Used 1998 Kia Sephia Consumer Reviews
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Kia Sephia still Rollin' at 67K
R. Baker, 06/18/2002
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had my Sephia for four years and 65,000 and I would have to say that aside from a few problems with the gas gauge and wiring harness that were corrected under warranty, the Kia has been a great buy. Contrary to what a "major consumer magazine" may say about the Sephia, I say that it handles well, the interior is comfortable for me (6ft+, 225lb), and that it has great pick up. As when I bought this car newe Kia is a great bargain when compared to the Corollas, Civics, Proteges out there which are over- priced. After four years, 67k on the road, the body integrity remains great w/ no rattles or creaks that I may have feared/expected when I bought it.
Everything's been perfect
Scott, 05/02/2005
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought our Kia Sephia LS brand new back in 1998. In the last seven years we have not had even a single problem with this car. That's right, not a problem one. Almost everything is still original parts; only new tires, filters, wipers, and oil. The car is reasonably comfortable and powerful enough for a four cylinder engine. This car has truly been great. That it was cheaper than everything else has just been the icing on the cake. It probably doesn't matter anymore, but after reading some of the negative comments, I figured I ought to share our completely positive experience.
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See all 0 listingsfantastic car
Dareba, 08/13/2009
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Had this car for only a year, tranny went but that was my fault. Left the e brake up. It's got a lot of power and it'll go forever if you take good care of it.
My Favorite Car
Maggie, 10/17/2009
1998 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love this car. It was four years old when I bought it used with 30,000 miles on it. It is now nearly 12 years old with over 75,000 miles on it and with regular maintenace has never given me any trouble. Very reliable, parked outside and always starts on cold winter mornings. Have definately gotten my moneys worth out of it, if they still made them I would buy one new!
Ok overall.
alex_mosley, 09/23/2010
1998 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I got this car when i was 16(so almost 2 years ago) with 48k miles on it, it now has almost 78k and it has been an ok first car. the main issues i have is, the relay to the fuel pump stopped working so sometimes if it doesn't have a good connection it wont start, it just turns over, and the poor wiring job kia did! the wiring is awful! some lights only come on sometimes but overall everything else is ok. Good starter car i guess, just go easy with it!
Don't Buy It
carl2fine, 07/12/2002
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've had my Kia for three and a half years and I am starting to get real aggravated with it. So far the fuel pump has been recalled, the windshield wipers, and my air condition has broken down. The brakes were a constant problem as they are with most Kia owners. Spend the extra money on a Honda.
DONT BUY ONE OF THESE VEHILES!!!
jeff culver, 11/22/2002
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my kia 2 years ago, it has been nothing but problems, its been in the shop about 10 times for sevral repairs,the fuel pump, the windsheild leaking,recalls on the wipers,rear window defrost stopped working,horn stopped working,the o2 sensors went out,afters all of these repairs the check engine light is still on.Now it trys to stall at intersections,and is hard to start after getting fuel \,i WOULD HIGHLY SUGGEST NOT BUYING THIS VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT WILL LEAVE YOU STRANDED
UNRELIABLE
Jennifer Deon, 12/02/2002
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I HAVE BEEN TAKEN FOR A RIDE. THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON USED KIA'S!! I HAD THE CAR FOR A YEAR NOW AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED!!! SAD, JENN
82,000 Miles Little Problems
Lawguy, 01/06/2003
1998 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Yes there were some recalls. All of these were fixed at no cost to me, so why should I complain? Air conditioner hose broke at the fitting in only 2 years. Hose and repair cost me about $250.00. This item should not have broken quite so fast. Struts went at about 80,000 miles. The strut dealer (KYB) told me this mileage was very good, so again no complaint. Gas mileage around town 32 - 33 mpg Highway 37 - 38 mpg (std 5 speed and no power steering). Out the door in 1998 I paid $9,000.00 Lets see.... Toyota Corolla ... $13,998.00 Kia Sephia ... $9,000+250+180=$9430.00 Yup I'm still ahead even with air and strut repair.
Little Trouper
Happy Kia Owner, 08/05/2003
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I don't know why the some of these people has had problems with their Kia, but as far as I am concerned, mine is a little trouper. I bought her with only 7 miles on the odometer she has been great. My Kia Sephia has only broken down once throughout my entire ownership, and that was the timing belt pulley or tensioner. If it wasn't for that, my car, believe it or not still has about 90% of its original parts. This has truly been one of the best little car I have ever owned.
1998 Kia Sephia
Jim McFarland, 09/04/2003
1998 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I am generally pleased with the car, except have had a few mechanical problems. The most expensive being the air conditioning compressor. Fortunately I have an extended warranty coverage and it only cost $35.00 out of pocket. Other problems-(2) rear wheel brake cylinders replaced, also under extended warranty, minimal out of pocket expense.
Trooper Also
PaulP718, 10/03/2003
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought our Kia in 99 with 10,000 miles. It now has 60,000. We have had to replace the battery twice but have had no other problems. We would buy another Kia if we bought another car. We really have enjoyed the car. We only have one car so reliability has been very important!
Bad Kia Cars
Willieeeeeeeeeee, 10/17/2003
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Had this car for 5 years. In the 5 years it been bronken down for more then a week. Parts are hard to get and over priced. Every is coming apart.
Good Car Experience
chance89, 02/25/2005
1998 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had my Kia for 8 years since I bought it new in 1998. It has been a great reliable car that is fun to drive, even in not so great weather conditions. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a good car at a great price. This car has taken me up and down the east coast several times and I have only had trouble with it last year when I had some problems with the fuel injection. Had no problems before or since.
Freekies
Freekie, 06/29/2005
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have own the car since New. Never had any major problems with it. I had to have the rotors replaced but they were done under a recall. I don't take care of it well either. I am lucky if I change the oil once a year and It has almost 78,000 miles on it running like a champ.
Don't Buy the Kia Sephia
cynthia henderson, 09/25/2004
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The car started breaking down right away. Breaks down every couple of months. The parts are expensive and can only be bought from the dealer. 4 different mechanics told us that the Kia parts are cheaply made and break often. 1 mechanic advised us to buy another car rather than continue to fix the Kia with parts that are so poorly made by the company. We contacted the customer relations department at Kia, and they told us it was the dealers problem. They did not have to deal with issues concerning poorly made cars or parts. The car is unrelaible, poorly made, uncomfortable to drive, and expensive to repair the many many problems.
beware......
Ynot, 11/07/2004
1998 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I got this car with 75000 miles on it, after having the transmission replaced. Now at 94000 transmission is acting up again among many other things. Poor design. Cheap car. Not reliable.
7 years and still VERY reliable.
Jules, 03/22/2005
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I must say I concur with 75% of what people have said about the Sephia LS. Not even with 25 miles on my newly bought car back in '98 my engine fuse busted and luckily a mechanic walked by and temporarily replaced my busted fuse with a windshield fuse to last me until I got to the dealership that same day. Since then the L.A. heat swelled up my front dashboard so that it's curling up and out of the AC vents. Then my gas gauge broke and I haven't bothered fixing it because it costs a lot of money to open up my car and tighten the screw. But after 7 years and +81K miles I NEVER worry that my engine won't start in the mornings. I'm purchasing another car though, but I know my mom can depend on Kia.
Get Car Go Buy One Now
Peter, 12/20/2005
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a great car. I brought it with 53,000 miles on it and have put another 60,000 on it. The car was inexpensive and parts are a little hard to find but not that expensive at all. Never have to worry if it is going to start in the morning or afternoon. I would recommend to anyone to buy. It is like anything else a car is as good as you treat it and is as reliable as you maintain it. I would drive anywhere in it.
Watch the tranny
chgobrd, 03/17/2006
1998 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have replaced the transmission 4 times on the '98 KIA. I even had to replace the dashboard because it warped. The fan switch has gone out a couple of times.
do not buy a 98 sephia
joe someguy, 01/08/2007
1998 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had this Kia Sephia since 1998 when I got it brand new. What convinced me was the cheap price but two days after I got it the a/c stopped working. And ever since then it has been nothing but new transmissions, dashboards, etc. Now we're having problems with the transmission again, the engine is failing, the brake fluid disappears, the turning pinions rattle, the paint is chipping and the air conditioning broke again.
Faithful till the end....
Muttly, 01/27/2007
1998 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my Kia new in 1998 in FL. It made many cross country trips and up and down the coasts thanks to travel for the military. It was a great reliable car, had good gas mileage and was fun to drive. The only complaints was the electrical system which was sometimes questionable. A blown fuse or connector shut the car down a few times but was a quick, cheap fix. The battery never quite seemed to last and had to be replaced ever other year or so. Handled great and was a blast to drive in curves. Great fuel economy. Was a bare bones vehicle but great for being on a budget. Great for reliability if you just need a dependable mode of transportation. Am looking at a new Kia today.
A Decent Buy
J. Gonzalez, 03/12/2002
1998 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
It's a good buy considering what I paid for it brand new and the use I have gotten out of it. I paid about 10.5k including taxes and a few additions like alloy wheels, power windows/locks and remote keyless entry. My monthly payments hover around $150 after a $1,500 downpayment. I'vet ravelled from Ohio to Florida or New York and back about five or six times. The car has never let me down nor given a hint that it would. This is an ideal new car for those on a budget like me and students.
Is not worth it
Gabriel, 08/21/2023
1998 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
If you want a car from this year, you should get a 98 Toyota Corolla or a 98 Honda Civic. The car might give benefits in value or oil, but you will need to spend a lot of money and time due mechanical failures.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Not Too Shabby!
ken1, 12/31/2009
1998 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
Owned since new--11.5 years now. Only lightly used, but fun and peppy engine with manual (Mazda made I think.) Had brake recall and exhaust repair made under warranty. Other than that, only had to replace old battery. Some of the interior fittings are a bit too cheaply made, but if you take care of it, it will take care of you. Very inexpensive to own; costs almost nothing to insure. I have read that due to relatively high HP to weight ratio (125 HP vs 2400 lbs.) some convert this model to rally car. You could not find a less expensive platform than this one!
Served me well
Eric, 01/27/2007
1998 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have owned my 98 Kia Sephia basically since new, I got it with about 5,000 miles on it and now it has over 115,000 on it. Parts can be expensive, but the motor has lasted great with no problems. The car shows no signs of quiting anytime soon, has been very reliable over the years, had a few parts break, but that is to be expected when you start putting miles on your car.