RONDO 2008click special offers on top tab at link, enter your zip, click RONDO
offer good to 5/4/09
The federal government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the 2008 model a top safety rating of five-stars for driver and passenger protection in frontal crash tests, a five-star rating for front seat occupant protection in side crashes, and four stars for rear seat occupant protection in those crashes. It gets a four-star rollover rating as well.
The new EPA ratings are 26MPG on the highway, and only 19 in the city, for a combined 21 or 22 (depending if it is the 4 or 6 cyl engine). I actually own a 2007 EX 6 cyl (with moon roof and seating for 7), and get 20-21 mpg in my daily driving. It is a very utilitarian car, great for all the kids and their friends, but I cannot figure out why it burns so much gas for such a small car.
Though some don't like the exterior, I don't have a problem with it. Looking for something a bit smaller than my Durango to haul up to 5-6 people - don't want a big sedan, big minivan or SUV. This or the Mazda 5 looks to be it.
Before jumping on this, consider the Dodge Journey. It's also 7 passenger with big warranties and I believe 4 yr 0% interest. And don't forget the Lifetime Warranty that the US Govt now covers.
I don't doubt that this is a fine car (in fact I was really impressed with the entire Kia lineup displayed at the Chicago Auto Show), but $1700 off of a 2008 in April 2009 just doesn't seem incredibly hot.
knowit2 said: Before jumping on this, consider the Dodge Journey. It's also 7 passenger with big warranties and I believe 4 yr 0% interest. And don't forget the Lifetime Warranty that the US Govt now covers.
Due to the amount of service my Durango required vs. the amount my wife's Santa Fe needed, I doubt I'll ever buy a Dodge again. Both have over 130k miles, and I've spent WAY more than she has on unscheduled service.
BTW - This isn't the first Dodge we've had...also had a Shadow, Sundance and Grd. Voyager (yeah, Plymouth, but still the same).
d3a1ninja said: I recommend getting a car with a CVT transmission it's smart.
We have a 2008 Kia Sedona which is very well designed and built.
Anything other than a true manual with 3 pedals can't be smart. Having the torque converter running against brakes while stopped sounds like awfly a lot of work for nothing, as oppposed to having transmission completley disconnected form the engine via clutch and neutral.
Next time you are in an automatic equipped vehicle, let go of the brakes and see how far and how fast you get going. All of that is a waste of energy, for what?
zklopman said: The new EPA ratings are 26MPG on the highway, and only 19 in the city, for a combined 21 or 22 (depending if it is the 4 or 6 cyl engine). I actually own a 2007 EX 6 cyl (with moon roof and seating for 7), and get 20-21 mpg in my daily driving. It is a very utilitarian car, great for all the kids and their friends, but I cannot figure out why it burns so much gas for such a small car.
Don't know if it's still this way, but in the early 2000s hyundai/kia were still using cast iron engine blocks/cylinder heads where the japanese had moved over to aluminum for the weight savings. No difference in terms of safety, but iron is so much heavier that it significantly impacts fuel economy.
1700 off is pidly compared to 2500-3500 off 08 sant fe's and other vehicles. CX-9's were 9k-10K off recently, that is a hotter deal. This is just an average promo.
completing said: JesseLivermore said: KIA = Killed In Action .............They put tons of metals to increase safety, and that's why Kia cars have such a low MPGs. It is great for your family's safety, but you'd better not crash a Porsche. and for everyone else, if you see Kia on the streets, you'd better drive away.
That's a great selling point. Sacrifice mpg's for safety. Sign me up!
Kia is putting out some better cars these days but I recommend buying one ONLY if you plan to drive it forever, through end of it's life. The depreciation on a typical KIA is precipitous.
I have a 2004 Sorento - it has been one of the best cars I have ever owned Absolutely zero problems in 5 1/2 years of ownership. Bad gas mileage, but knew that going in. As poster above said, it is because they use older technology (cast iron blocks, etc). I plant to keep it til it wears completely out due to the depreciation. But, hey, it's paid off!
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