IHDiesel73L
Adventurer
I could only find one other thread on the Kia Borrego that started in 2008 just as it was introduced that petered out after news of its early demise broke. We are probably going to be purchasing one by the end of the month. As someone else here pointed out, resale values took a big hit because of this, and as a result, the pricey Borrego is now very reasonable to purchase as a used vehicle. Certified Pre-Owned Borregos (carrying the balance of the factory 10/100 powertrain warranty, 5/60 bumper to bumper warranty) here with 4WD, 260HP V6, and some nice amenities are going for between $18-20K. For us, the Borrego will be a mommy mobile (we have one child now, but since we plan to have more the 3rd row seat was a big plus)/grocery getter during the week, and expedition vehicle on the weekends. We had looked at the first generation Sorentos, which are similar in design but smaller and ultimately decided that since we intend to keep the vehicle at least as long as the powertrain warranty lasts (until 2019 for a 2009), that it would be wise to get something larger now. Obviously its not a hardcore off-road vehicle, but it should do just fine for getting to some of the more out of the way destinations here in the Northeast while seating five and a 70lb Chocolate Lab comfortably. My only planned modifications are better/slightly larger tires (the Hankook All Seasons they come with are junk) and possibly attempting to find a steel 16" wheel that will fit. I might even be able to sell the alloy 17s with the tires on them and fund the whole project. 17" tires are just too damn expensive. Other mods include a great Oz made hitch carrier that a member here recommended to me and a decent roof rack. This way I figure we can keep our gear out of the vehicle and give the dog and the kids room to spread out.
The Borrego is a really interesting vehicle-it's a vehicle that I wish Toyota made, quite frankly. I started looking at Korean cars because of the warranty, not because of some burning desire to own one. I do all of our regular maintenance and whatever repairs I'm capable of, but with a new baby, more responsibility at work, etc...I figured it would be good to own something with a warranty to fall back on so that if a transmission goes or an alternator craps out on it it won't mean me working on it until all hours of the night in order to get it fixed before my wife has go to work the next day. When she gets the Borrego I will get her Corolla (160K on the clock and still ticking), my F-350 will be sold to fund the Borrego, and my 1991 Toyota Pickup will remain as my beater, firewood hauler, hunting rig, off-roader. I really wanted a 4Runner, but all things being equal to the Borrego, it's just too much money. You can't touch a certified pre-owned 2009 4Runner with less than 30K miles for under $25-26K around here. So, I'll give the Korean upstart a chance with a vehicle that IMHO, they killed too early. I think if they had pressed on with the 1st generation Sorento and the Borrego there's a chance they could have drawn in the same demographic that loves the FJ Cruiser, Pathfinder, Xterra, and others. Anyway, I look forward to posting some pics once we take it on some trips out this way in the Spring. Maybe I'll be the only ExPo member who owns one?
The Borrego is a really interesting vehicle-it's a vehicle that I wish Toyota made, quite frankly. I started looking at Korean cars because of the warranty, not because of some burning desire to own one. I do all of our regular maintenance and whatever repairs I'm capable of, but with a new baby, more responsibility at work, etc...I figured it would be good to own something with a warranty to fall back on so that if a transmission goes or an alternator craps out on it it won't mean me working on it until all hours of the night in order to get it fixed before my wife has go to work the next day. When she gets the Borrego I will get her Corolla (160K on the clock and still ticking), my F-350 will be sold to fund the Borrego, and my 1991 Toyota Pickup will remain as my beater, firewood hauler, hunting rig, off-roader. I really wanted a 4Runner, but all things being equal to the Borrego, it's just too much money. You can't touch a certified pre-owned 2009 4Runner with less than 30K miles for under $25-26K around here. So, I'll give the Korean upstart a chance with a vehicle that IMHO, they killed too early. I think if they had pressed on with the 1st generation Sorento and the Borrego there's a chance they could have drawn in the same demographic that loves the FJ Cruiser, Pathfinder, Xterra, and others. Anyway, I look forward to posting some pics once we take it on some trips out this way in the Spring. Maybe I'll be the only ExPo member who owns one?
Also, I don't think I mentioned that the V6 (260 HP/260 LB-FT) model will tow 5000lbs, so I could also build a heck of a camping trailer for it. Most likely I'll just be hauling firewood from time to time.
