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

[snowy76]

We can't say enough good things about Kia - they aren't Hondas, but they are great value for the money.

We bought a used 06 Sedona and it was still under the 100K warranty - maybe because it was a certified? Anyway, we LOVE this van. It is soooo roomy and versatile. We have the 2nd row captain's chairs that fold down and can be removed (I think the newer models might be stow and go?) And we have the 3rd row that stows. I've used it for everything from long-distance driving with 6 other people to moving furniture. The Sedona was the first to have the standard side-curtain airbags - with a child that had just turned a year old, that was a huge factor.

I also love the Kia roadside assistance program. We dropped our AAA once we replaced our other car with another Kia. We have a Soul. Love that car too.

 

[erincon23]

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!!

My DH has a 2001 Honda Civic with 189,000 miles. When he had had it for maybe three or four years, the trans died -- and Honda replaced it for free. They said it was because he was a "good customer," but I think they had a hidden recall and the company would pay for repairs whenever they were presented. But we've had NO problems since then. (oh, except that the CD player has had to be replaced three times)

I drive a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. It's a good car, we've had NO issues with it (we're right about 56,000 miles, I think). But it is very cramped, and my two teen boys aren't comfortable sitting in the back for long distances. We drove it to NC from Chicago and back once -- never again!

 

[bigbabyblues]

This has been awhile, so take it for what it's worth. We bought a 2000 Hyundai Elantra brand new. It was a great car for us, a couple of minor issues covered by the warranty, until DH started driving a long distance to work (70 miles each way, 2-lane roads, no highways around here). When the car got to 100,000 miles, it started having problems with the transmission. When had it fixed once at our cost, but we traded it when it started acting up again.

 

[DawnM]

I don't think she was thinking of a $500 almost dead vehicle to purchase.

However, I would certainly run the numbers, with interest rates, between buying used and buying new.

When we purchased our Toyota Sequoia, which we LOVE by the way, we looked at used and new. We also checked Fleet pricing (you can do an internet search for it and Costco has it.) A used car loan at that time was 7%. A new car loan was 1%.

After getting a deal on Fleet pricing ($4,500 off sticker) and the low interest loan, we got it for cheaper than we could find a 2 year old used one with 7% interest paid over 5 years. In fact, it was MUCH cheaper, several thousand dollars cheaper.

Dawn

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!!

 

[hoosiergirl7]

My parents have a 2001 Hyundai Sonata and it has been a great car for them. When the time comes for a new vehicle they are considering another Sonata. My in-laws rent cars often and usually request the Sonata as well because they like it and have also considered purchasing one when they will need a new vehicle. The newer Sonatas are very nice. We've even thought about replacing DH's car when the time comes with one.

I have a Toyota Sienna and love it. It would be difficult to convince me to buy another brand of minivan.

 

[DVC-Don]

I believe they are the same company Kia is just their more economic line. ............!

Either one, it's the same company. I have a Hyundai, my second.

 

[DVC-Don]

This is correct, the 100K mile warranty is only for the first owner. ........

If you buy a "certified" used Hyundai or Kia, the warrenty runs the full 100K for the engine and drivetrain. I almost bought a certified 2009 Genesis before deciding on the 2011 Sonata.

 

[ssawka]

This has been awhile, so take it for what it's worth. We bought a 2000 Hyundai Elantra brand new. It was a great car for us, a couple of minor issues covered by the warranty, until DH started driving a long distance to work (70 miles each way, 2-lane roads, no highways around here). When the car got to 100,000 miles, it started having problems with the transmission. When had it fixed once at our cost, but we traded it when it started acting up again.

This could happen with any car when you start to get near 100K miles. Before buying the Soul, I had a Mazda Tribute (aka Ford Escape) and the transmission went at 89K miles. If only Mazda/Ford had the 100K mile warranty. I got it fixed and sold it. I was debating since it was just fixed, but in the end I decided to buy a new smaller car. I'm really glad I did too, as the Soul is saving me about $20 a week in gas compared to the Tribute.

 

[Ahrizel]

We have a 2003 Elantra with over 140k mileage. We just had our first problem this year, had to get a new radiator. That was the first issue we had, just standard stuff before then-brakes, tires, etc. Inlaws have a Sonata they are very fond of. Next year is time for new vehicle, will probably be another Elantra, new one gets 40mpg city. And excellent reviews on Consumer Reports.
Mary

 

[maleficentmom]

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.

Take the car to another dealership or shop and have it checked..I have a "certified" toyota van that I wondered why I had prob. with the sliding door(not set right) and window..(interior door panel popped off 2 days after I bought it)..took it to another dealership for service a year later and found out that the the van had been wrecked(apparently severely as the mechanic there even reran the carfax because he thought we had missed a reported wreck on it).. the paint from the front door back isn't even toyota paint.I am now going back and forth with the orig. dealership, they have offered to fix..but i still have a wrecked car...I do love the van though(about 20 mpg though),and they have a great extended warranty called "platinum" plan

 

[linnylu]

We also have a Kia Rondo that I absolutely love. It has room for 7 with folding seats in the back- although really only 5 comfortable. The far back seats are good if we have an extra child or 2 along for a short trip. I love that there are no blind spots- our sienna van has a few.

 

[lucigo]

I haven't read any of the thread yet, but DO NOT BUY a Hyundai Tiburon. They look nice but they have horrible problems with clutch and fly wheel, and even though there was a class action law suit against them for it, they still don't want to pay. My son's car had to have $1800 worth of work done with only 45K miles on it.

 

[dd50]

I have the Sonata and love it! Purchased it new early 2008 because it ended up being a little cheaper than a used car. Have 30,000 miles on it and no problems. My dad had purchased one in 2005 and said it was the best car he ever had.

 

[rubato]

We have owned 2 Hyundais in the past and loved them both. Gave one to my stepson and it's now got 120,000 on it. Still runs great. I have looked at Kias and just didn't like them. Just a personal thing, nothing against the company.

 

[merekc]

We have owned 2 Hyundai Elantras and 1 Kia Sedona (minivan). We bought the Elantras new at a hail sale. We purchased them very cheap and they both turned out to be great cars (for a cheap car). I have heard a lot of people who have owned Elantras return to buy them again.

We bought the Kia when we needed a minivan. I had such good luck with the Elantras that I took the risk with the Kia, thinking I'd rather have new with the 100K warranty than buy used other makers.

I had tons of problems with the Kia and IMO I think they have to offer the 100K warranty because they make junk.

In the past, we were stuck in things like Hyundai and Kia because of the interest rates. I can remember getting excited about a Honda ad that offered 5% financing (pre-9/11) and when I called, the salesperson said I must have heard wrong, they never offered that low of financing.

Things have changed and there are great financing rates available for good cars. IMO, people looking for inexpensive cars don't have to settle for the cheap ones anymore. There are also good warranty offers on used cars. Look around, you might be able to find a good car in your price range. It is very much a buyer's market (at least in our area).

The other big downside to buying the cheaper cars like Hyundai and Kia is they depreciate so fast. I actually looked into trading the Kia when it was 6 months old and no one would even touch it. When you eventually trade in the cheaper cars, you have no value to bring down the price of your next car.

We are sooooo excited we have finally broken that cycle.

 

[Singleminnie]

Thanks for all the responses! I spent all day yesterday test driving Kias, Hyundais, and even some Honda's. Still have not made up my mind. I would like to stay under $15,000. Yes, you are right the Hyundai 100 thousand mile power train warranty does not transfer to a second owner, but the origional warranty will still be available if its under the mileage and years. However, I was told the Hyundai lifetime roadside assistance transfers! I will get that in writing that way I don't have to renew my Triple A which is up in April. Right now I am leaning towards a Kia Sportage, Kia Sorento or a Hyndai Tuscan right now.

 

[ssawka]

Thanks for all the responses! I spent all day yesterday test driving Kias, Hyundais, and even some Honda's. Still have not made up my mind. I would like to stay under $15,000. Yes, you are right the Hyundai 100 thousand mile power train warranty does not transfer to a second owner, but the origional warranty will still be available if its under the mileage and years. However, I was told the Hyundai lifetime roadside assistance transfers! I will get that in writing that way I don't have to renew my Triple A which is up in April. Right now I am leaning towards a Kia Sportage, Kia Sorento or a Hyndai Tuscan right now.

I would take a look at the KIA Soul. If you get the right dealer, you would probably be able to get the + model for under $15K and you would get the 100K mile warranty. The car comes with a lot of features standard. The only drawback is that it doesn't have much cargo space unless you fold the seats down. Also, since you currently do have AAA, I'd recommend going online and getting quotes through their car buying program. That will tell you the most you would have to pay. The dealers that provide quotes have to honor the quotes they give. The dealer where I bought my two Souls offered $2K off of invoice.

 

[williamson_ja]

I can say that we have had terrible luck with Kias. I could not recommend them to anyone. We had a kia sportage which was broken down every other week for some reason or another. The windows quit rolling up and down... then quit staying up all together and had to be practically duct taped up to stay... engine problems, exhaust problems, etc. Hated that car. lol. Good luck!

 

[momofrrr]

we bought our first Hyundai (sonata) in 1996 when it was still a little unheard of but we loved it. My DH drove the daylights out of it without any majore problems. The only trouble we ever had was the windo mechanisimsm, apparently they were made of plastice. By the time he totaled it we had grown to 5 in our family so we went with something a little more family friendly. His parents gave us a Chrysler Minivan that they no longer needed so it worked out fine. Would I buy another? Absolutely!

 

[Sinderelly]

Had very good luck with:
Chevrolet Aveo ( 100k warranty)
Kia Sportage ( had a little problem with the soft top but great vehicle)

Had very bad luck with:
Chrysler Sebring Convertible ( transmission went out and motor locked up at under 53K miles)

I am selling my Aveo to my son because he needs a good car and am shopping for a new vehicle myself I am looking for a small car with a sunroof or convertible top and am finding used vehicles are very expensive