Tow Vehicle review

Basil Faulty · Guru

Tow Vehicle review

dave06 · Guru

well that sort of backs up what I have heard about them, I dont read reveiws, people think that because it is in this magazine or that magazine then it must be gospel, far from it, most reveiws of anything are a load of tripe put together by people who really wouldnt know if their backside was on fire,

I talk to people who drive these things on a daily basis

Roostertales · Senior Member

As they age I worry about parts availability in the outback and reliability. Hard to pass up a toyota but only time will tell. Wish I was out there but -in anything at this point !

Wombat 280 · Guru

Basil Faulty wrote:

As some of you will know I was recently put in a situation that required me buying a new car.
After a quick look around I decided (against my gut feeling) on a KIA SORENTO turbo Diesel. I was somewhat dissuaded by some negativity on the part of the reviewers but now having 4000 km on it and having pulled my 1800kg (the Sorento has a 2800kg towing capability) Gin palace UP the infamous Brown Mountain at speeds previously unattainable I am over joyed with it. Seriously this car goes better with the 2.5 ltr common rail, variable pitch turbo (not quite sure how that works) than the 3.0 ltr Jackeroo went without a van attached.
We gave it a good trial on the forest tracks around Bega/Tathra last week and we are impressed with it's ability under these conditions.
The ride is quite "firm" though not as truck like as the Jackeroo and the seating is cumfortable for long distances, the performance is scintilating.... It has all the gadgets in the overhead console and a great radio/CD/MP3 player (for what that is worth), well finished and well appointed and value for your $$$, mind you when we get rid of it it will be worthless.
9.3 ltrs /100km unladen average and towing the gin palace from Tathra to Canberra about 270 km we averaged 12ltrs/100km and backed by a 5 year unlimited Km warranty.....
I'm deeply moved by this vehicle...

You mentioned the Jackaroo ,currently looking at a 2000 model petrol , what's your thoughts on the Jacks overall , never owned one only ever gone toy or nissian.

Mike47 · Senior Member

G'day Basil,

As the proud owner of a Kia Sorento EX 2.5CRDi which has just had its 15,000km service, I can only endorse your comments regarding the Kia.

The vehicle has been on several trips with Cruisers, Disco's and Patrols and had no problems going wherever they did.

It's interesting to note that the 2800kg towing capacity of the Sorento is regulated by the ADR rules. The same vehicle in Europe is rated at 3500kg.

There has recently been a series of programmes on channel 10 called Pat Callinan's 4WD Adventures and they have been touring around with a pair of Sorento's including a trip up to Cape York towing a full size Camper trailer (probably about 1500kg loaded), Even the deep sand of the telegraph track didn't slow them down.

When I bought the vehicle, price was a big consideration as was the fact that it had to be a "genuine" off-roader and not a "soft-roader" and the fact that the Sorento is about 15,000 less than the Pajero or Pathfinder and outperforms either makes it IMHO the best value 4WD on the market.

Basil, I note that your profile doesn't say where you hail from - what's your 20 good buddy

Regards

Mike

Basil Faulty · Guru

Wombat, the Jackeroo is ok BUT if something goes wrong that is not under the control of the on board diagnostics you are in a situation that I was. Parts are expensive and the diesel models though technically advanced have nothing on the CRD technology. Frankly I'd give it a miss! It should be sold around $10 - 12 K any more and you are being ripped off.
Mine is the LX and the guy wanted to sell it... He gave me a KIA tool kit in the deal and what a tool kit;
spanners open and ring 10 to 17 mm
3/8 sockets ratchet handle & extension 8 -17 mm
4 screwdirvers
3 assorted pliers, long nose, combination, side cutter, lockable
Aluminuim 9 LED torch
12V aircompressor with all the fittings
Tire repair kit ( plugs, reamer, inserter, glue)
"Stanley" type knife &10 spare blades
circuit tester
electrical tape
and other misc stuff all superbly presented in a Kia Nylon Toolbag.
frankly I am impressed. I had strong reservations against buying Korean after some unpleasant experiences with some other Korean cars.
Mike47, I'm in Canberra... Can I ask how much you had to pay for the 15000K service? This was another factor the service interval is annually or every 15000 with an oil change at every intervening 7500.

Mike47 · Senior Member

Hi Basil,

Was quoted $300 by John Hughes Kia, Went to Ultratune and they charged me $190.00. There is some sort of "warranty" requirement that the "correct" oil (I think it's Valvoline) has to be used, but ultratune said that they knew about the requirement and got the right stuff in, probably bulls**t, but there you go.

I am a member of another 4WD forum which has a special Sorento page http://forum.australia4wd.com and some of the guys on there buy the oil (10L) and provide it themselves - probably works out cheaper.

Regards

Mike

Basil Faulty · Guru

Mike47 wrote:

Hi Basil,

Was quoted $300 by John Hughes Kia, Went to Ultratune and they charged me $190.00. There is some sort of "warranty" requirement that the "correct" oil (I think it's Valvoline) has to be used, but ultratune said that they knew about the requirement and got the right stuff in, probably bulls**t, but there you go.

I am a member of another 4WD forum which has a special Sorento page http://forum.australia4wd.com and some of the guys on there buy the oil (10L) and provide it themselves - probably works out cheaper.

Regards

Mike

$300 is not a bad price though for a service when you coinsider what other brands are charging.... I was told that it was the oil filter and parts that had to be genuine to comply with warranty demands. Not sure if you can get non genuine filters....

KIA have their own Tech Forum on the web but I have lost the URL but when I find it I'll post it...

mikeody · Veteran Member

After our first 'real' trip I will let you know how the 3.3litre KIA Sorrento Petrol goes. Ours is a 2008 demo with minimal kms on it and so far it looks and feels very good.