Author Topic: Sephia Sophia? (Read 3057 times)

wannabe4x4ing · « **on:** July 23, 2008, 05:33:54 pm »

Hello, all.

So my boss's daughter has/had a 1998 Kia Sephia and she's since bought a brand new Mazda. The car was just sitting in our yard and I asked him about it - he said if I fix it, I can have it. Apparently it needs a new engine. I had our mechanic at work take a gander and he said it's sound aside from the engine issue.

I was going to finance something, but I've been told I can get an engine (installed) for $2000.00. This may be a better option, if the car is reliable.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I really don't want to tie myself down to a vehicle with chronic problems.

Turbo Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2008, 06:11:24 pm »

Sounds like it might be a money pit, stay away...

inco · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2008, 08:39:45 pm »

What Bob said. It is 10 years old now and of questionable reliability when it was new!

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2008, 10:03:16 pm »

Some owner comments:

A poorly designed car that needs to be treated like a lame horse.

This is the most unsafe, unreliable car I've ever driven, and I would not recommend it to anyone.

A death trap on wheels!

I wouldn't give this car the liberty to sit in a junk yard!

I made a mistake by purchasing this car.

My number one reason to cry.

Not worth your money!

This is the worst car I have ever owned and would not recommend it.

This is the car from Hell!

http://carsurvey.org/modelyear_Kia_Sephia_1998.html

mmret · « **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2008, 11:18:58 pm »

On the other hand, for $2000 you can't expect a whole lot. =\

carcrazy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2008, 11:26:25 pm »

For $2K you may be able to find a slightly older but way better car.Think a Honda/Acura. Not to mention that for less than half the money you could get a domestic that it should be better than that.

Cortina · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2008, 01:09:48 am »

Quote from: wannabe4x4ing on July 23, 2008, 05:33:54 pm

I was going to finance something, but I've been told I can get an engine (installed)

That should be a clue right there. its a No from me.

mrthompson · « **Reply #7 on:** July 24, 2008, 08:58:12 am »

IMO, a $1500 Crapolier would be a better bet. Sock the extra $500 away for repairs in the first year.

My sister has a 98 Crapper with approx. 180k. She does minimal maintenance...it's usually my father that checks the tire pressure and fluid levels (my brother-in-law is useless automotive-wise). She has owned it for 7 years and the only 'major' repairs have been an idler pulley and an alternator.

wannabe4x4ing · « **Reply #8 on:** July 24, 2008, 03:27:16 pm »

..........maybe I should just finance something new. I've been told I can get into a 2009 Vibe for $420/mo over three years - that's to own. Not lease.

quadzilla · « **Reply #9 on:** July 24, 2008, 03:49:33 pm »

Quote from: wannabe4x4ing on July 24, 2008, 03:27:16 pm

..........maybe I should just finance something new. I've been told I can get into a 2009 Vibe for $420/mo over three years - that's to own. Not lease.

$420 x 36 months = $15,120

Base price (From CTC) = $15,995

Sounds like a great deal to me.

mrthompson · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2008, 04:05:51 pm »

...not including a $2000 admin fee.

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2008, 04:21:25 pm »

The new revised 2009 Fit also might be worth looking into. Those magic seats are literally magic. Plus it may have stability control standard, useful safety backup in the winter.

mmret · « **Reply #12 on:** July 24, 2008, 11:57:28 pm »

New Vibe is a more substantial car than the Fit imo...

Plus if GM goes under you can just take it to Toyota.

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2008, 10:28:20 am »

Shame its not a slightly older one as they used the Mazda Protege/Miata / Ford Escort GT engine - easily found in the scrapyard. But given a 1998 has a Kia engine is probably harder to find. I'd pass. You can probably get $300 for the scrap metal at the metal recyclers. I'd sink $2k into something else.

barrie1 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2008, 11:28:14 pm »

You need something else that has been driven by a older person or a person who has really taken care of the vehicle. It does not have to be fancy but just dependable and cheap tp operate. I would pass on this one as the engine is too expensive for one of that vintage. The right one will come along if you shop real tight.

wannabe4x4ing · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:22:19 pm »

Quote from: quadzilla on July 24, 2008, 03:49:33 pm

Quote from: wannabe4x4ing on July 24, 2008, 03:27:16 pm
..........maybe I should just finance something new. I've been told I can get into a 2009 Vibe for $420/mo over three years - that's to own. Not lease.

$420 x 36 months = $15,120

Base price (From CTC) = $15,995

Sounds like a great deal to me.

That's with 0% interest (which I've been approved for) and a $500 gas card. Its some promotional thing. The only problem is its the front wheel drive and I want the all wheel drive.

mrthompson · « **Reply #16 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:27:28 pm »

Any Subaru dealers nearby?

wannabe4x4ing · « **Reply #17 on:** July 28, 2008, 01:55:11 pm »

Isn't Suburu really pricey?

quadzilla · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2008, 02:28:33 pm »

Quote from: wannabe4x4ing on July 28, 2008, 01:55:11 pm

Isn't Suburu really pricey?

Define "pricey". It is different for every person.

mrthompson · « **Reply #19 on:** July 28, 2008, 02:32:55 pm »

I reckon you could get an Impreza hatch for about the same as a Vibetrix.