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Model overlap confusion

1K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  Aussie-Sporty 
#1 ·
G'day guys,

I know this may seem stupid asking what model my car or how to tell which model sporty I have. The problem I'm having is that over hear in Australia June/July of '99 the sporty got a bit of a renewal with new rear and front shocks and the 28 spline axle in the rear instead of the 26, that the Americans and probably the rest of the world received late '97/early '98. The problem is that the build date of my car is June '99 and ordering parts online is an absolute nightmare as I don't know what parts will fit and what won't. Is there any easy indicators that I can use to see (serial numbers etc) if my car is the newer or older one without having to rip out the rear axle and count the splines individually.

I really do appreciate the help and hope to hear from you all soon :)
 
#2 ·
the 10th digit on the VIN number should tell you the specific model year of your vehicle (I think this is the same worldwide) rather than going off a production date on the door plate, which as you mentioned could be one of two years at that time of the year.

Normally they change each decade, one decade its number, next decade is letters. For example I had a '08 Rondo, the tenth digit was 8, now I have a 2012 Soul and the 10th digit is C (A = 2010, B = 2011), so I presume the '90's should be using letters.
 
#3 ·
Hello Aussie- sporty,
The Australian version (mine also a 99) seem to be a mixture of older parts on newer chassis especially when it comes to engine management. A good example is the iac valve for a 99 on ebay comes up as the newer USA style valve, when in reality we have the 97 version on ours .I have had other examples though the kia dealership as well, lucky they confirm with a screen shot before the order goes though.
Regards Dave
 
#4 ·
Cheers guys for the info. In regards to the door plate Australia doesn't have one, well on my kia anyway. Ive had a look at the service manual and it says its a '99 through the letter method you mentioned above but it still doesn't help me on determining whether mine is the old or new 1G sporty.

Dave it helps a lot knowing that I'm not the only aussie from perth going through this. Kia in Perth didnt really help out either because they told me my car was made on the 01/03/1998 through their system via the VIN number check. The only problem with going through the kia dealership is that they charge an arm and a leg for suspension parts (shocks, upper and lower ball joint ect) upwards of about 3k plus where I just don't have the funds for all of that and on sites such as ebay and amauto I can get what I need for $800 shipped to my door. Any tips that you know of that could help me out would be greatly appreciated
Regards Josh
 
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