My partner bought me a second hand Kia Rio 2004 sedan about 3-4 years ago with about 120,000 km on the clock. Was a great little car at first, very quiet engine, could not even hear the engine idle sitting at traffic lights. But then things started to happen. Had to replace left side CV joint not too long after it was bought, it now needs replacing again, then the radiator fan died (overheats extremely quickly), the alternator died last year & will be replacing it again in a few days. The drivers side back brakes locked up on me & left me stran...Read more

Brought this car when it was around 5 years old and since then, just spent the usual on a car.

Wipers
Timing Belt at correct intervals, but looked new when removed.
Tyres
Oil
Air Filter
Front Bearing(a bugger to replace though. if your mechanically minded like me, take them off yourself and get the bearing replaced at garage otherwise mechanics want a fortune to do the job as usual)

Fuel economy is unreal, 40 litre tank and 700klms, not sure it that's possible, but drove here in Victoria(Australia) from Port Fairy to Melbourne and back and fuel light was on at Warrnambool, I guessed there was at-least 5-10 litres left, drove 596....Read more

Have purchased a rio with 107 000, up tp 117 000k,s. Fuel specifications havent been tested but I suspect at a very high economy rate.

Good handling, plenty of room in hatchback. Purchase price low $ 1100. There does seem a lot of faults. The oil usage has been high, like a litre per thousand. A thicker oil is needed Ithink. I have put in a bottle of nulon engine wear additive. The running has improved. The timing or cam belt needs to bedone. Given the clutch is loose, oil use high also, I intend to use to the end and not repair. It has give...Read more

Bought brand new in early 2004 (but is a Dec 2003 model). 93,000kms on the clock and still going strong. Never had anything major go wrong with it. Servicing is easy and quick according to mechanic. Parts are pretty reasonably priced. It still handles well, unless I have to have more than one passenger (which is not too often).
Still get just under 400kms to a tank of fuel for suburban driving, much more on the open road.
Hatchback capacity is brilliant. I have moved house twice since having this, and it fits so much inside! I love hatchbac...Read more

This is my first time car, and it's a little wonder! Purchased this way back in 2007, next to brand new off my grandmother, who brought it brand-spankin' new.

It's great on fuel, so I've found; getting roughly 600km off one tank, and being such a small tank, means it's cheap to fill.

Fast pick-up; outruns most cars from a standstill, though I have found it doesn't pick up swiftly at higher speeds. It'll take down a hill with ease if you're already going fast, but I have found it isn't fond of inclines, especially with passengers in the ...Read more

I bought this little wagon brand new for $14,990. It was going to be the car to do short runs around town and cart things from point A to B. Very economical. Our other car was to be the main highway car for extended travel. Soon after purchase one door wouldn't open as the catch was too tight and the MAP sensor went so it wouldn't idle. Pretty poor in peak hour traffic at red lights. However, both were fixed under warranty and it has been the most wonderful little runabout ever since. I use it for highway trips. Installed cruise control. Brilli...Read more

I picked up a cheap 2004 Rio (5-speed manual) a few months ago for financial reasons and it is paying off in that regard. It’s fuel economy is excellent, it only costs me $30 to fill the tank and it lasts just as long as my old V6 VRX which would cost $75-80. That’s like $40 in the hand every time you fill up!

However, there is a price to pay for this. It has no real guts, and is slow off the mark. Though, in reality you can’t really expect much more from a 1.5L engine. Handling is good however lower gear changes are rough as guts. Seems to ...Read more

I bought my Rio new in 2000 and it is still going strong at 120,000 kms. Overall it is a good little car although you do get what you pay for in terms of the finish detail. I have had a problem with the lock on the drivers side door sticking, athough this just went away after a while. The steering wheel has large wear patches on it, but for the life of me I cant work out why. There is a hole in the drivers side seat where the internal parts just wore a hole in the fabric from me getting in and out (no I am not excessively large). On the plus si...Read more

After having my Kia Rio for 9 years I've regreted buying it. The motor blew up at 40000k's and had to spend 3grand to fix it. With that kind of money to fix it could of put extra 2 grand and brought a Mitzubishi Magna that is more reliable and would last a hell of a lot longer than Kia Rio. I would not recommend anyone buying a second hand Rio I now need to fix Steering and Suspension, CV Joint on driver's side, CV Boot Joint needs replacing motor leaking into a cavity under car I need these fixed just to get it back on road and rego and I can'...Read more

Bought the car at 65,000km and haven't had a problem up to 110,000km, only routine services. The car was cheap to buy, is cheap to run, has been completely reliable and I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new one next time. It is small but big enough to lug around heaps of things in the back, and it has a sleek look.
Fuel efficient, great pickup on the open road up to 110km highway speeds (except with passengers up a hill or with aircon on). Small car so is easy to park, but big enough to fit a fullsize single bed mattress in the back with front seats...Read more