Kia Sportage 1998 LWB Review

Good Points
Comfort

Bad Points
Engine,Gears,under body noises

General Comments
The Kia Sportage 1998 LWB has given me a 6 month motoring nightmare. 5 times the car has been back to the dealer, several letters to Kia Australia has solved nothing, and as other Kia ownwers with problems have stated, Kia seem unwilling to help, which is a shame. The engine itself is underpowered, I can see why I never had any hills on the test drive, the smallest incline means a change down in gears straight away, even then the engine will struggle. The car now has developed a humming noise, which seems to come from the exhaust when a certain speed is reached in the gears and the gearbox sounds as if it has 3000 ball bearings loose in it, it sounds deadly and it's amazing to see the reaction of bystanders when pulling away. Still the Kia Western Australia after sales business manager has driven our car, and told us that the gearbox is meant to rattle(!) and the humming noise can be cured by bending a support strutt for the exhaust, now this information gives us the greatest confidence in Kia. It's a shame as the car itself is comfortable and seems pretty well put together with a lot of Hyundai and Bosch parts. The finnish is good, but certain switches are very flimsy, only time will tell how these hold up to use. We will now no longer buy a Kia in the future as after sales and ongoing help with Kia is non exsistent. Kia you have a lot of work to do! I am glad to see Sorrento owners seem to be having more luck!!!