the US as the Forte hatch. Notice the now similar front end. Hmmm....

Did anyone else notice that the less expensive alloy wheels for the Forte look IDENTICAL to those of the Elantra? http://image.automobilemag.com/f/reviews/d...e+side_view.jpg

The town of West Point, Georgia (pop. 3500), is breathing an economic sigh of relief after Kia's announcment they will open a new plant there by the end of the year, bringing an estimated 20,000 jobs to the area (details).

Ok, today the local Costco had a Forte SX sitting out front in normal fashion. I first approached it from the back thinking "hmm, it sure seems tall compared to the Elantra." The bottom of the car is really high off the ground in comparison, or at least it looks that way, which is compounded by the high decklid. The rest of the styling seems really nice, although I can't help but think of the Civic when I see the front. Interior looked pleasant as well. Now for the kicker. Since it was an SX auto, the base price came out to 18K. Competitive, yes, but then there was an Arizona package on the sticker with no description of items fetching an additional 2.5K. 21K for that particular car At which point I thought "I'd rather have a Touring despite the 30 hp deficit."

Kia Soul stunt video - pretty cool stuff
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/14/video-s...n-at-the-docks/

What an upgrade!

http://www.motortrend.com/photo_gallery/11...y/photo_01.html

I had the local KIA dealer do my KIA vent visors, since they should have the expertise that comes with experience, and I'd rather they make the mistake if one is to be made.

LOOKS like one, no two, mistakes were made.

The two front visors appear to have been glued on about an inch too far forward, ahead of the joint where there is an obvious seam to tuck in to.
I didn't notice this until I got the car home last night. I'm about to do a test run, but it looks like there will be wind whistle, and later peeling because the visor is not tucked in.
Next stop, KIA dealer.

I really should have inspected it more carefully before leaving the dealership. I keep forgetting how difficult it is these days to get good help.

Pics to follow, meanwhile off to the races.

I spotted one of these briefly today. It was sitting at a light opposite of me waiting to turn across my lanes. Not much time to look as a went by but the KIA logo was obvious on the grille.

I don't think they are supposed to come out till spring so it took a moment what I was looking at to click in my head. Too bad I couldn't get a pic but here is a site I found about them.

http://soul.kiamotors.com/

The wife just got home from a successful hunt, and just as she turned in the driveway of the complex the CEL came on (after ~100 mile drive). Took it to the local parts store, and it's throwing code P0101 (MAF Circuit range/performance problem). My plan for attacking this glitch was to start with the PCV valve (I checked the air filter a while ago and it's more or less new... only 5k miles on it), only the parts store doesn't show one in their catalog. I'm hoping that Tuesday I'll be able to kind of check around for air/vacuum leaks (I work at 0500 and we have to drive up to ~100 miles away to retrieve processed venison), but in the meantime does anybody have any suggestions for what else to check over? I really don't want to try and yank the MAF any time soon... they're spendy.

Who in the hell puts the oil filter on the *back* of the engine, puts the alternator in the way so you can't get at it from the top or the sides, and then makes your reach around the right halfshaft just to get the damn thing off? I'm about 2 steps from asking Santa for some ramps for Christmas. If only I actually had some storage space around here...

According to Autoblog, http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/25/top-gea...o-flog-kia-rio/
Top Gear USA is going to use the Kia Rio as their Reasonably Priced Car. This is their standard 'track' car that they use to test the skills of various guests they have on the show, i.e. same car, same track... let's see how you drive! That means the little Rio will be a permanent part of the show! The UK version of the show has used an unrecognizable (to the USA) Korean-Built Chevrolet sedan, so I guess they needed something recognizable here. Hurray for the Rio!

Kia's rapid move to greater quality and reliability as a match for its legendary value has created another reason for new car buyers to consider Kia with the announcement today that all Kia vehicles sold from 1 January 2008 will be covered by a standard, factory-backed five-year warranty.

http://autodeadline.com.au/?page=ViewRelea...US2008020282142

Browsing around Kia's site today, I noticed the Spectra5 sharing an uncanny mechanical resemblance to the XD Elantra. 4 lug wheels, similar features, interior that takes cues from the HD, though. If I could afford one, I'd plunk down the $17,500 for it based on that similarity alone. Can anybody shed more light on the resemblance, and being more than passing?

Not in sales but quality ?
I sat in an Optima and was very impressed. The dealer had a fully load one discounted to $19,900. The same dealer had Ford's as well so I sat in a Fusion and walked away feeling it was way overpriced at $29990 ! (No kidding)
Which beings the question - Is Hyundai/KIA already better at making cars then one of the oldest car makers in the world ? If you notice they never mention competing with American makers just Japan's and now Germans.

I know H/K doesn't make the best in the world but the progress in just a few years is pretty remarkable. Whats your take ?

I wonder if this will actually happen?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/...e'd/225705/

A few weeks ago I drove around in a rented Kia Sedona minivan for a couple of days, and I have to say, not bad! It's not like I rent minivans for fun, but we needed to transport 5-6 people and some luggage on our way to our wedding and a rental minivan was the cheapest way to go. Maybe I'm not used to minivans, but it felt huge inside and out. It has separate HVAC for the rear seats with controls at the front and rear. I found just about everything pretty intuitive and easy to use, it had storage and cupholders everywhere. We couldn't decide which one was the "glove compartment," and which was the map compartment - so many to choose from! The center console was pretty nice, with lots of cupholders and space for papers, maps, cell phones, sunglasses and so on. We actually rented three minivans and ended up with the Sedona, a Caravan and a Ford Freestar, all pretty new. The Kia was my first pick and I think the other two drivers agreed it was their first choice too. If I remember right, the sliding door's window rolled down, which surprised me. On the last day, thanks to a little snafu, we had to stuff seven people and their luggage into the van. I think some were holding bags in their lap, one big piece of luggage was in between the seats and the trunk, which is pretty wide and tall but not that long with all the seats in place, was stuffed to the ceiling! As for driving, it wasn't as bad as I expected a minivan to be. I was a little disappointed with the power at higher revs, but I think that's because the power came on much earlier, closer to 2000rpm or lower. The torque was pretty satisfying from a stop or a slow rolling start.

As for features, a nav system would've been handy in an unfamiliar city, but besides that this had nearly every feature we could wish for and they all worked and felt reliable and of good quality. Take this review for what it's worth though, I've never driven a van before, nevermind its modern competitors. But, I was impressed, at least.