Having been a two-time Sedona owner, the answer, to me, is an unquestioned
'yes.'  There are some things to consider.

**I have NEVER used manufacturers oil change intervals, except possibly for
the "severe service" interval recommendations.  I have usually let the oil
tell me when it needs changed.  On both Sedonas, that has been at around
4000 miles.  And with the recent report in Consumer Reports on a lot of
(especially foreign) engines sludging, I would stick to that closely.  As an
additional suggestion, you should probably choose (as I have) synthetic oil
for your oil changes, especially if you can do them yourself.

**Like most import engines, the Sedona runs on a timing belt, a tedious
maintenance item that MUST be replaced by the recommended 60,000 mile
interval to keep the 100,000 mile warranty intact.  With the wear on this,
apparently it is VERY unwise to go more than the 60,000 miles.  So if you go
200,000 miles on this van, you will be replacing it three times.  At my
dealer, it is a flat $450 just to replace the belt, or $800 as a part of the
regular 60,000 mile maintenance service.

**In the day of much longer life fluid level maintenance intervals, the
Sedona's are still rather short - 30,000 on the transmission (an extremely
EASY job), and about the same on the coolant.

But realistically, you can look at these same items hanging over just about
all vehicles.  If you take care of them, they should take care of you.  In
the case of the Sedona, it will.

The last item to consider is the fact that the '06 will be a complete
re-design coming in the Fall.  The new van will be larger, more powerful,
with more convenience features.  But to begin with, incentives will not even
come close to what you can get on an '05, especially if you plan to keep it
a long time.  The decision between an older but established new van(meaning
the bugs have been worked out of it) and with incentives beyond excellent,
and a newly redesigned one that has better stuff but costs more and may not
have the kinks worked out of it is a decision you will have to make.

Hope this helps.

Thomas Wenndt
a.k.a. Green Valley Giant

Yes, things like that are worse than concerning - they are disgusting.

Sadly, my GM experience is much like that.

It seems the ability to try to get things fixed still starts with both the
competence and the willingness to do what it takes AT THE DEALERSHIP.

In my area, I have two Kia dealers (actually four, though I only have
experience with the two closest ones).  The one has provided every nightmare
you describe and more - in fact, I haven't met a satisfied Kia customer from
them yet.  The other has one of the best records anywhere in the country for
Kia sales, service and satisfaction.  The two are less than 50 miles apart.

What gives?  It seems to all start when you walk in.  The two are as
different as night and day when you walk into them, be it their sales
department, service, parts or restroom.

I don't know if you have the luxury of being betwixt and between Kia dealers
like I am, and maybe your case has gotten a little too infamous in the Kia
system.  I also have no guarantees that your next farther away Kia dealer
would be any better.  But that is where I would start.

And if you lived in a proximity where you could get to this one that has
been SO good to its customers (in central Illinois), I am even in a position
to pre-call them, tell them about you and make SURE you get treated right.

I'm sorry about your problem, though I did note that there was something
about the batteries and the electrical systems in those '02's that were bad.
My battery didn't blow up, but it was hopelessly dead in 16 months.  NO
problem in the '04.

If Kia can't help, maybe the people on this forum can.

Tom Wenndt

 You've got that right!  You get what you pay for.  The KIAs need constant
repair and their service dept is abominable.

Bud