Recently, I’ve come across a few posts that worry me. Before making a used car purchase, I’ve been checking for common automotive problems. Have I been in the wrong all along?
You see, I believed that Kia and Nissan should be avoided due to their extreme theft risk. So much so that insurance firms refuse to insure them altogether or demand astronomically higher premiums.
However, I’ve seen a few posts that have left me wondering, "Are Kia and Hyundai really that easy to steal?
Then why, aside from their CVTs, do I associate Nissan with such negativity?
If you purchase a used car from Kia or Hyundai, be prepared to pay a large premium depending on your area. I recently went through this and was turned down by Liberty Mutual, State Farm, and Progressive. I also relocated to a different state, and Geico quoted me a rate that was more than twice as high as my previous insurance. ultimately obtained a state-wide/local insurance through a broker. It was a frustrating search.
If you purchase a used car from Kia or Hyundai, be prepared to pay a large premium depending on your area. I recently went through this and was turned down by Liberty Mutual, State Farm, and Progressive. I also relocated to a different state, and Geico quoted me a rate that was more than twice as high as my previous insurance. ultimately obtained a state-wide/local insurance through a broker. It was a frustrating search.
It’s the possibility of it. There have been a ton of recalls, some for quite serious problems that need parking your car outside and away from your house because they just start to catch fire. I owned a 2017 Soul! and currently own a 2020 Soul EX, which my wife drives, but I’m afraid of the vehicle. Visit the Kia Soul forums to read about the terrifying experiences with broken engines and transmissions. In light of that and all of their recent problems, I’m done with the brands. Only Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru going forward. Yes, I am aware that they have certain issues, but not nearly as many as with Hyundai or Kia.
Kia and Hyundai models have been targeted for theft in recent years due to a vulnerability in their immobilizer systems.
But the situation has improved significantly with newer models and software updates.
It’s still important to take precautions, such as using a steering wheel lock or parking in well-lit areas, Kia and Hyundai cars are not inherently more prone to theft than other brands.
As for Nissan, while they have faced some challenges with their CVT transmissions, their overall reliability and security have generally been good.
The best way to choose a used car is to research specific models and look for any known issues or recalls.
