2000 Kia Sportage EX review from North America

I bought the car new and what a mistake. It seems like it is always in the shop.

Right side door has major air leak the dealer could never fix although they tried several different "fix's".

I have had the heater motor replaced twice.

I have had the oil pan removed and replaced twice due to excessive leaks.

I have had the timing belt replaced twice, 1st as recommended, then again 5000 miles later because the new belt slipped.

I have had the drive belts replaced twice.

Then the dealer did a whole bunch of warranty work (about 3K late 2004 early 2005)

The car felt cheap in its construction within 5000 miles of new.

The car had lots of cabin noise and wind blowing.

The passenger heater did not seem to work (my husband was always cold, while I was burning up).

Each trip to the shop cost about $800 out of pocket and then they always piled on warranty work on top of that.

The value dropped so quickly that I could not trade out of it without having to pay thousands of dollars.

I finally traded it in this week at a substantial loss, but was so tired of the trips to the shop, loss of transportation and repair bills I feel I will come out ahead.