Kia Sedona?? Worth a punt?

[LouD86]

Right, I may be in the motor trade, but come accross something I have never really looked at before.

Chatting to a neighbour, they are changing their vehicle, and wanted me to value their 02 Kia Sedona, so condition wise, and Cap, I told them its worth £1500 max as a trade in. He has offered it to me at £1700 for me to own personally.

Its an 02 2.9td LX, in white, so nothing fancy, but I was wondering if people know how reliable they are? Its only done 40k, and I was thinking ideal replacement for my dog wagon of an escort?

Who's had/got one then?

[shirt]

my dad has one and it's a pile of poo. the gearbox in particular is woeful. it also seems to have a habit of killing aircon condensers.

[LouD86]

Funny you mention that, the condenser in this one is also gone! So it doesnt have AC. But doesnt worry me when its just for shippign the dogs around in. And chucking tip runs in, its unbelieveable how much rubbish comes from moving into a farm!!

[Kiltox]

Usually only ever see them being driven by complete tts - apart from that I can't really help

Probably worth a punt tbh

[LouD86]

I think when I get home tonight, I may borrow it for a drive, see what its really like. I have no images of speed and handling, but it has all the seats, and to chuck it on my policy wont cost anything to insure.

Its not really going to depreciate anything more either if I believe right.

[LouD86]

I dont have a trailer (have a horse box, but i get told off using it) and have the 4x4, but I hate to get it dirty inside.

So I think it could make sence, now to hunt if its FWD or RWD!!

[aclivity]

My wife's 05 sedona is approaching 75k miles, just been to Paris and back in the last couple of weeks. It's not the most exciting of cars but it's comfortable and eats up the miles fairly well. It's an 05, so 6 years old, only things that have gone wrong were the DVD (replaced under warranty), the AC (fixed under warranty) and the gear linkage broke earlier this year (couple of hundred to replace). Not that bad for a 75k mile car IMO.

[kwakus]

My uncle had a one for his work as he travels all over the country. He did something like 300,000 miles before trading it in for a new one, and he doesnt care for cars at all. Would guess as a hack would do everything you ask of it

[aclivity]

LouD86 said:

So I think it could make sence, now to hunt if its FWD or RWD!!

It's front wheel drive.

[Gizmo!]

And you'll be able to earn some cash (or murder prostitutes) on a Friday night minicabbing.

[jbi]

rip out the back seats... now you have a cheap parts hauler

[LouD86]

jbi said:

rip out the back seats... now you have a cheap parts hauler

When your OH has a LR90, this is handy!!! lol. She likes gearboxs and diffs!!

I think ill go for it, just had a lil drive, its boring as hell, but its comfy for sure. Has a 2, 2, 3, set up, which is unusual, but very nice! Huge captain chairs in the middle!

[unexpecteditem]

We had one - it was ok but top whack car tax £400+ per year?

[justtourin1]

A guy at work has one, uses it to ferry his motorbike to various tracks around the country. Recently returned from Italy, towing a caravan & managed 24mpg. He really rates it!

[aclivity]

unexpecteditem said:

We had one - it was ok but top whack car tax £400+ per year?

Just taxed ours ...£250

[littlebasher]

Lets see

I had a 06 plate Diesel Auto - Last of the old shape

Loads of space inside but the build quality (especially the dash) is well below par
Engine is slooooooooooow in auto format
Fuel economy is shocking, we were averaging < 22mpg

Eventually, Kia had ours back off us and gave us the retail value against a new car. It had a recurring electrical fault which blew the ETAC unit - this rendered the car with no power windows, locks or any lights which wasn't especially fun if you happened to be out at night when it blew.

Also, judging by the amount of internet posts there are about the high pressure fuel pump failing leading to bills in the thousands - may i suggest you look for an alternative!

[shirt]

one other thing to note that the sedona locks itself if the engine is off. i'll end this anecdote there

[aclivity]

shirt said:

one other thing to note that the sedona locks itself if the engine is off. i'll end this anecdote there

No, please expand. In 6 years and 75000 miles, ours has never done this. I'm wondering if I should complain to someone.

[shirt]

i borrowed my dads to move house. absent mindedly left the keys in the boot and shut it. before i realised, the alarm armed and i had a 2hr return journey by train to pick up the spares. not good.

[The Wookie]

The only time I've had experience of a Sadowner was as a rental car in France a few years ago.

Not exactly exciting stuff, and made me feel a bit queasy if I sat in the back, but if it's cheap enough and just going to be an occasional shed for lugging things and having lots of seats then I don't see an issue