Some Questions...

[Emil]

Hi everyone,

My beloved Sportage was recently in an accident (rear-ended on the Freeway), but it was nothing that couldn't be fixed and right now it looks as good as new again. Having to drive a Chevy Aveo Rental for about 2 weeks has made me appreciate my 2001 Sportage EX very much and right now I'm looking to making some extra additions to it.

1.) I'm looknig to buy the wood grain set to replace the black plastic inside, and was wondering if that wood grain set (available for $68) is the same that the LX (or is it the Limited Editions) are equipped with?

2.) Also the KIA logo that the body shop put on it is the red one, while the original 2001 logo was chrome. So I'm looking to replace that also, but I thought while I'm at it, I could go ahead and purchase the new "SPORTAGE" emblem from the 2005 series and replace that too. So my question for this one is, do you think the 2005 SPORTAGE would fit correctly/nicely instead of the smalle 2001 Sportage text?

3.) I'm also looking at adding Keyless Remote Entry to my KIA. I've looked at the KIA Parts catalog and this is the listing I get with different prices (I don't know which one to choose ):

1   UP990 AY060A REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY  1 - -  $133.25  
1   UP000 AY065 REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY  1 - -  $80.00  
2   UP990 AY061 REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY  1 - -  $128.00  
3   UP990 AY062 REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY  1 - -  $35.00  
4   UP990 AY063 WIRE HARNESS,RKE  1 - -  $42.00

4.) This is not specifically a mod/addition, but I believe that my steering wheel might need some tuning (I may be wrong here, so help me out). When on the freeway, the steering wheel is not as smooth and sensitive as any other car. My Dad for example has a 2001 Sedona (which is considerably larger than the Sportage) and I can drive it comfortably with only one hand holding the steering wheel (to make turns etc...) But on my Sportage, I HAVE to use both hands or else you can't really make smooth turns. Does the steering wheel need some fine tuning or is the problem from something else?

Thanks in advance, any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Axe Man]

Originally posted by Emil@Dec 10 2005, 11:07 AM
4.) This is not specifically a mod/addition, but I believe that my steering wheel might need some tuning (I may be wrong here, so help me out). When on the freeway, the steering wheel is not as smooth and sensitive as any other car. My Dad for example has a 2001 Sedona (which is considerably larger than the Sportage) and I can drive it comfortably with only one hand holding the steering wheel (to make turns etc...) But on my Sportage, I HAVE to use both hands or else you can't really make smooth turns. Does the steering wheel need some fine tuning or is the problem from something else?

Thanks in advance, any help would be greatly appreciated!

Quoted post

Clumsy and poor on center steering feel at highway speeds is a Sportage characteristic. Tain't nothing you can do about it.

[bgNick]

usualy AxeMan is right but my sportage does not have this problem.I can turn
the steering wheel at any speed with great ease-one finger is enough to spine it in any direction.Is 2000 4x4 2door.Be shure steering pump is working properly.

[RaleTheBlade]

Mine seems alright on the highway, its responsive but shaky. I believe it just needs an alignment, lol. I have a Silverado which I just got an alignment and new tires today, which used to shake badly at about 60 mph (same thing my Kia is doing) and after the alignment and new tires the shake went completely away

[Emil]

Thanks for the replies, I guess I'll take it back to the mechanic at the dealer to have a look at it. Any ideas/suggestions on questions 1. 2. and 3.? :P

[RaleTheBlade]

Well, to help answer question 1, 2, and 3

1) If you can get a woodgrain instrument panel for it, go for it. As long as it is 98 - 02 it should work regardless of what style of Sportage you have. I believe all of the sportage have the same basic instrument cluster set up so I dont really see why it wouldnt work.

2) Im sure you could get a Kia logo for it at the dealership or body shop, though the only problem is getting the old one off, lol. You might have trouble with that as the adhesive they use to put most emblems on is extremely sticky and you may actually damage your pain in removing it, so I would be very careful. Also, they make adhesive remover, though on emblems it is difficult to use as the adhesive is behind the emblem. That task would be something more or less for a professional if you want a clean and paint damage free job.

3) The keyless remote would work as long as you have an automatic, I dont believe they make a keyless remote for a manual transmission. Though dont quote me on that, chances are they do and Ive just never seen or heard of one. But you are more than likely looking at something above 90 dollars for the entire installation kit. Therefore, I would say that 80 to 133 dollars sounds about right. Anything less is either junk or is smaller parts, like just the remote unit, key unit, or wiring and nothing else. Also, see if you cant contact the manufacturer of the remote starters, they should be able to tell you all what they include. If you cant find a manufacturer or any contact information, I would be VERY leery about ordering anything from them, as credit card piracy is very tricky nowadays.

[cdreece]

Rale i believe they were meaning Keyless entry not Remote start either way i Would look in to a remote start (aftermarket factory didnt come out with one)most have keyless entry built in with them you should be able to have a remote start/keyless entry combo installed for about $200. Not to hard of a job and should only take a couple of hours to complete and Yes as Rale stated needs to be an automatic i think they may have something out now for a manual trans but dont know how far i would trust it. As far as the emblems go some emblems are held on by tape and some with tape and bolted on also.It probaly wouldnt be to hard to swap as long as there arent any bolt holes left when removing the emblem if they are just tape it should be a pretty easy swap BUT may damage the paint since it is Fresh depending on how long it has been since repaint.

[Emil]

Thanks for all the helpful information and replies.

Just for the record, I have an automatic Sportage. Also, I was only thinking about Keyless entry and not remote start, but now that it was brought up, I might consider that too. Are there any specific brands and/or models of remote engine start kits that are known to work with a 2001 KIA Sportage and that you would recommend?

Thanks again, you guys are great!

[cdreece]

Any brand will work sure is nice to come out to a warm car on a cold day

[Emil]

Originally posted by cdreece@Dec 29 2005, 10:47 AM
Any brand will work sure is nice to come out to a warm car on a cold day

Quoted post

Oh Yeah!!!

Thanks.