Does anyone know the general reliability of a 2007 Kia Amanti with the 3.8L engine and 5 speed automatic? Any major known issues? I have not been able to find much info on this online. Found a very cheap one in my area with 67k miles. Seller says there is nothing wrong with it at all (but I would still bring a mechanic with me to check it out)
Is the kia 3.8 a good motor? And also what is the exact model of the 5 speed transmission? Any common problems with that? Or just other known general issues with this car?
You do realize that there is not an answer for the question . No one can predict reliability of a 17 year old car. Of course the seller says there is nothing wrong with it . Why do you need the transmission model ? If it breaks then a shop will find out what they need to replace it with.
Just go by the mechanic inspection , check the manual for what service should be done , ask if there are service records and hope for the best.
Other than on CarComplaint’s I can’t find a lot either, It was compared at the time to the Toyota Avalon for less money but wasn’t really as good of a car. Styiling really didn’t help because it looked like a Mercedes E Class with a Jaguar grille and a little bit of Buick to boot. Only sold a little over 5,000 that year compared to around 74,000 Avalon’s.
The transmission is a A5HF1 Hyundai/Kia that was introduced in 2006…
It does appear to have some issues with the Pressure Regulator Spool Valve wearing out the bore in the valve body as well as the TCC Control Spool Valves that also wear out the bore in the valve body… Sonnax has repair spool valves for both, but they require special tools to ream out the valve body for a proper repair… Also the transmission case has had issues with worn accumulator bores, Sonnax also sells a Accumulator Piston and Seal Kit for it…
Also the pump gears are breaking apart in the pump body’s - replace as a whole, problems with the OD planets and the rear planets as well as the UD Drums and the reverse drums, and of course Valve Body’s due to worn out bores…
The A5HF1 uses seven solenoids to control transmission shifts…
You asked…
+1
Even if someone is considering the purchase of a used car make/model with a historically-good reliability record, after 17 years of use by (possibly) multiple owners, all bets are off as to reliability. Previous owner(s) could have neglected vital maintenance, or otherwise abused the car.
So, if the OP’s budget mandates the purchase of an older car, the only defense is to have a pre-purchase inspection done by a mechanic of his choosing. This won’t eliminate the inevitable mechanical problems of a 17 year old car, but it can help to minimize them by eliminating purchase candidates with obvious problems. If a seller refuses to allow a pre-purchase inspection, the OP should walk away.
All of that being said, I would not buy a used Kia or Hyundai. If it’s within his/her budget, the OP would be better-off looking for a used Toyota, or perhaps even a Buick. It’s not uncommon for elderly folks to have to dispose of a well-maintained Buick, simply because it’s time for them to turn-in their car keys.
By limiting his/her search to vehicles with historically-good reliability ratings–and by getting a pre-purchase inspection–the OP has a much better chance of landing a reasonably-reliable older car.
OP, how cheap is “very cheap”? Cheap enough, and with a pre purchase inspection by a good mechanic, it might be worth the risk and trouble to get several months use out of it.
Personally I don’t consider any 17 year old car a “reliability” buy but if you’re willing to consider a similar “low sales volume” vehicle, maybe a 2013-2014 Hyundai Azera at under $5,000 may be a better buy? Seven years newer and more dealer.
Hey guys so after more research I am more strongly considering a toyota. I already have a fun car and just want something as reliable as possible for around 4k~ I found a 2006 Avalon with 158k for 4k, passed Virginia state inspection in January 2024. This seems like a better bet. I’ve considered newer 2015 ish hyundais/kias and nissans in similar mileage and price range as the avalon but there’s a reason they’re so cheap. Many of the engines have poor design and a lot of reported problems and especially the CVT transmissions. I would trust a 2006 toyota much more than a 2015/16 nissan hyundai, etc (with everything else being equal like maintenance) but idk what do you guys think
See if you can take the Avalon for a half hour ride or borrow it overnight and take a longer test drive. I test drove a new 2017 (same generation) and found the driver’s seat back was uncomfortable. It might be fine for you, and a long test drive will show that. If it passes the long test drive and you are still interested, pay for a prepurchase inspection. The inspection will show things it needs, both immediately and in the future. Make an offer based on what the car needs to get it up to your standards.
+1
My brother owned an Azera from that era. Aside from a temperature sensor that was bad from day one (and replaced under warranty), he had no problems with that car for the 10 years or so that he owned it. He would have bought another Hyundai–if not for their more recent engine problems.
Maybe it would be helpful if you could further describe the USE you’re planning for the car and your level of competence doing DIY maintenance and repairs. Are we talking
In general, most well maintained cars can easily do 10 years and 100,000 miles but my experience has been that at 15 years and 150.000, that’s when the “gremlins” and paint problems / rust begins to appear. Nothing fatal, just more “down time”.
And that being said, I’ve also noticed that the “Entry Level” luxury cars like the Avalon, Azera, etc. see to have less issues probably because of the older, more cautious and more financially secure demographic they appeal to… . .
But besides those minor problems, all is good! … lol … … I’ll never understand why folks would risk these sorts of problems to rid themselves of the job of having to shift from one gear to the next themselves? I mean, unless the driver is disabled, how hard is it to manually shift gears?
First of all your mind is closed - you must not have to contend with bumper to bumper stop and go commuting - You don’t have to contend with fussy infants - how about stopping at a light on an uphill slant and have to get moving with someone too close to the back of your vehicle .
I could list more but talking to you is a waste of time .
Ever drive in heavy traffic? I used to have manual transmissions in my cars, even after getting married. Then I had to drive in heavy stop and go traffic daily both ways for my commute of 25 miles. We bought a new van for Mrs JT and I inherited her sedan. I liked not using my left leg so much that all my cars since then have been automatics.
I understand that advantage of automatics of course. But there’s plenty of stop & go commuter traffic in San Jose, and I drove in it every day with a manual trans. The slow going was very frustatrating, but I don’t recall even one time thinking shifting was a problem.
Funny story: We have a special lane for cars with more than one occupant, who can skip the slow-going lanes and just drive past . One driver I’d see in that lane most every day had rigged up a store-front dummy in the passenger seat … so it looked like his car had two occupants … lol …
Don’t you drive a truck that you have owned for 50 years that has an automatic in it?? I know they made them with stick shifts and 3 on the trees, I have rebuilt the Ford truck 3 on the tree steering columns… Makes you sound like a hypocrite…
I would have preferred the truck was configured w/ a manual trans. Every vehicle purchase – esp used – requires some compromises, and for me the automatic was the major compromise. If making a compromise makes me a “hypocrite”, guilty as charged.
The Avalon is a much better choice in my opinion, really good cars and one with 158K should still have lots of life left in it, Provided it’s in decent shape. As long as it meets your needs that’s what’s most important. Do as much of the upcoming maintenance that it would need at that mileage if the budget allows.
… I’ll never understand why folks would risk these sorts of problems to rid themselves of the job of having to shift from one gear to the next themselves? I mean, unless the driver is disabled, how hard is it to manually shift gears?