2006 Kia Rio - Use and Toss?
Kia vehicles have managed to make significant strides in quality and durability since being introduced to the US market in 1994. Widely panned by critics as producing cheaply built and cheaply priced models, some Kia models are now performing at average or slightly above. The Kia Rio is not one of these cars, however. Only the extended warranty makes the Rio worth a look otherwise slightly more expensive cars from Toyota are preferable.
With a base MSRP of just $10,735, the Kia Rio is touted as "still the most affordable 4-door sedan in America." Certainly, when it comes to price, the Rio is a winner. Add in standard features such as dual remote mirrors, driver lumbar support seats, and the extended warranty, and the car is a value leader. Of course, air conditioning will cost you extra and don't expect to find any type of radio in the car either unless you pay extra for it. Remember, the emphasis is on value, not equipment.
The Kia is powered by a 1.6L DOHC 16 valve I4 engine paired with a five speed manual transmission. The five passenger sedan produces an anemic 104hp; a four speed automatic transmission is optional.
Various upgrade packages allow consumers to select additional "comfort and convenience" options as well as safety features including four wheel antilock brakes. One almost thinks that a customer would do better purchasing the basic model and then purchasing Kia accessories through a parts wholesaler to maximize the car's value.
The best part of the Rio -- or any Kia car for that matter -- is the extended warranty, one of the best in the industry. Without it, the Rio would be truly forgettable.
Kia's warranty covers the following:
Limited Powertrain: 10 years or 100,000 miles
Limited Basic: 5 years or 60,000 miles
Limited Anti-Perforation: 5 years or 100,000 miles
Roadside Assistance: 5 years / unlimited miles
The Kia Rio serves the purpose of providing cheap, basic transportation. If you drive a lot and need an economical car, then the Rio is worth a look. Just don't think that the car rises to the level of a Toyota, otherwise you will be sorely disappointed. You may get five or six good years out of the car before its value decreases to the point where it simply should be discarded.
By Matthew Keegan
Visit the Blog about kia sedonaWhy A Kia Ceed?
The all new Kia Ceed surely looks very European and not purely because of the fact that it shares a lot of the design cues of the current Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3, two other Eastern cars designed to meet Western tastes. Not comparable to those mid-sized Korean cars, this model looks as if it has been created by engineers who are conscious of the need to take on the Ford Focus and VW Golf which resulted to a product that appears extraordinarily well adapted to life in one of the toughest sections of the world car market: the family hatchback class. Basically, the Kia Ceed is a small family car which was released in European market and is available in five-door hatchback, 3-door hatchback as well as five-door hatchbacks with an option up to four trim levels, five engines, and either automatic or manual transmissions.
What's with the name? The name was said to originate from the Community of Europe and European Design with an 'ED'as its project name. Another conclusion why it was named that way is it was derived from "cerato evolved" because the Cerato is the predecessor of this model. Through the years they have spent in the industry, they had received several awards which include 'Idea of the Year' presented by Autocar, 'Hatchback of the Year' by What Diesel Car?, Towcar award in the eyar 2007, and 'New Car Honours' by Auto Express.
As you enter the cabin, Kia Ceed will reveal to you its real surprise. One thing, it's roomy. Elegance is tendered by its soft-touch plastics and rubber-finish switches that will enable you to drive according to your needs. The gauge cluster was superbly created to help monitor speed, engine revs, and to see the amount of distance traveled. Furthermore, it is lit with orange glow that is specially made help the eye adjust freely mostly when driving at night time. It has digital information system that gives useful data at an instance like cock, calendar, outside temperature, trip computer, door ajar indicator, audio system information as well as tyre pressure monitoring system.
All of these features will help you achieve hassle-free ride since all the information that you need are furnished. Technologically advanced parts are as well mounted like it has been created with USB socket that will allow the user to play MP3s from a memory sticks. The model also features a water-repellent side glass which is not common to some vehicle model. On the other hand, the vehicle's exterior need not to be discussed more since just a mere look at the model will tell you how beautiful it is. Much more than good looks and comfort, the Kia Ceed is also packed with highly performing parts that will provide excellent drive on the street. Mounted with 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre four cylinder petrol versions plus, er, 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre turbodiesels.
By John Eva
