2005 NAZA Ria GS from Malaysia - Comments

Hi.

I would like to buy a second hand Naza Ria, with the budget of RM40K-RM50K, year 2004-2006.Kindly contact me at dino_safe@yahoo.com.

Low mileage, leather seat, good condition, preferably black etc.

Rgds.

I am having the dreaded "engine needs overhauling/water seeped into the engine block/engine suddenly overheated/temperature not working" problem. A workshop has indicated RM11,000 for the repairs. It's a numbing figure to decide on for an ordinary multi-purpose transporter.

Someone mentioned that he managed to get a 50% discount on the engine block. I wonder what was the cost then?

My Naza Ria was bought in Feb 05 and have clocked 60000km.

Last month, the T joint broke and caused overheating, it was send to Naza workshop in PJ and was repaired. I drove back to Ipoh a week later and the coolant has started to seep into the engine. Naza workshop in Ipoh did a bleeding for me and returned the car to me for testing.

The same evening, there's a reverse flow of water from engine to the spare water tank and now the Naza workshop says I need to overhaul the engine and minimum $15K. I was also told that the short block is in dire shortage throughout the world for this engine as it is a product failure (made of alloy) can't be repair, must change so it cost so much. Many Carnival and Ria owners are waiting to get their hands on the short block.

I am taking the matter up with the top management of Naza and hope that I could get the 50% discount as well. I can't deny that the Ria is a good car and we had great memories of trips and fun.

Rather than having the engine fixed and the problem might recur, why not just change the engine? heard that you can fit in a honda engine as replacement for the naza engine...

To all Naza Ria owners. I would like some advice; I'm looking to buy a Naza Ria. Is it a good deal? Please give me some info on the vehicle.

Regards,

Hameed

Shahulhameed28@yahoo.com

H/p:0192342155.

My Naza Ria 2005 GS - when engaged into D, there is a slight delay. It does not happen all the time but upon Diagnostic using DTC, it shows code P0708.

Something to do with the Transmission Sensor. Any advice? There's lots of sensor in the Transmission... problem is which one? Anyone had this problem before?

HS.

My Naza 2004 Ria is giving the problem with the engine. The water entered the engine. I have overhauled it twice by changing the gasket. After 6 months the problem occurred? Any advice on the mechanic to go to and what should be done? I see that in some forum it says the problem is with the lining.

Hi all.

I bought my Naza Ria on April 2005. Till now it has clocked 65000km. I'm glad to say that it was all fine since the first day I drove back home the Naza from its showroom in Ulu Klang. I remembered that the Salesman did mention to me to keep checking on the water level as it might drop after several usage. It seems to be a common sign for that car. However, recently, I've overlooked to check the water level and true enough, the car got over heated. I was charged for about 5000k for an overhaul and lesson learn was that to religiously check the water level to avoid undue hassle in future.

Regards,

Naza Ria owner.

Dear All Naza Ria users.

I was believe only Kia or Naza service center advisors know the car condition for each mileage stage to carry out the proper maintenance schedule. We should trust them, I believe they are well train by the car design owner (Kia).

My Ria has already reach mileage 185,000km, so far, I didn't encountered engine failure.

One thing to be share here, I take care of my Ria by following the schedule maintenance for every 10,000km at Naza (Kia) service center start from 2004 (first date draw from Naza showroom).

My Naza Ria GS was bought new in July 2004. I reckon it was one of the final batch of Naza "Carnival" brand before it moved its plant from Pekan to Gurun.

Here were/are the problem this big brother has:-

1. The display of digital clock unit would be filled with water after some time of heavy downpour. This has made the digital figure disfigured. There was no leakage in the sunroof area, as my mechanics told, however. I suspected it must be minor leakage along the windscreen fitting rubber nearer to the affected area.

2. There were occasional "wooooooit" sounds from the engine, especially after this big brother halted. The mechanics I met were all puzzled with my complaint as my Naza Ria hid its "bad habit" whenever I wanted mechanics to look for it.

3. Left tyre bearing worn out after two years, which was too early to defect, I supposed.

4. The connecting part of the air-suspension unit of the left folding table broke off. Thanks to my kids for heavily "using" it. But no thanks to Naza as it is supposed to be of heavy duty.

5. The screw of an arm-rest unit of middle passenger seat tend to lose easily. Again, thanks to my kids for using it as their pony. But no thanks to Naza again...

6. The plastic cover of driver's side seat has been dangling. The part which held the screw broke. Tried use super glue, but to no avail.

Thanks God, the water-in-clock problem and the weird sound from the engine have ceased to recur apparently. Perhaps my pray (or curse) really worked. The rest of the problems are purely cosmetic that I can live for. I don't judge a thing by its (cosmetic) look!

The engine, handling, air-cond are still working excellently. It hums and runs elegantly. Security is pretty much felt. Less body rolling: my kids can sleep comfortably anywhere and in anyway they want. And I never once felt tired after driving long distance (proven KL - Alor Setar and KL - KB routes).

I don't complain for its thirst for fuel because, for its sheer size, I understand the simple law of physic. And because I want to act like those rich Alphard owners who elegantly silent about fuel consumption of their cars.

Own one, but firstly be prepared for its needs. In doing that, you have mitigated problems that most Naza Ria owners are facing.

I'm the owner 3 of them: KIA Carnival 2000, KIA Carnival II 2002, and Naza Ria Se 2006. All of them I've driven over 150,000 km.

The most important thing is the engine cooling system, I've been modified them by joining the air conditioner condenser fan with the radiator fan, so they are running/working together, even if the air conditioning is off, as follows as the standard top heat timing (with professional wiring).

So that immediately made the engine cooler, and made the air conditioning more cool and faster air conditioning compressor cut off, (for a vehicle with heater, I've also removed the heater system and added the air conditioner thermostat for adjust temperature level, and made a faster air conditioner compressor cut off). That caused engine to not work so hard to avoid over heating problems, and also better oil consumption.

For more info, email:alhaqirwalfaqir@yahoo.com.

Hi to all RIA Owners.

Reference to the comment dated 27th Sep 2008 08:36.

Rather having the engine overhaul and without guarantee that it might not recur, heard also Nissan Cefiro 2.0 engine had been used as replacement.

Have a check you guys, it could be a positive move.

Regards

KM.

I need a contact on where to do the engine overhaul with the cheapest cost. Someone quoted me around RM6-7k. I'm broke, but still need to repair my Naza Ria

I am one of Ria-Family Club members, residing in N9. We N9 members prefer to send our Rias to one trustworthy workshop in Seremban 2 area. Even members from Johor & KL also sent their Rias here. I think you can appreciate the reasonable price that the workshop can offer. Unfortunately only one Ria can be majorly serviced within a day which is on Saturday (like changing of timing belt that only costs 1/2 the price than what SC charges). Overhauled? I think it might take a week or so...

Hi, I have a 2004 Ria and it has clocked about 70000km. Recently I was told by an ex Naza mechanic that a solution to the "teh tarik" problem has been found. He said something like placing "oil ring" or something. However, it will cost about 3k if all parts are reusable. Have any of you heard this one?