2004 Kia Rio review from North America

Brakes needed replacing way before 60K miles. The brake drums cannot be turned as it would thin it too much for safe driving, so it needed replacing.

The heater vent switch was replace because it would work only on 4. A few days after it was broke again.

Door latches were broken at 78K miles. Needed to buy the entire assembly as a kit.

All parts need to be purchase from a KIA dealership as there are no generic parts for the car.

Keys can only be purchased from a dealership at a price of over $40 per key, if you want extras.

Clutch bushing inside transmission needed replacing at the tune of over $400, which I never bothered. I had no play in the clutch, meaning that by letting off the clutch even for an inch engaged the transmission.

Finally my timing belt broke. Kias have what is called and "interference engine," which means at any time the timing belt breaks, the engine is shot.

I could've repaired the clutch and timing belt before all this to the tune of $800, but decided against it as I wanted to get rid of the thing before it died on me. I was too late.

Riding this car on the freeway feels like riding a cardboard box on wheels. If feels as if the engine is straining any time you go over 60 mph.

Front wheel suspension feels awful. Going over rough road feels like someone is dribbling a basket ball upfront, but it feels that the basket ball are your tires.

The car is extremely cheap and it feels it.

Resale value is horrible.

I don't recommend this car to my worst enemy!