98-02 Kia Sportage

[hyunelan2]

I had no idea these came in 2 door "convertibles." This morning on my way to work, I followed one and was like WTF is that KIA, only to see Sportage on the back. I had to do some investigating to learn that from 98-02 the Sportage came in a 2 door, with folding rear soft-top, version. Hmph, you learn something new everyday. It'd be fun to find one for like $2K and beat around some minor trails or something with one.


http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/gallery/c440589a.jpg

An Autotrader listing for more pics (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=238972134&dealer_id=57164028&car_year=1999&model=SPORTA&num_records=&systime=&make2=&start_year=1998&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=KIA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=60447&advanced=&end_year=2002&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=31)

[kylemorg]

That's really neat! I didn't know those existed either! All I've ever seen is the hardtop ones.

[SuperGLS]

I've seen very few of these on the streets. But, yeah, I think they would have to be very minor trails.

[Cypher]

Nah man, lift the bish and throw some 33s on there! offroading ftw!

[BobMs_wht2k2]

Junk. Absolute, unequivocable junk. There was a recall on them back "in the day" that replaced both knuckles, cv shafts, lower arms and bearings. Basically the entire front end. It was KIA's version of the Sidekick 2 door and it was a terrible pile of crap. Underpowered, electrical gremlins out the wazzoo, rattles, squeaks, an unreliable fuel system and an interior that self destructed before your eyes. And that was the GOOD part of the "truck".

As for seeing them, I saw them quite frequently. I remember about 15-20 "regulars" when I worked across the street. Anybody I know that asks me about these, especuially about buying one used I tell them to RUN!!!!!! RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!!!!

[xdforme22]

Yeah I always thought they were big piles of crap. A friend's older sister has one and I just keep waiting to see it towed out of the development (not to mention its this weird red/pink color). :bang:

[BobMs_wht2k2]

Yeah I always thought they were big piles of crap. A friend's older sister has one and I just keep waiting to see it towed out of the development (not to mention its this weird red/pink color). :bang:

Reddish with the Pink Accent stripe? Those weren't as bad as teh Purple with pink stripes. . . .:bang:

[hyunelan2]

Yikes. Starting to make me glad I'd never seen/noticed one until today.

[xdforme22]

hahaha, yeah they're pretty bad. They make the geo/chevy tracker look decent.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

tracker had potential because Suzuki built it for GM. . . .

[kylemorg]

^ they always bragged that the original Tracker (same thing as the Suzuki Sidekick) was built on a frame. At least with a frame, the Tracker chassis would have been a bit more solid and should be able to handle a rougher trail.

I would imagine that the current Tuscon / Sportage wouldn't be much good off-road, either since it's just a slightly beefed-up Elantra chassis. It would be a better car than the old Sportage, though.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

Sportages were also on full frames. Solid rear axle and an IFS with a 2-spd transfer case. What it DIDN'T have was Suzuki's know solid structure and indestructability offroad.