Thanks to forum member bob91yj for bringing the 1st generation Kia Sorento to my attention as a contender for a long road trip when you'll see bad roads. You know, like a trip from Alaska to Argentina.
The first generation Kia Sorento is a mid size SUV that's similar in size to the Toyota 4Runner. Features of the Sorento include body on frame construction, manual transmission, transfer case with high and low range, and decent ground clearance. The Sorento is basically a truck with an SUV body.
Here's an example
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=309870458
2006 Kia Sorento
76,000 miles, $10,700
3.5L V6, 5 speed manual trans, 2 speed transfer case
limited slip rear differential
tan exterior, tan cloth interior
Here's another one
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=309998697
2006 Kia Sorento
70K miles, $10K
3.5L V6, manual trans, etc
And one more
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=310482035
2005 Kia Sorento
70K miles, $9K
V6, manual trans, 2 speed transfer case
This one may have a salvage title
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=311520415
2006 Kia Sorento
only 14K miles, $11K
2005 Kia Sorento
Chief advantage of the Sorento over the 4Runner is price. A 4runner that costs $10,000 will have 150K miles.
The Sorento has some support from ARB (locker for rear diff) and Old Man Emu (suspension lift kit). But it's perfectly capable for a road trip without mods.
Regarding support while you're on the road, Kia has a factory dealer network in almost all countries in South America. (I didn't see an official distributor listed for Uruguay.) Kia is not as well represented in Central America. There are independent dealers who service Kia in this region.
bob91yj points out that the 3.5L V6 is an interference engine. (If the timing belt breaks, the valves can contact the pistons, creating a major engine repair.) So it's important to replace the timing belt on the schedule that Kia recommends.
The first generation Kia Sorento is a mid size SUV that's similar in size to the Toyota 4Runner. Features of the Sorento include body on frame construction, manual transmission, transfer case with high and low range, and decent ground clearance. The Sorento is basically a truck with an SUV body.
Here's an example
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=309870458
2006 Kia Sorento
76,000 miles, $10,700
3.5L V6, 5 speed manual trans, 2 speed transfer case
limited slip rear differential
tan exterior, tan cloth interior
Here's another one
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=309998697
2006 Kia Sorento
70K miles, $10K
3.5L V6, manual trans, etc
And one more
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=310482035
2005 Kia Sorento
70K miles, $9K
V6, manual trans, 2 speed transfer case
This one may have a salvage title
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=311520415
2006 Kia Sorento
only 14K miles, $11K
2005 Kia Sorento
Chief advantage of the Sorento over the 4Runner is price. A 4runner that costs $10,000 will have 150K miles.
The Sorento has some support from ARB (locker for rear diff) and Old Man Emu (suspension lift kit). But it's perfectly capable for a road trip without mods.
Regarding support while you're on the road, Kia has a factory dealer network in almost all countries in South America. (I didn't see an official distributor listed for Uruguay.) Kia is not as well represented in Central America. There are independent dealers who service Kia in this region.
bob91yj points out that the 3.5L V6 is an interference engine. (If the timing belt breaks, the valves can contact the pistons, creating a major engine repair.) So it's important to replace the timing belt on the schedule that Kia recommends.