Wow, This got a little out of hand. Lets see if I can get to your questions. Why do I own a Kia? My wife was driving a Grand Am GT and we moved to were she had to drive alot farther to go to work. She needed 4wd for winter. We looked at Cherokee's, Sidekicks, and Trackers. I took the Grand Am in for service and the Dealership just got into Kia's. They offered us the right price for the Gramd Am and I was impressed with the salesman's knowlage of the Sportage. So to answer that question, The deal was right.
As to way why one would modify one, I had a 98 TJ That I used for Search and Rescue, We had the sportage and just got a good deal on an Eagle Talon, We had to many vehicles. The Jeep was the only one with a payment so we went car payment free. I still needed something for Search and Rescue and the Sportage was 4wd. I origanly went with the Eibach 2 1/2" lift and 30" BFG ATs and was amazed at what this thing would do, at first I got laughed at by the the S&R but after a few call outs it got lots of respect, In fact there are a few guys that get mad when someone disses the Kia, I don't care what they say. Later I made the first set of UPYOURKIA spacers and 31" BFG MTs for winter. To end a long story, I modified it because I had it. Now I love the fact I have a differant rig than everybody else, have you heard the term "Dare To Be Differant". I love the fact that I have a SUV with 160,000 miles on it and I know I can jump in it and drive it anywere with no worries and get 22 to 26 MPGs dong it. I didn't take offence to you coment of your loaner being a POS, every car makers put one out. I had a friend with a Toyota that was a POS, I don't think they all are. Anyway I hope I answered you question as to why.

Dennis