Anyone have any thoughts about KIA Vans?

[John Hubertz]

My neighbor has a 2002 Sedona  (sold elsewhere as the Carnival I believe) minivan with only 80,000 miles driven.

It has a v6 engine with automatic.  Anyone have any experience with the Kia brand in general and their vans in particular?  Since I'm a retiree I can't afford to make a serious mistake for a long-term vehicle.

[Beastie]

That generation of Carnival has a terrible reputation here for having terrible issues with engine reliability. There was even an exposé on one of those TV shows that come on after the news: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4fzVD3aHW0

However, the engines in the US models might be a different type, I'm not sure. My google-fu is lacking right now.

My impression of KIAs and their vans is that the early generations had issues with build quality and a certain tendency for lemoneyness. I hear the newer ones, especially the newer generation Carnivals, are actually quite good. The LWB version is huge.

Does your new car need to be a van?

[John Hubertz]

Well, the US market vehicles have a larger V6 than the international models - A full 3.5L if memory serves.  You may be thinking of the 2.5L rover V6 that is used in most non-USA markets.

I know the crank pulley bolt has been an issue on these as there is a bulletin to replace it whenever it is removed for servicing the water pump or timing belt.  The timing belts I know can be problematic - so that would be my first service priority.

Yes, I do need a van.  We've got 7 grandchildren so the extra seating is a necessity - plus my new beagle is a jumper so I couldn't trust her in the back of a pickup truck.  She even jumps out of car windows if given the chance.