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Kia Sephia


Eelsemaj
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Neutral Newbie

Hi,

 

I understand that this car is no longer in production. Overtaken by the Spectra. Nevertheless, I have just gotten one, was registered in 01/01.

 

Any comments on this car ?? Good, bad, neutral ??

 

I find that the engine noise is a bit intrusive. Other than that, everything else seems to be good. Cabin space is more than sufficient, boot is deep, engine pulls quite smoothly too.

 

[cool]

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Yes, welcome to MCF [:)] Most imporant thing is to be happy with your purchase. No one else pays your monthly instalments but you.. [laugh]

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Neutral Newbie
Well, that's what's important, that you like the car, right? [:)] Any reason for your choice, though?

 

I'm ok with the car. No complains. Suitable budget car, if you can call that in Singapore, for the family. Most attractive factor : loan installment. Got it at about $52K. After trading in my car, paying about $425 per month only. Far cry from most of my friends who are paying about double for a similar car, only that their's is Jap.

 

The tyres look kind of small though. Maybe it's just the rims. They're the original (with KIA logo) 14 inch alloy rims. What's the biggest that I can upgrade to ?? 16/17 inches ??

 

[cool]

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I'm ok with the car. No complains. Suitable budget car, if you can call that in Singapore, for the family. Most attractive factor : loan installment. Got it at about $52K. After trading in my car, paying about $425 per month only. Far cry from most of my friends who are paying about double for a similar car, only that their's is Jap.

 

The tyres look kind of small though. Maybe it's just the rims. They're the original (with KIA logo) 14 inch alloy rims. What's the biggest that I can upgrade to ?? 16/17 inches ??

 

[cool]

 

Sounds like a nice deal... but what's your engine size - 1.5 or 1.6l? If it's the former, don't even think of going to 16", let alone 17". Anyway, I reckon your wheelarches aren't too large, 15" should do quite nicely...

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Neutral Newbie

Hi there, E,

 

And a warm welcome to MCF.

 

With regards to the Sephia, if I remember correctly, it's based on the previous generation Mazda 323 platform which I must admit is a pretty neutral-handling car. I've personally not driven it before myself but someone I know has and says it out-handles the previous-generation Lancer and the overall build is pretty decent.

 

Overall, based on what I've been told, you're probably in for a relatively stress-free ownership..... [:)]

 

Just my $0.02's worth of thoughts....

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Hi,

 

Very unique nick! [cool] I drive a y2k Sephia also. Considering the equipment, it's good value for money. However the refinement and fitting is poor. Yes, after 1.5 yrs my car is still very quiet during idle, with air-con off, but once it's on the move, it gets significantly noisy. Wind noise is evident above 80km/h. IMHO the pickup is poor for a 1.5 DOHC. Any mods so far?

 

Hi,

 

I understand that this car is no longer in production. Overtaken by the Spectra. Nevertheless, I have just gotten one, was registered in 01/01.

 

Any comments on this car ?? Good, bad, neutral ??

 

I find that the engine noise is a bit intrusive. Other than that, everything else seems to be good. Cabin space is more than sufficient, boot is deep, engine pulls quite smoothly too.

 

[cool]

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Neutral Newbie
(edited)
Hi E, welcome to MCF! The Sephia was higher rated as a good budget family car in the US, a worthy and safe buy IMHO [cool]

 

See, James ? Told ya so - safe, painless ownership...... phew, thankfully I'm not the only one with the stand...... [:)][laugh][laugh]

 

Actually, I wanted to say you had an interesting nic, too..... hope you enjoy your time at MCF.....[:)]

Edited by Renegade
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Neutral Newbie
Well, that's what's important, that you like the car, right? [:)] Any reason for your choice, though?

 

I'm ok with the car. No complains. Suitable budget car, if you can call that in Singapore, for the family. Most attractive factor : loan installment. Got it at about $52K. After trading in my car, paying about $425 per month only. Far cry from most of my friends who are paying about double for a similar car, only that their's is Jap.

 

The tyres look kind of small though. Maybe it's just the rims. They're the original (with KIA logo) 14 inch alloy rims. What's the biggest that I can upgrade to ?? 16/17 inches ??

 

[cool]

 

Dude,

 

You've got a ur car at a great steal!

 

Is it manual or auto?

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Neutral Newbie
Hi,

 

I understand that this car is no longer in production. Overtaken by the Spectra. Nevertheless, I have just gotten one, was registered in 01/01.

 

Any comments on this car ?? Good, bad, neutral ??

 

I find that the engine noise is a bit intrusive. Other than that, everything else seems to be good. Cabin space is more than sufficient, boot is deep, engine pulls quite smoothly too.

 

[cool]

 

Yeap, me also want to welcome u to MCF, trust me, these guys are a fun bunch, i'm know it coz i'm new here too [;)]

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Neutral Newbie

Hi,

 

Thanks for all those comments. Had a bunch of friends who didn't really like the Korean brand cars. BTW, my Sephia's a 1.5 manual.

 

Anyway, for mods, I'm thinking of changin the air filter to K&N drop-in, and the plugs to Denso iridium at the next servicing. Thereafter, probably upgrade the rims. Not sure what size to upgrade to, right now it's 14 inch. And then, strut bars front, and back if space permits. After that would be the suspension/damper set (thinking of Sachs).

 

I'm bringing over my ICE from my previous car, so no need to spend too much there.

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Neutral Newbie

Glad U're enjoying your Sephia, the K&N and iridium plugs will give your better throttle response but do be careful when U re-oil the K&N, over-oiling may cause contamination of the MAF sensor.

 

As for rims, 15" max if U like to balance some looks with comfort and fuel economy. If SACHS has a suspension kit (springs and struts) then go for it! SACHS has the best balanced touring/performance kit as far as I have experienced, not too harsh yet lowers enough over stock to give better handling. [;)]

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I'm ok with the car. No complains. Suitable budget car, if you can call that in Singapore, for the family. Most attractive factor : loan installment. Got it at about $52K. After trading in my car, paying about $425 per month only. Far cry from most of my friends who are paying about double for a similar car, only that their's is Jap.

 

The tyres look kind of small though. Maybe it's just the rims. They're the original (with KIA logo) 14 inch alloy rims. What's the biggest that I can upgrade to ?? 16/17 inches ??

 

[cool][/reply]

 

Yah.... i agree.... $425/mth is really good..... the best in S'pore is to drive a fully paid car....and fully paid house..... like that every mth... running cost is much lower.... without this 2 biggest commitment..... with a family.... $1,500 to $2,000 /mth is very good already.....

 

Wah!! 16" or 17" rim is quite siong on your car power.... do check around 1st before u decide..... [:)]

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Hi,

 

Thanks for all those comments. Had a bunch of friends who didn't really like the Korean brand cars. BTW, my Sephia's a 1.5 manual.

 

Anyway, for mods, I'm thinking of changin the air filter to K&N drop-in, and the plugs to Denso iridium at the next servicing. Thereafter, probably upgrade the rims. Not sure what size to upgrade to, right now it's 14 inch. And then, strut bars front, and back if space permits. After that would be the suspension/damper set (thinking of Sachs).

 

I'm bringing over my ICE from my previous car, so no need to spend too much there.

 

Yah... Welcome to to MCF.... [:)] Can see that u are having a great time..... do be active.... i personally driving a Corona.... and really want to change my rims and tyres to 16" or 17"... but since my car is 1yrs 6mths to go.... so i reckon that it's best that i stick to my current stock 14".... and with the current 14"... i feel that my car is not powerful enough already.... so can't imagine if i were to have a bigger one....

 

I would probably try to catch someone from the S'pore Toyota Club that has the same car as me... with bigger rims.... and ask to test drive... so that i can have a feel.... my 2 cents anyway.... [:)]

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There is an Eibach progressive springs kit for the Sephia. Lower about 2".

 

The local distributor is Hotwheels.

 

Glad U're enjoying your Sephia, the K&N and iridium plugs will give your better throttle response but do be careful when U re-oil the K&N, over-oiling may cause contamination of the MAF sensor.

 

As for rims, 15" max if U like to balance some looks with comfort and fuel economy. If SACHS has a suspension kit (springs and struts) then go for it! SACHS has the best balanced touring/performance kit as far as I have experienced, not too harsh yet lowers enough over stock to give better handling. [;)]

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