We have been talking about buying a new van for awhile. He wants to check out the new Kia van. Anybody own or owned a Kia? What has been your experience with it? Ups and downs? What about service?

By Amyl on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 07:43 pm:

Hello!! I own a Kia and am very satisfied, however I bought a 2005 and don't have the upgrades that they now currently have in the 2006. The old Kia has removable seats, (all the back seats are removable, and they come out quite easy) but the new Kia's have stow and go in the very back. We have four doors, but the new Kia's have electronic press of a button doors. Other then these two features that I would really like to have my Kia is great!! Never had any problems with it at all. One of the things that I have noticed is that the back compartment for groceries and luggage is smaller then some of the others, but if you don't do a whole lot of traveling in it then it shouldn't be a problem. I really wish that we had gotten the DVD installed as well, both of my girls have personal DVD players but we always have to strap them in and stuff so I would go for the installed DVD. They also have them with sunroofs in them, they are pretty nice, but not a necessity. It rides really nice, and quiet, I really like the table in the middle of the two front seats, it is removable as well, and it even folds down so you could put something in the middle instead of having the little table. The middle seats also fold down and can be used for cup holders (that is if no one is sitting in the middle row ) We have the two captains charis in the middle row verses the bench seat, this way the girls can each have a seat. I would test drive one and see what you think, I really like mine and loved the price!! Under $20K was awesome for a SAHM!!! Good luck!!

By Truestori on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 10:08 pm:

My dad owns two of these vans for his buisness and they are great! He has no complaints, and you can't beat the warranty. I have a Mazda MPV and I love it! The best feature is the fact that the kids windows roll half way down and it has the stow and go seat in the back. They are on the inexpensive side also. Happy Shopping

By Kaye on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 11:34 pm:

I don't own one, but had one for a rental. It drove very similarly to my honda van. I would consider one next go round if I weren't stuck on honda

By Crystal915 on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 12:57 pm:

On the car sales side, they do not hold value well. I have no experience owning one, but I have taken them in on trade when working at a car dealership, and even Kia's that we're only a couple years old we're worth practically nothing. On the flip side of that, they have a killer warranty. So, if you plan on keeping for for a long time it's a good purchase, however if you plan on getting rid of it in the next couple years it's unwise, IMHO.
Now, I have a Dodge Grand Caravan, we bought it used in June, and for what we could afford it was a great purchase (especially since it was a "fleet" vehicle for a corporation, so it was in good condition). I'd personally like to go with a Honda or a Toyota for our next van, but I wouldn't mind a brand new Dodge with stow and go seating.

By Imamommyx4 on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 08:20 pm:

We have had 2 Plymouth Grand Voyagers and both have been great. Wrecked 1 at about the 7 year mark. And we are on the 2nd and about 7 1/2 years. Little things are beginning to go. I don't feel real good about taking off on a vacation in it. Probably in the next year we will be getting rid of it.

I'm one of those people who will drive a car until it falls apart. So resale value isn't a big thing to me, but good to know. Might be good idea to buy one a year old. I really want to know if they'll last 150,000 miles without a major issue. We keep our vehicles maintained--oil changed, belts tight, greased, etc.

My favorite is the Honda Odyssey. That's what I really want. We'll just have to take a good look at all the possibilities when we do. Kia has just not been around all that long and I don't know anybody who has owned one. Thanks for the info.