Does anyone LIKE their KIA? Or Escape?

[SnoWhite]

Well, we got bad news about my car the other day. The front end is almost gone, as is the transmission. We definitely don't have the money to fix it, nor do I want to spend any more on it anyway.
I have been driving my Mom's old car, which also has it's share of problems. So now I am seriously looking to buy a new car.
There are great deals on some of the cars around here lately, so I will try to take advantage of that.
I've been leaning towards a KIA Sorrento. I really like them. I have driven a couple and they are comfortable for me.
I was also thinking of a Ford Escape, but haven't driven one yet and don't remember liking the inside too much when we were at the car show.
But I'd love to hear opinions. I know there are a lot of people that DON'T like KIA's, but does anyone out there actually LIKE theirs?

Thanks!
Lisa

 

[Cinderellagrl]

I love my Sorrento! I haven't had the opportunity to use the 4-wheel drive in snow yet, though. I've had it for almost a year now & I love it!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

My Mom has an Escape. She really likes it.

 

[Crankyshank]

my friend has an Escape. She loves it. She does a lot of driving in all sorts of different road conditions every day and it's a very reliable vehicle.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

We got the Sedona in July - I wanted the Sorrento, but dh said we needed the minivan for the room (we travel and camp alot). It has been very good so far - not a problem in sight (as I type this I am knocking on wood LOL). We usually keep our cars 10 years, so the warranty is what did it for us. Once thing about the car is that it drives like a car, not a minivan. I test drove the Sorrento and it felt the same way. Good luck in your choice.

 

[zulaya]

I personally don't have a Kia, but one of my friends does and she loves the way it drives. She also had a wonderful buying experience. I have ridden in it, but haven't driven it. I rides nicely. She's a single person who does home daycare so she bought the Sedona.

I personally will never drive a Ford if you paid me to. My parents had one and we had one when we were first married (grandma gave us hers when she was too old to drive). More problems than I care to go into. We were so glad to get rid of it and will never spend our money on any Ford vehicle.

But I fully acknowledge that there will be others who love Ford vehicles. Just based on my experiences with them, I choose not to take a chance with them again.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Had my Escape since February 2001 and love it. If you have any specific questions about it, fire away!

 

[tandrjohn]

I bought a 2005 Escape Limited a few weeks ago and I love it.

The Ford Escape deserves serious consideration if you are looking for a small SUV.

 

[Sonya]

DH has an Escape and we love it.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My sister has a 2003 Escape and unfortunately Ford is having to buy it back. She got a lemon and has blown several engines. She loved it until then, but she would love to have another Escape, but her DH has talked her into a truck.

 

[HisEllyNelly]

Had a KIA that would make me NEVER buy one again. That being said, Im sure they have improved immensely. I had a 99 sephia, the last year they DIDNT have the awesome warranty. Lets just say that the thing had less than 40,000 miles on it, was in for maintenance regularly...and it still blew an engine.

 

[Dizkneenurse]

We have both a Kia Sedona van(2003) and a Ford Escape ( 2005) and we love both. The Escape is very "zippy" and gets around great in the Buffalo snow. Don't like the interior as much as the Kia, but we got the simpler model.
Our Kia is a great family car. The ride is great and tons of room. I thought it was a nicer ride than the Ford Freestar and waaaay less money! Love the interior with the wood molding and leather seats!

heidi

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

I have an '03 Escape and love it. I previosly had a "93 Explorer that was totalled in an accident - my Escape is my first brand new car!! I relly don't feel like it's much smaller than the Explorer.

Paula

 

[Charade]

I have a 01 Escape and I HATE!!! it with a passion. Can't wait to get rid of it. It the worst car I've ever had. The bad thing is that it's a company car and I'm stuck with it for another year.

That being said, I've heard that the newest models are improved over the first year models.

The things that I don't like about it are:

The transmission is quirky and shifts harshly a lot of times.
The ride is stiff.
The seats are too hard.
The interior lighting is pathetic (too dim and the overhead light switch is very hard to reach (and I'm tall)).
The steering us twitchy. Too sensitive.
At highway speeds there is a constant low level vibration that feels like I'm riding on gravel.

And the list goes on.....

 

[Nette]

Bought a 2005 Escape XLT V6 in November. LOOOOVE it. I bought it to replace my 03 saturn VUE which had been in a wreck about a year ago and was really rattley. I don't think I would recommend the saturn (as we have had 2 and both turned into creakers and groaners), but the escape is great! Go for the V6 engine on an automatic, or it will take forever to get moving.

 

[LvsTnk]

We bought my DS an Escape loaded (2003) he loves it and so do we, we drive it on occasion. DD wants the new Freestyle as she plays golf and needs the room. We will have to do a comparison between that and the Escape in a couple of months.

All Ford's in this family, we have an Expedition and an F150 as well. We love them.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I have the Mazda Tribute (2002) which is the sister car to the Ford Escape. You may want to take a look at it. It has a lot nicer features for the money. The all one color body is nicer looking and the interior is a lot has a lot more upgrades.
I have a fully loaded leather one and it is FAST. Make sure you get the 3.0 liter V6. very zippy.
I will say that the gas mileage is not all that great. prob 19 in city. but that doesn't bother me.

I LOVE IT and would buy it again in a minute. Mazda also offers a longer warranty than Ford. 5 yrs instead of 3.

 

[goofy4tink]

I was one of those 'I hate Ford products' people. You know..Fix Or Repair Daily!! But after driving 3 Windstars, a Villager, a Focus and now an Escape...well, I just love my Escape. Yes, they were all lease cars. My dh had some crazy notion about his dw and new dd driving around in something older than 3 years!!! Sheesh. But, I love this car. It's the Limited edition..2003. There aren't any bells or whistles that Ford offers on an Escape that it doesn't have. The only issue I have with it is it's horrible gas milage. But, put a V6 in a car and then those wide tires..well, you aren't going to be getting 30 mpg. I'm really considering the Hybrid in a year of so. It's a great size, rides really nicely. I love highway driving in it. Steers very nicely..quick and responsive. The transmission moves nicely. Yes, there is a little room for improvement there but nothing to really complain about. All in all, this is a very nice car.