1996 Kia Sephia

Bought in 1997 with only 14 miles on it

By My little Kia, Sophie (ID) on Sunday, November 20, 2011

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 130,000

Pros: "good gas mileage; good little commuter car"

Cons: "In some instances, parts were hard to find for it."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"My little 1997 Kia Sephia was brand new when I bought it with just 14 miles on it. It is an automatic transmission with manual windows, manual locks, and had a tape deck in it. The stereo broke and the drive belts needed replaced the first year, but after that it ran and ran and ran. I used it primarily as an in town commuter car and got really good gas mileage, so much so that now I cringe as I am shopping for a new car. It was perfect for my single, pre-child, college years. I did fairly routine oil, lube, and filter changes, battery replacement,and had new tires put on it every now and then. About the time it hit 100,000 miles I started having more mechanical issues with it, like oil leaks, radiator leaks, water pump hose leaks, broken gaskets, battery corrosion eating at my connect, the muffler needed replaced,the dash cracked and peeled up, the interior light door sensor stopped working, and the "open door" light got stuck on (I think I slammed the seat belt into the door and broke the sensor)...Unfortunatley, now it is the transmission that needs replaced. All of those issues probably could have been avoided, or at least significantly delayed had I had routine engine tune-ups done on it like I should have. This past year, I had a baby and though the trunk is deceptively deep, and the carseat does fit, it only passed inspection at the fire station after putting a foam roll under the base to get the correct angle, and the 1997 Kia doesn't have the key-fit lock bolts for the carseat. I mostly need more room. That coupled with the cost of the new transmission ($1621 parts and labor quoted from the dealership), I decided it was time for a new car. I pinky-swear that I will do better with my maintenance on my next car. All-in-all, I am surprisingly sad to see it go. It served me well for 14 years. I would completely recommend a new Kia (in fact, I really want a Sorento), but I don't know that I would recommend a 1997 Kia Sephia unless it is very low miles. I also think this year of this model might have poor safety ratings."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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last many years

By chilero 77 (richmond CA) on Saturday, March 12, 2011

"I had a 95 in 2000 with 103000 miles and eight years later it die after 276000 miles. I replace a lot of parts from junker, and they work fine, I replace only one time clutch, water pump timing belt and starter, also rotors, the engine is the same as mazda protege between 93 an 95, and is very economy in gas, the only problem is the dashboard peeling and leak in trunk basically, this car goes everywhere with over 270000 original miles, the reason it dies was the head gasket blown, otherwise I still have the car. Very low maintenance as long as you change oil often, that's the life of the car basically."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Very good vehicle

By Rob (Albuquerque, NM) on Saturday, July 24, 2010

"i have a 1996 kia sephia. very good car and has a 1.8 liter mazda engine. like many other kia sephia's the dashboard burnt and peeled up but other than that very good car. it has 130000 miles and runs great, im selling it now but a great car!"

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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The Terminator

By Red Dog (Mission, TX) on Monday, June 07, 2010

"The Most reliable car I have ever owned, and known about, hands down. I own a 1995 and it has been through one wreck, two floods, and had an engine hoist frame dropped on its roof. Hence the name, " The Terminator". It looks like it is in really bad shape, and it is structurally. However my engine and transmission have been really reliable. I have only used mobile1 engine oil in my car. I vary the weights of oil in regards to its mileage and time of the year so it changes from time to time. For my 5 speed tranny I use one bottle of Lucas and 2 synthetic gear oil bottles. My Car is 500 miles shy of 300,000 and probably by the time anyone reads this it will have hit its 300,000 mile mark. If you take care of this car it will take care of you. It is quite uncomfortable to get in and out of but then again that might be the fact that Im 5'8" and weight 275lbs. My dashboard did turn brown an curl upwards, this is a common problem with these cars. Engine is a bit noisy."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Best Car I ever owned

By mamalaalaa (MISSOURI) on Friday, March 26, 2010

"I bought my Kia in January of 1995. It was used, I think it had been a rental and only 2,200 miles on it. I had a couple of things done to it while it was still under warranty but have driven it for 15 years and hardly anything went wrong. Usual things like replacing batteries, tires, front axles but nothing went wrong for years. Only this past year has it had any major work done. Replaced the water pump and other wise this has been a great car. I am an old lady and nobody has driven the car but me so I figure it was a great buy and I would certainly buy another Kia. Has a few dents in the roof from the car port falling on it a few years ago. Bad ice storm and roof collapsed on back of roof but I just got inside and laid down in the back seat, feet up and pushed the dents out with my feet. Did not hurt the running of the car at all. Has always started except when I need a new battery. BUY KIA, GREAT LITTLE CAR FOR GRANNY."

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good starter car

By treysmommy (Memphis, Tn) on Sunday, December 20, 2009

"My parents bought me this car(96 sephia) last year with 80,000 miles on it, with one previous owner, my dash board is peeled back and burnt looking, the trunk leaks, interior is cheaply made. Over the summer everything broke on it and i had to invest about 2000 to fix it. The fuel pump went out, the starter, the battery, the fuel lines were clogged and bad o2 sensors. Now when i start the car in cold weather the horn sounds. Weird but its the best car i've ever had for the price. Parts are cheap and easy to put on (even for a girl). It had all orginal parts when i bought the car. But if you take car of it, then its a good car. Dont use cheap gas or oil in this car or it will run likewise."

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