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I've had my Rio5 for about a month now and love just about everything about it. My only complaints are the lack of a center console, the change holder is too small, and the rear windshield wiper only has one speed (I had the same complaint about my Sportage's rear wiper). Other than those three small complaints, everything else is great. What are your complaints?
(note: there are lots of other things that I would've liked included (sunroof, compass/temp gauge, etc.) but aren't important enough to complain about)
I've had my Rio now for over a year and my only complaint is the outrageous prices the dealers charge for parts & labor. I was quoted $300 labor plus parts to replace a rear wheel bearing, got the job done at an independent garage for $30 plus parts, total cost around $60. BTW this garage uses certified mechinecs. This tells me something is totally wrong. I guess KIA dealers think working on their cars is rocket science.
Wow. I thought the center console held a ton of stuff. Plus, besides the glove box, there are plenty of places to store crap. This is my first new car and the last car I had was a 1973 Ford. This is luxury compared to that. I was surprised how many sunglasses, drinks, change, and other nic nacs I could fit.
These aren't really complaints, just something that would have been nice are:
Different instrument cluster lights (the green is really outdated)
Option to not have red stitching/seats in the sport model.
The plastic side moldings are a little outdated, but i guess only to '08 standards.
For the price of this car, I thought I got my moneys worth.
I went from from a jeep grand cherokee to a kia rio 5.
These are my complaints, no digital compass, no outside temp guage, no intermittent setting for the rear wiper, only 1 power outlet, no cruise control, no sunglass holders, no factory tinted glass, the automatic transmission
Last edited by 08Rio5InPa : 09-15-2008 at 08:44 PM.
This car is sooo cheap though. If you wanted all that stuff, why not get a more expensive car? Camry? Accord? Most of those things you want can be added on. You can get a compass, temp gage, cruise control, sunglass holder, tinted glass. IMHO this is still the best deal around. The comparative vehicles like the Aveo, Fit, Versa, and others are just ugly, cost more, and still don't come with most of the stuff that you want.
I'd say my only real complaint is that the plastic interior panels on the doors, dash, and by the console scratches somewhat easily, but it's not really all that big of a deal. As for the features and such, I can't say I really have any since I knew exactly what I was getting into and kind of like my cars basic (coming from a '93 Tercel S I drove into the ground).
My only real worry is if KIA has really improved or if I'll regret the purchase in three years time.
I dont really understand why you would need a compass and an outside temp readout. I mean you were outside of the car before you get in it, shouldnt that tell you how hot/cold it was ? My only complaint about the car is the lack of a 6th gear. It just feels odd for me to cruise down the interstate while sitting at 3k on the tach. On a side note JCWIT, how many miles do you have your Rio to be replacing the wheel bearing already? Also, arent the wheel bearings covered under the 10year 100k mile warranty ?
Replaced at around 75,000 miles, and I'm 2nd owner hence no warrenty. Fifteen/twenty years ago it would been no problem at all as I would have done it myself, but at my age it's almost impossible to get on my knees to do it. Parts at Advance Auto only run approx $25/30 bucks so all in all no big deal. All in all its been a great little car with no big problems, actually only other problem I had was with 3 relays which I handled myself. Regular maintence was also done but I don't consider encluding that in this as you have it in any vehicle.
gpw11- I did some research before I bought a Kia because I was worried about the quality as well. I had my doubts but Hyundai and their brand Kia are really on the up and up. They do have advanced R&D and the cars are up with the rest. The plastic molding is obviously to keep cost down to pass on to the customer. I was either going to buy an Aveo or Rio5. During my research I found that the Aveo is actually a Daewoo. I compared what people said about Daewoo with what people said about Kia, and the Kia was praised more. I think it was a much better decision.
Yeah, I did a fair amount of research as well, and it seems that they really have turned their reputation around. It's just kind of something that's always on the back of my mind. I have a high level of confidence though...otherwise I wouldn't have made the purchase.
As for the plastic interior, it's not a big deal at all. Much like the rest of it, I knew what I was getting into, I was just suprised at how easily it scratched compared to other "budget" interiors on cars I've owned. To be fair though, it does look and feel much nicer than those so it's probably a bit of a trade off. It's also probably a bit of a mental thing for me as I've never owned a brand new car for me so I probably notice things like that a bit more.
All in all I'm completely satisfied. I'll probably throw the short shifter in at some point because it seems like it will make the shifting more positive. The only real thing I think could really qualify as a flaw with the design of the car (since the plastic is indeed a cost saving measure like you pointed out and I'd personally rather have the money in my pocket over a bit more durable interior) would be the lack of a 6th gear as previously mentioned. That said, it doesn't affect me all that much, but it seems like it would improve fuel efficiency on the highway.
Rio complaints?
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