Cute car, has run pretty well for me when it's not in the shop.

Brakes, like everyone else on this site, air conditioning, recalls, service says they have repaired it, but nothing works.

I got this car as an economical way to get to school and back and to transport my daughter to and from her other parent's house.
It now has 57,000 miles on it and the brakes and rotors have been replaced three times (and they're ready again), air conditioning went out last year, rear passenger door light won't work (fixed three separate times, never worked), windshield wipers quit a week after I bought it, then were recalled, now ignition switch has gone out. While these aren't the engine/transmission problems others are reporting, when you couple all of this with one of the worst safety records on the road (there is a worse car, isn't there???), it makes for a pretty bad car overall.

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Ford Festiva - Had it's first problem at 117 thousand miles

Great on gas.
Very roomy and stylish.
Surprising dual ovehead cam engine puts out power when you need it.
Reasonable price.

No overhead light near driver only in the center of compartment.
A/c sucks way too much gas (but don't all cars?!)

There is a lot of talk on this web site about the Sephia having weird noises or problems. Name me one car manufacturer that didn't have problems on the get go. Kia Sephia 2001 is a major revamp of the product since Huyndai took it over. The warranty is incredible (10 years or 100 000 KM ... who else gives you this?). Dollar for dollar I have found this car to be worth it. I have a wife and 2 kids and we all enjoy the car very much.

I think most of the problems I have read on this website have to do with disengaging the overdrive. If you disnegage the overdrive you lose mileage and performance so why do it? Also, this is only a 1.8 liter engine, don't drive it like its a Porsche.

When looking at the Kia line, keep an open mind. I have found out through other sites that there is a anti-Kia movement on the net because of Kia's amazing success. It is the 2nd fastest growing car company in America and Canada, and it is the 16th largest auto maker in the world. Kia has been around for a long time (try 40 years), they make all sorts of automobile products overseas and are very popular.

Be aware that some anti=Kia postings may be from jealous competitor salespeople.

Overall, I love my KIA Sephia 2001 because it is a well made car with extremely generous featues for a price I can actually afford.

Check out a magazine titled: "CarGuide" for a non-bias review of KIA cars. And be very aware of fake postings by people who don't like Kia but don't actually own one.

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My last car was a 89 Corsica that just sucked way too much gas. This car is surprisingly good at gas and still has the power my old car had.
As for it competitors, I shopped around and found this car had better features and was better priced for its class.

I know of none.

Price is too much for what the car is really worth. Sluggish acceleration. Engine is noisey. Car shakes when it reaches 60 mph. Car will not crank at all on somedays

This is the first and worst new car I've ever had in my entire life!! To begin with, the latch on the driver's side to open the trunk wouldn't work correctly. In less than 3 months of owning the car, the horn went out, and I had to get it replaced. Then the engine began to make funny noises, which resulted in the replacement of the transmission. There was an exhaust leak, and a new catylic converter had to be replaced. After 10 months of owning the car, the battery just died, and I had to get a jump start everytime I wanted to start the car. In addition to this, the car does not won't to crank on some days. Some days I have to try cranking the car twice before it finally starts, and other times it won't even start at all. Currently the jets used to wash the windshield are not working either. Whenever I go above 60 mph, the car begins the shake. I goes from 0 to 60 in about 3 min. I was trying to pass someone day, and almost had an accident because the car wouldn't accelerate faster. This is car is also safety risk. Everytime it rains, the brakes become extremely sensitive, so if I simply tap the brakes, it's as if I'm pressing them as hard as I can, and then I begin to slide. This is the worst car anyone could buy, and if anyone, after reading this review, still wants to buy a Kia Sephia, my message to you is, only time will tell. After a little while, you will see the Kia Sephia for the monstrosity it really is.

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Roomy,......Goes up hills well.

Feul Tank problem, got fixed
Starter problems, got fixed
Slow acceleration

Although this car isn't a speed machine it does make a cool engine sound when you floor it at the traffic light. Notice a big difference compare to the acceleration of a 5spd. transmission sephia. Could have come with better quality equipment. Reason I bought it, bought it off my sister to help with her college tuition, was that ever a mistake, could have gotten a VW, or a Mazda, or A Honda. Maybe it will do better once I do a custom job on the car, interior, engine, exterior, performance, etc,... Overall I wish I had something else, but I'm stuck with it for a couple of years. My advice, buying this car will only make people point and laugh at yo, except for senior, because it is slow as they are.

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Compare to a Civic, not much pep in a Sephia
Compare to a Protege, handling in sephia isn't a responsive and same not as much pep in a Sephia.
Compare to an Impreza, Even though the sephia supposedly has more HP the Imperze gives more push, even with AWD.

Looks good, inexpensive, very dependable so far.

Not much power. AC not very good and has a musty smell.

I've driven this car for 1 & 1/2 years now and had a few problems, but all have been taken care of for me without a problem. Don't know if I just have a great service department or what, but they fix my car quickly and I haven't paid for anything but oil changes. Would definately consider another.

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Price. Has a nice stereo.

Shift plate has gone out twice. Parts take forever to come in. Dash peeled off first year, dealer wanted $600 to replace, it is obviously a defect. Air conditioner broke twice first year. Moldings peel, sun visors break, trunk sticks, breaks squeek, no power. The engine sounds funny but dealer cannot identify the source.

Have to rent a car every time it goes to the dealer, they can keep it up to three weeks waiting for parts. Will not buy another one, warranty ends Oct. 2001, I'm sure the shift plate will go out again and cost a mint.

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Does not compare to my previous car, 1986 Nissan Pulsar.

-Warranty
-I would say price, but the car was built as cheap as the price- Hyundai can build an excellent car for a cheaper price (Elantra)

-Shaking
-Air Conditioning is horrible- there has been a burning type smell
-Gas mileage is way less than others have been saying (I get about 17 mpg in everyday city driving)
-Sound system blew out while I was listening to a traffic update on AM radio)
-Acceleration
-Engine noise
-Power everything- windows stopped working and locks didn't always go down)
-Brakes wear down very easily
-I assume the car isn't very safe after seeing what happened to it
-Overall build quality is very poor

I purchased this car as a commuting car; I commute to work about 10 miles there and 10 miles back every day. The problems started as I drove away from the dealership- As I pulled onto the highway, I hit the gas and the car began to shake violently. I figured it was because the engine wasn't broken in. On my way to work a few days later while listening to the radio, I heard a large crack- one of the rear speakers blew out and messed up the whole sound system. After bringing it in, the dealer told me it would be a few weaks before I got the radio. Since I purchased it about seven months ago, I have had to replace the breaks twice, the steering column once and the power windows fuse (it blew out). The car still shook after seven months of driving it. I also noticed that at about 55 mph, the driver window and door rattle as if they are going to pop out. Two days ago, my car was parked in the parking lot at my office. I returned to find my car completely smashed after another car hit it. All the windows were blown out, the bumper was smashed, and the whole engine compartment was crushed into the front seat of the car and the driver and passenger seats were both collapsed into the rear seat. I thought it was an extremely hard collision, but the security tape in the parking lot showed it to be about a 10 mph collision. I couldn't imagine what would have happened if I was in the car and in a head-on collision. I received an estimate for the damage today- $13,674.69- the car was totaled. I'll be car shopping on Monday In all, I say keep away from the Sephia like the plague.

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-1999 Acura RL
-1997 Infiniti I30
-1995 Honda Accord
-1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Initially handled well, price range good.

Scratches and dents easily, Performance not good after first year. Replacement parts too expensive.

My experience during the past 2 years has been horible. I wanted to avoid another 5 years of car payments, but is now forced to take a big cut on a trade in, and start all over again.
My Auto club has cancelled me for numerous requests to tow the car, after it overheats and breaks down on the highway. Replacement Parts are very expensive. In past 2 1/2 years have spents approx. $2500 on repairs. I have bben late for work twice this month. I have had to change the axle, anfd numerous parts in engine area. I regret this horible decision to trade my Neon in '97 for this car. I'm afraid to drive in tbe fast lane on the highway since you never kniw when it will die on you. I was crossing the Railroad tracks this week when it died. I give up.

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Neon-no comparison

Don't have to worry about "Valet" parking, No guilty feelings about being superficial, I now know who my "Real Friends" are after they see my car! But seriously, there are few problems (I'm not gonna lie), but I have $30,000 more in my bank account...hmmm, what more do I need to say!

Considering the price I paid ($8,500 for a year old car with 15,000 miles) I cannot complain. To all those complainers: buy a Porsche (German word for PROBLEMS) or a Mercedes (German word for MUCH MONEY REQUIRED TO FIX PROBLEMS). At least I have money NOW to pay for repairs, and that's almost a lie because most of the costs were covered in the warrenty! All you complainers need a F***ing reality check!

Truthfully, I wasn't expecting much at first. My Mercedes died and I needed a quick "in-the-meanwhile" car until I could afford another Mercedes. I was going to give my Sephia to my niece. Well, 2 years and 40,000 miles later, my niece is still taking the bus! Living in LA, I thought I needed to look "cool". Now I realize "cool" is another word for "stupidly financially foolish"! Now, I'd rather be "Penny Wise"! My friends (the superficial ones, which is the majority, I live in LA!) laughed at first but after several rides, they made the same "I'm surprised your KIA has this and that and EVEN THAT..." comments like everyone else. They don't tease me OR my car anymore! KIA needs a new ad campaign geared to the "LA Snobs"...Like, dating high-maintainance Super Models is nice, but there's something to be said for the no-stress feeling of a "No Frills" girl as well! Sure, I might buy another Mercedes, but I'm keeping my KIA too!

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Nice looking body. Cheap price.

No confidence in reliability. Things already starting to go wrong...

Had this car for 14 months, engine keeps overheating it's at the dealer as I type this, they said they fixed it (water pump) but problems back again, brake pads lasted for 13,000 miles but it seems the rotors are warped. Dents quite easily. I'm gonna sell it before major headaches, buying a used toyota camry which i know will be reliable.

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toyota, honda...doesn't compare at all in quality and feel.