-Decent Acceleration
-Handles resonably well
-Ride quality acceptable

-Frequent repairs

Paid about $9000. I have owned this vehicle for almost three years.

I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Even someone I hated...

It has been in the shop more times than I care to enumerate. A "sample" of the problems:
-Check Engine Light comes on (many, many times)
-Door side moldings fall off (many, many times)
-Dash Warped
-Main engine harness burnt up. To Kia's credit they did pay for the repair despite the fact that it is 9,000 miles out of warranty. Sportages are being recalled for a "similar" problem. Mine just died suddenly and smoke started pouring out from under the dash. This could have been serious if I'd been up on the Interstate.
-Brake rotors warped
-Emissions hose defect recall
-Emissions valve failure
-Seatbelt on passenger side (front) won't stay latched
-Need I continue?

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1989 Mercury Tracer: vastly superior to Sephia

The Sephia was cheap and very fuel economical. The looks were appealing, and the handling was decent.

When I first bought it, the car stopped on the middle of the highway. Turns out, the engine was completely put togather wrong. They gave us a new one right away but the parts are braking off constantly.

I sold it but I guess I would recommend it.

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Toyota Corolla

Great price,looks are very sporty,great warranty,a lot of room in front as well as back seat,nice seats

Some cheap pieces inside of car i.e. car lighter, cup holder

Very satisfied will overall car quality as well as proformance. Could have came with a little bit better quality tires,but for the price you can afford to get better ones.
Very good as a starter car for teens.Would recommend this car to others looking for a good running well rounded car that is worth every penny.If you are looking for a good inexpensive car this is it.

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Honda Civic,Ford Escort,Saturn

It runs good and handles good. It does not shimmy or shake when you get over 60MPH - it drives really good.

The starting problem is really scary and also the brakes going out so soon after I bought it and the big thing is the trade-in value!

I have had continuing problems with my 1998 Sephia. The latest one for the last year only happens in hot weather. The car will not start (when you turn the key - nothing, not a click or anything). You have to let it set and cool off before it will start. It scares me to drive it in hot weather - not knowing whether it will start or not. The only other problem I have had is the brakes - I have had them replaced once when I first got the car and adjusted another time. Also the trade-in value is terrible! We are trying to trade at a KIA dealership (the same one I bought the car at) and they don't want to give me anything for the car. There is nothing wrong with the car - it looks great! I would buy another Sephia if I could be sure the same problems would not happen, but with the terrible trade-in it doesn't look like I can afford to trade it. Has anyone else had the starting problem?

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Dodge Neon - I didn't have these problems with this car. We traded it because it had alot of miles and no more warranty.

Looks, Cheap Price

Where to start! Brake rotors warp every 1-2000 miles causing pads to brake. Automatic Transmission constantly searching for a gear. Door seals tend to fall off. No horsepower, don't try any risky passes. Gas milage is not near as good as advertised, average about 300 miles a tank in town. Many little flaws such as A/C cutting out, headlights fill up with water, etc

I was lucky, KIA bought my Sephia back. In the 9 short months I owned it, it was in the shop at least twice a month, 18 times total. It is a good looking car, very similar to a Toyota Corrola, but no where close in performance.My main problem was with the brakes. I found out that the company that supplied KIA with thier rotors went bankrupt, and believe me I know why. They are made too thin, which causes them to warp fast. The dealership and factory were good about trying to fix it, but you can only try so many times. If you want a good looking cheap car, the Sephia is for you, but good luck getting fixed after your short 3/36 warranty runs out!

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1991 Ford Escort GT, 2000 Honda Civic EX

It has plenty of power and was fairly inexpensive.

Very difficult to find parts for it as common as oil and air filters. Loses value very quickly. The fuel guage has never worked properly. The air conditioner went out after one year.

I won't buy another one simply because I like to work on my cars and with this car I can't even find a service manual for it.

audio system-after fixed probs
reasonable power for what you are getting

may problems that the kia dealer did not even know how to identify

one side of the cars electrical system went down
the engine was missing a bolt
the radio still is not fixed...its the third one
rotors needed to be fixed right away
ect..
and the dealer would not believe the problems were wrong

Great handling, good pep, quiet smooth ride, a real bargain.

Lack of rear seat room, trunk limited.

For the features, quality of fit and finish, warranty, and price, purely untouchable.

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Toyota corolla, civic, altima.

ONLY THAT i STILL OWN IT......

EVERYTHING

THOSE PEOPLE WHO CLAIMED THAT WE ARE ALL DISGRUNTLED FOR NO REASON HAVE NOT OWNED THE KIA LONG ENOUGH - i AM NOT A SALES PERSON AND i OWN A KIA THAT HAS BEEN THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE!! hATE THE CAR - WISH I COULD SUE KIA AND WILL NEVER EVER EVER - SEE A FRIEND OR FOE BUY A KIA WITHOUT PUTTING MY 2 CENTS IN!!!

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None

This is the second KIA I have owned and I have found them to be extremely reliable and economical to own and operate. They handle well, look good, and perform adequately.

The one I bought new in '95 never had any problems of any kind from the day I bought it until I traded it with 30,000 miles on my '97. The '97 did have some problems with the brakes when it was new, but they were fixed by the dealer at no cost to me.

My '97 KIA Sephia now has 60,000 miles on it and I have yet to replace so much as a lightbulb. I have maintained it with regular oil changes at 3,000 miles with quality oil, and tune-ups at 25,000 mile intervals. I have replaced the antifreeze every 25,000 miles as well, and replaced the tires at 46,000 miles. It gets great gas mileage and the handling is very nimble and sure. The interior is comfortable and durable, with no sagging or collapse of the seat padding after 60,000 miles as I have experienced with other vehicles. All around I would say it is a very well built car made to last. The trade-in values are low, so the only way to get the best value out of them is to hang onto them until they are worn out, which I wouldn't expect to happen until they are over the 200,000 mile mark.

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I have had several Toyotas, a Subaru, and a Buick Skylark in the last ten years. The KIA has compared favorably for the price with any of these.