09-23-2003, 08:23 AM
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Rear Admiral Upper Half
  
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: 45° 11' 35" North Latitude, 95° 8' 37" West Longitude
Posts: 3,427
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What would you buy? (Help me decide!)
We're looking for a cheap used car. We have it narrowed down to the following:
1997 Kia Sportage $4250 63k miles, manual transmission, 4WD 1998 Dodge Neon $2950 87k miles, automatic transmission Kia pros: 4WD (Minnesota winters can be tough), manual transmission (I enjoy driving a manual), cargo room, coolness factor, low miles. Kia cons: No cruise control, more expensive for repairs(?), lower gas mileage (18-22 mpg). Neon pros: Cruise control, better mileage (25-30 mpg), cheaper parts/repairs, save more than $1000 over Kia. Neon cons: Automatic transmission, more miles, boring. I think I can get the Kia down to $4k, but I'm not sure. Both are priced very close to their KBB private party book value. I guess I'd just like some opinions to help me make up my mind.
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09-23-2003, 09:02 AM
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What's Da Pho*?
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SoCal (714)
Posts: 13,296
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Even though I don't like the Neon (drove a base model in Hawaii and it sucks), I would go with the Neon instead of the Kia.
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09-23-2003, 11:55 AM
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Chief of Naval Operations
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,086
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Everyone that I know who owns a Neon has regretted it. So given the options I'd stay away from that. On second thought go with whatever has more warranty left. Honestly, I'd say you go with an older Corolla or if you're looking to have a bit more fun get an older celica (older than when they decided to be butt ugly)
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As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. |
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09-23-2003, 11:58 AM
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Chief of Naval Operations
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: the burbs of baltimore
Posts: 11,924
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my friend just got a used sportage....he drives it fine...says it's been good to him...(bout 6 months now)...
nothing special... the 1k difference isn't that much....check insurance rates to see what teh difference may be... if you're in minny...might be wiser to go with the 4wd....even though you have to deal with teh gas mileage, 20mpg isn't TOO bad.....
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09-23-2003, 12:20 PM
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#5 | |
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Commander
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,142
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Re: What would you buy? (Help me decide!)
Quote:
hey i drive a 99 kia sportage. a pure piece of junk.... worst gas mileage ! no power what so ever. it basically sucks. |
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09-23-2003, 12:46 PM
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#6 |
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Rear Admiral Upper Half
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: 45° 11' 35" North Latitude, 95° 8' 37" West Longitude
Posts: 3,427
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What kind of mileage do you get? What don't you like about it? We live on a gravel road, and the Kia was rock solid even driving 55 mph on gravel, while the Neon was all over the road at only 45 mph. However I noticed more wind noise on the Kia.
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09-23-2003, 12:47 PM
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Lieutenant Commander
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 696
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Everyone I've talked to with a Kia, says they are great new since they are pretty nice and cheap, but they don't age well. They are cheap for a reason.
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09-23-2003, 12:56 PM
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Chief of Naval Operations
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: raising my pimp hand strong
Posts: 13,038
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did you check www.edmunds.com? they have good reviews and are generally closer to real value than kbb.
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70% of the world is covered by water. The rest is covered by Bob Sanders |
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09-23-2003, 01:15 PM
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Lieutenant Commander
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: metro detroit, mi
Posts: 930
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neon: i read a long time ago the top 10 cars to steal, i think neon was up there (this is like 96 or 97) three times (like 95 neon, 96 neon, plymouth neon).
kia: they're cheap. that's a fact, watch tv. i was barely listening to their commercial, but i swear they said a new kia for like 9k$. i also hear that they're terrible in accidents. the warranty is what draws people in. the model you're looking at might be cheap too. i would look towards toyota or honda. i have owned honda and they're VERY reliable (i put 80k+ miles on it in 5 years -- no problems at all), everyone else in my family has had their car break down or have something go wrong that is expensive to fix. toyotas would probably be nice as well, but i've had no experience with them. |
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09-23-2003, 01:22 PM
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Commander
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: The middle of the country
Posts: 1,424
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Quote:
I agree. I've known half a dozen people who had neons and they ALL ended up selling the POS's. Nothing but trouble. Don't KIA's have a really long warranty? I thought they were one of the ones with 10/100K powertrain warranty...I might be wrong. But you live in Minnesota... Get the 4WD! It's getting ready to start snowing any day now  
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09-23-2003, 01:57 PM
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What's Da Pho*?
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SoCal (714)
Posts: 13,296
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Longer warranty is nice but you don't want to bring your car to the dealer every other week for warranty service. JD Power has a dependability rating of all manufacturers and KIA ranks last.
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09-24-2003, 02:54 PM
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#12 |
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Lieutenant Commander
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 529
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Neither. For $4000, you can get a 94-97 Accord or Camry. I'd shop around a little more.
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09-24-2003, 05:17 PM
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Chief of Naval Operations
Join Date: May 2000
Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA
Posts: 13,621
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I am not sure which years on the Neon had head gasket problems, but it would be worth the time to check it out. Plus, if it hasn't been done by that mileage, you will DEFINITELY need a new timing belt.
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