I love my KIA Sportage

FYI:
I have a 2000 Sportage and I think it is one of the most practical all around city vehicles because of size and the almost indestructable suspension. There are a couple of quirks with the front end; however, once understood they are easily manageable. I am sure KIA is aware of this, but the alloy wheels will corrode at the front hub due to dissimilar metals and make it very difficult to remove the wheel. Under no circumstances try to bang off the wheel, the side load force will trash the bearings. Loosen the wheel lugs and lower the vehicle so the weight is on the wheel; if this doesn't do it, roll the vehicle back and forth. The front bearings do need to be tweeked every now and then, this is a feel by hand process and by all means do not over torque the bearings. The other infamous quirk is the vacuum front locking hub; for want of a better $13 vacuum switch, just deactivate the system and install Warn manual hubs. :)

and the fact that the rear of the valve cover gasket right where the plug wells are , will most likley fail between 70,000miles and 140,000 miles. normal for4 a car with this milage to have a valvecover fail, but always in the same spot?