Opinions on the Kia Rio please?

mdhughes03

hello everyone, looking for a bit of advice
I have been running an old W reg Ford fiesta since I passed my test nearly 2 years ago and it is coming up for MOT. It looks like it's going to cost a fair amount to pass so I have considered buying a newer car (I was going to do this towards the end of the year anyway so why put a couple of hundred into the curent car when it could go into a new one?)
Looking around for a good trade in deal I think Kia is doing pretty good offers so I've looked into their range and like hte look of the Rio. My mum drives an 05 plate Piccanto and it's a great little car but the boot is tiny.

Here's my main criteria:
1. As cheap as possible!!
2. Must be 5 door and have a good size boot (kiddy-friendly in other words)

Anyone driven/owned a Rio and can comment on any of the above?

thanks in advance

LandyAndy

How much are you intending to spend?

There has to be a wide choice of cars better than the Rio.

Hammyman

mdhughes03 wrote: »

Here's my main criteria:
1. As cheap as possible!!
2. Must be 5 door and have a good size boot (kiddy-friendly in other words)

Anyone driven/owned a Rio and can comment on any of the above?

thanks in advance

1) Fix the Fiesta. The depreciation alone on the Rio will cost more than the repair bill for the MOT.

mdhughes03

I don't want to spend more than £9000 really, anything we buy will need to be on finance.

I'm having trouble determining the point at which putting £x into a car worth less than £900 becomes false economy!

Not too bothered about depreciation as whatever we buy we'd intend to keep it for the foreseeable future.

Fiesta has some wing damage that would make it hard to sell, which is why I was thinking of a trade-in

LandyAndy

mdhughes03 wrote: »

I don't want to spend more than £9000 really, anything we buy will need to be on finance.

I'm having trouble determining the point at which putting £x into a car worth less than £900 becomes false economy!

Not too bothered about depreciation as whatever we buy we'd intend to keep it for the foreseeable future.

Fiesta has some wing damage that would make it hard to sell, which is why I was thinking of a trade-in

£9000? Why are you even thinking about a Rio?:eek:

With a budget like that a Focus is always going to be a leading contender. I'd also look at a Mazda3.

Jimx26

Absolute garbage!

Had one as a courtesy car for a few weeks.

For 9k you can get something far superior, or as mentioned a Focus or even a half decent Golf.

Why are you even considering the KIA? Warranty?

Billy-no-Money

My wife owns a Rio and is pleased with it (I've posted more detail on another thread), three years old and 35,000 miles now with no problems.

I think it's a good option if you want an 'appliance' with long warranty, it's unlikely to let you down, it's entirely competent, but not something to get excited about.

If you're considering one make sure it's the 1.5 diesel - that's a good engine, ours gives a pretty consistent 55mpg and it's no slouch.

The boot's not all that big - this car sits somewhere between a Fiesta and a Focus size-wise.

Another thing to consider is that it's a six-year-old design - it was a major leap forward for Kia at the time (2005) - the previous Rio was an absolute dog - but it looks and feels dated now.

I wouldn't choose one myself - but my wife loves it and it's certainly earned respect.

jollyme

I too have a Picanto, like your mum, and can say I am very pleased with it. Yes the boot is small but there is loads of room on the back seats and after 5 years I would still recommend Kia

Kilty_2

I've just bought a Picanto and love it so a big Kia convert here.

Good finance deals available with finance deposit contribution on Kia Access PCP. Arnold Clark are selling brand new Rio from £7995

You could possibly get an approved used Ceed for your budget too though.

Inactive

There is nothing wrong with a Kia Rio, far more reliable than many of the bigger brands, however it is getting a bit dated now.

The Kia C'eed is a far better option.

Kilty_2

Inactive wrote: »

There is nothing wrong with a Kia Rio, far more reliable than many of the bigger brands, however it is getting a bit dated now.

The Kia C'eed is a far better option.

They're going to launch a new Rio later this year, just like the Picanto.

Good time to get a deal on the older model IMO - I can't see them selling the new Picanto at £5550 like I've just paid.........