Kia Rio sucks!!!

[LancerZero]

I was considering a Rio, but couldn't afford a new one and couldn't find a used one. Guess the warranty convinces people to keep the things. Anyway, were it not for the crappy safety rating (yeah, I know there's no such thing as a subcompact with a good safety rating) I might've gone for one and bit the cost. Instead, I got the beast in my sig for $5900, before tax and financing charges. 2001 and 54541 miles on it, with a scrape on one side. No warranty. Damn, but I wish I had a warranty . . . after $550 to replace the lower intake manifold (practically a given on any Chevy with a 3.1L V6) and nearly as much for brake work. Thing warps disc brakes like they're going out of style or something . . . but I still like it. The anti-lock brakes have saved my life more than once by keeping me from sliding across ice, or from veering into an occupied lane during a panic stop, etc . . . and the V6 is nice in the mountains Good highway cruiser, at least, with plenty of space. Yes, I'm still trying to justify buying it in the first place.

[crazyfroboy123]

i have a newer 2004 kia rio i bought in december. i'm looking to get some better off the line power in a cool air intake system. what do you think will it help or will it just give minimial extra to my horsepower. if you know anyway to add some extra power off the line to a standard kia rio email me the advice at [email protected] thanks

[AkinaSpeedStar]

Originally Posted by crazyfroboy123

i have a newer 2004 kia rio i bought in december. i'm looking to get some better off the line power in a cool air intake system. what do you think will it help or will it just give minimial extra to my horsepower. if you know anyway to add some extra power off the line to a standard kia rio email me the advice at [email protected] thanks

go to http://www.kfxperformance.com/estore...alog/index.php

[DEC1981]

I bought a new 01 Rio in Oct/2000. Bright Red/Black interior, 5pd. ac/ cd player. I thought it was actually quite nice compared to the 94 Ford Tempo that I had traded.

One problem though. The rear suspension kept bottoming out on the rubber stoppers over bumps/dips in the road. I weight about 180 lbs. and usually drive w/o passengers. I was able to push down on the trunk and make the suspension reach the bottom of its travel w/o my feet leaving the ground. I put 4 average size people in it while I observed the rubber stoppers resting fully on the rear axle. The dealer replaced the springs, then the struts and finally told me this is normal.

Fortunately a lemon-law attorney got Kia to buy the car back with only 8k miles on it. I swapped it for an 01 Spectra GSX 5speed. Great little car, but I kept it for only 20k miles. I would have kept the Rio but for the *&*^$& suspension.

[Bombardier888]

I have bought a 2004 5 speed sedan Rio and it has done 29000 kms in 5 months. Not a trouble in the world. It goes like shit off a shiny shovel and the seating position is low down and great so it feels sporty to drive. Instead of whinging get in one and give it a go.

[chieftoadlena]

Warranty is a joke. Absolutely no power. Kia service is the worst in the automotive industry. Clowns couldn't even fix things brought in 2-3 times. Timing belt broke before 60K (when it should be changed.) A couple of months after that starter would not disengage, I said screw it and bought my wife a nice new Neon instead. Dealt with a real dealership and got a real car. Never in my life will I buy another Kia for my wife or kids either. They don't value the customers at all.

[Wild1]

Warranty is 10 years or 100,000 miles. That is one of the best in the industry compared only to several others who decided to catch on.

A timing belt is normal maintenance and not covered under Warranty. It is premature to break before 60K. The average for that engine is 70K-ish. Severe Maintenance (which is everybody) is a 60K service for a Timing Belt.

Dealers are fighting for CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index). If you've ever played fantasy football, dealers are no different than football teams. They draft/hire those with great scores. If your local dealer is competitive then they are probably treating their technicians well. If your local dealer is horrible then you may want to look for another dealer. Unfortunately, there isn't any way to determine levels of CSI outside of the manufacturer (any of them). There are a few things you can notice: 1) technician training certificates on the walls (if not then move on), 2) a brightly lit service area or are they working by torchlight, 3) lots of business if so, then others are bringing their cars there because they are doing something right (something like noticing truckers outside a roadside restaurant... the food is good).

[nick bamberger]

I also dislike Kia, but it seems to me like yours has been mistreated pretty bad.

[MeettheCreeper]

I have noted that most of the folks complaining about Kia either never owned one or did not maintain the vehicle properly in the first place.

I will put Kia up against any manufactuer out there. You are not buying a Caddy here folks. We have 4 carlines at our dealer, and Kia is the best of those. I laugh when I see people paying 2500 bucks to get their euro import repaired after 24000 miles and people come in with Kias and have nothing to worry about until 60k.

If you dont take care of it, it breaks.

As for quality techs in the field, thats another issue. Fact is the industry doesnt pay us enough compared to other blue collar jobs versus our overhead. I have over 50k invested in tools over the last 20 years. And we are forced into flat rate time which you have to be beat or lose your ass, some of us can do this and do our jobs well. Most of the guys out there cant.

[ad4c2006]

Well it look like some guys here has personal issues againts Kia,I bought a 5 speed sedan Kia Rio 2004 with only 14K miles and now after 42K miles I have had no problems at all,I has done the first 30K maintenance at the dealer($300),car drives smoth and fast as the first day I took it from the local Kia dealer,mpg is 32 in the city,35 at the road,recentrly made a trip from southeast Fl to Dallas,Tx,22 hours trip and It behaved like a champ,didn't give me any problem,just fill the tank and kept going,not even a drop of extra oil used and my speed averaged 85 to 90 mph.Of course that every 3K miles I replaced oil and filter and I do care my car,but unlike others I respect Kia after having this car for more than one year now no matter what others might say.My dad has one automatic Kia Rio 2001 and his had only problem with the computer that was replaced by the dealer at no cost,other than that after his 40K miles car behave as new as well.I think Kia is still making good and afordable cars.

[Bostich]

I dare you make fun of the Rio. I have so much fun driving it around and kicking the RPM to call girls that are walking down the street instead of honking. Thanks for Rio my life is much better and finally got a girlfriend. Thanks Kia for a car that changes life

[mwrobe1]

Originally Posted by Bostich

I dare you make fun of the Rio. I have so much fun driving it around and kicking the RPM to call girls that are walking down the street instead of honking. Thanks for Rio my life is much better and finally got a girlfriend. Thanks Kia for a car that changes life

Wow...seing that I'm a happily married man...I suppose I'd better watch out when I'm behind the wheel of my Rio now. I hope my wife doesn't read this thread!

[queen b]

i have a kia rio 2000 that i bought second hand in 2003 best car ive owned its got alot more power then i would have thought the hills around here are steep and it goes really good even better then my mothers v6 ford i know there are alot of duds but i cant fault my lil beast drives like a dream a car i would never buy is aHyundai exel talk about crap i test drove 3 of them and didnt feel right. no offence to hyundai but there not a good car. all brands have there duds.

[lunasea808]

Originally Posted by Sheehan

Man, I've never had or drove a Kia and even I know they suck! Almost evry Kia is at the bottom of its class! I would NEVER buy a Kia. Now Hyundais, that's another story. I WOULD buy a Hyundai. The new Tiburon is sweet!

So how do you know if you never own one to know it's bottom of it's class. I have one (a 06) and have no complants on the car. Gets me from a to b and great on gas. And you know what I was the same way at one point. My point is and I quote you :Man, I've never had or drove a Kia and even I know they suck! So how do you know if you don't own one.

[BLU CIVIC]

this thread still around