Surprised, kia sorento comes in 4cyl manual. Thoughts, problem areas to look for?

Good morning,

Searching for a family vehicle I've seen that the 2011+ kia sorento are available with a FWD 2.4 I4 a 6 speed manual.

Even drove one yesterday and liked how it drove for a short test drive. Good power, likes to rev, decent suspension and less body roll than expected. Probably needs a rear sway bar to improve that.

What are thoughts, experience and things to look out in one of these?

How reliable has the 2.4 been on other kia/hyundais? IS the timing belt a 80k job and can it be done at home? Any thoughts on the 6spd tranny? General reliability of kias of the vintage?

I've been shopping for a while and have looked at subaru outbacks, mazda5, hyundai santa fe and so far like the kia the best. The outback in H6 had good power but in the 2.5 auto is slow, have not tried the manual as I have not found one near DFW. Have only driven an auto mazda5 and it was unspiring, plus it's a minivan. Have not driven the santa fe and have not seen them in manual in the area.

As background, looking for a newish family vehicle around $15k to carry a soon to come baby boy and an already here german shepherd, so don't need a third row but need space for a baby carrier/s in the back seats and cargo space enough for a 70lbs dog to stand and lay (30x30x30"). Like SUV since I tend to follow any dirt road I find and maybe do some curb jumping at the mall. Not easy to find many under or around $15k newer than 2010, less than 80k, which is what would keep SWMBO happy.

Keeping the 99 cherokee for boat towing and other dirty duties and because it drives great at 195k.

Thanks for the input.

My wife drives a 2013 Sorento (same body style) but it's a V6 automatic. we're very happy with the car, and glad we got the third row seat and backup camera options. I never saw a single manual on any dealer lot, so I had no idea that was an option.

It's interesting... Some sources (fueleconomy.gov, for one) lists the existence of a stickshift Sorento, but Kia's own website does not. I suspect it was selling so poorly that Kia just decided to quit. I see them VERY rarely for sale used on Auto Trader, so I really bet they didn't sell well.

Since the Kia merger/buyout with Hyundai, Kias are about as reliable as Hyundais, which is to say, pretty darn good.

The Mazda5 is a bit of a dinosaur - it hasn't changed significantly since its introduction, and I think the fuel economy isn't very good, given its size.

I'd say that if you like the Kia, and have found one, buy it. Give a really lowball offer - cars with sticks tend to sit on the lot for a long time, they might take a low offer.

Thanks for the advice, keep it coming if you will.

I liked the kia but it is black, hot and dirty for texas. There are a couple more manual in the area I want to look at. One of them has been on the lot for 3 months but it was manufactured a year earlier with the same model year, good thing carfax is there.

Be good

I'm astounded that there are 3 manual Sorentos in your area!

started with a 99 Sportage 4wd auto, ran that till 05 and 160+k, wife loved it, called it her billy goat. Only problems were an oil cooler seal leak at around 130k and a front wheel bearing at 99k that Kia upgraded under warranty. Loved it so much got her current 05 Sorento 4wd auto thats at 177k now and the only problem was a front door power lock actuater and the transmission fluid, if you don't change it after around 50k or so it gets to the point the car doesn't shift right, stays in lower gears won't downshift to pass/accelerate etc.First time it started happening and the Kia guy told me all it needed was a fluid change I thought he was yanking my chain.. At that time the only place carrying the Kia type fluid was the dealer at 21dollars a quart.

She really wants the new body style. I really don't want payments...

EvanR wrote: Give a really lowball offer - cars with sticks tend to sit on the lot for a long time, they might take a low offer.

I agree, offer low. Also be ready for low resale. If you are the type of person who trades in their cars, expect to be offered very low when you do trade it in. If you are the type that sells your car out yourself then just expect that it may take longer to unload.

I myself drive a Saturn Vue manual. I bought it used, cheap because the typical Cute-Ute buyer does not go looking for manuals. I like it. Maybe older than you want but the Vues for '06 and '07 have an updated interior and overall appearance. The 2.2L with manual 5 speed returns 26 mpg in mixed driving. They are surprisingly readily available.
DWF: '07 Vue manual w/ 78k

Asking $5,300 likely could be bought for closer to $4,500.
Timing chain, not belt. Drive-train shared with Cobalt, HHR, etc. Reasonably reliable and simple maintenance when needed.

thanks again.

There are 3 manual in less than 15 miles and a couple more not too far. Maybe just a wierd coincidence in the market.

I know the resale value would be lower but I tend to keep my vehicles for a long time. My general rule is to offer 20% off their asking price and start playing the game after that to maybe settle at 10% off.

The reality is that this is the most expensive vehicle I would ever buy. The current jeep was the most expensive before at about $4k, probably have bought around 12 cars in my lifetime. But SWMBO wants something newer etc,

i would

All of the newer Theta engines (2.0/2.4) are chain driven. No more belts in any new Hy/Kia. The Theta has shown to be dead nuts reliable. The rest of the chassis is pretty new still, but I haven't heard of any major issues to date. About the biggest issue is something all DI engines face, and that's oil build up on the valves.