Sportage maintenance question

I just recently purchased a 2001 Sportage. So far I love it! I have previously owned 3 Chevy and Geo Trackers so I only have that to compare it to. When I got the Sportage it already had 100,000 miles on it. So far I am pleased. It seems to be a much more comfortable ride that my wife's 2001 4 door Chevy Tracker. On bumpy terrain it rides more like a car which I like. I recently had new front brake pads installed (semi-metallic) I think maybe I should have opted for the ceramic pads. I was told that they don't squeak as badly. I also needed new tires so I found some Sigma tires that are made by Cooper (I think) They ended up costing only $130.00 for all 4 tires and they seem to be a good quiet yet resposive tire. If anyone is interested, I got them at NTB and most NTB stores carry that brand. Their good tires if you aren't planning on going off road too much. The only negatives so far are.. The door lock/alarm system needs to be replaced because if you turn the key the wrong way when unlocking the door, it sets off the alarm. The center arm rest console is broken but I have located one from a salvage yard. Also, their is an annoying noise that comes from underneath the vehicle. It sounds like a loud vibrating metallic sound. I have been told that this may be common in Sportages and it is caused from the heat shield. Does anyone know if this is common or what can be done to stop the noise? Lastly I want to thank all of the knowledgeable posters here. You guys have really given some great info and I hope that I can give some in return! One last thing... Despite all the problems I read about here , are there any of you who have a relatively trouble free ownership?

At 100kmiles, I suppose the timing belt has been changed already..otherwise it is due for replacement, but failure will not damage anything..except your wallet is you are stranded in the middle of nowhere.
ONly real problem I had with mine was the vacuum hubs. They are replaced now with Warn automechanical and this is great. The vacuum hubs WILL fail some time down the line (it is not a matter of IF, just WHEN) but replacemnt is not a problem but not with vacuum type.
Rattle under the car is a "normal problem" and it will just go away if you wait long enough: the heat shield will end up trailing behind in the middle of the road. Or you can strap it, or remove it yourself if you live in moderate to cold climate. I live without now.
ALso the alarm : another "common" problem: the alarm will blast..if I unlock from the passenger side after having activated the alarm by locking the door with the key from the driver side, so either I lock with the inside button (alarm is not activated then)..or I unlock from driver side. I live with it.

I just recently purchased a 2001 Sportage. So far I love it! I have previously owned 3 Chevy and Geo Trackers so I only have that to compare it to. When I got the Sportage it already had 100,000 miles on it. So far I am pleased. It seems to be a much more comfortable ride that my wife's 2001 4 door Chevy Tracker. On bumpy terrain it rides more like a car which I like. I recently had new front brake pads installed (semi-metallic) I think maybe I should have opted for the ceramic pads. I was told that they don't squeak as badly. I also needed new tires so I found some Sigma tires that are made by Cooper (I think) They ended up costing only $130.00 for all 4 tires and they seem to be a good quiet yet resposive tire. If anyone is interested, I got them at NTB and most NTB stores carry that brand. Their good tires if you aren't planning on going off road too much. The only negatives so far are.. The door lock/alarm system needs to be replaced because if you turn the key the wrong way when unlocking the door, it sets off the alarm. The center arm rest console is broken but I have located one from a salvage yard. Also, their is an annoying noise that comes from underneath the vehicle. It sounds like a loud vibrating metallic sound. I have been told that this may be common in Sportages and it is caused from the heat shield. Does anyone know if this is common or what can be done to stop the noise? Lastly I want to thank all of the knowledgeable posters here. You guys have really given some great info and I hope that I can give some in return! One last thing... Despite all the problems I read about here , are there any of you who have a relatively trouble free ownership?

Like LMP said the shield on the exhaust rattles when it is rusted thru. It will eventually fall off. I remove them all the time at the dealer for no charge. Some may charge though.

The alarm problem is most likely caused by a switch on the drivers door lock inside. It is prone to failure.