Hi!
New viewer and I love your channel!
I'm deadset on finding a 2017 Kia Sorento SX, AWD, with 35k miles or less. I'm picky about the color too! Graphite exterior with red/black interior. I'm also a single teacher in Virginia, so I'm trying to get as much bang for my budget.
Because of my pickiness, finding what I'm looking for in Virginia is difficult and I'm at the mercy of a dealership (I saw your dealership video by the way) until now. 2 hours away I found what I'm looking for except it's FWD. Bummer. $23,619, 26,808 miles, personal lease, Carfax "Moderate Damage" to the front end.
So! What exactly is Carfax's definition of "moderate damage"? Should I keep looking or roll the dice in hopes it's not a lemon? Also, IF I were to go look at the vehicle, what signs of trouble should I be looking for on the front end?
Thanks!
Becky S.
Side note: I have a 2008 Kia Sorento EX and I LOVE it but, she's getting old and things are starting to break. 165k miles. The transmission is starting to shift weird. I had the fluid drained, not flushed. Still shifts weird at 40 mph. I'm not interested in buying a rebuilt transmission.
VIN: 5XYPK4A58HG285093
Carfax: https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=DEY_0&vin=5XYPK4A58HG285093
Moderate damage means it had to be towed but no air bag deployment basically.
Just for reference:
https://www.kiaenginesettlement.com/
A proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit known as In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation, No. 8:17‑cv‑00838‑JLS‑JDE and Flaherty v. Hyundai Motor Company, et al., No. 18‑cv‑02223 (C.D. Cal.) allege that 2011–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Optima, 2012–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sorento, and 2011–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sportage vehicles suffer from a defect that can cause engine seizure, stalling, engine failure, and engine fire, that engine seizure or stalling can be dangerous if experienced, and that some owners and lessees have been improperly denied repairs under the vehicle’s warranty.
It means don't buy it.
And I would avoid Kias. A car should last more than 165k.
Exactly. If the car I got only went 165, I would certainly not be in line to go get a new one.
I agree but, they just don't make cars to last like the "olden days". Yes, Toyotas are acceptions. But I don't have low mileage, Toyota SUV budget. I can't go back to a car. No offense. I've been spoiled. And I am extremely leery about buying anything with high mileage, even a Toyota.
I would rather have a Toyota with 150k miles than a wrecked Kia with 35k miles.
Touche
If you really want it, then get in there and have a mechanic check it out! There's only so much one can speculate from a pdf on the internet! Major things can be wrong with a wrecked car, and if you want to be sure, I would definitely have it inspected by a local pro.
If you want to try to do it yourself, check to make sure the frame is straight. When you open the hood and there is frame on either side of the engine bay, look at it. Inspect the physical hardware parts of the car, like the radiator and it's mounts. But I would suggest letting a pro take a look.
