Additionally, some owners report faster-than-expected wear of consumable parts—including tires and brakes, and to a lesser degree, suspension components. Though the longevity of these parts is largely subject to driving style and locale, a check over of the used Rio’s consumable parts is highly advised, too.
Note that the Rio uses a timing belt system to control camshaft timing—and that the belt needs to be replaced regularly, before it’s worn out or broken. Letting the Rio’s timing belt fail will stop the engine dead in its tracks and may cause catastrophic engine damage. Ensure the timing belt in the model you’re considering isn’t overdue for a change. In light of several reports of premature timing belt failure, changing the belt ahead of schedule isn’t a bad idea.
End of the day, a used Kia Rio from its second generation looks like a fairly solid used car bet—especially given the potential availability of remaining warranty coverage and lower-than-average resale values. Just get a thumbs-up from a mechanic for extra confidence.
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| 2010 Kia Rio (Photo: Kia) |
Note that the Rio uses a timing belt system to control camshaft timing—and that the belt needs to be replaced regularly, before it’s worn out or broken. Letting the Rio’s timing belt fail will stop the engine dead in its tracks and may cause catastrophic engine damage. Ensure the timing belt in the model you’re considering isn’t overdue for a change. In light of several reports of premature timing belt failure, changing the belt ahead of schedule isn’t a bad idea.
End of the day, a used Kia Rio from its second generation looks like a fairly solid used car bet—especially given the potential availability of remaining warranty coverage and lower-than-average resale values. Just get a thumbs-up from a mechanic for extra confidence.
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