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[sad_rocc]

Need a VIN # ran for a 99 Kia Sportage. Yes, a Kia. It's for my gf, she used to have one and has always loved it. Test drove it, seemed pretty good. Serpentine belt seems to have a lot of play but looked in good shape. Good thing, that'll be a real bitch to do.

Vin # is KNDJA7239X5590 343

My opinion in general tho? What cheap pieces of crap. The engine is totally gutless. The plastic and interior is so cheap. All the plastic squeaked and made noise and it didn't seem like it was because it was loose. Still, it'll get the job done for her. 71k mi, real minor issues, may need 2 new tires, excellent body and very good interior. Asking $3550, hoping to get it for $2900 but willing to go to $3200.

[Jesus]

Yeah 99's aren't exactly their best models.  They were basically junk

[fotograf]

I tried running it but the VIN is wrong.

I have 9 more VINs I can run on carfax if anyone needs one done.

[Southcross]

I have 9 more VINs I can run on carfax if anyone needs one done.

I'll remember that.. I'm looking for a tow vehicle

[sad_rocc]

Yeah 99's aren't exactly their best models.  They were basically junk

How are they mechanically? I know parts in general are very expensive but this seems in good shape. Auto tranny btw.

I'll check the vin. Seller read it off in the dark so must have missed something.

[Scott]

wait a minute... YOU have a girlfriend???

[sad_rocc]

Haha, yes for about 2yr now.

[Barry]

Why I am not surprised Pat was the first one to chime in on this post?


 

[Smokestack]

Yeah 99's aren't exactly their best models.  They were basically junk

You have the local Kia enthusiast calling this junk. It's like asking a Ford nut if a pinto is a safe, reliable car...

IMHO, if you buy a Kia, Hyundai or any other "cheap" car, buy it new(er). Longevity wasn't exactly on the maker's mind when it was built, and the money you'd spend fixing it would more than pay for the payment and insurance of a new one.

[Jesus]

I'm not a Kia enthusiast.... anyway just do a search on that particular model.  I don't think anyone that bought them was really happy in the end

[Scott]

You need to be at least 3 years newer to get what you might call a "good" sportage... of course good is a very relative term.

[Smokestack]

I'm not a Kia enthusiast....

De Nile is not just a river in Egypt...

[Southcross]

I tried running it but the VIN is wrong.

I have 9 more VINs I can run on carfax if anyone needs one done.

Could you please run this VIN? 

2B7KB31Z4RK562 657

[sad_rocc]

Found a website with a zillion reviews. It almost literally alternates between 1 person saying they love it and the next person saying they hate it. I'm guessing that means 50/50 build quality, ie., some good off the line, some bad.

It's looking like we can get it for no lower than $3200. A fair price in this market for a vehicle with no real body rust, no real issues and under 100k miles. Believe me, I wouldn't even consider it if it was a car for me, and I'm in the market for a smaller SUV or a wagon. But, my gf is one of those people that sees a car as a method of transportation from A to B. I'd be surprised if she drove more than 15k miles a year. I think if I look at it from that point of view, it seems pretty good except for knowing that repairs will be very expensive. It is really hard to advise her one way or another on this tho. Basically, "It's good for you, it'd suck for me and I have no idea what the future would bring with it."

She has no real credit and I have most likely a negative credit score so our budget is $3-3.5k.

[Smokestack]

3-3.5k is a large enough down for most dealerships to do a loan for someone with no credit. As long as she doesn't have too many bills and a job she should be able to get a loan for at least a certified used.

Being in that price range for an outright buy, be prepaired to set aside money each month for any repairs that'll creep up. You can always get one 2 years older and hang onto the 1-1.5k you save for repairs.

[sad_rocc]

Well, we don't actually have any real money. The $3.5k would come from a family loan. I tried to get her to consider a '98 with some minor repairs needed for $1900 but no go. http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1995-to-2002-kia-sportage.htm That report is quite disheartening. Basically says what I said; gutless engine, poorly made interior, expensive repairs, dice roll when it comes to reliability. It listed the "good" price as about what we're in the ballpark of however.

She's currently driving a 98 Chevy Cavalier with about 125k on it. No rust, well maintained and no real mechanical issues currently. Starting to get just a touch cranky in the cold. The idea was she would buy the kia and give that car to me. I need a car because the fastback's reman generator has taken a shit, again, and the warranty process was a bitch the 1st time around so I don't have time to dick around with it again. Plus, it has no real heat and needs an inner tie rod end, which is an expensive, NLA part. Unless I get her car, I'm looking in the ~$750 or under $1k with some payment option range. Not a promising place to be. I know I'll pretty much be trading 1 money pit for another in that scenario, which means the money pit that I love (the fasty) won't get fixed up because the other car will be sucking down all my money.

If she doesn't get the kia this weekend, then I have to get a beater this weekend. So while watching and waiting wouldn't be a bad idea for her, it kinda sux for me. I've been trying to be as impartial as possible when giving my advice to her, but I think it's still factoring a little into her decision. Pretty much at this point, if they take the $3.2, which they should, then we'll get it and if not, then we won't.

[sad_rocc]

Got another VIN, sent this thread to my gf and I think she's looking at newer kias now.

KNDJA723725171 531

[sad_rocc]

I figured I'd post an update, not that anyone cares or there's a real need to, but just in case someone is considering buying a sportage. Don't. The person I would recommend one to is the parent of a daughter who's an airhead, about to get her 1st car and who's parents are paying for it. It's fairly safe, you sit up high for good visability, it's slow, it can be 4wd, gets decent mpg and when it takes a shit and dies nobody will care too much.

We have some cobblestone roads here and whenever we go over them, it sounds like a torrential rainpour on a tin roof. The plastic makes so much noise! When you get in, when you get out, over every highway seam... My gf doesn't seem to mind but it would drive me insane. Part of this may be due to it being 10yr old, but when looking at the plastics you can clearly see they never fit well together to begin with.

The engine is just pathetic. It sounds and drives like a wheezy old man. I actually feel bad for it. I've owned and driven a lot of cars and have never heard an engine sound this gutless. It reminds me of a model of an IC engine. Stuff turns, it makes noise, sparks fly and fuel ignites but it's not a real internal combustion engine, just a model of one.

The interior layout is pretty bad. The stereo buttons are bad and the armrest button hits the seatbelt clasp so it's always open. Not that it's million, hard to access, tiny compartments are good for anything. The cigg lighter is hidden and requires quite a bit of a reach. It will also end up on the pass. floor when it pops out if you're not ready to catch it. There are also a few random buttons. 1 says EC-AT and when you push it, a PWR light comes on. That seems to be the extent of it. There's also a button on the shifter which I think will hold the car in gear. It's not OD and the manual doesn't say and the label isn't real clear.

Overall, the car is a very basic means of transportation and was made to be disposable. My greatest fear is that the Chevy that got handed down to me will outlast the Kia by a lot. I can't confidently say I don't expect problems with the car within a year even tho it currently has zero issues.

[Smokestack]

  Good review. It's amazing what crap people will put up with because they like a brand... Nothing like us VW owners. 

[{OF}Erad]

I There are also a few random buttons. 1 says EC-AT and when you push it, a PWR light comes on. That seems to be the extent of it.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/1999_kia_sportage_ec-at_button

[SwiftMKIII]

I There are also a few random buttons. 1 says EC-AT and when you push it, a PWR light comes on. That seems to be the extent of it.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/1999_kia_sportage_ec-at_button

Oohhhh, bow to the power of the interwebz

[kutark]

Why not pick up a used honda civic or something.  Honestly you're way better off getting an older honda or toyota than picking up a newer kia.

You're just asking for troubl buying a late 90's kia.

[sad_rocc]

I There are also a few random buttons. 1 says EC-AT and when you push it, a PWR light comes on. That seems to be the extent of it.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/1999_kia_sportage_ec-at_button

Ah I see, how bout that.

And because she wanted a Kia Sportage. She had one a long time ago and really loved it and so this was her chance to get another. Plus used car prices are not reasonable around here at all. Also older cars = more rust.

[Jesus]

You're just asking for troubl buying a late 90's kia.

You're right.  On the other hand.  I've got an '06 and '07 Kia in the stable and both have been rock solid reliable.  Like it or not once Kia teamed up with Hyundai their quality/reliability really went up quite a bit.
Both of my Kia's have been put through the wringer and back and they've yet to skip a beat.  Hate all you want but they are simply cheap economical transportation units for me at this point in my life.

[kutark]

You're just asking for troubl buying a late 90's kia.

You're right.  On the other hand.  I've got an '06 and '07 Kia in the stable and both have been rock solid reliable.  Like it or not once Kia teamed up with Hyundai their quality/reliability really went up quite a bit.
Both of my Kia's have been put through the wringer and back and they've yet to skip a beat.  Hate all you want but they are simply cheap economical transportation units for me at this point in my life.

I'll agree with that statement 100%, moreso for hyundai, but yes, about 2004 ish + kia and hyundai are good cars, as well built if not better than most american cars.

My original point was the mid to late 90's were when they made their name of being utter trash, buying a used one would be like asking someone to kick you in the crotch, and telling them you'd pay them $200 to do it.