KIA SORENTO???

[Murks]

Gday people,
I am contemplating getting the KIA SORENTO for my next company car.....has anyone have one or does anyone have any comments. :-/
I know its not the big brother type of land cruiser , patrol etc etc but all I want it for is too tow the boat, use some of the ramps my XR cant even look at and maybe go to Frazer and Moreton etc...not the fair-dinkum off road duties that the bigger units would be best for...
For a package with all the trimmings the 2007 model is going to be around the $38K drive away and has a towing capacity of 2300kg, has seperate controlled 4wd and it fits into my category so I rekon its worth looking at ;)
any comments would be appreciated ;)
Brett

[Blackened]

G'day Murks
Go for it. For your intended purposes there's nothing wrong with this medium sized 4x4. One of my clients has had one for the past 2 years and she's in love with it. the kia will have no worries towing the ensuite. It has low range aswell so if the ramp is a little dodgy, it should get off of it with ease
Dave

[JEWIENEWIE]

Geez boys, i dunno. My sister inlaw has one has about 120 000 on the clock but drives and looks like a it has done about 500 00. Alot of little problems such as door locks, central locking, squeks and rattles alot and she dosent even take it off road. I personally have never driven it so cant make an exact evaluation on them but i feel if you are going to spend that sort of money, i would look for something with less bells and whistles and more quality. Just my two cents worth. You would get a nice hilux, cruiser, patrol, for that sort of money even though it may be secondhand, it would have low ks and a much better quality of vehicle.
Jewie

[Fishin_Dan]

I think this is the same car that Carleton (Sunny) has... If it is, then I'd be wary of what boat you are going to tow with it. He stores his boat at the dry docks at Scarborough, and only has to tow it from the little yard to the water (About 200m). When you launch the boat, you have to really make sure the handbrake is on, and a few times we've had it slipping when launching...

The clearance is not really that mich higher than a car, so you would have a few issues on the sand if you follow anyone elses tracks. However, you would be light, so you wouldn't sink in as much while making your own tracks ;)

IMO, you would be better off looking at something like the Nissan Navara, or along those lines. Just my opinion though.



All this is of course based upon my presumption it is the same as Carleton's car.

[gunna]

Why not have a look at the Terracan ?? They are a fair dinkum 4x4 and not far off that price. Even better - go for a Cherokee sport. I had one for years and we did heaps of desert work, including the Simpson plus Fraser etc etc.

[RCG008]

Gotta agree with Fishing Dan....

I work in a Kia dealership (I know it was my choice and I can leave when I want >:() And they dont seem to have any major problems like the early carnivals etc. Lucky for me Im the VW mechanic ;D

Anyways I reckon in most cases you get what you pay for. Clearance wouldnt be that good for Fraser or many soft sand beaches. But than again I've seen lower cars on the same beaches. JMO

[Murks]

cheers fellas, all food for thought ;)

[somervillebm]

Hi Murks...

I recently sold my wife's Kia Sorento..
Nice Looking Car
3.5 V6 Fuel 12L/100K Good Power Low Down power band
Road Noise can be a problem
4wd Ability - Sand Ok Although plowed a bit due to lack of clearence, never bogged on Straddie, Noosa North or Rainbow
Off Road Do a favour and replace the factory shockies asap
Gear Box - it takes a long time to change up a gear 1st-2nd-3rd but there is a new gearbox in the New Model
Towing - I towed a Larger Camper Trailer 600 Empty 900 Full Never a problems.
$ Value for Money - very good, good cabin space and boot.

Problems - Warranty Jobs
Replaced the Radio 7 Times
Rear Main Seal @ 10 K
Brakes - Recall
ASK - HOW LONG WILL KIA BE IN AUSTRALIA ??? ( I have heard that Kia will pull out of AUS and an agent in place)

[co-co]

I agree with "gunna" , Luv my Terracan.

but

Did see an add in The Sunday Mail today, brand new Mitsubishi Pajero VRX slashed from 49,990 now 39,990 plus on roads.

There comfortable 4x4 that might suit your needs, 10 year warranty to.

but "If anyone Can Terracan" ;D ;D

[gunna]

Watacatch - is that Paj petrol ?? There supposed to be fairly thirsty. I was looking at a turbo diesel Terracan brand new on the road for $38K the other week. Came very close to buying - just couldn't quite get the trade I wanted. But the thing was pretty good to drive.

[Murks]

sent ya a pm somer

[co-co]

Yeah they are gunna, interior is quite nice though if Murks is using it as a second office.

[Eagle]

I have a Kia Sportage. It has been a fabulous 4x4 until a scumbag lout rear ended it. The insurance fixed it up, $7500, and all was well. But, The rear axle was bent slightly in the impact and its taken over 4 months to get the correct axle from Kia in Korea. It wont be here until end of October so the Insurance are now fixing the original axle for me in Brisbane. I only hope the re-straightened axle will still be metalurgicaly ok. Kia have a name for being unable to supply parts from Korea. The scumbag was driving a T/L.Cruiser ute that was written off after hitting the Sportage. The Sportie is great for towing our 4.75 tinnie and I always use 4x4 drive low range, to tow the boat up the ramps. It's a top vehicle but I think I will change to something else when I pass it on. The service from Kia in Korea stinks!
Eagle

[Murks]

thanks heaps guys..have read with interest

[lippa]

they are a lot of car for the money, extras and the like. but as with anything korean, they don't really last, and as already stated, back up for 'em is a bitch!!! if your budget alows stick with a jap made car, youll be happier in the long run. and not to mention resale value!

cheers

lippa

[jasbaz]

Hi Murks
i have a 05 Kia Sorrento, brought for the same reasons cost over your Cruisers and Patrols, i traded up from a 93 Pajero and have found it to be a real reliable vehicle it has the same running gear as the Terracan as these pieces come from same factory, great fuel economy will get thirsty if pushed stop start, did find it a bit up and down ( and thirsty)with the auto when we went on a family trip to stockton beach near newcastle NSW and mine has tyres that need replacing stock everything and still had no probs in the sand, it is heavy for the size over 2ton, but i would recommend if you will do any 4x4 to go for the manual as it is a true 4x4 with high and low(as is auto), but to get fair dinkum into 4x4 you need to change suspension and tyres, but for a car that you just want to tow a boat, drive to work get the shopping, i would recommend it to any one even if it did clag out after a few years the money you save from a Cruiser or Patrol with same comforts, you could by a second Kia.
Hope i havn't confused you too much,
and i brought mine second hand and has 44k's on it.
I would buy another but in manual next time.
Cheers Good luck, Jas

[Murks]

Thanks heaps Jas, my mind is fairly well made up, all I really need to do now is wait the appointment of my new offsider and then pick a colour ;)
Looking forward to it ..will advise when I get it and what I think about it...really helpful posts from all...very much appreciated...
Brett

[Pitsta]

Hey brett check this out .... A reveiw of the sorento. I hope they've improved..!!

www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,6331952-13232,00.html -