Hi Folks

I am thinking of buying an 01 Sportage with 130000 Km that has been well looked after. It will be for the wife to drive the kids around, etc. I live up in Canada where ice & snow are normal winter driving conditions. What I need to know is if the Sportage will be a reliable little SUV for her for the next year or so. I can't complain about the price - but I have no experience with Kia products. Any advice from you Kia owners would be much appreciated.

d.

i have a 01 and the main problem was the fuel pump,front hubs and that was pretty much it parts around here are never in stock and always have to be ordered but that only takes a day or two. in two wheel drive in the snow they are not the best but slap it in 4wheel and it will go just about anywhere you point it! great little 4x4 if the price is right go for it.. and if something goes wrong most of the time your questions can be answered here..
Good luck

I've got an '01 with over 240,000KM on it, I've had to do timing belt (2x), starter, battery, hubs, front diff (probably my own fault) brake pads, shoes and rotors, and a driver's window regulator. The gas tank is now leaking, I haven't replaced the A/C compressor yet, the bushings are worn in the idler arm, and it leaks oil (my fault again). This being said, I have never driven a vehicle for as long as I have this one, and have had to do waaaay more work on other cars to keep them moving. As long as you keep to mostly civilized roads the 4wd will take you where you want to go in snow up to the front bumper (powdery-stuff). Good tires go a long way. If you wrench on it you'll appreciate the reasonable amount of space in the engine compartment (Korean hands not required) and basic layout of the components. The creature comforts aren't all that hot, no navigation system or headrest mounted DVD player, but the seats are comfy enough, they don't handle as bad as the decal on the visor would lead you to believe, and the mileage is OK for a 4wd vehicle. Neglect it (like I sometimes do) and you'll end up with a laundry list of things to fix, but any vehicle will do it. I'd buy and drive another one in a heartbeat.

Living in AB and having driven an 01' Sportage for 7 years I can honestly say, that they are great little SUV's, but for winter driving, you will need decent 'winter' tires (not all seasons) and 4 sand bags in the back! The Sportage is lite and will get blown around a bit on the highway, add Ice and you'll need new underpants! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Find out when the timing belt was done last and if it's the original fan clutch!

Where are you in AB?

And pray to whatever God you want that youre not buying my old Sporty! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the replies guys, I feel more confidant that the Kia is an OK ride for the price. We bought it and will be picking it up tommorrow. Iron - I am located in Athabasca. Small world.

Good choice! Drove thru Athabasca on Sunday!

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Well When I joined the forum I barley had sold my 2nd and bought my 3rd sportage. The problems that I had was timing belt failure as predicted at 70,000, clogged CAT at the same miles, Fan clutch failure, Fuel pump ,Starter, And later Blower fan motor replacement, regulator for window, Idle arm replacement, AC/Heater control selector, broken gasket cover Bolts, Cracked Manifold, rear seatbelt failure, brake res. replacement x2, headlights tarnishing, Steering box leak, and broken pinch bolt on front passenger side on suspension, Batt. retainer fell off, Cast crank case Cover Crack (or forged---not sure)...... ETC.....

Not counting the extras that I opted for (have all the bill copies) and it totals in the thousands!

Some is my fault and some is not but it is a very FUN Vehicle. Just an honest perspective during my tenure of experience.

Safe for a family if u keep up with the regular Scheduled maint. etc......I honestly believe that the 2002 is prolly the best choices of all in my opinion....
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />



Some of the others even replaced the gas tank leaking and other Probs.???????


ANYONE ELSE????????????????



Prolly normal for any vehicle I guess........ <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

I live in a dry desert climate so my Sportages have lasted forever without any significant problems (other than those surrounding non-stock modifications and/or offroading upgrades). I'm on my second Sportage and I am very fond of them.

Your mileage might vary though in a wet climate, especially where road salt is used a lot. I have heard of lots of rust issues especially with the gas tank but here in Arizona it has not ever been a problem.

I have a 2001 Sportage EX bought new with nearly 260k miles so far. Only issues I have had are the H/lamps fade because they're plastic and the damn cup holder is designed to hold empty paper cups! As you can see by the mileage I drive the piss out of mine with no major issues. Just tires, brakes & many oil changes. Oh, and don't forget to do that belt at 60K!!!!

I've had my 2001 Sportage since new. Mine has been very reliable with about 97,000 miles on it now.
- I'm in Ohio in the rust belt, so I had the gas tank issue. Fixed it the first time and when it started leaking again, I decided to replace it.
- Replaced the fuel lines going from the engine to the tank
- Changed the plugs at 90K and timing belt/water pump at 93K.
- Rear u-joint in the front drive shaft was shot, replaced under warranty with a new complete driveshaft.
- Vacuum hubs stopped working sometime in the first four or five years (of course).
- Broken cup holder
- On my third driver's side sun visor.
- Driver's seat belt doesn't always like to retract properly.
- All light bulbs are still original and working, including headlights (getting pretty dim)
- Had much of the front suspension replaced when the lift was installed.
- Now getting lots of rust. Passenger door is totally rotted at the bottom, driver's door beginning to do the same. Rear fender lips are also rusting out.

Overall, I have been very happy with it and will drive it til it drops. I'm headed to Colorado this weekend to wheel it.