Just bought a Kia Sportage, how good/bad??

Just bought a Kia Sportage, how good/bad??

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rash_decision

Original Poster:

1,387 posts

182 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
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Hi all. I had been looking for a cheap 4x4 for the winter months as my M3 is horrendous in the ice and snow, and being from Scotland, it's all inevitable!!! I'd given myself a budget of around £2k.

I was looking on a local ad site the other night and a local guy was selling a '99 model, Kia Sportage, 5 door. 8 months M.O.T and 3 months tax, all for £400!!! The guy was local so thought it would be worth a look. It was either going to be a bargain or a banger!! The thing drove alright. Typical 4x4 steering though!! Lol. It needed a headlight, a weld repair to the exhaust, the front windows never worked and discs and pads. Got it for £300!!! Discs and pads, £62, headlight £25 and welded the exhaust myself. All in it now owes me £387. The gearbox and 4x4 system all work fine and the tyres are good so not a bad price I reckon. Eased the windows down and soaked the rubbers in WD-40 for half an hour, worked them up and down and they are now working perfectly!!

What are these Sportage things like?? I know they are a cheap 4x4, but just for pottering about in the snow are they ok or have I wasted my £387!??? I'm already looking at chunky tyres and side steps etc!! I might have the bug!!! Lol. wink

Edited by rash_decision on Thursday 25th November 19:15


Edited by rash_decision on Thursday 25th November 19:15

rash_decision

Original Poster:

1,387 posts

182 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
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Cheers!! Not too bad from reading those threads!!

Fire99

9,844 posts

234 months

Friday 26th November 2010
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My friends Dad has a late one and, yes it's definitely a soft-roader rather than a roughty toughty Land Rover Defender alternative and it's a bit 'jap' inside but I think they are cracking little 4x4's.

Probably able to handle all (and more) of what most folk will throw at them. As has been said, they get a bit scabby fairly easily with trim parts etc but honestly, for the money I don't think you can go far wrong.

JCW

905 posts

212 months

Friday 26th November 2010
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Having 'suffered' a Z4M in the snow, which made your M3 look like a snowmobile, I'd say you picked yourself a bargain even if it isn't the last word in off roadability it should see you proud over the winter. Let us know how you get on.

rash_decision

Original Poster:

1,387 posts

182 months

Friday 26th November 2010
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I'll keep you posted! As this little bargain cost more than one alloy for my M3, I'll be taking a chance with slamming this into a kerb rather than the M3!!

I've spoken with a few folk this morning who rate the Sportage as a 4x4. Sure, it's not a Land Rover, but build quality aside, they are meant to be every bit as capable offroad. As I'll only really be on snow covered tarmac, it sounds as if I'll be mobile if it does come down heavy!!!