I purchased a 2004 Kia Sedona with 18 miles on it 2 1/2 years ago. Within the last 6 months, that Sedona was repaired, under warranty, six times for the same malfunction. I always used the Weston service for the problems that I experienced.
I received a letter from Weston Kia expressing interest in purchasing back my used vehicle, so the last time I had to bring the vehicle in for repairs, I asked to speak to the person in charge at Kia to see what my options were. He told me that they review service records and if they notice a problem vehicle, they make an attempt to contact the owner to see if they can help, which is probably why (I) got the letter.
The general manager told me that they had a reputation to uphold and that they would seek Kia Corporation's assistance in getting me a vehicle with no costs out of my pocket and guaranteed me that the 2004 Sedona would not be sold to another unsuspecting customer, as that was one of my concerns in trading this vehicle in. It was my intention to drive this vehicle for at least the 10 years of bumper-to-bumper warranty that I purchased.
After being passed off onto a salesman and having to sit around the dealership for 6 hours, all the smooth salesman double-talk to convince me that I was getting a great deal, I am now locked into a 7 year contract (3 additional years that I was not prepared for) on a vehicle they charged me $30,000 for that I could have purchased at another Kia dealership for $18,000.
My 2004 Sedona was sold, Kia did nothing to help me with the purchase of a different vehicle (I am still paying for $12,000 of the 2004 loan) and the Service Manager tells me that there has been a permanent fix for the problem that we were having. The manager gave me false information with how the process of a lemon should have been handled and he lied about the dealership taking a $1,992 loss dealing with me.
He also lied to an office employee that I had been dealing with. He told her that the car was on the back lot and not for sale the same day that it was put through the service check and sold.
The employees saw an opportunity to take advantage of a bad situation in a dishonest manner. I have contacted Kia Customer Support, but they advise me to contact the general manager to resolve my issues.
Since he is part of the issue, I don't feel that contacting him again will resolve anything. I expressed concern with the loan being 84 months and I also expressed my interest in the 2005 Sedona sitting on the lot if it meant not having such a large loan. My concerns were brushed off and pressure to purchase the 2006 model because I would love the technology and statistically, you'll be in to purchase another new vehicle before this loan is done anyway was applied. It was not my intention to purchase another vehicle for a VERY long time, which is why I purchased the extended warranty and Gap insurance in the first place. When I returned the next day to discuss how a $30,000 loan for a $23,000 car was no money out of pocket, and KIA assisting me, the manager passed me off to the Finance Person to go through the loan line-by-line, who again reiterated the $1,987 Weston loss.
My 2006 Sedona now has several issues that the service department is unable to diagnose or repair and I own an untrustworthy lemon that has brake problems.
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