I just got a New Year's surprise! A $1200 bill to fix my engine (NOT replace it) after my timing belt broke. My car is a 2005 Rio, at just over 67K miles; so, the recommendation to replace the timing belt at 60K is no joke. Do it.
However, given how quickly mine crapped out, I would seriously recommend Kia roll back the clock on the timing belt change-out. Maybe at 40K or 50K miles? Just so we're not cutting it so close? Or maybe there's a way to fix the design, so that this isn't such an issue in the first place? Just sayin'...Go back to the drawing board, Kia.
Chicago, IL