VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2] ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 11:39:50 11/21/06 Tue
Author: SpectraMan
Subject: Re: 2001 Kia Spectra
In reply to: Amy 's message, "2001 Kia Spectra" on 07:09:59 11/21/06 Tue

>I just found this website, and am very excited to tell
>my kia story... i had a 2001 kia spectra. i bought
>it with a bad axle. of course i was not aware of this
>problem until i went through 10(!!) tires in one year.

> I was told that it was my fault. Then the speaker in
>the druber side door messed up. My husband had to go
>in and argue with some one until the agreed to fix it
>without charge.

Then the air conditioner went out. I
>was told that a rock bounced up and hit "something".
>They refused to fix it under warranty. A ROCK DID NOT
>HIT THE AIR CONDITIONER!!! I had a plastic covering on
>it. There was NO way a rock could have hit.

All of these problems and I was told that none of it was
>covered by warranty. What good is it then??!!

The final straw was when "something" went wrong with the
>motor... I was told I needed $1500.00 worth of work.
>NO FRIGGIN WAY!!! I pulled the tags off of the Kia at
>the mechanics, and called Kia and told them that they
>could come pick it up. And no I an not going to pay
>for it. I was given the run around about that car
>since day 1 of owning it. Never again will I own a
>Kia. I will walk first.

Amy:

My 2004.5 KIA Spectra is one of the best cars I've ever known.

Question: Was your car new or used? That does make a difference in the warranty. The mileage on your car will also affect whether a component is still covered by warranty. You neglect to post any info regarding the mileage on your car at the point where some of these defects occurred.


To correct a few of your misconceptions above:

1. Yes, a rock CAN break your A/C. The mechanic must not have done a very good job of describing how this could happen. I would bet that the rock hit and perforated the A/C condenser that sits *in front* of the car's radiator (aka: front grill), thus allowing the refrigerant to leak out. Check this online explanation out:

"An air conditioner is an equipment that uses the refrigeration cycle. In an automobile, air conditioners are designed to use a compressor to pump a refrigerant around. Low pressure and load temperature in the evaporator coil causes the refrigerant to evaporate into vapor, taking heat along with it. This way, passengers that board air-conditioned automobiles are spared the agony of being baked inside their own vehicles.

Like an automobile engine, an air conditioner has the capacity to overheat. Any appliance capable of overheating runs the risk of exploding, causing much more damage to the vehicle and the passengers at hand. This is the reason why air conditioners employ A/C condensers. Like radiators, they are the ones responsible for holding in check the short temper of their respective wards."

Here's what a condenser looks like:

http://www.innerauto.com/includes/images/Inner_Auto/Chevy_Parts/Chevy_Parts_New/Chevy_condenser.jpg


2. The engine problem you experienced. I'm going to guess that it had something to do with a timing belt breaking, and your car had over 60K miles on it. I'm also going to assume that your engine needed a new head and valve train.

I'm also going to assume that you and your hubby neglected to read the "Preventative Maintenance" portion of your car's Owner's Manual.

Is this correct?

If so, then all I can say is that had you read the manual, it states that a timing belt change is *REQUIRED* at 60k miles.

Yes... this is a bit early when compared to other makes of cars, but it is not unheard of, nor is it maintenance that isn't required by other makes.

I heartily suggest that you read the Owners Manual of your current car so that you don't have to find a forum for that make in the future to vent your spleen on.


The axle issue I can't address, since that is uncommon. I'm guessing that the dealership deems the bent axle due to your abuse. If that's not true, then I do emmpathize with you on this particular issue.

As far as the door speaker goes... sh-t happens. Did this go bad after 3 years? Again... read your warranty. The audio system is only warrantied for 3 years (at least is is on mine). I empathize with you on this one too, but blown speakers aren't uncommon low-end cars (which the Spectra definitely was back in 2001).


My car has only needed 3 minor repairs in 28k miles, and all three were done quickly and cheerfully by my dealer.

I love my Spectra, and will contradict your "advice" to any readers out there.

See my car at: http://spectraman.freeservers.com

-SM

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]
[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.