The Versa is now gone.

[Ever Victorious]

Today was its last day, I traded it in on a new '08 Kia Spectra5 SX hatchback.

Traded the V in for an even payoff, and got the $17,674 MSRP Kia for $14,399. Black on black, automatic, locking lugs for the option packages.

I got to keep my Konig wheels, although I don't know if they will go right back on. When I put the winter wheels back on the V and drove it down, I noticed a night and day difference in road noise. I do at least have to take them apart and give the TPMS sensors to the dealership, though.

A couple quick differences:

The Kia has an integrated under-floor cargo tray in the back big enough to hold a first aid kit, emergency tools, AND jumper cables. before with the V, I could carry only one at a time without sacrificing cargo space.

The Kia comes with a strut tower brace as factory standard equipment. Handling is better than the V, and with the longer wheel base, less punishing. The standard alloys are 16". I will, however, miss the electric power steering of the V.

There are a few little features that the Kia has that the V didn't that are VERY nice. Automatic headlights, an illuminated ignition switch, and auto-relock keyless entry. Aux input with the base level stereo.

[MinisterofDOOM]

My uncle's new Accord has a strut tower brace from the factory, too. It's about time manufacturers started doing that.

[reyes1212]

........

[superskunk]

to bad.... we will miss you... maybe someday when all the kinks are worked out of the versa, you will rejoin us.... good times to you EV....

[blindsnyper]

will you at least stick around here? youve helped EVERYBODY and will continue to if you decide stay.

[frankoV]

Salute, ami . . .

[S15nS13vert]

Kia.......sheet metal is made out of used PEPSI cans

[bikeman]

Congrats, EV. Don't be a stranger. We've gotta be a better group than the KIA folks.

David

[daggonit]

Congratulations! The Kia Spectra5 is a really nice car for the money. I test drove one before buying the Versa and it was the only car that had me going back and forth. I hope it gives you many, many trouble free years!

[VersaMG08]

Congrats on the new Kia Spectra! Hope the car treats you better than your Versa. Remember, you are always welcome back here to check us out and chat whenever you're pleased!

[Ever Victorious]

Salute, ami . . .

And don't forget... GO HABS...

[audtatious]

Hope it works out for ya

[BBISHOPPCM]

...And the Versa is made from recycled Kias.

[Mubbly]

So.... who is going to tell Kimber?

[Nismo V]

Glad you found a vehicle that works for you EV

Got any plans for the Spectra5 ?

"It's not the car that you drive that matters but the driver that makes the ride."

NV

[Versa Madness]

The Kia comes with a strut tower brace as factory standard equipment. Handling is better than the V, and with the longer wheel base, less punishing.

The Kia Spectra5 has a wheel base of 102.8 inches and the Versa is 102.4. I find it hard to believe that less than a half of an inch is a difference that is "less punishing".

I am glad that you found a car more to your liking and I hope that your future driving experience is more trouble free and rewarding.

[Ever Victorious]

The Kia Spectra5 has a wheel base of 102.8 inches and the Versa is 102.4. I find it hard to believe that less than a half of an inch is a difference that is "less punishing".

There's a section of I-5 running through Northgate that is really rough, probably about as close to "washboard" as the state will let any highway get. There was a huge difference between the two cars. Perhaps it's not the wheelbase entirely, perhaps some of it has to do with the suspension... but it wasn't subtle.

So.... who is going to tell Kimber?

Probably me on monday.

...And the Versa is made from recycled Kias.

Great comeback.

Got any plans for the Spectra5 ?

Pretty much the same things I did to the V. Tint and bumper protector.

[Papa Don't Take No Mess]

Best wishes Ev! I have been fortunate with my V, so far no problems (26,000). If I had to choose another econo car, for the money, it would be the Spectra 5.

Safe Journeys Ev

[Knightro2]

My best friend just traded in his '97 F-150 with 200k on it for a '06 Kia Spectra (not the 5, just a sedan). It's not bad. Back in the day I use to call KIA = Keep In Asia of Keep It Away. But now I see they are decent cars for the money.

[Soravia]

Kia is a cheaper brand of Hyundai. My friend has a 2002 or something model. It's pure **** compared to my Sentra (which isn't all that great either)

I don't know about the latest Kia but I noticed that Hyundai copied off Honda on a lot of their recent cars so it should be a lot more improved.

[Andrews Chalmers]

Terribly sorry to hear about your bad luck EV - you've always been very generous with your experience with the V.

Good luck with the new car!

[Bubs daddy]

EV,

Congrats on the Kia purchase. They've come a long way since they first came out.

I'm sure you fel relieved and rejuvenated.

Come back and see us once in a while.

[Ever Victorious]

If anyone in the Seattle/Everett area is interested in the 17's I had on my V, they're posted in the For Sale (wheels and tires) section of NICO. Local pickup only, no shipping.

[matt_a]

Sorry to see you go, EV. I fully understand your choice. Overall, we have been very happy with our Versa. But there have been (and still are) a few issues that I don't feel like we should have in a new car:

- squeak coming from underneath car. Turned out to be loose clamp on muffler assembly. I found it an fixed it.

-chronic dash rattle. Fixed with small amount of foam wedged between dash and windshield.

-clunk in steering at very slow speeds. - not addressed yet.

Other than that stuff, the car has been great. We love the comfort, interior space, and economy. I just never saw pesky "quality issues" like these on previous new cars. If I had anything more serious going on, I'd probably trade it too. But as it stands for now, I think we'll keep it.

Anyhow, good luck with the Kia and don't be a stranger around here. I for one would love to hear periodic updates on the Kia.

[Ever Victorious]

Well, here's a quick periodic update then. First tank of fuel... 357 miles on 12.22 gallons. 29.21 MPG. Exceeds both the City rating (24) and the Combined rating (27).

[BBISHOPPCM]

I believe there was another one... KIA = Killed in Action. Seriously though, Kias (and the Korean auto industry as a whole) have come a LONG way since the Hyundai Excel of the 1980s, and the Ford Festiva (Kia-built version) of the mid 80s/early 90s. The Koreans have worked harder than any nation to try to win over the American consumer in price, quality, and overall value. Remember, it took gas crisis and the reliability problems of American cars in the late 1970s to get Americans to take the Japanese seriously. Koreans are catching up, and in many cases, exceeding the Japanese automakers in many areas.

Why don't I own a Korean car? I don't know. My grandmother had pure luck with her '93 Excel, but her '99 Elantra suffered reliability problems. My uncle owned a new '98 Kia Sportage, which fared well, aside from the catalytic converter blowing apart while under warranty (which was fixed without incident). I know of a few other Hyundai owners who swear by their cars, and one Kia Sedona owner who absolutely loves his minivan. I don't really know anyone who has had any major problems with their Kias or Hyundais. So, would I ever buy one? sure. But I love Nissans, and to a lesser extent, Volkswagens... But I'll tell you this; I'd buy a Kia or a Hyundai before I even CONSIDER an American vehicle. Even to this day, they all still seem to have problems.

[KimberKenobi]

So.... who is going to tell Kimber?

*sniff sniff* this happened on my birthday... But Geoff waited till Monday to break it to me XoD

My $0.02, I keep my jumper cables in the spare... I think the first aid kit I'm getting will fit there as well... ;oP

[Bubs daddy]

Quote »Seriously though, Kias (and the Korean auto industry as a whole) have come a LONG way since the Hyundai Excel of the 1980s, and the Ford Festiva (Kia-built version) of the mid 80s/early 90s.[/quote]Indeed, Hyundai/Kia just surpassed Honda in cars sold worldwide.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/0...aker/

Less than a decade ago, the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group was ranked 11th in the world in total sales volume. According to the latest publishing of the Automotive News 2008 Global Data Book, the automaker has impressively passed Honda to take 5th position.

To climb six positions in just eight years isn't a simple accomplishment as it required stepping over such global automakers as Fiat, Chrysler, PSA/Peugeot, Nissan, and Honda. Last year, Hyundai-Kia sold 3,961,629 automobiles worldwide (Hyundai sold 467,000, and Kia 305,473 in the United States alone).

While they still have a long way before they reach 4th position currently held by Ford (global sales of 5,964,000 in 2007), their move into other markets as witnessed by the luxurious 2009 Hyundai Genesis and the group's favorable June automotive sales (even in a depressed market) demonstrate the increasing strength of the Korean automaker