Kia-Mazda Collaboration

[Eugeosyncline]

Point of curious information, folks-- I was just reading a bit about the cheesy Kia Sephia, and I learned that the engine used in it is a Mazda derived 1.8.

This doesn't vindicate Kia for lousy products (nor does it make Mazda look good, in my opinion), but I found it interesting, nonetheless.

Why Mazda would allow themselves to be involved in such disgusting products I don't know. The Sephia (which they now call the Spectra in an effort to fool people into thinking it's a different car) is one of the worst vehicles ever made.

[pingdum]

When I had the 5 in the shop I got an Oltimo as a loaner. It was kind of cheap feeling, but not too bad. It had a pretty good V6.

[Sdrotary2]

because ford brought Kia into america so they used the 1.8l from the miata, and it even has piston oil ssquirters so no it isnt bad on Mazda just everything attached to them made in korea blew. Now it is all Hyundia and it got worse....

[BlueMP5Dave]

Mazda has always worked with Korean motor companies. Kia, Hyundai and Daewoo. Mainly in powerplants

[Kooldino]

Ugh. Daewoo.

Yeah, I took some pics of a Kia at a car show. Under the hood, it looked very similar to an FS motor.

Also, their SUV uses an FS motor.

[Vulcanon]

the sephia and spectra are two different cars

edit: just checked there website. The spectra and sephia WERE different cars until very recently it seems, or the sephia was simply discontinued

[Eugeosyncline]

The Spectra was originally introduced in 2002 as the hatchback version of the Sephia, actually. Then, realizing that people correctly associated the Sephia name with wretched, perverse quality, Kia dropped "Sephia" and began calling both the hatchback <i>and</i> sedan versions "Spectra".

By any other name it's still the same lousy car. I'm not fooled!

;)

[JOS3]

you know a little too much about kia. its scaring me

[NoahFex]

You guys aware that there is a Kia that uses the FE3?

Turbo that and _easily_ and safely obtain 300hp or more without upgrading ANYTHING inside the motor.

[Manach]

Originally posted by NoahFex
You guys aware that there is a Kia that uses the FE3?

Turbo that and _easily_ and safely obtain 300hp or more without upgrading ANYTHING inside the motor.

The FE3 of Kia is already forged btw too.. Perfect for a Turbo engine..

There is a connection between Ford-Mazda-Kia..

Take the FORD FESTIVA, pretty simple car.

That car was design BY Mazda.
ASSEMBLE by Kia
Sold by Ford.

I got that information as I was trying to see why I could bolt my B6 engine to the Festiva tranny..

The Ford Festiva is in Japan the Mazda 121, and in Australia, Kia is selling it under an other name.

[NoahFex]

Originally posted by Manach
The FE3 of Kia is already forged btw too.. Perfect for a Turbo engine..

There is a connection between Ford-Mazda-Kia..

Take the FORD FESTIVA, pretty simple car.

That car was design BY Mazda.
ASSEMBLE by Kia
Sold by Ford.

I got that information as I was trying to see why I could bolt my B6 engine to the Festiva tranny..

The Ford Festiva is in Japan the Mazda 121, and in Australia, Kia is selling it under an other name.

The FE3 doesn't have forged pistons, only rods.

[AZDriftR]

Originally posted by NoahFex
The FE3 doesn't have forged pistons, only rods.

what car does the FE3 come in? and the SUV the FS comes in is the sportage..and isnt the sportage block cast iron not aluminum like our FS? thats what ive heard..

[sgryzko]

Kias are pretty lousy and cheap but in the future I think they are gonna start to clean up their act as Saturn is starting to do. When you look at how much Saturns have improved (They are still pretty bad though), Kia will probably improve over time as other new car companies do.

[kcbhiw]

The Sportage uses the FE3.

Check it out..... http://members.aol.com/solomiata/FE3.html

[nate0123]

Originally posted by pingdum
When I had the 5 in the shop I got an Oltimo as a loaner. It was kind of cheap feeling, but not too bad. It had a pretty good V6. wtf is an Oltimo?

[yashooa]

Originally posted by nate0123
wtf is an Oltimo?
I think it is called an "Optima."

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

I rented an Optima once...peppy...

[pingdum]

Originally posted by yashooa
I think it is called an "Optima."

Whatevar!

I do kind of like those new 5-door Rios tho'.

[big_ben]

I can also throw Honda into this "parts bin" club. The Honda S2000 uses the Mazda designed ring & pinion for the differential. The stock R&P for the S2000 is the same 4.10 ratio that is used the the late model Miata. But Mazda designed several different ratios that wil fit into these rear ends. The 4.44 from the 87 & 88 Mazda B2600 and 4000 4x4 front differential also fits inthe S2000. The 4.77 ratio from the Kia sportage (also a Mazda design), is the same R&P that J's Racing is selling in Japan for $1000. This R&P can be bought at any local Kia dealership for $300. So even Japan uses US manufacturers parts sharing concepts.

The good thing is when people find out about what parts are compatable for what vehicles. There is lots of money to be saved if you do your research.

[ZoomZoomH]

and isnt the sportage block cast iron not aluminum like our FS? thats what ive heard..
all the F-series engines in our Proteges ARE iron blocks.... as is all the B-series engines in earlier gen Proteges/Miatas

[NoahFex]

what car does the FE3 come in? and the SUV the FS comes in is the sportage..and isnt the sportage block cast iron not aluminum like our FS? thats what ive heard..

You wish we had an aluminum block :P

[bruce95fmla]

yeah the kia may not be the best car, but it has a really good platform.. they use the same motor that is located in the 1st and 2nd gen proteges. The 1.8 BP ...

there styling is not that great, but what do you want?... it's a kia.

[johnnyB5646]

The last car I had was a 2000 Sephia. I blew the transmission at 800 miles. The bolt holding the fluid in was installed improperly. My dad drives it now at 95,000 miles(he drives between West Palm Beach and Miami every day.) I am SUPRISED it has held together, but it has been in the shop more than any 4 year old car I've ever heard of. It felt very peppy but the interior was CHEAP and the exterior screamed econocar even after I put 17inch Niches on it. It was my first new car and I had a love/hate relationship. I wouldn't get another KIA unless they revamp their style and quality.

[StuttersC]

In 1983 Mazda enters into an 8% capital tie-up with Kia Motors.

They've been doing stuff together for a long time...

[maple_leaf]

Mazda's beginning to scare me. All that shit about sharing mechanical parts, platforms, etc. Just stick to trying to keep your cars good!

[BlueMonsta]

All these trade info, and R&D... is really confusing, lol.......
but ya Mazda is scaring me too

[StuttersC]

Mazda's beginning to scare me. All that shit about sharing mechanical parts, platforms, etc. Just stick to trying to keep your cars good!
They are. You notice the Kia runs the Mazda motor, not vice versa.

If anything, you know certain Kia's will be decent motor wise.

[BlueMonsta]

They are. You notice the Kia runs the Mazda motor, not vice versa.

If anything, you know certain Kia's will be decent motor wise.

still... it hints Mazda is after money and not quality... =( or maybe they are just being nice? but its a company and not a person, so i doubt it

[StuttersC]

still... it hints Mazda is after money and not quality... =( or maybe they are just being nice? but its a company and not a person, so i doubt it
Every company is after profits. The only times Mazda quality has actually suffered is with joint ventures with Ford, who interestingly enough, saved Mazda from a bankruptcy disaster back in the 80s...

[BlueMonsta]

true.... still... KIAs are crap... let em go brankrupt.... Hyundais.. have better potential then KIA... i rather they partner up with hyundias..

[StuttersC]

Yeah...Oddly enough, Hyundai didn't start getting reliable until they stopped using Mitsubishi parts.

I find that rather funny...

[pingdum]

true.... still... KIAs are crap... let em go brankrupt.... Hyundais.. have better potential then KIA... i rather they partner up with hyundias..
Actualy Kia is owned by Hyundai.

[StuttersC]

Actualy Kia is owned by Hyundai.
Nice...

[Iconoclast]

if any of this is true, which is unlikely being one is japanese and the other korean, doesnt really mater to those who have a mazda now.

unless im made a good deal on a 3rd gen rx7 or 8-this is the last mazda i will own

[ZoomZoomH]

i don't know why you guys are so worried about Mazda collaborating by giving THEIR technology TO Kia (read: Mazda TO Kia, NOT the other way around)

there's NOTHING WRONG with sharing technology.

[StuttersC]

if any of this is true, which is unlikely being one is japanese and the other korean, doesnt really mater to those who have a mazda now.

unless im made a good deal on a 3rd gen rx7 or 8-this is the last mazda i will own

Um it is true...Mazda and Kia got into a capital tie up in 1983.

Its on a history site I found...

[MSPinVA]

Then again, Ford does own 50% of Mazda, so it could be Ford beancounters saying "Hey, Mazda guys, you're brilliant.... maybe... uh, give Kia some of your stuff so they don't suck SO bad and we can SELL them!" (Ford also is a majority owner of Kia). BTW, Kia/Hyundai thing is more like Honda/Acura. Same company..... kind of..... but not really.

I think the world really needs to understand that there are only 4 major car companies in the world: FoMoCo, GM, Daimler-Crapsler, er Chrysler, and Volkswagen, and as much as it's hard to swallow, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota really are minor players in the grand scheme of things. Hell, even Toyota is partnered with GM (Corolla/Prism, Vibe/Matrix).

[big_ben]

Actually, Toyota is the largest Asian automotive company. They are the GM of Japan.

[ZoomZoomH]

Then again, Ford does own 50% of Mazda, so it could be Ford beancounters saying "Hey, Mazda guys, you're brilliant.... maybe... uh, give Kia some of your stuff so they don't suck SO bad and we can SELL them!" (Ford also is a majority owner of Kia). BTW, Kia/Hyundai thing is more like Honda/Acura. Same company..... kind of..... but not really.

I think the world really needs to understand that there are only 4 major car companies in the world: FoMoCo, GM, Daimler-Crapsler, er Chrysler, and Volkswagen, and as much as it's hard to swallow, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota really are minor players in the grand scheme of things. Hell, even Toyota is partnered with GM (Corolla/Prism, Vibe/Matrix).it's not 50%, Ford has only enough shares in Mazda (33% iirc) to have majority control of the company. Doesn't make much difference in practice, but still an important item to point out.

and yeah, Toyota is the asian version of GM, they pretty much have the Japanese market under total control (80+% of domestic cars in Japan are Toyotas iirc)

not so certain in terms of the rest of the world though. Europeans really love Mazdas btw :)

[big_ben]

Europeans really love Mazdas btw :)Yes they do. Mazda's are as popular with the majority in Europe just as the Honda Civic and Accord is in America.

[MSPinVA]

Really? Hm... Why is Toyota partnered with GM then? To get a bigger marketshare in the US?

Question: Does anyone know what the hell Honda is doing? Why are they selling ugly ass cars that no one is gonna buy? I mean, the Si is dying, the Element is ugly as fuck and the only people that buy it are middle-aged women who cant afford a big SUV, not their target 18-24 audience, and the new Accord looks like ass. However, the Acura lineup is ill. What's the deal?

[ZoomZoomH]

because most 18-24 year olds can't afford brand new SUV's, and when you don't have a parent company to lean your back against (thanks Ford ;) ), you have to make BORING EVERYDAY APPLIANCE VEHICLES to pay the bills. To car makers, the enthusiast crowd is tiny compared to the mainstream market, where all the money is.

[ZoomZoomH]

yeah GM partnered with Toyota so they can gain access to Toyota's experience in building top-quality vehicles; in exchange, Toyota gets better US market access.

[big_ben]

Really? Hm... Why is Toyota partnered with GM then? To get a bigger marketshare in the US?

Question: Does anyone know what the hell Honda is doing? Why are they selling ugly ass cars that no one is gonna buy? I mean, the Si is dying, the Element is ugly as fuck and the only people that buy it are middle-aged women who cant afford a big SUV, not their target 18-24 audience, and the new Accord looks like ass. However, the Acura lineup is ill. What's the deal?Are you really that stupid? The Accord is one of the best selling vehicles ever. Not to mention that it has one of the best reliability records in history. Besides the Toyota Camry, the Accord and the Civic are two of the highest selling import cars ever in history.

Do you have anything else to add?















Moron.(jerkit)

[MSPinVA]

Not that that post deserves a response from me, but maybe I did come off a little harsh on Honda, so let me rephrase.

Most of the car companies in the world (BMW, DC, GM, Ford, Mazda, Nissan, and to a lesser extent Kia, Suzuki, Hyundai, Toyota, and Mitsu) have or will go through major overhauls in their product lineup over the next years, or are already in the process. Honda has done nothing of the sort. Sure, they redesigned the Accord, made minor tweaks to the S2000, and made a giant flaming shitbox of a Civic Si that is an insult to the nameplate that no one likes, but nothing major. If everything continues as is, the Malibu (no, not a domestic car!!) will outsell the Camry and Accord in the midsize category. All I'm saying is that Honda needs to get with the program and do something, not just sit around and make the same car over and over and over again. Its getting old Honda.....

Better? (jerkit)

[StuttersC]

Then again, Ford does own 50% of Mazda, so it could be Ford beancounters saying "Hey, Mazda guys, you're brilliant.... maybe... uh, give Kia some of your stuff so they don't suck SO bad and we can SELL them!" (Ford also is a majority owner of Kia). BTW, Kia/Hyundai thing is more like Honda/Acura. Same company..... kind of..... but not really.

I think the world really needs to understand that there are only 4 major car companies in the world: FoMoCo, GM, Daimler-Crapsler, er Chrysler, and Volkswagen, and as much as it's hard to swallow, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota really are minor players in the grand scheme of things. Hell, even Toyota is partnered with GM (Corolla/Prism, Vibe/Matrix).I've read this twice now and I missing your point.

First, Ford only owns 33% of Mazda. I know it has been said already, but your figure is so grossly wrong, the correct one needs to be stated again.

Next up, Toyota has a huge market share in the US. They almost made into the top three manufacturers in the US. Which would have knocked out one of the domestic makers out of the US big three.

Not to mention Toyota is the only company that I have ever heard of that has some where in the ball park of ten billion in liquid assets. I'm not sure on the exact figure, but they could easily fund their Formula One team easily for a couple of seasons on their liquid assets alone.

[Togan]

kia sucks so bad... shape is awful, interioir ir appalling.. ewwghhh

[MSPinVA]

OK, sorry about the number. I assumed it was 50 percent, considering that's usually when majority stock ownership occurs. Ford does have a big say as to what Mazda does and how it does it, in the US anyway. By the way, as per the Fortune 500 list, GM and Ford are numbers 3 and 4, with $196B and $165B respectively. Toyota made $41.6B, but I do stand corrected

"Last year, Toyota surpassed Ford Motor Co. to become the world’s second largest automaker ranked by global vehicles sold." from detnews.com.

Didn't realize Toyota was so big. Mea culpa. Anyway, what I was trying to say all along is many people fail to realize that its not 20 independent car companies all making their own decisions. It's 5 or 6 major companies that rule and they tell people what to do. So whether its Mazda lending Kia its engines or Pontiac and Toyota sharing platforms, its really Ford and GM who are calling the shots.

[StuttersC]

Just an FYI, Toyota had to redo the numbers and lost that covetted number three spot back to Ford. But not by much...

[big_ben]

Not that that post deserves a response from me, but maybe I did come off a little harsh on Honda, so let me rephrase.

Most of the car companies in the world (BMW, DC, GM, Ford, Mazda, Nissan, and to a lesser extent Kia, Suzuki, Hyundai, Toyota, and Mitsu) have or will go through major overhauls in their product lineup over the next years, or are already in the process. Honda has done nothing of the sort. Sure, they redesigned the Accord, made minor tweaks to the S2000, and made a giant flaming shitbox of a Civic Si that is an insult to the nameplate that no one likes, but nothing major. If everything continues as is, the Malibu (no, not a domestic car!!) will outsell the Camry and Accord in the midsize category. All I'm saying is that Honda needs to get with the program and do something, not just sit around and make the same car over and over and over again. Its getting old Honda.....

Better? (jerkit)So I guess you work for Motor Trend or Car and Driver? You think you know a lot about auto manufacturers, but you didn't know how big Toyota was?????

This all spells out to me that your opinions are completely worthless here. And if you think that Honda "hasn't gone through major overhauls in their product lineup", then you are doubly stupid. So you hate the Civic SI, so what. I would even consider purchasing that car so I really don't care about it. You probably hate it because they beat you in your gay street races all the time.

Please stop spreading your dumb opinions because they are pointless and don't make sense at all.

You have given no facts in any of your posts yet.

I have. ;)

[MSPinVA]

Yet you give no facts telling me why I'm doubly stupid.... Hm.... Too bad I've actually done some research, and if me and just about anyone I talk to says the new si is "ugly", then am I wrong? Sales numbers and reviews don't disagree with me either. And when did street racing come into this, or do you still faithfully watch the fast and the furious everyday?

I'd also like to know how you get that I know nothing and have nothing to contribute to this forum off of 3 posts? You can't disagree that there are 4 major car conglomerates in the world. Where was I wrong? Toyota chooses to go it alone, they have a great lineup, and they have a huge marketshare in Asia and a pretty sizable one in the US. But the point here remains that Toyota goes it alone , and the subject of this post is Kia - Mazda Collaboration , and I mentioned that Ford, since it partially owns Mazda, probably told them to let Kia borrow an engine for US market. How is that wrong, or incorrect, or stupid in any way?

[mineroller]

Um..I guess none of y'all likes Kia and scared of the Kia-Mazda relationship :)
It seems a little late to add onto this post, but I just want to say a few words..
Well, as a proud Korean guy in this forum..I want you to know that Kia isn't such a bad cars after all.
I know, I know, they aren't that good. I admit that. But..Kia isn't such a cheapass crap company as you all might think..

I want you to understand a few things about korean cars...

Korea started building their first cars sometime after the korean war, which is like mid 50s, and worked their way up to current days.
If you think about it, Europe and America were already driving cars in 19th century, and Japan was capable of making the largest battleship in the world and those bad-ass Zero fighters, that kicked american navy's butt for a quite while, by the start of second world war. Koreans were riding on Cows and Horses when Japanese were sending aircraft carriers halfway around the globe. The gap between Korea and Japan or rest of the "powerful nations" were HUGE, i can tell you that.

The reason Japanese can build such a reliable cars is because they HAD been building machinaries for more than a century. After all, they started a freakin world war against U.S. They had long time to develop their technologies and building skills.
Same goes for American or European cars. Mr. Ford was building his T-series in what, 19th century? I don't even have to say anything about Germans. Porsche, anyone?

Koreans, however, they started to build cars that are worthy of world-market export in less than 50 years. There are only a handful of countries that can export their cars into world market. US, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, and maybe the French. Koreans are the only nation in Asia beside Japan who can build cars of enough quality to do such thing.
You don't see Russian-brand Lada cars running around in Chicago or New York,do you? Or have you ever seen a Chinese brand car? Spanish? Indian??

Korean cars are still considered cheap-disposable-appliance cars in north america.
I can very well understand that. And it's mostly still true.

But look at Hyundai for example. They have improved and their quality ratings now rival those of Japanese. Their XG350 for example. Who ever thought anyone would be driving a KOREAN luxury car? but nowadays they do. Their Tiburon, which I admit don't compare to japanese sport coupes, still has pretty nice design, better than average performance and good quality.

In case of Kia, I don't know why, but Kia seems to bring in really basic cheap models into America..they are not like that in Korea. They make some nice and pretty cars there, but in US they are all such a cheapass models. I don't understand why.

But no one can beat the values of Kia..I mean...price for a full-full equipped midsize Kia Sedan would barely make a base model of other cars.
That's exactly why they are cheap cars, but remember not everyone is rich enough to drive a Honda or Toyota or Volks or whatever. People who just need to get from point A to point B and back, but want something that's not 10 years old and have some decent equipments built into, Kia can serve them well enough. For people who wants reasonable quality and performance and good pricing with not-so-ugly designs, Hyundai can perform quite well. Quality-wise, I don't think American makers are that great either. Volkwagen had some huge trouble in quality issues for years when their plant moved to Mexico.

Believe it or not, there is actually a Hyundai luxury model in Korea that's roughly $80,000 US. (Can you imagine a $80,000 Hyundai???) I rode in one of them and they are DAMN nice. Kia also has some upper class models that runs in 60-70k$ range. Some of the cars have a lot better interior and options in Korean domestic market than in US or Canada. Rios and Sephias, they don't look that cheap in Korea, believe me.

Hyundai has enough technology to build Tanks for Korean Army, and it's one of the best 3rd-generation tanks in the world. I am not kidding.

I know you all people here wants to drive something that's as good as Proteges or Civics or Acuras or Lexus, and look down on korean made cars.
I can very well understand it and i don't blame you at all. But, Koreans are improving, and considering they are making cars in such short history, they are not doing that bad.

Give them some more time. They are trying hard to make better cars.
Japanese and Germans had to start from somewhere..right?

And besides, as quality- and performace-oriented drivers you all are, you won't buy them anyway, so what's the big issue? :)

[ZoomZoomH]

well said dude well said

[swopey]

very interesting stuff, not that i will ever buy a Kia/Hyndai
I read an artical that said Hyndai had the best initial quality rating in the US on their cars? Must have just been a bunch of fluff to sell them. They said that the KOrean manufactured cars were very well made. I guess initial quality and quality that lasts are two different concepts to them.

[Auzzie_Mp3]

Mazda > Ford > Kia

[Aaron23]

anyone seen the Kia spectra5?

[apocman]

Um..I guess none of y'all likes Kia and scared of the Kia-Mazda relationship :)
It seems a little late to add onto this post, but I just want to say a few words..
Well, as a proud Korean guy in this forum..I want you to know that Kia isn't such a bad cars after all.
I know, I know, they aren't that good. I admit that. But..Kia isn't such a cheapass crap company as you all might think..

I want you to understand a few things about korean cars...

Korea started building their first cars sometime after the korean war, which is like mid 50s, and worked their way up to current days.
If you think about it, Europe and America were already driving cars in 19th century, and Japan was capable of making the largest battleship in the world and those bad-ass Zero fighters, that kicked american navy's butt for a quite while, by the start of second world war. Koreans were riding on Cows and Horses when Japanese were sending aircraft carriers halfway around the globe. The gap between Korea and Japan or rest of the "powerful nations" were HUGE, i can tell you that.

The reason Japanese can build such a reliable cars is because they HAD been building machinaries for more than a century. After all, they started a freakin world war against U.S. They had long time to develop their technologies and building skills.
Same goes for American or European cars. Mr. Ford was building his T-series in what, 19th century? I don't even have to say anything about Germans. Porsche, anyone?

Koreans, however, they started to build cars that are worthy of world-market export in less than 50 years. There are only a handful of countries that can export their cars into world market. US, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, and maybe the French. Koreans are the only nation in Asia beside Japan who can build cars of enough quality to do such thing.
You don't see Russian-brand Lada cars running around in Chicago or New York,do you? Or have you ever seen a Chinese brand car? Spanish? Indian??

Korean cars are still considered cheap-disposable-appliance cars in north america.
I can very well understand that. And it's mostly still true.

But look at Hyundai for example. They have improved and their quality ratings now rival those of Japanese. Their XG350 for example. Who ever thought anyone would be driving a KOREAN luxury car? but nowadays they do. Their Tiburon, which I admit don't compare to japanese sport coupes, still has pretty nice design, better than average performance and good quality.

In case of Kia, I don't know why, but Kia seems to bring in really basic cheap models into America..they are not like that in Korea. They make some nice and pretty cars there, but in US they are all such a cheapass models. I don't understand why.

But no one can beat the values of Kia..I mean...price for a full-full equipped midsize Kia Sedan would barely make a base model of other cars.
That's exactly why they are cheap cars, but remember not everyone is rich enough to drive a Honda or Toyota or Volks or whatever. People who just need to get from point A to point B and back, but want something that's not 10 years old and have some decent equipments built into, Kia can serve them well enough. For people who wants reasonable quality and performance and good pricing with not-so-ugly designs, Hyundai can perform quite well. Quality-wise, I don't think American makers are that great either. Volkwagen had some huge trouble in quality issues for years when their plant moved to Mexico.

Believe it or not, there is actually a Hyundai luxury model in Korea that's roughly $80,000 US. (Can you imagine a $80,000 Hyundai???) I rode in one of them and they are DAMN nice. Kia also has some upper class models that runs in 60-70k$ range. Some of the cars have a lot better interior and options in Korean domestic market than in US or Canada. Rios and Sephias, they don't look that cheap in Korea, believe me.

Hyundai has enough technology to build Tanks for Korean Army, and it's one of the best 3rd-generation tanks in the world. I am not kidding.

I know you all people here wants to drive something that's as good as Proteges or Civics or Acuras or Lexus, and look down on korean made cars.
I can very well understand it and i don't blame you at all. But, Koreans are improving, and considering they are making cars in such short history, they are not doing that bad.

Give them some more time. They are trying hard to make better cars.
Japanese and Germans had to start from somewhere..right?

And besides, as quality- and performace-oriented drivers you all are, you won't buy them anyway, so what's the big issue? :)

I love my 1998 Kia Sephia. I have had it years and have well over a 100k on it. Only thing I ever had go wrong was a $25 part. If I ever have to buy a new car it will most likely be a Kia. good gas miles, A/C, great warranty ( though I doubt you will ever have to use it!) and great price among other things.

[pingdum]

anyone seen the Kia spectra5?There's a thread about it around here somewhere.

[www.ky-kia.com]

Road and Tracks article on the new KIA Spectra
http://roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=1497




I have run the heck out of this car still no major problems

2001 Kia Sephia
http://www.ky-kia.com/gallery/mysephia/front-9-28-04.jpg

http://www.ky-kia.com/gallery/mysephia/side8-04.jpg

http://ky-kia.com/ebay/ebay1.jpg

http://www.ky-kia.com/gallery/mysephia/momo1.jpg


http://www.ky-kia.com/gallery/mysephia/momo2.jpg

http://www.ky-kia.com/gallery/mysephia/engine1.jpg

[mineroller]

whoa..that's the sweetest looking kia car i ever seen..
you even have the KDM kia logo..nice!

[www.ky-kia.com]

whoa..that's the sweetest looking kia car i ever seen..
you even have the KDM kia logo..nice!


Thing about this car it uses a KIA only engine, No mazda ,No hyundai. However the suspension is still mazda. You can argue with how good of a design the Protege Suspension is easy to modify and make handle.

[StuttersC]

Thing about this car it uses a KIA only engine, No mazda ,No hyundai. However the suspension is still mazda. You can argue with how good of a design the Protege Suspension is easy to modify and make handle.
So the new Sephia suspension is based on the third gen Protege suspension?

[www.ky-kia.com]

So the new Sephia suspension is based on the third gen Protege suspension?

1st gen Sephia 1994-1997
100% 1st gen protege, Everything mazda except outer body panel.

2nd gen Sephia 1998-2001 & 1st gen Spectra 2000-2003
Modifed 2nd gen Protege suspension.
Kia Engine, Mazda Trans, Mazda Brakes.

Unfortunatly the brake rotors are the rotors used on the 1st gen Protege 1.6 instead of the slightly larger brakes from the 1.8. the Calipers are I don't know whos they are.

2nd Gen Spectra 2004.5-up (New body style)

100% Hyundai Elantra, 138hp 2.0 DOHC, The outer body was restyled to match the KIA style.

Hyundai took over KIA in 1999, All new KIA cars are Hyundai.
The Last Kia vehicle to use a mazda engine was the Spotage (2.0 dohc).
The Sephia stoped using the mazda engine in 1997.

[pb4ugoout]

dont' want to thread jack but the new saturn vue redline uses a honda motor similar to the oddosey(sp?) and pilot motor

[StuttersC]

1st gen Sephia 1994-1997
100% 1st gen protege, Everything mazda except outer body panel.

2nd gen Sephia 1998-2001 & 1st gen Spectra 2000-2003
Modifed 2nd gen Protege suspension.
Kia Engine, Mazda Trans, Mazda Brakes.

Unfortunatly the brake rotors are the rotors used on the 1st gen Protege 1.6 instead of the slightly larger brakes from the 1.8. the Calipers are I don't know whos they are.

2nd Gen Spectra 2004.5-up (New body style)

100% Hyundai Elantra, 138hp 2.0 DOHC, The outer body was restyled to match the KIA style.

Hyundai took over KIA in 1999, All new KIA cars are Hyundai.
The Last Kia vehicle to use a mazda engine was the Spotage (2.0 dohc).
The Sephia stoped using the mazda engine in 1997.

Cool, thanks for the info...I might try to track down a first gen for the heck of making it a sleeper.

[www.ky-kia.com]

Cool, thanks for the info...I might try to track down a first gen for the heck of making it a sleeper.

The only first /gen Sephia worth buying is the 1.8 DOHC. That is the same engine as the 91-95 Ford Escort Gt and Protege 1.8 DOHC. Also a JDM Protege 1.8 Turbo will bolt right in. thats a 181 hp engine if memory serves. Its engine code would be BPt Also there was a AWD version of the Turbo Protege sold in Japan.

[JITB]

Cool, thanks for the info...I might try to track down a first gen for the heck of making it a sleeper.


just get a 1st gen protege..:)

im constantly grabbin stuff from the 1st gen kias, form the jy...

[StuttersC]

The only first /gen Sephia worth buying is the 1.8 DOHC. That is the same engine as the 91-95 Ford Escort Gt and Protege 1.8 DOHC. Also a JDM Protege 1.8 Turbo will bolt right in. thats a 181 hp engine if memory serves. Its engine code would be BPt Also there was a AWD version of the Turbo Protege sold in Japan.
I know the Protege side of things...I jusy never knew the first gen Sephia was a rebodied first gen.

[StuttersC]

just get a 1st gen protege..:)

im constantly grabbin stuff from the 1st gen kias, form the jy...

I know Proteges are still kind of a sleeper, but Kias are basically wirtten off as junk. So the sleeper effect would be even crazier.

I have dreams of getting a first gen Pro, don't worry.

[CommieSpeed]

Holy crap...just stumbled across this thread...I cannot belive that!!! So Kia doesn't use Mazda parts anymore though, right?

[StuttersC]

Holy crap...just stumbled across this thread...I cannot belive that!!! So Kia doesn't use Mazda parts anymore though, right?
Not as much as they used too...

I think there might be some capital tie up still between the two, but from what it looks like Hyundai took over completely.

[www.ky-kia.com]

Not as much as they used too...

I think there might be some capital tie up still between the two, but from what it looks like Hyundai took over completely.


No mazda at all 100%hyundai


The reason Kia used mazda is FORD.

Back in 1987 ford wanted a subcompact so the asked KIA to build them one. Well at that time Kia did sell cars in USA,But outside the country Kia made Military Vehicles and non military cars in Korea. They started make the Mazda 121 for mazda which was designed by mazda. Kia sold the car as a Kia Pride in europe and the rest were sold by ford starting in 1988 as the FESTIVA. In 1995 Kia changed the body style and renamed it to avela Ford called it the Aspire. Mazda didn't like the body change so they made their own body change and started making it themselves Mazda calls it a Demio.

This is how Kia started using Mazda parts.

[skoshi42]

UUUUGGGGHHHHH stop the Horror..... NOoooOOoO.... ewww Hyundais are coffin cars... I like Kia's... they should make a kia just like the 3rd gen protege.... bring back the Protege spirit.... dont get me wrong the 3 is just fantabulous... but theres things the Protege has that the 3 doesnt... but it would be nice to see the Protege reborn....

[www.ky-kia.com]

UUUUGGGGHHHHH stop the Horror..... NOoooOOoO.... ewww Hyundais are coffin cars... I like Kia's... they should make a kia just like the 3rd gen protege.... bring back the Protege spirit.... dont get me wrong the 3 is just fantabulous... but theres things the Protege has that the 3 doesnt... but it would be nice to see the Protege reborn....

The protege was reborn, Due to declining sales the new body is called mazda 3. Short for 323 the original Protege. How ever even though the 3 replaced the protege it is accually a Volvo. Which is owned by Ford. For is selling a variant of the Mazda 3 /volvo platform as the new Focus. The SVT focus has been dropped.

Just like always things change, and to keep up with the competition they have to make changes. Somtimes for the better somtimes for the worst. In the case of KIA for the best. For Mazda Probably the best Volvo are good cars and most newer Volvos are awd. so it may be possible to make the mazda 3 or 6 awd using volvo parts. I don't know for sure, but ford says the Next SVT focus may be a 2.4 turbo awd using volvo drivetrain. Make you wonder about the possibillities.

[StuttersC]

The protege was reborn, Due to declining sales the new body is called mazda 3. Short for 323 the original Protege. How ever even though the 3 replaced the protege it is accually a Volvo. Which is owned by Ford. For is selling a variant of the Mazda 3 /volvo platform as the new Focus. The SVT focus has been dropped.

Just like always things change, and to keep up with the competition they have to make changes. Somtimes for the better somtimes for the worst. In the case of KIA for the best. For Mazda Probably the best Volvo are good cars and most newer Volvos are awd. so it may be possible to make the mazda 3 or 6 awd using volvo parts. I don't know for sure, but ford says the Next SVT focus may be a 2.4 turbo awd using volvo drivetrain. Make you wonder about the possibillities.

Um, not exactly...Ford started intial desing on the platform and turned the whole thing over to Mazda to develop the car. Mazda is Ford's small car company now.

The new platform was finished by Mazda and was used for the new Focus platform in Europe (not the States though) and the Volvo S40 is based on the same platform.

The Mazda3 however is wholy a Mazda design from the ground up using the new MZR motor, which is also wholy Mazda designed.

Ford owns 33% of Mazda which is a controlling interest, not ownership.

[www.ky-kia.com]

Um, not exactly...Ford started intial desing on the platform and turned the whole thing over to Mazda to develop the car. Mazda is Ford's small car company now.

The new platform was finished by Mazda and was used for the new Focus platform in Europe (not the States though) and the Volvo S40 is based on the same platform.

The Mazda3 however is wholy a Mazda design from the ground up using the new MZR motor, which is also wholy Mazda designed.

Ford owns 33% of Mazda which is a controlling interest, not ownership.

thats funny I never said Ford owned Mazda I said they owned volvo.
And I said that ford made there focus one the Mazda/volvo platform vhich indicates that they were in partnership. Never mentioned any mazda engines just the engines used in the focus. Car and Driver Magazine, Road And track and many other state that the car uses a modified volvo platform.

%33 ownership is common knowledge.

[StuttersC]

thats funny I never said Ford owned Mazda I said they owned volvo.
And I said that ford made there focus one the Mazda/volvo platform vhich indicates that they were in partnership. Never mentioned any mazda engines just the engines used in the focus. Car and Driver Magazine, Road And track and many other state that the car uses a modified volvo platform.

%33 ownership is common knowledge.
Volvo had nothing to do with the design of the Mazda3, nor the chassis, which is what I gathered you were saying.

And not very many people understand that 33% is not ownership, but a controlling interest. And I've found a lot of people assume that Ford owns Mazda out-right.

[skoshi42]

i know it was reborn... but i was saying i didnt want it to be reborn into the 3.... there are major differences between the two... but i recently found out that the 3rd gen Protege was reborn.. into a ford... called the lynx.... heres a site showing the new Ford Lynx

http://www.motioncars.com/archive/cover_story54/index.html

copy to your browser.... oh and Ford and Mazda share parts.. they are somewhat merged.... Ford doesnt own Mazda ... look heres an example.. look at the Mazda Tribute and the Ford Escape... two similar vehicles..sharing engines and parts... the two companies do this to save money.... if ford owned mazda all the engines would say Ford...

[wongpres]

Geesh, this whole Mazda3 debate coming over here now. Take a look at this sticky I wrote over in the Mazda3 part of this forums:

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56563

[mdaj]

The lynx is not exactly reborn...just a rebadged car.

The C1 platform was co-developed by Ford Mazda and Volvo. Each then took the base design and added what they wanted as is everything else here (http://www.msprotege.com/vbb230/showthread.php?t=56563)

[Titanium]

i

if ford owned mazda all the engines would say Ford...
I have had one mazda engine that said ford on it and I have another mazda engine that says ford on it.

[www.ky-kia.com]

i know it was reborn... but i was saying i didnt want it to be reborn into the 3.... there are major differences between the two... but i recently found out that the 3rd gen Protege was reborn.. into a ford... called the lynx.... heres a site showing the new Ford Lynx

http://www.motioncars.com/archive/cover_story54/index.html

copy to your browser.... oh and Ford and Mazda share parts.. they are somewhat merged.... Ford doesnt own Mazda ... look heres an example.. look at the Mazda Tribute and the Ford Escape... two similar vehicles..sharing engines and parts... the two companies do this to save money.... if ford owned mazda all the engines would say Ford...


That definitly not a ford, That is definitly a Mazda with ford badges. Thats still a nice looking car. They don't sell that here in USA. Looks like the protege engine 2.0.

[elvira]

(gossip) Hi! if anybody knows someone they have a kia ( tranny) please let
me know and $$$.. ASAP .. this is for my mazda 323 ... i dont care if work
or not. i need however looks like

[pedrump]

Whatevar!

I do kind of like those new 5-door Rios tho'.

then you must love the p5...cuz the 5 door rio is just a stylistic rip off.