I would love to buy a new car, but don't have a lot of money. I like the Kia Spectra. I've always had Toyotas & love their reliability. Now that Kia has been in business in the states for some time, what do you all think about them? Do they require a lot of repair or maintence? Can you drive them forever like a Toyota or Honda?
Thanks in advance!
2007-03-28 06:25:41 · 9 answers · asked by MistyR 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Other - Car Makes
When I say "new" I mean new to me. I understand that Kia doesn't have a strong resale value, therefore would be an ideal car to buy used.
2007-03-28 08:54:50 · update #1
Kia has become somewhat of a secondary brand to the parent corporation after it was purchased by Hyundai. Even though Hyundai has made enormous strides in the past decade when it comes to quality and overall value, Kia has yet to build a reputation for quality like big brother Hyundai has. The company however has invested enormous amounts of dollars into new facilities and new marketing as well as partnered with Hyundai designers in an attempt to revamp their brand image. Hyundai and Kia cars also boast a very generous warranty (up to 10yrs-100,000 miles).
However, there is no question when it comes to customer satisfaction, that Toyota/Lexus is way ahead of the curve when it comes to safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction. That said, even though on average you're paying a premium for a Toyota in comparison to a Hyundai/Kia, you're also getting more bang for your buck.
Cars in general are a bad investment for your money, but in my humble opinion, your dollars would better be spent on a Toyota or Honda.
2007-03-28 06:40:26 · answer #1 · answered by p229 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The myth of Toyota reliability started in the 1970s and 80's when it was actually true. Nowadays just about all the (non-European) makes have stepped up and matched Toyota in quality. They had to, or they would lose their corporate fleet customers who really watch stuff like that.
But that myth-virus has been planted in your head, and that's enough. If your car breaks down, you'll never forgive yourself if it's not a Toyota. Buy a Toyota, end of story.
Man, I'd love to have sake with the guy who invented that one.
Anyway it's not Toyotas that drive forever. It's DIESELS. A new U.S. law made slow, stinky diesels illegal so the automakers are reinventing the diesel car. You'll see a dozen automakers come out with new ones in the next 12 months. Including, I believe, Toyota :) Diesels also let you run Biodiesel, which hedges you against the cost of fuel going up.
The fellow who's saying "new cars are a terrible investment" is absolutely right. They lose 30% of their value (that's $5000+) just driving them off the showroom floor. The auto dealer will try to hide these expenses with smoke and mirrors (tricky financing) but that just means you'll pay even more in the end. New cars are also the most expensive to insure and register.
If you don't have a lot of money, I'd strongly suggest that you consider a reliable used car. Ideally, buy directly from a friend where you *know* its history (and you can save thousands not buying it through a dealer.) Really. Buying a new car from a dealer is SO much more expensive than buying a used car privately, by $10,000 or more. Why not do that? Fear of a big repair? Absolute worst case (blown engine) you're looking at $2000-3000 for a really bad repair.
So to me, a new car makes no sense to someone who doesn't have a lot of money. It's pure extravagence. If you're buying it because you think you're "worth it", you're right... you are. But then overspending, overextending and destroying your credit is also better than you deserve.
2007-03-28 15:14:44 · answer #2 · answered by Wolf Harper 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stay away from Kia. No they're not reliable.. The transmission, engine ans suspension love to die on these cars. They look good but the quality isn't anywhere close to a Honda or Toyota. I used to be a service adviser at a Kia dealer and these cars are not worth the hassle.
Don't buy a used Kia either!!
2007-03-28 13:53:02 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have an 01 Toyota Celica I bought brand new. My friend has an 03 Kia Optima she bought brand new. My Toyota has been in the shop for new tires and oil changes and air filters...which are regular maintenance items. My friend's Kia has been in the shop 3 times for engine problems alone! She has had her Kia in at least twice for automatic window problems and now has a problem with her driver's door. It will not open from the inside or from the outside.
Toyota's are built to last. Everyone in my family has at least one Toyota. My former brother-in-law had a Toyota Tercel he bought brand new and he put over 300,000 miles on it before someone side swiped it and totaled it. He only had oil and air filter changes and tires.
Go with Toyota! Save yourself the headache.
2007-03-28 13:39:03 · answer #4 · answered by Loves the Ponies 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We leased a Kia Sedona last August and have had nothing but problems with it ever since. The car is a piece of crap, the dealership and its employees are rude, and they aren't even able to fix all of the problems we're having with it. Spend the extra money on any other make of car. Stay away from Kia.
2007-03-28 16:51:12 · answer #5 · answered by nina-h 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are both Rice burners.
The price means nothing, what really counts is the availability of parts and the fact if you break down on a highway with a KIA or that other junk you most likely wont find any parts to fix it. Go with GM,Ford , Chrysler, they cost less to repair and at least if you break down anyplace in North America it will be repaired in a few hours., Get back to America the money people spend on that geek junk goes back to Korea or Japan not America. most of the jobs and plants are closing because the so called rice burners have a better line of BS. and are getting away with it. think American buy the cars your Neighbours build.
2007-03-28 13:37:05 · answer #6 · answered by t-bone 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Not too well. Toyota is way above anything except Honda even though Honda has lowered its quality over the last few years.
2007-03-28 13:30:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We believe in our vehicle so much that we offer a 100k-mile/10-year warranty. Not only are they reliable, but also stylish and affordable.
Raul T.
Kia Social Team
2014-06-12 15:00:52 · answer #8 · answered by Kia Motors America 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to edmunds.com and you can read the reviews and compare different cars.even though hyundai owns kia i would look at the hyundai they have a great warranty and they have really good reviews
2007-03-28 15:55:43 · answer #9 · answered by bigsportsnut2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋