1999 Kia Sephia

Summary:

If you are OK with general regular maintenance, not a bad car

Faults:

Brakes and rotors needed complete replacement at 100,000.

Needed a transmission at 85,000.

Doors freeze shut in the winter on certain humid cold days, so it makes it odd that sometimes, it is just not possible to open the doors. Because of this, I often must leave it unlocked, and it's still not possible to open the doors when they freeze. (It sounds fantastic, but believe me it is true!) I live in New England and it happens about 5 times a year, and I have to cancel where I am going, or get a ride home and wait for the sun to thaw it the next day.

General Comments:

With general upkeep, it can go months without any care.

I have gotten up to 40 MPG riding conservatively in the fall and summer. I average about 30+ MPG.

When you go six or so months without any upkeep costs, it seems worth it... I average about $600 yearly on maintenance one way or the other; tires, battery, brakes, etc, so in reality that's about what an older car costs to maintain, and no payments, low insurance, and I feel I will get another 100,000 miles out of it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th July, 2011

15th Oct 2017, 23:28

My car door use to freeze on one side only, so I changed the direction when I parked and things got better. I also used Vaseline on my door locks and stuck my key into the jar and put it into the lock... it works pretty well.

1999 Kia Sephia LX

Summary:

I recommend no one buy a Kia Sephia at all

Faults:

Speedometer broke at 62,000 miles.

Odometer inaccurate, broken at 62,000 miles.

Catalytic converter broken at 65,000 miles.

Check engine light broken at 60,000 miles.

Doors won't open in snow.

Electrical problems at 60,000 miles.

Car doesn't gear shift properly.

Rough idle.

General Comments:

Although the car is very pretty and comfortable, it isn't worth it.

A bike would be more reliable. I've had nothing but problems since purchasing this car.

The car has never gear shifted properly since I purchased it.

It has never passed emissions since I purchased it.

The car idles extremely rough and shakes and rattles if you go past 60 mph.

The car takes usually 2 tries to start it and after it starts, it doesn't accelerate properly.

You press the gas and the car takes about 5 seconds before it wants to take off.

There's always something new wrong with this car. I've hardly had it working properly in the year that I've had it. If it's not one thing, it's something else.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th July, 2009

1999 Kia Sephia Base

Summary:

Got my cake and got to eat it too

Faults:

The dash board is warped.

Heat and air work only most of the time.

Steering wheel sticks in cold weather.

General Comments:

This car is very reliable and can drive through just about anything.

Front and back seats are very comfortable.

Handles extremely well.

Very tough exterior that handles abuse well. :)

Perfect first car and party car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th February, 2008

1999 Kia Sephia LS 2.4

Summary:

I love my Sephia, and wouldn't trade it for anything!

Faults:

Clutch gave in at 150,000 miles.

Catalytic converter stopped up, and had to be replaced at 150,000 miles.

But "NOTE" I took 7 years and 150000 miles for that to happen!

General Comments:

So far, the only problem I've had with my Sephia is that, I had to replace the catalytic converter and clutch, but have had the car for right at 8 years and have had no other problems.

Not everyone has issues with this car; I know several individuals that love the car, I would buy 3 or 4 more if I had to!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th January, 2008

1999 Kia Sephia LS 1.8 DOHC

Summary:

A great economical car

Faults:

On the way home from work one day, the check engine light starting flashing and the car wouldn't go over 20 mph. It turned out to be a bad ignition wire. I replaced the plugs and wires at a cost of $34.00.

General Comments:

This has been a great car. I have put over 22,000 miles on it in an 8 month period, and I have averaged over 32 mpg.

The seats are not very comfortable, considering I'm in the vehicle an average of 3 hours a day. Living in the Pocono Mountains, I have had the opportunity to test it in the snow, and it performed well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd December, 2007