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Wagons Kia Rondo Kia Rondo
379 messages, Last post on Nov 02, 2009 at 5:50 AM
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| That may have a lot to do with it. it is imperative to check any "pulling" problems on a level surface (side to side, up hill or down hill don't really matter) !!! | |
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Replying to: medicineman (Apr 03, 2008 4:45 pm) |
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Replying to: ramblinmo (Apr 03, 2008 7:16 pm) Just because the toe spec is correct for front and rear does not mean vehicle is aligned. To properly align the centerline must be found. When the vehicle is being driven straight, the offset is the distance one wheel is ahead of or behind the opposite wheel on the front. Assuming the vehicle is perfectly assembled, and the wheels are set for straight ahead, drawing a line through the two front spindles, the line should be exactly 90 degrees to the centerline. |
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Replying to: bgw (Apr 04, 2008 2:39 am) Sitting high makes it harder to perceive the amount of crown, but sooner or later you will find that flat piece of road. Even if it means a bit more tire wear, any properly aligned vehicle should not react badly to wear grooves from big trucks on the road. |
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Fix torque steer (handling safety issue). Fix alignment issue (handling safety issue). Create a real ESC system, not just kill power (safety issue). Lower entire vehicle about 6", inclusive of roof line (better ride, mileage, & safety). Lower driver seat at least 4" (better ride, comfort). Allow better adjustment of driver seat (comfort). Increase steering wheel diameter at least 2"(comfort & fatigue). Put speedometer in location it can be fully viewed, perhaps top of dash, linearly(much easier to monitor speed creap because of puny engine). Put some padding on the hard surfaces, include steering wheel (comfort) ! Fix headrest (comfort). Fix curve of backrest (comfort). Current manual adjustment of seat height - not enough range (comfort). Stop putting the dang coating on the windshield (inside) that distorts vision at night. Bet you did not know it was there? You can not clean it off with anything I've tried. Using a very powerful solvent I managed to get some of it mixed to a gooey mess. Stayed foggy until next day when sun dried it again. Glass and plastics have different refractory indexes (night vision safety). Whatever it takes to improve wind impact of a passing tractor trailer causing sway (safety). All I could think of in a few minutes and sure there are more. |
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Replying to: e_net_rider (Apr 06, 2008 3:51 am) Yes, my 91 Civic SI, which I bought new, would never ever keep a straight line, but would always pull strongly to the right. The whole steering rack was eventually replaced near the end of my warranty, which cured the problem. Then I sold the car promptly, as the final problem of many was fixed and I could sell the car with a clear conscience. As for your points above, - the ESC system in my 07 Rondo EX V6 does cut in too strongly and kill the power. However, I have found that lifting off the gas defeats it immediately and I can continue on as I was doing. But I do agree with you! - If the designers lowered the vehicle 6", then it would be a station wagon. Personally, I love the current design, as is. - Driver's seat height - again, I love the height of the seat. Coming from a 1998 Legacy wagon, which had a really low seat, I enjoy the forward vision the Rondo's seat allows. My driver's seat has 8 way power, so height adjustment is a snap. - The steering wheel diameter is just fine, as is the thickness. Now, my 1998 Escort's steering wheel is a little too small! - Speedometer location? I can see it fine, as can my much shorter wife. And I don't know about the 4 cyl, but my Rondo's V6 is more than up to the task of hauling 2 adults, 2 kids and a load of stuff around. - Padding on the hard surfaces? I have 2 kids, and the hard surfaces are a blessing, let me tell you! They wipe off easily and do not (so far) seem to scratch or mar easily. Plus, I really like the surface on the steering wheel. It is momentarily slippery when first gripped on a cold day (like today, which is currently -2 celcius or about 29 f) but warms quickly and gets grippy. - The headrest is lovely, and meets the back of my head just where I want it to (I am 5' 10"). - The backrest, indeed all the seats, are quite comfortable and I would not change a thing. Maybe you have the cloth seats and they are a different design? - Inside coating on the windshield that distorts at night? Must only be on US Rondos, since I have not seen this problem on mine or the Rondos of people I know. My windshield cleans nicely with regular ammonia-free Windex. - And I feel that the Rondo behaves very stably when a tractor trailer passes by - I don't notice any more sway than in any other car I've had - actually, the Rondo is more stable in cross-winds than even my 1998 Legacy AWD wagon. The Rondo just never gets tossed around. I know these are your opinions and as such they are neither right nor wrong (just like my opinions), so I am not taking you to task on these items - I just wanted to offer another perspective, that's all. I feel that the Rondo could be made better by offering a manual transmission (which both my wife and I prefer) though that is not likely given the target demographic, and AWD should be at least a stand-alone option (we would definitely have bought that), Along with using a better, less intrusive ESC program like you say, the Rondo then would be darn near perfect in my books. |
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I for one LOVE the height. I'm tired of killing my back and knees for low-riding cars. I'm in my late 40s and can't do that anymore. Anyway, the Rondo V6 was one of three cars I test drove at CarMax yesterday. Now, my impressions were that I didn't realize it was so big! I was expecting a Ford Focus-sized wagon. It's smaller than the CR-V, barely, whose mileage figures aren't that great, either. The dashboard layout was nice. I was a LITTLE disappointed with the amber lighting - I prefer blue like Hyundai. I took Luther Vandross with me in the CD player, and he sounded VERY nice after I adjusted the stereo. Being spoiled by my Toyota, I was pleasantly surprised to see velour on the seats. I'm a very large woman, and the seats were comfortable to me. This car had ABS, which frightened me, but they weren't as touchy as the ones in the Nissan I drove later. The price for a car this size and this well appointed was incredible, $14,500 for a car with less than 15K miles on it. But doggone it, that mileage! I've never known of any V6 to get great mileage, but unless it has a peppy 2.5 liter 4 like the Nissan I'm afraid this car will eat me alive in fuel costs. But I loved the seat height, the light-colored interior (in a black car, no less), it did well over our sorry roads, and in the constant Oklahoma wind. And, I think it's cute!  Overall it was a pleasant experience, except for smashing my finger in the door after I got out of it! Ow! |
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Replying to: e_net_rider (Apr 06, 2008 3:51 am) Fix alignment issue (handling safety issue). Create a real ESC system, not just kill power (safety issue). no problems in this area everything works great Lower entire vehicle about 6", inclusive of roof line (better ride, mileage, & safety). KIA already has this in the form of the Spectra 5, would kind of defeat the purpose of the Rondo Lower driver seat at least 4" (better ride, comfort). certainly not comfort in my case I like the higher seats and the fact you can step into the vehicle without stepping "down", if I wanted that I would buy a different vehicle Allow better adjustment of driver seat (comfort). would like a bit more front to rear travel than what is offered but still found with playing around with the manual adjustment we have found a comfortable setting for both myself and my wife. Now my wife only has to move the seat forward when she drives. Increase steering wheel diameter at least 2"(comfort & fatigue). this I find puzzling, maybe its what you a used to in other vehicles, but I find that the steering wheel diameter ideal and can't see any reason to increase it. Put speedometer in location it can be fully viewed, perhaps top of dash, linearly(much easier to monitor speed creap because of puny engine). another puzzle, both myself (5-11" and my wife 5'-3") have no problem seeing all the instruments at all times, can't figure out why you can't view it clearly Put some padding on the hard surfaces, include steering wheel (comfort) ! steering wheel is fine, but a bit more cushion wouldn't go amiss. I guess you could pad more of the hard surfaces like the door panels, but it does make it easy to clean Fix headrest (comfort). wouldn't want to change them, we find these well designed and very comfortable - actually a headrest you can use! Fix curve of backrest (comfort). we find them comfortable, but an adjustable lumbar support would be an improvement. The best seats I've ever come across in a vehicle I have owned was a Volvo Current manual adjustment of seat height - not enough range (comfort). There is a power seat on the top model, but more height adjustment would be welcome but not critical Stop putting the dang coating on the windshield (inside) that distorts vision at night. Bet you did not know it was there? You can not clean it off with anything I've tried. Using a very powerful solvent I managed to get some of it mixed to a gooey mess. Stayed foggy until next day when sun dried it again. Glass and plastics have different refractory indexes (night vision safety). no idea what you are referring to, mines fine Whatever it takes to improve wind impact of a passing tractor trailer causing sway (safety). don't find it that unusual for the type of vehicle (you should expect something on a vehicle this tall), but I do find that I have less problems on my Rondo with wind impact that my previous vehicle which was 10" lower and 10" longer anyway thats my input on your requests with another point of view. |
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I drive a 2008 EX V6, 5 seater, with cloth seats. I am not being nasty or critical. Everyone has their own opinions, but the Rondo is the best equipped, handling, looking, convenient, seating, accessories and anything else you can mention, car for its price that I have ever driven. There is NO torque steer, it has a cargo light, no glove box light, but with the map light on, no problem. The ESC and ABS are a bit scary at first, if like me you have never driven with them before, but they do not stop in the middle of an intersection and on an icy road, they kept me on the straight and narrow. Every one who rides with me comments, first, on the perfect height of the seats for easy access and 2nd the quality of the cloth on the seats. We have 6,500 miles on it, mostly highway. We get approx. 23 miles per U.S. gallon. The V6 is as smooth and powerful as you could want. After driving 4 cyl. Toyotas for 17 years, I love getting back to a V6. On the 4 lane highways, we drive at 65 to 75 mph. You can put 8 ft. 2 x 4's in with the front seat folded. It has far more cargo capacity than its competitors and they ALL cost more. In Europe this is the third generation Rondo (Caren), would any of you complain about a third generation model of most cars? There, I said it and I'm glad!!!
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Replying to: donaldo1 (Apr 08, 2008 3:06 pm) Did they add adjustments for alignment of caster and cambor? Quality of cloth not bad, but did they redesign the seat back so that you did not need to be a hunched over blue hair to match the curvature of your back? ESC or ABS should never be scary. ABS might seem odd if it pumps the pedal as some do, but remember it will always do a better job of braking than you can, if it was designed correctly. As to ESC, I'm a bit confused because it has been said the method employed on this vehicle just kills power. And my first thoughts of it were that it was like traction control which I have on other vehicle. It does reduce power, but more importantly employs auto-braking to keep vehicle going straight. |
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