Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and asking for some advice. Thanks in advance to anyone just reading this whole post!
I'm looking at buying a 2002 Sportage 2WD, automatic. It's only got just under 51,000 miles on it. I've spent two nights reading over these forums to get some idea of what I'd be getting into, but it's like any other vehicle: you read about the same amount of good reviews and bad ones. This one seems to be in really good shape, and there's nothing negative showing on the Carfax. I've driven it around a few times, and I like it more than I thought I would.
The timing belt is my first concern. I've read that it should be replaced around 60,000-65,000, but the dealer insists it will be good until close to 100,000. I don't go out of town much, so it would take me a long time to put another 50,000 on it. But I wonder if I should just go ahead and get it replaced first thing...and if I should ask the dealer to do it before I buy.
Another thing that bothers me is the CEL came on while I was testing it. The dealer told me the previous owner said it's been on for over a year, but he can't figure out why. They supposedly took it to a Kia dealer and a local mechanic (I know him personally), but nobody knows why it goes off and on. I don't know a lot about mechanical stuff, but that doesn't even make sense. It's got to be throwing specific codes, right?
The first time I drove it, I opened up the back hatch and couldn't get it closed again. Some adjustment is obviously needed there, and the dealer said they'd definitely fix that. He also said they had to fix something with the differential that had to do with towing it, which I won't ever be doing.
Things I really like: It's VERY clean inside for a 2002, and exterior paint is still really good. Back side and rear windows are tinted. Last owner put in a Kenwood stereo/CD player. AC fan blows twice as hard as my last vehicle. I've never had power anything, so just power windows and side mirrors are awesome. Tires look pretty good, but I forgot to find out how old they are.
Things I don't like much: Sun visor needs to be just a little longer when I put it over on the driver window -- can those be changed out? It doesn't have a whole lot of 'get up and go', but maybe just a change of spark plugs would make a big difference.
Things that make me wonder what Kia was thinking: Flimsy-looking cup holders right in front of the AC vents??? Not much of a console organizer type thing in between the seats. Front windows not tinted, but I've never had tinted windows anyway.
I wondered it it still had warranty because of low miles, but dealer said it's too old. I definitely will have to get some type of warranty from them.
I'll decide tomorrow if I'll get it or not, so please share any advice, suggestions, or experience -- good or bad! Thanks!
I'm looking at buying a 2002 Sportage 2WD, automatic. It's only got just under 51,000 miles on it. I've spent two nights reading over these forums to get some idea of what I'd be getting into, but it's like any other vehicle: you read about the same amount of good reviews and bad ones. This one seems to be in really good shape, and there's nothing negative showing on the Carfax. I've driven it around a few times, and I like it more than I thought I would.
The timing belt is my first concern. I've read that it should be replaced around 60,000-65,000, but the dealer insists it will be good until close to 100,000. I don't go out of town much, so it would take me a long time to put another 50,000 on it. But I wonder if I should just go ahead and get it replaced first thing...and if I should ask the dealer to do it before I buy.
Another thing that bothers me is the CEL came on while I was testing it. The dealer told me the previous owner said it's been on for over a year, but he can't figure out why. They supposedly took it to a Kia dealer and a local mechanic (I know him personally), but nobody knows why it goes off and on. I don't know a lot about mechanical stuff, but that doesn't even make sense. It's got to be throwing specific codes, right?
The first time I drove it, I opened up the back hatch and couldn't get it closed again. Some adjustment is obviously needed there, and the dealer said they'd definitely fix that. He also said they had to fix something with the differential that had to do with towing it, which I won't ever be doing.
Things I really like: It's VERY clean inside for a 2002, and exterior paint is still really good. Back side and rear windows are tinted. Last owner put in a Kenwood stereo/CD player. AC fan blows twice as hard as my last vehicle. I've never had power anything, so just power windows and side mirrors are awesome. Tires look pretty good, but I forgot to find out how old they are.
Things I don't like much: Sun visor needs to be just a little longer when I put it over on the driver window -- can those be changed out? It doesn't have a whole lot of 'get up and go', but maybe just a change of spark plugs would make a big difference.
Things that make me wonder what Kia was thinking: Flimsy-looking cup holders right in front of the AC vents??? Not much of a console organizer type thing in between the seats. Front windows not tinted, but I've never had tinted windows anyway.
I wondered it it still had warranty because of low miles, but dealer said it's too old. I definitely will have to get some type of warranty from them.
I'll decide tomorrow if I'll get it or not, so please share any advice, suggestions, or experience -- good or bad! Thanks!
