Ask the Car People.SM


Kia Amanti 2006 and earlier

1413 messages,  Last post on Jun 10, 2013 at 8:57 PM

You are in the Kia Amanti Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Amanti, Kia, Sedan

Messages Page 70 of 142

#683 of 1413 Any inside info on KIA sales strategy for Amanti 2005 in the Tri-state area by neiki

Apr 05, 2005 (8:19 pm)

Could someone please help me to unravel the mysterious strategy for Amanti 2005 sales (at least, the case in the Tri-state area)? For the whole last three weeks I have been trying in vain to make a straightforward cash purchase of ANY black fully-loaded Amanti: any year. But they just will not sell!!! All dealers I contacted (the primary point of contact is Major KIA in NYC) made humble references to the fact that 2005 Amantis will not be offered for sale before the remnants of the 2004 stock are fully depleted. What if it happens by the end of the year?! Does KIA America pay really any attention to how Amanti sales are organised in the Tri-state area? Or is it a corporate strategy?
I feel really sorry for myself for having encountered this story 'out of this world' and I feel sorry for the makers of this wonderful and impressive car whose creation gets into the not so caring hands of innovative marketeers. One may say I overexaggerate but let us think about it: KIA is thinking about bringing into the New York market its 2005 cars when other companies will soon start selling their 2006 models... Isn't it a disgrace?

#684 of 1413 correction . . . by rgur

Apr 05, 2005 (8:34 pm)

I posted #650 and told you that the engine problem I had was a "gel pack" that they replaced. Well, my mistake, when I had my oil changed today I checked and found out it was a "coil pack" on the cylinder. I haven't had any problems since they replaced it. The car runs great!

#685 of 1413 Large Sedan Comparison Test by navigator89

Apr 06, 2005 (8:50 am)

Does anyone here think that the Kia Amanti should have been included in the recent Edmunds Large Sedan Comparison Test?

#686 of 1413 Mystery...road test...and tennis tube syndrome by topgear

Apr 06, 2005 (10:15 am)

First let me start by thanking Larry (message number 675). After reading your message about the suspension, I contacted my dealer, who directed me to Kia of America. They confirmed the TSB and helped me to set up an appointment. Today, Jeff the certified Amanti technician here in Bradenton FL (-and really an all around nice guy!), replaced the parts and I cannot believe the improvement from before. She (my car) is now dead quiet over large and small road imperfections! WOW! It took Jeff a very short time and I even waited for it. Thanks Jeff!! (...if you're reading this, great job!!).
Yes, I agree and think the Amanti should have been included in the Edmond's road test. It would have done well except for the new 2005 Avalon which is probably a tough car to beat. It was designed way after our Amanti, but I'm certain the next generation Amanti will be on par or better than the current Avalon. We'll have to wait and see. Of course, the Amanti does have a superior warranty and lower price range.
Now...about the dealer not selling you a 2005. I would try dealers away from your tri-state area. Here in Bradenton FL they only have 2005's. Perhaps you can look on the internet and find a dealer who can find what you're looking for. Good Luck!!!
So long for now!
-Pete Sarasota
P.S. If you think you hear a 'clunk' when over rough roads, consider getting those front suspension parts installed. It will make a world of a difference!
Long live Amanti!!

#688 of 1413 Ten Day Driving Impressions of the 2005 Kia Amanti by legendman

Apr 06, 2005 (11:06 am)

Last week I had an opportunity to drive the Kia Amanti for 10 days on a long distance trip from Los Angeles to Phoenix. That gave me plenty of time to gather my driving impressions of the car under real world driving experiences.
 
First off, the car has good looks, albeit a bit stodgy or conservative. The front end looks like the former E class Mercedes and parked in the entrance way at the hotel, it looked very upscale and elegant.
 
Inside you are treated to a very comfortable, quiet and attractive cabin. The wood and leather (and their synthetic counterparts) looked handsome and rich. Passengers in this car will feel that they are in a substantial, and yes even classy automobile.
 
Although the AC and radio/CD playet worked very well. Great sound system ...but, there are some problems with AC controls and radio controls. In order to adjust fan speed you have to look down at the center stack, just below the radio as I recall, and find one small button. This is hard to do when driving in traffic. Similarly you have to go through the same stuff to advance radio stations or move to the next track on your CD. These are worrisome issues as they do require your attention, and are hard to do, even after driving the car for a week. Steering wheel mounted controls for the radio included a mute button. That button should have been reserved for changing the channel/Cd track so that the driver does not need to take his eye off the road. The fan switch should be placed colser to the driver.
 
The car has plenty of power, both in off the line from a dead start and also in passing power. The power curve is smooth and reliable. The brakes were excellent and had a good bite with no hint of fading. ABS worked very well.
 
Seat comfort is excellent. Seat height is excellent. Seat adjustments are outstanding. Again, borrowing from Mercedes, Kia has created a three dimensional replica of a seat and seat back on the driver's door. It is extremely intuitive and easy to adjust your seat to the nth degree if you like. It is well placed and easy to reach. Even the controls are back lit at night. This is a great feature and IMO, everybody else should copy it!
 
There is plenty of room in the back sea, and the trunk is large and would likely ample for most folks.
 
Although I generally respect Consumer Reports reviews of cars, I think that they went way overboard in their criticism of the car, especially as to ride characteristics. While it is true that the Amanti has a very soft, plush and cushy ride, i would not call it a boat as they inferred. As long as you are not trying to drive the Indy 500 this car performs fine as an everyday sedan.
 
I don't know anything about how this car stacks up price wise against other cars in this price range, but my sense is that you are getting a lot of car for the money. I also cannot speak to reliability issues, but with a ten year - 100,000 mile warranty (backed by Hyundai) it seems hard to lose on that bet.
 
Overall, a great road car for a low price. Check it out!

#689 of 1413 Impressions... by topgear

Apr 06, 2005 (11:56 am)

Glad you enjoyed your Amanti drive!
While I agree with most of your comments, I love and use my steering wheel mute button everyday for one reason or another. I would truly hate to see it go. Perhaps Kia could add another button for changing stations, CD's, etc.
I believe most modern high end cars today have an abundant amount of radio and A/C controls in their center stack that are distracting if you're not familiar with them.
But thanks again for the favorable comments! When are you buying yours?
-Pete

#690 of 1413 Re: Impressions.+ Audio Controls & Horn Issues [topgear] by legendman

Apr 06, 2005 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: topgear (Apr 06, 2005 11:56 am)
"While I agree with most of your comments, I love and use my steering wheel mute button everyday for one reason or another. I would truly hate to see it go. Perhaps Kia could add another button for changing stations, CD's, etc. " - Topgear
 
I think that by using the volume control buttons on the steering wheel one can accomplish muting, which would allow the mute button to be used instead to change the channel or CD track. I use the wheel mounted volume controls on my older Acura to accomplish that.
 
Speaking of the steering wheel, I am reminded of one other fault. That is the horn. It's difficult to make it sound when, in a panic situation, you need the horn NOW. It won't sound unless you hit the exact spot dead on. Several times that happened to me. You pretty much have to use a finger to make it sound; hitting the wheel with the bottom palm of your hand gets no results. I would prefer to see a raised horn button that is prominent enough to see and feel without having to look for it. Alternatively, Kia should enlarge the "sweet spot" so that a strike anywhere near the horn symbol will sound the horn.
 
That's my two cents anyway ...

#691 of 1413 2 cents by topgear

Apr 06, 2005 (6:46 pm)

I don't disagree with you about the button for the radio/CD, but I stand by my comment about the mute button,...I'd hate to see it go. The volume controls actually take awhile for it to mute entirely, and then you'd have to push on it again to get it back where you were so to speak. I suppose I could do the same thing on my TV, but I prefer the mute button. Kia will probably not honor any of our thoughts here anyway, so instead of taking away my beloved mute switch, let's add the one you'd like so everybody's happy.
Also, for ME, after driving many cars in the past, the Amanti has the best horn response of any airbag equipped steering wheel I've ever driven, (-and I've used it once or twice in anger!). When I tap the the little horn impressions on the wheel, my horn sounds off quite easily. Maybe I'm just used to my car.
I hope I'm not ruffling any feathers, as that is not my intent.
 
What I would like to see is an indicator showing the radio/CD volume which seems to be missing.
 
-Pete

#692 of 1413 I guess I do.. by billh6

Apr 08, 2005 (8:06 am)

Walked out to the dark garage to toss newspapers in recycle bin. Glanced over at the Amanti. Walked to the passenger door, touched the chrome handle. Something made me open it. Sat in passenger seat, shut the door, noticing how solid it felt when I closed it. The seat was so comfortable; was so quiet and peaceful sitting there, and I watched interior the lights continue to dim. About that time the garage light came on, a family member glanced at me sitting there, yelled "you need a life," turned off the light and walked away.
 
I guess I do.

Messages Page 70 of 142

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement