[dwhittall]

Hi, my name is David, I am British, married to a Filipina and living in Cebu, Philippines.

I understand the KIA 'Pride' is assembled in the Philippines. Other models are imported from Korea.

I am very interested in the new KIA 'Sportage', but wont be available in Cebu until 2005. The KIA dealership took my details at the launch of the 'Sorento' here in Cebu, and promised to contact me when the Sportage does become available. I am interested to learn what price it will be available for? If it is a lot cheaper than the Honda CRV or the Toyota RAV4, then it should prove a good seller.

The cheapest KIA's are the 'surplus' vehicles imported directly from KIA. some companies specialise in Korean vehicles and stock 'surplus' spares also. the cheapest being available for Php140,000 (about US$2,500).

I have been told they can get me a 'surplus' KIA 'Sportage' with a diesel engine (most KIA Sportage's on the roads that have been bought from new via dealership seem to be gasoline engine versions). This will cost Php260,000 (about US$4,600), with Php20K deposit and take 1 month to supply and will be overhauled and given new paint job.

I have a question - "Is the older KIA Sportage available with a diesel engine option, and is 'Automatic Gearbox' available for this?".

I do have some concerns that if nearly all the KIA Sportage available in the Philippines, have gasoline engines, this probably means little or no spares for diesel versions?

I hope this changes with the introduction of the new 2005 model of the 'Sportage' since I want to consider the model with the 2-litre CRDi turbocharged diesel, that generates 112 ps at 4,000 rpm and torque of 245.2 Nm between 1,800 and 2,500 rpm.

It is good to see it will be avilabale as ‘diesel engine plus automatic’ combination that is so popular with European buyers, but rarely available on a small SUV. I would also want to order with four-wheel drive, a system that senses when one or both front wheels lose grip and automatically diverts up to 50% of engine power to the rear wheels. If necessary, the driver can engage 4WD at low speeds, dividing power evenly, 50%-50% to the front and rear wheels.

Anyone managed to get a Test Drive in this new Sportage yet?

Thanks in anticipation of any replies.

Cheers
David

 

[lscae01]

Hi Dave. I can tell you that the old Sportage version did have a diesel version back in the good old UK but I can not find out if there was a automatic version. The import of the old style Sportage was stopped to the UK in about 1998. The diesel is not available here in Australia and this goes for the Sorrento as well, so I guess we will not get the new Sportage diesel either. I would however avoid the older style petrol version, it is very underpowered, I speak from experience! No idea on prices yet here.. Craig

 

[Trail_raider]

Hi David,

I'm from Manila and I own a Sportage (year 2000), 4x4, 2.0 diesel, turbo intercooler and yes, AUTOMATIC. It' s not easy to find a used version of this type here in the Philippines but its a lot better than the previous sportage which came out because it has larger compartment space and a bit longer.
If your planing to buy a used import Sportage make sure your buying directly form an authorized Kia dealer and not from a middle man company otherwise you'll have problems with maintenance.
Kia parts are easily available at:
GOODGEAR VEHICLE PARTS
2682 / 4 Taft Ave., Pasay City
833-8382, 834-0954, 831-9203
FAX: 833-8411
Email: none

 

[techboi]

Hi Trail raider, im from cebu and im planning to buy an old model of Kia Sportage. Can you give me an idea where in cebu can i buy a Kia dealer that sells this thing? i keep on looking here but so far they are mostly middle man companies.

any info will help, Thanks !

 

[corra kid]

Hello David
There was no old type kia sportages with DIESEL engines
imported to the UK, only petrol engines, these stopped coming
in to the UK in late 2003 early 2004. i have a 2001 sportage S.
The NEW sportage is here now in 2 litre DIESEL 2 litre PETROL
both 4 cylinder engines plus a V6 2.7 PETROL smart machine

 

[UK Kia Dealer]

Corra Kid,

You are correct the old style sportage was stopped in October 2003 and I have only know it to be produced in the UK with a 2.0L petrol engine (Manual or Auto).