Faults:

Nothing, 5 speed, highway driven, oil changed every 3000 miles, all other fluids changed to factory specs.

Everything still original; A/C, gaskets changed, no leaks, runs good.

No 4wd, this is a basic 5 speed manual 2wd.

General Comments:

Feels heavy duty,

Faults:

4 wheel drive had to be replaced with hubs.

Starter.

CJ shaft and bolt.

Heater motor.

Rusting out.

General Comments:

I thought this was going to be an enjoyable little car, but it has caused nothing but trouble and eaten up tons of money.

Faults:

1st year dealer replaced front hub seals. Kia built with only one seal and should been two. The redesigned and had two seal hubs for the replacement. Problem with one seal is moisture is sucked into the hub during cooling and the hub rusts out.

Approximately 150.000 miles had to replace the front drive shaft.

Approximately 186,000 miles had to replace the fuel pump.

General Comments:

This car had many hard miles as a delivery vehicle with only normal maintenance except for the items listed as problems. I removed the rear seat and often had 1500lb loads. I got 65k miles on OEM tires, then replaced with BFG's and got 105k on the first set. I really loved driving this vehicle especially after putting on the BFG's. Although the car leans like the tower of Pisa it stuck to the road like glue.

At 188k miles and oil changes every 8k - yep 8k - still going 1/2 qt between changes. Never failed to start. Plowed through 10 - 12 inches of snow like it wasn't there.

Then on 8/14/08 some stupid a** kid running from the police about 60mph rear ended my little baby shoving it into my wife's Subaru and shoving it into the rear of my 97 T&C. She expired a brutal death having served proudly and faithfully for almost 10 years.

Faults:

Timing belt went out first.

02 sensors went next.

Exhaust system replaced.

Coil and electrical wiring.

Valve job.

Now have a running issue; the engine starts, but if you give it gas it dies.

Faults:

Upon purchase, the hatchback did not close right, dealer staff told me to put more muscle into it.

Replaced OC Sensor; then the 4x4 Solenoid, this I had to fight the dealer and Kia on. I purchased this vehicle 4 months prior to the 100K warranty, this happened just under powertrain warranty exp. I had taken it to the dealer several times with this issue (a loud banging noise in the front end on occasion). Initially they wanted to charge me an insane amount of $$. After I don't know how many calls, I got them to replace the part (which shouldn't have gone bad). I paid about $ 100 bucks so they could warranty the new parts for 1 year.

The 4wheel went one Christmas; the Kia had to be pulled by a Ford! Anyway it was an issue with the vacuums.

Then the hubs had to be rebuilt like a year later, and on more that one occasion I found myself driving in snow storms in the northern tri-state in a rear wheel vehicle. Here is what I learned about the 4 wheel drive system in my Kia, which is a 2000; they used the 4 wheel drive system from the 93-97 Ford Ranger. Ford learned it wasn't a great system so they reviewed it and sold the left over parts to Kia. You can buy just the bearing from Napa for $7 bucks; that is what we got them for, and rebuilt the existing hubs instead of buying new for over $300, I believe from Ford no less.

All in all, I am still driving it mostly because I own it and it has over 96K, but here we go again, she is running hot on me now. I was really hopping to get another few months out of this thing, but it's not looking good.

For about $5k more you can get a Honda or Toyota, and you know you will get well over 100K in mileage and better resale/trade in value.

I don't know what to do with this Kia in good conscious; how do I sell it to someone... thought about donating it, but first I have to know they will some how get cash for it and use it for something someone can actually use...

Almost forgot, the heat shield rattles and continues to rattle... don't park on any leaves in the fall.

Val in Jersey.

General Comments:

Handles pretty well considering... sluggish up hills, and must turn the A/C off in the summer.