The Kia Sedona/Carnival Thread [ARCHIVE]

**rodski** · December 26th, 2003 02:04 PM

Hello diesoline,

Merry Christmas and a Happy new year!!! to you and all tsikoteers !!!!

I got my Carnival last Nov 2001 (manual). It has already clocked 38K kms on the odo. I have the same reasons why I sold my 95 xl corolla for this Van. I had the same reservations about the brand. However, After two years of using it I must say that I made the right decision. Its big, its diesel, and its easy to drive.

pros - 10 cup holders. Super strong AC. drives like a car. matipid sa diesel (10 city 15 hw). Depending on the driver it likes to eat cars in the high way (record top speed attained 160kph with more to give). Very stable at high speeds. Driver has Good visibility. Seats are comfortable.

cons - brake pads are easy to wear, plastic parts are not as durable as jap brands (visor mirror cover pops out due to cracked hinge). choke housing the cable snapped (warranty replaced).

I had it converted to a seven seater this year and my passengers (wifey and daughter) loved me more. Its like riding on business class- they say.

We drive it to tagaytay and subic on several occasions really nice experience. Handling is pretty good. The body roll mentioned in the other threads can only be achieved if you take a curve near its limit,tire selection, plus load factor. Its front wheel drive macpherson strut makes it nimble in curves (If driven within its flight envelop). I remember going to eagle ridge and really floored it inside the subdivision and my tires (stock kumho) were screeching at 40kph in those long curves. However, since I switched to Dunlop (lemans), I was able to improve it to 70kph. This limitation is caused by the solid beam rear suspension lifting one tire on tight high speed cornering. One could further improve handling by changing to gas shocks at the expense of harsher ride. I have to remind myself that this was designed primarily as a people carrier not a race car.

Best damn decision I made in buying a car!!!!!!

**diesoline** · March 11th, 2004 04:11 PM

Hello to all! Thanks to all of you posters, I finally got over my reservations to get a carnival/sedona. I settled for the gray market type as it has more features but trying to get financing for it from regular bank channels was a little more difficult than usual. I picked up my gray market kia carnival park II from my dealer last Feb. 20 and i have been smiling much more frequently since then.

The 2.9 CRDI-TDI powerplant under its hood never fails to amaze me. It makes 145hp pala, as the gold badge on its front fender states. It's got loads of torque and climbed up Marcos Highway without much fuss except for the body roll noted in the previous posts. That problem has been corrected last week with the installation of a strut bar. Now, the carnival enters into and exits out of curves with more confidence.

It really is a family-oriented machine as what mikey177 and rodski noted. Mine's got the nine-seater layout; two rows of captain's chairs with the foldable jump seat in between them and a bench at the rear. A surprisingly good stock stereo. Cupholders, cubbyholes and room lights galore! A veritable rolling playground for the kids!

I also went to Wheels Inc. at E. Rodriguez for its 1000km service checkup. While waiting for the car, i made a beeline to Fusion R to check out the K&N filters there. IJD180, they cost P4,400.-- a pop! Hmmm... I might get one as soon as my wallet gets a break.

p.s.
I immediately drove the carnival home to baguio during the main panagbenga weekend. I stepped on the accelerator a bit gingerly keeping in mind the break-in process. It just ate up all the expeditions and explorers on the highway that night. a great maiden voyage!

**rodski** · March 11th, 2004 05:18 PM

diesoline congratulations for getting the Carnival. This gray market model is really good because it offers the J3 Crdi engine. Our locally sourced carnivals have the J3 engine without the Common rail fuel system. 10 HP difference. Wow!!!

I am interested in the strut bar you installed. Where did you get it and how much?

**diesoline** · March 11th, 2004 05:43 PM

My dealer in qc gave it to me gratis. It is not a brand new strut bar. I think he pulled it off a parts car unit. I will ask him if he can still get another one. I will keep you posted.

**diesoline** · March 11th, 2004 06:05 PM

Rodski, my dealer just texted back. He got that one way back in Korea. He still hasn't replied if he can bring in another one again.

**rodski** · March 12th, 2004 01:56 PM

Diesoline,

Tnx - Keep me posted on the strut bar. I was really looking for that locally because I feel that this will significantly improve handling. I sure hope he gets one.

tnx

rodski

**vinj** · March 12th, 2004 06:24 PM

Congrats on your ride...

Just put in reliable tires like Bridgestones, Yoks, or Dunlop if it has Korean tires stock. Change the oil and service regularly and it'll serve you well.

On the K&N filters, if the 4.4K includes the adaptor, thats OK already.

**benchph1** · March 12th, 2004 07:31 PM

Buhay pa pala tong thread na 'to..kamusta na mga carnival/sedona nyo mga peeps?

**diesoline** · March 13th, 2004 09:08 PM

tnx for the tips vinj.

but what does the adaptor look like?

have any of you guys installed 16" rims on your rides? planning to do that kc when i will upgrade tires and i need feedback.

i went to urdaneta, pangasinan yesterday. on the flats, early afternoon and with regular highway traffic, the carnival did 63.6 kms on 3.1 liters of shell diesoline ultra. that's more than 20km per liter!

boy was i floored!!

will monitor my nightime highway drive next time. bka pwede umasungot sa isuzu challenge... hehehe!