cheap cars

[sad old git]

Who makes Kia cars? Korea maybe?. Has anyone had any experience with these motors and if so what are your opinions.They are publicising a very cheap car at present from �4000, can't remember the model name but it must be mini type. What with the so called "scrappage deal" it must mean that I could trade my 14 year old car for �2000 and pay off the difference. which is why I want to know what you ABrs think.Cheers.S.O.G

[tubeway]

I used to work at a Kia dealership a few years ago. They are a Korean company, and when I worked for them all of the cars were imported from Korea, although I do believe that some are produced in Europe now.
Like anything else - you get what you pay for. They are OK cars - the build quality can be very plasticy, the engines are usually Ok and are reliable, although in my experience can be very underpowered on some models. The basic models can be very basic (they sometimes do a special ultra cheap model in the range with no radio, power steering, only available in flat red etc to advertise very low prices - ther are only very limited availability of these too)
They come with good warranties and are good value for money.
I think that you may have got things a bit wrong though - their cheapest car at the moment is the Kia Picanto - and the cheapest model is the Picanto 1.0 which according to their website is �6195 on the road, so with your trade in you are looking at �4195 (the price they advertised probable showed the scrappage price), which is not much to pay for a brand new car. More details are here http://www.kia.co.uk/New-Cars/Range/Compact/Pi canto/Scrappage-Scheme.aspx

Good Luck

[TWR]

These cars are as said ok untill you try to trade them in, in years to come.

[janzman]

I had a Kia for the best part of a long weekend.What a load of unmitigated rubbish.Very cheap pastic everywhere wind whistles through the door frames, serious lack of power. As Tubeway says you get what you pay for and its false economy to go for the very cheapest. From your name' Sad Old Git 'I take it youre old enough to remember what Skodas were like 20/30 years ago.. so am I ..well thats your present day Kia...no offence to Skoda nowadays they are a very reliable and desirable motor.maybe look at mitsubishi or daiwoo chevrolet

[sad old git]

Thank you all very much for your answers. I will certainly be looking elswhere. S.O.G.