Need a used vehicle-what do you think? Kia or Hyundai

[Singleminnie]

My mini van died yesterday decided to buy a used vehicle instead of pouring more money into a gas guzzler. I am looking at a used Hyundai or Kia, due to their long warranties, been told they have a 100 thousand mile warranty. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding makes. I am a single mom of three girls, so I need a four door with decent gas mileage. Going to do some test driving tomorrow.

 

[lailah]

We have a Hyundai Sonata and absolutely love it! We had a 2009 one and traded up for the new 2011 model. Has quite a bit of room, rides nice and get great mileage. We drove to NC and got 36 miles to the gallon. I don't know anything about the KIA, but I highly recommend the Hyundai. Great warranty too.

 

[csharpwv]

Both of my In-Laws have Hyundai vehicles and my Father-In-Law was driving to work just the other morning when the front spring broke and shot through the tire - so he had both suspension problems - AND a flat time at the same time.

My Sister-In-Law had a Hyundai Tucson (same model that my MIL has) and right after her 100,000 mile warranty expired the vehicle started disintegrating. First is was the Automatic 4X4 sensor - next it was an engine sensor - then the transmission sensor - and then the transmission literally just exploded. She just replaced it with a new VW SUV.

I had a professor in college that had a KIA hatchback and loved it - but then her rear window seal started leaking and they couldn't get it fixed for some reason, so it ended up rusting out part of the back corner and shorting out the rear lights. She then traded fro a KIA SUV and has had good service out of it.

Overall - I think the the quality of Hyundai is much higher than KIA. I think once you have taken a few out to test drive, you'll see and experience the quality and value difference between the two vehicles.

Number one rule - if a vehicle feels cheap on the inside (fit and finish) can you imagine what the mechanical parts are like?

If you are looking for a car I would HIGHLY suggest the Ford Fusion or the new VW Jetta. They are both GREAT looking cars - GREAT features - and the New Jetta can be had for under $16,000 BRAND NEW. That's a GREAT deal on a German Engineered vehicle! The Jetta's have always bee great cars that last a long time and retain their resale value quite well!

 

[CowboyCO]

Check the 100,000 mile warranty - usually it is for the first owner only. If the car is sold it defaults to a shorter warranty.

I'd suggest a certified used Honda or Toyota. Those warranties do go to 100,000 miles.

 

[DianeV]

We bought a 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring in July and really like it. Its nice inside and pretty roomy for a car...we also have a Kia Optima but its a 2004. We like that car too but really like the Hyundai. There arent alot of the Touring out there but check it out. Its pretty nice

 

[cglaura]

I have a 1997 Sonata with 101,000 miles. I bought it pre-owned from a Hyundai dealer in 2000, with 27,000 miles.

Except for the maintenance and upkeep, I have not had any financial problems with the car at all, but I also take very good care of it and do the fixes on time according to recommended care schedule. I love my car!

The MPG, not so much, it is around 26...not sure if the newer models are better or not. I work at home so MPG is not too much of a factor for me, I can get a month and a half out of 1 tank full of gas.

 

[pixiewings71]

We have an 09 Kia Spectra, bought it a year ago, it's got about 40k miles on it now (DBF commutes a long distance to work) and it runs great. We have NO complaints about our Kia (or Suzy as DD11 calls her lol), I've driven it to Idaho and it ran great. Plenty of room inside, and it's not cheap at all. We would get another one.....

 

[briarose]

I believe they are the same company Kia is just their more economic line. We owned a hyundai Santa Fe and never had any issues with it whatsoever and it was 4-wheel drive which was awesome in th snow. We only got rid of it because we NEEDED a larger car. That being said I have heard wonderful things about the kia sedona and we almost bought one but managed to find a fully loaded oddyssey for an incredible price. One family I know owns a Kia sedona and just traded their second car in for a kia because they loved their van so much. Good luck!

 

[neatokimmo]

I believe they are the same company Kia is just their more economic line. We owned a hyundai Santa Fe and never had any issues with it whatsoever and it was 4-wheel drive which was awesome in th snow. We only got rid of it because we NEEDED a larger car. That being said I have heard wonderful things about the kia sedona and we almost bought one but managed to find a fully loaded oddyssey for an incredible price. One family I know owns a Kia sedona and just traded their second car in for a kia because they loved their van so much. Good luck!

No, they are different companies.

I have a 2000 Elantra. It's a great car. The new one is 14K and gets 40 MPG. What is your budget?

 

[sherry7]

No, they are different companies.

I have a 2000 Elantra. It's a great car. The new one is 14K and gets 40 MPG. What is your budget?

They are different companies, but Hyundai bought out Kia a few years ago. Kia used to be a lower priced budget line than Hyundai, but that has changed.

I have a 2009 Kia Borrego (large SUV). I have less than 13,000 miles on it so far, but I like it. It's a gas hog, but I expected that when I bought such a huge vehicle.

DS has a 2007 Hyundai Elantra, with around 40,000 miles on it. He's had problems with the brakes a couple of times, but I totally blame that on his poor driving habits (he rides his brakes a lot).

I'm not positive, but I don't think that the 100,000 mile warranty transfers over to the 2nd owner.

 

[Bungle]

I have a 2008 kia optima. Love it. Not only is it affordable but it is safe and great to drive. I would test drive both though, I found the hyundai really uncomfortable, but my friend has one and loves it.

 

[tink2dw]

I'd suggest a certified used Honda or Toyota

Toyota Just announced another recall for sticking GAS Pedals Cause by their faulty floor mats!!! This recall is World Wide!! SO RUN Away, Don't walk!!!

Dd had a older Honda Accord!! The transmission blew after 2 years!! She wants an other Honda Accord. So she looked on Craigslist, like you do for a used car, and EVERY Honda Accord, she looked many pages, over many weeks, ad said the same thing Needs New Transmission!!

I use to get Great Used Cars BUT Not since the Economic Down Turn, the great $500.To $600. used cars I use to buy, have shot up over $2500.00!! And they are not in working order any more!!!

Better buy new! At least the Interest Rates are Down!!! Try going through a Credit Union!!

 

[BrizMarc]

No, they are different companies.

I have a 2000 Elantra. It's a great car. The new one is 14K and gets 40 MPG. What is your budget?

They are the same company the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Be sure to look up the year/make/model of any future purchase in Consumer Reports.

The used car market is now so strong that it might be worth getting a new one. This has even been mentioned by people like Clark Howard.

If you think you can keep it (from new) for over 6 years and 100,000 miles, then new might be then way to go. Not the way to go if you trade in frequently!

 

[dancingdisneygirl]

I have a 2007 Hyundai Elantra and love it. I haven't had any problems.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

We used to have a Kia Sedona and LOVED it, but had to get rid of it a few years ago..we really didn't need the room of a minivan,although we loved it, and the gas prices were skyrocketing, so we traded it in for the Kia Rondo and love that one as well - and it has tons of room also.

 

[Pembo]

We have a 2009 Kia Serona. The gas mileage is not great and there isn't a lot of insulation so the interior is loud. That said, so far, it's been a great van. We had a Pontiac Montana with over $100K and the Kia was the only mini-van that came close to it, imho.

 

[figment3258]

I have a Kia serento and love love love it. I get about 22 miles per gal. Not too bad

 

[ssawka]

Check the 100,000 mile warranty - usually it is for the first owner only. If the car is sold it defaults to a shorter warranty.

I'd suggest a certified used Honda or Toyota. Those warranties do go to 100,000 miles.

This is correct, the 100K mile warranty is only for the first owner. Personally, unless things are really tight right now, I'd probably look at getting a new KIA or Hyundai. Usually the used ones are not that much cheaper and the difference is usually worth it to get the warranty.

I had a 2010 KIA Soul that got toatled in a car accident, so I replaced it with a 2011. Love it for a "get around town" car, but not so great for long trips.

 

[cuterlt]

I bought a used 2008 Kia Rondo last year and love it! The consumer reports were awesome for it. Resale value is horrible however, we got it cheap, and I run my cars into the ground, so resale value isn't an issue.