What's a good price on a Sedona EX

[Klink]

Any advise out there would be great!

I'm looking at buying a 2006 Sedona EX with the Premium Entertainment Package, Power Package, Luxury Package, and the First Aid Kit. What should I expect to pay or what price would be a "good deal"? I'm located in Southern California.

Thanks in advance...

[Inky]

As the owner of one, I strongly advise against buying a Sedona. Nevertheless, maybe this will help if you can't be swayed: Kelley Blue Book lists the MSRP as $26,495; the invoice (what the dealer pays) as $24,590; and the New Car Blue Book Value (what people are actually paying) as $24,836. Of course, each of the option packages you add, increases the amounts.

[Klink]

Wow Thank you Inky. In your opinion and I'm curious why would you advise against the Sedona and what year do you have....?

Originally Posted by Inky

As the owner of one, I strongly advise against buying a Sedona. Nevertheless, maybe this will help if you can't be swayed: Kelley Blue Book lists the MSRP as $26,495; the invoice (what the dealer pays) as $24,590; and the New Car Blue Book Value (what people are actually paying) as $24,836. Of course, each of the option packages you add, increases the amounts.

[Inky]

Hi, Klink. I have an '02 Sedona EX with 106K miles on it. It has had problems far out of proportion with its age and mileage (http://www.kia-forums.com/kia-carniv...-2002-kia.html). I'm not alone in decrying the Sedona's ultra-low quality.

The 2006 Sedona is "second generation" and supposed to be more reliable than the previous years. This may be true. Nevertheless, since a vehicle is such a big investment, I think it's a huge gamble to buy one at this point. Wait a year or two and see how the new ones hold up with age and mileage. Being rated high in "initial quality" is only ideal if the van will never be driven. The greater concern is long-term quality and there is just no way to ascertain that until it's "tried and true."

Even in the 2006, the Sedona isn't the best in its class and its weak resale value negates the money saved on the initial purchase price.

Finally, for what it's worth, Kia used their first generation ('02-'05) of Sedona minivans to learn what not to do. Unfortunately, their education came at the expense of those who bought their vehicles. However, Kia has never offered to put right those wrongs. So, owners of Sedona and other Kia vehicles became victims rather than just dissatisfied customers.

[Klink]

O'man what a disappointment... THANK YOU for your candor.

Originally Posted by Inky

Hi, Klink. I have an '02 Sedona EX with 106K miles on it. It has had problems far out of proportion with its age and mileage (http://www.kia-forums.com/kia-carniv...-2002-kia.html). I'm not alone in decrying the Sedona's ultra-low quality.

The 2006 Sedona is "second generation" and supposed to be more reliable than the previous years. This may be true. Nevertheless, since a vehicle is such a big investment, I think it's a huge gamble to buy one at this point. Wait a year or two and see how the new ones hold up with age and mileage. Being rated high in "initial quality" is only ideal if the van will never be driven. The greater concern is long-term quality and there is just no way to ascertain that until it's "tried and true."

Even in the 2006, the Sedona isn't the best in its class and its weak resale value negates the money saved on the initial purchase price.

Finally, for what it's worth, Kia used their first generation ('02-'05) of Sedona minivans to learn what not to do. Unfortunately, their education came at the expense of those who bought their vehicles. However, Kia has never offered to put right those wrongs. So, owners of Sedona and other Kia vehicles became victims rather than just dissatisfied customers.

[Inky]

No problem.

Whatever you decide, let us know.

Good luck and happy driving!

[Klink]

You got it. Thanks again.

[Schnauzer]

Inky had serious issues that I can appreciate with his is a 2002 model. There are others but majority of Sedonas have faired very well on the road in most markets. Records show far more satisfied owners of the older generation Sedona than not. The new Sedona is definitely a quality vehicle Klink and it has gotten awards and great reviews for being a great mini van. Please don't make up your mind based on Inky's comments alone. Test drive a new Sedona. Check out the net for other owners' comments. Remember no matter what make you buy, you can get a lemon once in a while. Kia's long warranties are great but I recommend also finding a dealer who meets your needs and build a relationship. Kia isn't the fastest growing car company in the world for nothing. I went from Nissan Corp to Kia Corp because I saw Kia and Hyundai having a lot going for them and they were selling nice cars at fair prices. I don't want to belittle Inky's real problems but do not take his problems as normal. They are far from it. People on the forum have heard his side of things mostly. There are always reasons why a car company does or does not help a customer. Not all reasons are acceptable of course and there are avenues to deal with such problems in most cases. Kia is an awesome company and will only get better over time.

[Inky]

I respect your comments, Schnauzer, but I do take exception with much of what you wrote.

Originally Posted by Schnauzer

Records show far more satisfied owners of the older generation Sedona than not.

This is not a good argument. It's like recommending a restaurant by saying, "There are more customers who don't get poisoned than do." That's a bit of hyperbole, but it'll serve.

great reviews for being a great mini van.

It has also gotten reviews that peg it as a terrible minivan.

Please don't make up your mind based on Inky's comments alone.

Nor on Schnauzer's.

Test drive a new Sedona.

This is a poor indicator unless the test drive lasts 5 years and 100,000+ miles. How many dissatisfied owners of Sedona or other vehicles do you think didn't test drive first?

Check out the net for other owners' comments.

Indeed. There are both good and bad reviews. Remember, however, that my primary argument was concerning long-term quality and it is too soon to see if the new generation Sedona will hold up.

Kia isn't the fastest growing car company in the world for nothing.

Again, not the best argument. Remember when, "There's a reason the tech sector is the fasting growing."? Then the .com bubble burst.

I'm not saying that that will happen with Hyundai/Kia. I'm sure it won't. I just caution that it could be too soon to invest in one. Buying a vehicle isn't like buying a house, where you might lose out if you wait too long. With a car, it makes more sense to go with tried-and-true than to go with better-than-it-was-last-year.

I don't want to belittle Inky's real problems but do not take his problems as normal.

Whereas they may not be the majority, they are by no means abnormal. Aside from the minor problems of the windshield wipers and trip computer and the major problem of the burning/leaking oil, I've read of others with problems just like mine.

People on the forum have heard his side of things mostly.

We've heard the many problems others here have had, too. And, they are significant. What have we had recently? Three people who sold their Sedona minivans virtually at the same time (bowing out in posts with titles like, "Finally Happy - The Carnival has gone!" and "Sold up finally.")? None of whom bought another Kia.

There are always reasons why a car company does or does not help a customer.

Outside of what they absolutely have been forced to do by warranty (which I've read isn't always easy to have honored), site any significant goodwill Kia has put forth to remedy problems suffered by their customers?

there are avenues to deal with such problems in most cases.

Avenues? Should it have to come to that? Legal action or pressure from regulators or whatever those avenues might be? Kia acts in bad faith. Granted, they can't afford to pay to fix all of the myriad of problems caused by poor quality, but they could offer to pick up some of the fees. Or, at the least, offer parts at cost, instead of continuing to profit off of difficulties that they are responsible for.

I know focusing on the negative can be taboo. However, there are times for it and this is one of them. I’m not in this group to stir up trouble. My posts attest to that, including those in the DIY forum.

You didn't address the Sedona not being best in its class. Nor did you address the Sedona's weak resell value negating initial savings.

Why should anyone go with the Sedona— less than best, the bigger gamble— when, for a few dollars more, the person can ensure quality, get better features, and latch onto something with higher resell value?

[Schnauzer]

Inky definitely has a right to his distaste for how he conceives his treatment from Kia. Again, you only have his story of things which I take seriously and respect his concerns. Of over 250,000 sold world wide of the first generation less than 1% had major problems. Like all manufacturers, Kia keeps records at many different layers -- parts distribution to dealers/nondealers, service invoice records kept within the Kia service computers, and customer relations communications with customers and dealers. In addition Kia has field representatives who keep lengthly records on problematic vehicles for their districts.

The Sedona is less of a gamble as stated by Inky in my opinion but again I see Korean reports he doesn't have access to. Like anything it takes time to build resell value. Honda and Toyota didn't have it for 20 years. Kia is now getting high marks for quality and resell values ARE climbing. It is really a market thing and in time resell value for Kia will reflect the quality.

Btw, I am a big fan of Toyota and Honda. You always have to have a point to shoot for in this business and right now it with those two great brands. In my opinion the Sedona is right up there with them for overall value and quality. Time will tell if I am right about the quality of course. I love Kia.