help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

[leoo24]

hey guys

i decided to get a 4x4, i actually put a deposit on a discovery before but that fell through, so i'm faced with a choice..

i know both vehicles can tow my boat with no probs, i'd like some help in my undecideness...


one car is a mercedes ml320i 3.7 v6 petrol 2001 90k km
the other is a kia sorento 2.5 diesel 2005 60k km

i'm stuck, i know merc build a solid car and engine, love the car, but it drinks petrol and is older although has low mileage and is in fantastic condition.

i've never thought much about kias but scouring the internet the sorento has great reviews, is apparently solid and reliable. It's newer, has way better mpg, can tow my boat fine, would seem the more sensible choice.


This would be my normal car also, just sold my golf rabbit, and am in europe where diesel is cheaper and more widely accepted.

so guys what would you do? if you were a merc lover would you be able to beat back the love to go for the sensible option?

any opinions would be greatly appreciated

Leo

 

[JB]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

I have been driving MLs for 10 years now and I love them to death, but:

In your situation I would get the Diesel Kia.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

I give you my Kia experience after owning 2 spectras. They run very well and they have great customer service. There are times that random stuff would break like door handles, fuel tank latch. I bought the last Kia when they 1st came out with the 100k warranty. That car lasted 250K and the only part put on it other than maintenace things was an O2 sensor. There wasn't a Kia dealer where I lived so they brought me a rental, towed the car 150 miles to the dealer fixed it and brought it back to me. I was impressed. So in my opinion you definately get your money's worth put of them.

 

[leoo24]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

many thanks guys

I think i'll save up and get myself a diesel ml in the future, they are fantastic looking cars! but it's the Kia for now

 

[leoo24]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

ok, a spanner got thrown into the works...


i got distracted by an important project at work and the kia was sold, but i've got two new choices

a merc ml 270 diesel!! yay, 2002 with 150k km on the clock

or a ssangyong rexton 2007 with 30k on the clock


i like the look of the ssangyong, but i think i have some doubts about it, what do you guys think?

 

[NYBo]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

i like the look of the ssangyong, but i think i have some doubts about it, what do you guys think?

I think most of us don't have the slightest idea of a Ssangyong is! They aren't sold here in the States.

 

[JB]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

Neither is the ML270 CDI.

If you can swing it, that is the one I would buy.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

Here's my 2 cents..
By AMERICAN...
But thats just me....

 

[NYBo]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

Here's my 2 cents..
By AMERICAN...
But thats just me....

I'm pretty sure Leo isn't from the United States. He may not be from North America, in which case he would be hard-pressed to find an American tow vehicle.

 

[flatheadlakemonster]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

Benz Diesel. If I didn't already have 5 Volkswagens, I would probably have a Benz in there somewhere. And Just for Bifflefan, I also have a '64 Ford F100 shortbox. And I am a Kenseth fan.

 

[leoo24]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

hehe thanks guys


wow didn't realise ssangyong wasn't sold there (yeah i'm european), korean company which solely builds suv's

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

Here's my 2 cents..
By AMERICAN...
But thats just me....

Read more thoroughly........He's in Europe

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

I think its a good thing you did not get that 2.5 Kia. I really think you would have been disappointed in its towing capabilities and may have even hurt it towing the boat in your signature line.

I would go for a Merc or maybe a Rover.

 

[grahamh]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

I would avoid the Rexton at all costs. Since you're in Europe and diesels are readily available, I would go for that option, since gas is something like $2.50 a litre over there.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

Doesn't Toyota import diesels into Europe? I have been driving these things since 1971 and still haven't found anything as reliable or inexpensive to run. I also find that they have large dealer networks almost everywhere...

Current Toyotas; '04 Tundra 4.7, '00 Sienna.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

Jeep or a Land Rover should be plentiful over there.

 

[bassman284]

Re: help me decide kia sorento or merc ml320

Read more thoroughly........He's in Europe

That's no excuse for not buying American. They sell Jeeps there. Actually build them in Graz, but most of the components come from the US.