1997 Kia Sephia RS review from North America

Rattle of pan near the fan (had it fixed like 3 times, but the last time did the trick (almost)

Some times it leaks a little in the window seal, but that just requires you toying with the seal to get a tight seal again.

Jerking was the car as it accelerates when using regular gas (so now I use 89 octane and the jerking has pretty much stopped in the low gears.

Transmission blew, but right before the warranty was to expire THANK GOD.

Issue with brakes in the front wearing prematurely a month after I had them changed, but my mechanic fixed that issue and haven't had one since.

Year after getting the car got a bad oil change and all the oil came out of the engine. Ex kept driving it and locked up the engine. Had to get a new engine, but lucked out and found a standard engine that a mechanic put in for me. Now it goes up to 110 without rattling.. Don't ask what he did, but I'm glad he did it.

I brought it in 97 new for the now ex wife after she kept having "accidents" with the other cars. It pretty much was purchased for a run about car in NYC. Can park the little sucker anywhere. Well, we separated and she did not want it so I left it in storage for 3 years (2000-2003). Had my mechanic fix her up flew to NYC and drove her cross country to WA in Sept without any issues. She still can get to 110 without rattling (but would not advice it if you don't want to have to purchase a new transmission). Would greatly suggest getting at minimum 15 to 17 rims and tires to give a little more stability when driving. She can lose transaction and stability with a slight jerk of the wheel at 55 on the standard 13's she comes with. Nice toy to play with if you have it as a 2nd run around vehicle. For all those who dare push this car past 110, word of advice she stops taking acceleration and "liquids" out (it just gets real quite *laughing*)