Kia Picanto [Merged]

**CtrlAltDel** · January 7th, 2008 02:46 PM

Hello fellow Picanto owners. The last time I logged on at Tsikot was November 14, 2006; more than a year ago. However, not much has changed on my car, at least nothing to be concerned about.

I am sorry to read disappointing experience some of you had with Kia dealers. I guess I was among the fortunate to have bought the car when it was selling at P330k without hassle from the dealers.

Let me give you a short review of the 2004 Picanto at 66666 km. Actually as of this writing my car is already at 69,500km on the odometer. If I had not used my motorcycle for several months in 2006, my car's milegae would be higher than this. The 66666 is only for effect since I took the trouble to take a picture of the dashboard at this reading, heheh.

Major changes:
1. Changed original tire with the more common GoodYear tire used in the Vios which is bigger by one inch overall diameter and about half inch wider. I forgot the dimension!
2. Stabilizer links, ball-joint assembly and suspension cover replaced by Kia Mandaluyong to fix squeaking problem on the front.
3. Exhaust pipe was replaced by Columbian Motor itself (yung planta mismo) as an added customer service when my car was brought there to be assessed by the plant itself. The plant was not satisfied with the findings of the dealer (long story.) This second exhaust pipe is the real deal. The vibrating noise from the previous pipes never again returned.

Annoyances:
1. Yup. The vibrating noise on the dashboard is still there when I turn the wheel on a rough road. I learned to ignore it. It was never fixed. I think they will need to dissassemble the dash for that. Never mind.
2. Door locks still rattle occassionaly on its hole.

Accessories added:
None. My car is as stock as the day I bought it, which was September 13, 2004.

The all-important performance:
Since I changed to bigger tire, I noticed a decrease in accelaration. I expected this. Also the fuel consumption as a direct calculation based on odometer reading is down to between 14km/liter- 15km/liter. Of course, the reading is no longer accurate to begin with since the tire is not the same as the original. I take that only as an estimate.

SO it seems I lost some in changing to a bigger tire. However, I will NEVER return to the original dimension tire for the following reasons:
1. The bigger tire is so much smoother on the ride. Nawala yung malakas na tagtag.
2. I gain one inch of added ground clearance.
3. I don't have to put up with EXHORBITANTLY priced stock tires which are so RARE besides.

I am no car expert. I only have one car and this is it. So take my conclusion as simply one car owner's opinion based on his experience. Here's my conclusion:

After 3 years of relatively trouble-free driving (save for that suspension noise) I conclude that this car is well worth the money I spent on it. It's engine is reliable. It has never stalled, never failed to start on just a single click of the key and never overheated. Walang ka bisyo-bisyo. It's a quiet, non-descript reliable performer, delivering satisfaction, day after day after day. When I have visitors the car is packed with passengers and baggages but never had any problem. It's a small car, yes. But for me it's already like a friend I can count on just when I needed it most.

Thanks for keeping this thread alive guys! Have a safe and enjoyable motoring with your Picantos!

**meledson** · January 7th, 2008 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDel

Hello fellow Picanto owners. The last time I logged on at Tsikot was November 14, 2006; more than a year ago. However, not much has changed on my car, at least nothing to be concerned about.

I am sorry to read disappointing experience some of you had with Kia dealers. I guess I was among the fortunate to have bought the car when it was selling at P330k without hassle from the dealers.

Let me give you a short review of the 2004 Picanto at 66666 km. Actually as of this writing my car is already at 69,500km on the odometer. If I had not used my motorcycle for several months in 2006, my car's milegae would be higher than this. The 66666 is only for effect since I took the trouble to take a picture of the dashboard at this reading, heheh.

Major changes:
1. Changed original tire with the more common GoodYear tire used in the Vios which is bigger by one inch overall diameter and about half inch wider. I forgot the dimension!
2. Stabilizer links, ball-joint assembly and suspension cover replaced by Kia Mandaluyong to fix squeaking problem on the front.
3. Exhaust pipe was replaced by Columbian Motor itself (yung planta mismo) as an added customer service when my car was brought there to be assessed by the plant itself. The plant was not satisfied with the findings of the dealer (long story.) This second exhaust pipe is the real deal. The vibrating noise from the previous pipes never again returned.

Annoyances:
1. Yup. The vibrating noise on the dashboard is still there when I turn the wheel on a rough road. I learned to ignore it. It was never fixed. I think they will need to dissassemble the dash for that. Never mind.
2. Door locks still rattle occassionaly on its hole.

Accessories added:
None. My car is as stock as the day I bought it, which was September 13, 2004.

The all-important performance:
Since I changed to bigger tire, I noticed a decrease in accelaration. I expected this. Also the fuel consumption as a direct calculation based on odometer reading is down to between 14km/liter- 15km/liter. Of course, the reading is no longer accurate to begin with since the tire is not the same as the original. I take that only as an estimate.

SO it seems I lost some in changing to a bigger tire. However, I will NEVER return to the original dimension tire for the following reasons:
1. The bigger tire is so much smoother on the ride. Nawala yung malakas na tagtag.
2. I gain one inch of added ground clearance.
3. I don't have to put up with EXHORBITANTLY priced stock tires which are so RARE besides.

I am no car expert. I only have one car and this is it. So take my conclusion as simply one car owner's opinion based on his experience. Here's my conclusion:

After 3 years of relatively trouble-free driving (save for that suspension noise) I conclude that this car is well worth the money I spent on it. It's engine is reliable. It has never stalled, never failed to start on just a single click of the key and never overheated. Walang ka bisyo-bisyo. It's a quiet, non-descript reliable performer, delivering satisfaction, day after day after day. When I have visitors the car is packed with passengers and baggages but never had any problem. It's a small car, yes. But for me it's already like a friend I can count on just when I needed it most.

Thanks for keeping this thread alive guys! Have a safe and enjoyable motoring with your Picantos!

Very nice feed back.

**freespin** · January 25th, 2008 12:58 AM

kahit nagmahal na picanto but still i can see alot of new facelifted picantos sa daan. ang cute!

**rcajucom** · January 30th, 2008 10:00 PM

wonderloo, how much inabot ng new shoes mo for your picanters?

i got my picanto (after a long,long struggle with the banks) just today.

thanks.

mine is color red.

**ambekam** · February 16th, 2008 06:35 PM

Hi to all picanto owners and at the same time picanto lovers. I am also an admirer of picanto and hopefully I could get one soon for my wife kahit 2nd hand lang.

Finally I finished reading the whole thread. Regarding bad experiences with kia dealers I am also on your side. I noticed also that the SRP of picanto is shooting up every year from 2004 with 330k to 2008 with 550k. Roughly 50K is added each year. Even 2nd hands are being sold at around 290 model 04 40k lang and depreciation value. Wow. Some guys talaga have all the luck. hehehe Swerte nyo naman. Hangang tingin lang muna me.

**hotspots** · February 26th, 2008 08:20 PM

May available bang wide-angle side mirror for picanto to replace the stock side mirror na flat?

**uwak18** · February 27th, 2008 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by hotspots

May available bang wide-angle side mirror for picanto to replace the stock side mirror na flat?

Wala po sir na available OEM na wide angle mirror. What I do is to lean forward to see better or to look quickly at your left or right or buy a small circular concave mirror.

**rai2k8** · February 28th, 2008 02:22 AM

ako rin nahihirapan din ako sa side mirror. may blind spot sa far side ng konti. pero ayoko nung fish eye mirror ba yung tawag dun parang mas nakakalito e. panget pa tignan