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Im currently thinking about buying a brand new Kia Carens; they seem to be great value and not badly built. Anyone got ownership experience please? I was thinking of the 2 litre petrol. The sort of info im not really after is that "they dont feature interior soft touch plastics etc". (I dont sit in cars pressing the dashboard so that really doesnt bother me). The 5 year warranty seems brilliant; but what are they like to own and run? Is reliabilty a problem, is servicing cheap, what are spares priced like? That sort of stuff. Any info most welcome.
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Can't comment on the car, but Kia dealer servicing prices are anything but cheap - usual main dealer pricing (£100+ per hour). A diesel may also be better economy wise, but that depends on milage etc.
Joe
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Brother had a Cerato and now has a Cee'd, no trouble with either.
From that and what little I've heard elsewhere, I'd say Kia has got its act together in the last few years and the cars are now as reliable as anything else.
Isn't a Cee'd SW similar in size to a Carens?
It's built in their super new European factory, is a more modern design and comes with the seven year warranty.
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I rented a new Carens last week in Israel. Petrol auto - not sure what engine size - didn't feel like 2.0 litres but a smooth a quiet engine.
It was very comfortable, with plenty of space and a wide range of adustment of the steering wheel and seats. Folding the rear row of seats was easy.
A rather basic car in terms of few 'surprise and delight' features but as a solid workhorse, was more than adequate. I was surprised by the good quality of the ride.
I can't comment on the economy as I did about 120 miles in two days in a mix of heavy traffic, urban sprawl and open road and the car seemed to do about 25mpg at best, but the traffic in Israel does not encourage economical driving and I rarely get more than 25mpg from an equivalent Chevrolet Tacuma 2.0 auto when I have one of those. I am sure at home both would do better.
I have not driven other equivalent cars (C4 Picasso. C-Max etc) so cannot offer advice against competition, but if I was forced to drive one for a year, I would not complain about the basic qualities, although I would miss some the features standard on other cars.
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Hi,
Funny I was only down the Kia today, having my old shape Carens serviced. Started spaeking to the Kia mechanic and really raved about the new carens and ceed.
Said reliability was up there with the best and quality of fixtures and fittings had come on leaps and bounds. Did say that kia has always been reliable.
Servicing prices were the same as the current Citroen range which they already sell.
Hope it helps.
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Thanks to you all for the info.
Summary seems to be....nothing outstandingly brilliant, but nothing bad either.
I guess thats just what im looking for.
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Re: servicing costs - they are down to the individual dealer as all charge differing rates, so it its rather misleading to suggest that £100 per hour is the expected, that is one case and it would be wise to ring a selection of dealers to see what teh varying rates are.
The misses and I seriously looked at one before we went for our Forester, but we couldnt find a diesel auto one nearby for our budget. Nevertheless, we liked the car.
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Had a drive in the CRTD. Was a nice enough car with plenty room.
Motorpoint have a 2008 2.0l petrol auto for £9k. Delivery milage only. I was going to buy it but it is only the 5 seat version, I was after a 7 seater.
Seems like a bargain if the 5 seats will do.
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There´s a Carens, 2003 CRDTi near(ish) me for ?3995, only done 124K KM. I´m quite tempted. I really want a 7 seater though. Seems like a good price - what does the BR think...?
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