2004 Kia Rio LS from Malaysia - Comments

- A very minor miss alignment on the wheels where the car tends to move to left when letting go the hands on a straight rood. Need for alignment in the first free service.

- Comes with heater where heater is not applicable in Malaysia (tropical).

- Petrol consumption is high due to automatic transmission and heavy body.

- No reverse sensor (option) and without auto-cruise.

- It if freely to shift from gear P to any other gears without depressing break which is danger as the car may move backward as gear is engaging.

I like this car because of its stylish look from the back and is available with gold colour + fully imported. Also due to market competition my dealer managed to give me 3 round of negotiations + discounts up to total RM2,500.00!

Positive:

- Big boot --- my 3 years old son can lie down and play there! We do not need to stop the car to take items from the boot.

- Cheap! Only RM56,000.00 after discount from my dealer.

- Come with mild dark-glass even though is not a tinted glass.

- Come with original sport-rim and alarm.

- Sound proof (from outside and base).

- Kenwood stereo, but no CD, only cassette & radio.

- Lights are extremely bright.

- Due to it is a station wagon the person who sits at rear seat will not facing the afternoon sun shine to their heads.

Negative:

- Leg room at rear seat is narrow.

- Slow in pick-up.

- Door handlers (internal) are made from cheap plastic - easy to be scratched.

- Model in this country come without fog light.

- No gear lock with this option.

I have a 2004 Kia Rio. It has a standard transmission. All the extras are not included. It's a very basic passenger car. I can do 100 mph comfortably. Above 100 mph, I'll have to wear my crash helment. I have one problem with it, my alignment seems to get bad rather quickly. The first time was after 100 miles. The second time approximately 4000 miles and this time at 11000 miles. I have owned other cars this cheap, none of my former cars had to be aligned during the time I had them. Other than that, I am quite happy with my Kia Rio. The service at the dealership has been very pleasant.