2000 Kia Sportage EX review from North America

Everything... I have had this car for three years. For the past six months, it has been sitting in my driveway waiting for me to pay it off, so I can junk it, because the entire top half of the engine needs to be replaced.

The brakes have been a problem since a week after I purchased the car; very soft and the brake light came off and on all the time. On multiple occasions the brakes went completly out on me, almost causing numerous accidents.

I had another situation where the brakes were acting up. I took the car to a mechanic and was told that the wheel bearing where shot so bad that I would have to replace my entire drivers side front spindle; cost me almost $1000.

I have had to replace the the master cylinder.

I have had to replace my entire exhaust system because it rusted out.

The stiching in the seats came out causing a large hole in both front seats.

I had to replace the powersteering pump TWICE!

And now the Big ONE; Kia's have what is called an "interference" engine. At 100000 miles my timing belt slipped, and because of this "interference engine" my valves stayed open while my pistons slammed into them, bending all of my valves. I was told by multiple mechanics that it would cost more to fix the car than it is worth. And I still owe $1000 on the damn thing.

So many other problems have occured with this car since I have had it, that I cannot remember them all. The fact of the matter is that this vehicle is a waste of money.

This is the first Kia I have owned, and I will NEVER own another.

Don't take one of these cars if it is given to you. I have just had one problem after another. And on top of a poorly designed interior and a shaky ride, this SUV isn't worth a dime.

I owned a chevy before I bought my Camaro, and I between my wife and I, I own three Chevys now... I think I'll stick with American made cars!