Used 1996 Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV 4WD Consumer Reviews
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Be very careful
Bill C, 03/07/2003
Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My largest complaint comes from the failure of a timing belt. The engines on these vehicles are referred to as an "interfearence" motor which means that if the timing belt breaks, there is a great chance that the motor will destruct via valves and pistons hitting eachother in a furious, mistimed, catastrophic event. Here is the biggest kicker- The water pump is driven by the timing belt which means as in my case, the water pump failed causing the timing belt to fail prematurely ultimately causing a catastrophic disolving of the internal motor parts. IMHO, not a good engineering design.
Would not recomend this vehicle.
jd, 05/22/2002
Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have owned this vehicle for two years.In the first six months i replaced the cateletic converter, the timing BELT (?) and the valves that were bent when the belt blew. I have had nothing but heart-ach with this vehicle. I would strongly advise anyone considering to buy a sportage to exploit all other options first.
Surprising quality for price
phil, 08/30/2007
Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
It's been a great car. Reliable, tough and just keeps running. Even after 11 years, there hasn't been a reason to get rid of it. At this point in its life we are replacing parts and such but it's still far cheaper than a new car. The interior has worn like iron. Even parked in the sun all the time, the dash hasn't cracked. You won't set any speed records in it and the acceleration isn't as good as it was earlier in its life but that's to be expected from a heavy 4WD pulled by a 2 liter 4 cylinder engine.