Kia Sorento: Gen me up, please.

[Cavcraft]

Obvs. I've done a half-arsed internet search (which certainly seemed to favour the cars) but has anyone got any experience or know of any Achille's heels on a 2003/4 Kia Sorento 2.5TD manual?

 

Thanks in advance, and what not.

[skattrd]

Are you actually asking for opinions on a car before buying it? I didn't think this sort of thing was Cavcraft policy.

[Stanky]

I think the gearboxes can be a weak point, certainly if they are shared with the cerato/sedona then they have a bit of a rep.

 

According to some herbert on a Kia forum, the bolts securing the driveshafts have a habit of working loose and falling off, but other than normal service stuff no bad words really.

 

The engine is a Kia/Hyundai unit so not borrowed from another manufacturer like some other models (such as the Rio).

 

That is all I can offer.

[Ghosty]

Sounds to me like someone's been offered a swap that seems too good to be true...

[cort16]

You don't see too many too fucked one for sale on ebay if that's of any reassurance?

[Cavcraft]

Do you actually do research?

 

Given some of the absolute shitheaps you buy I thought you just threw a dart at the free pages...

 

 

Here's how my research works:

 

1) Bored, off work, money burning hole in pocket

2) Look at stupid cars I can't afford to buy and/or run

3) Look at boring cars I can afford to buy/run

4) See something shiny and think 'fuck me, they're cheap now'

5) Perhaps type something like 'Kia problems' into Google

6) Check one page, but keep going back to look at pictures of shiny car

7) Invent in my head why one would be a good idea

8 ) Tell myself Vectra is the perfect car for me

9) Remember the Vectra isn't the perfect car for another MOT test

10) Ignore everything/everybody, buy Kia 

11) Realise I have enough change for a Renault Clio that doesn't run properly and has 2/3rds of it's bodywork missing. 

[Inspector Morose]

I see we went to the same school of research.

 

I flunked the gold plated brass balls section though.

[Sloth in a bowl]

The main Achille's heel on a 2003/4 Kia Sorento 2.5TD manual will be the hassle of finding somebody else that would buy it off you.

 

P.S. Caravaners like them, so if it hasn't got a shagged transmission from hauling a tin box round the county then that may be a good way to punt it onwards.

 

P.P.S. Not full time 4WD so transfer box fuckedness issues all over the place, if mismatched tyres then run away (like classic Freelander fails).

 

Info gained from spending 5 minutes of reading about the trials and tribulations of moaning coffin dodgers on the Kia owners forum, 5 minutes of my life that I WILL NEVER GET BACK.

[Christine]

Dunno about Sorento's , but that Sportaaahge 4x4 with a kink in the top of the windscreen looks brilliant ! Kia want sommat in the order of £750 to fit a towbar and 'lectrics to it though .

[Stixy]

Ive had 2 of them  and liked them and had no problems but  

 

There is a problem with the internal lining of fuel tanks coming off and gumming up fuel pumps and filters  lots of tanks replaced by Kia 

 

XS models have an automatic 4x4 system that selects 4x4 when needed and  that gives trouble but from what i have heard people just wire a switch into the wiring to manualy select 4x4  ,  XE models have a manual select 4x4 system and dont suffer the same issues

 

XE models need a matched set of tyres otherwise it upsets the 4x4 system .

 

I had a 2003 model and had no problems but my wife diddnt like it  then had a 2007 model and Gordon Brown diddnt like it   

[purplebargeken]

Your research methods appear perfectly sound and quite normal. I see no issues. 

 

However....... one word. Actually two words, 'fucking manual'.

[sierraman]

My mechanic has one he reckons they are tough as fuck underneath.

[DVee8]

What is this talk of modern capitalist cars from a Korean dog eating country.(watch out BABS)

 

What you need is a VAUXHALL Fronterror.

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/vauxhall/frontera/postcode/dh23hx/radius/70/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/quicksearch/true

[oldcars]

Obvs. I've done a half-arsed internet search (which certainly seemed to favour the cars) but has anyone got any experience or know of any Achille's heels on a 2003/4 Kia Sorento 2.5TD manual?

 

Thanks in advance, and what not.

Does this have a 2l engine or is it the 2.5? I had a 2l Santa Fe but no use if engine is different.

[oldcars]

The main Achille's heel on a 2003/4 Kia Sorento 2.5TD manual will be the hassle of finding somebody else that would buy it off you.

 

P.S. Caravaners like them, so if it hasn't got a shagged transmission from hauling a tin box round the county then that may be a good way to punt it onwards.

 

P.P.S. Not full time 4WD so transfer box fuckedness issues all over the place, if mismatched tyres then run away (like classic Freelander fails).

 

Info gained from spending 5 minutes of reading about the trials and tribulations of moaning coffin dodgers on the Kia owners forum, 5 minutes of my life that I WILL NEVER GET BACK.

Transfer box went on mine, then a few other things on my Santa Fe, Shame really liked it, always ran 4 matching tyres too & was great for towing.

[Cavcraft]

It's the 2.5, but it might all be sick pachyderm now anyhow, as I think I've found something else. Thanks to all for the input.

[purplebargeken]

Vauxhall?

[Asimo]

My Daughter in law is on her 2nd Sorento, very pleased with the '03 first one so after 4 years of it, bought the newest she could find as a keeper. Has a high weight limit for towing apparently, so useful for her dobbin-box. Dull but friendly sort of big 4x4. Model replaced by something much more modern and feeble apparently.

[gordonbennet]

Not as it matters now, but some of the main dealers don't know what a grease nipple is leading to shagged UJ's, soft suspension not one to chuck about.

[Ghosty]

Definitely agriculture friendly - an old mate's mum and sister are horsey types and they've got one for lugging horse trailers now.

They used to have a Merc Vaneo that parts regularly fell off.

[sierraman]

A lot of farmers have them as they will take a lot of cosh down on the farm given they have a strong chassis.