Exterior maybe different but most mechanical parts are same, even though they show different parts number. Even workshop also choose the cheaper variant.

Hyundai is older style, wont use experimental stuffs. Just like I have seen same year Kia K5 then compare with Sonata YF that I'm driving. You dont get auto wiper, auto lock when start to drive for example.

I can say much for engine and gearbox coz I don't own 1, although I have previous gen Elantra. Since Cerato is using variable refrigerant volume type of compressor, like Forte, you can actually skip changing out the entire compressor if the aircond system suddenly become not as cold. The culprit is the refrigerant control valve, not the entire compressor. Can change out this part only if it turns out to be problematic by going to Ming Wah Car Cooler near Chow Kit areaif you are based in KL.

Most other shops will conclude it is the compressor and ask you to change to a recond unit. Easy money and no need waste saliva & time explaining further.

Kia has more tech compared to hyundai of the same year. I sat and drove both cerato and elantra (friend's vehicle). Can't go wrong with both.
Just look out for wear and tear items (suspension and brakes) and standby few k's to repair if needed.
If buying 2nd hand, check engine cooling system (hoses, radiator fan etc) and also the aircon when car idle. If aircon hot when idle and cold when driving, need to repair the valve.
One issue with Kia is the catalytic converter also. Fails earlier than japanese cars (suggest change to aftermarket high flow cat con ~rm500).
Another issue for both models is the steering wheel clock spring ~rm250 to fix.

I'm using Kia Optima, know quite a few people using Korean cars. Good value for money.

I watched the YouTube review that the rear passenger not comfortable and hot? What is your take on this?

No issue with gearbox and compressor, so far the biggest cost of repair is changing the engine piston ring which cost around RM2,000. The other spare parts & sensors all around RM300-600

In your opinion, overall how has the maintenance cost been? What has been the largest cost and the most frequent cost to maintain? Any electronic sensor failure on your optima? I'm actually looking for a Kia Cerato too as the current price is really attractive for a C segment car with equipment exceeding what Toyota can provide.

May I know what is the reason of the engine piston ring replacement in your car? Is it a really big issue which requires immediate rectification or it's just like a general overhaul for the car due to high mileage?
What kind of sensors and parts have you replaced to date, and how are the costs like?


Appreciate your feedback and opinion on this car as I'm really keen to get my hands on it. Would like to know any common problems with the car if any

I think it's wear and tear, the workshop I trusted say if not replaced it might start leaking oil. Given the car already break 100k mileage that time I think such major replacement would be expected. The other parts which I remembered replacing are steering clock sensor, airbag sensor, alternator, break pump, power window motor(driver side), and radiator (this one is my own mistake causing overheat), most of them between RM300-600 each.

If you are getting the car above 100k mileage I think you should expect changing 1-2 parts per year beside regular maintenance

This post has been edited by bashlyner: Nov 28 2021, 10:37 PM

Aside from the bad RV, is there any other concerns to take note of before purchasing this car?
My family has been strongly advising against buying this car due to the very bad resale value, but my opinion is that cars are meant to be driven, not to be sold.

Appreciate your feedback.
if you have more to share about your car, I highly appreciate your effort and knowledge on this matter

If you can accept the maintenance cost (1-2 parts every year beside from regular maintenance) then I think you are good to go, for me the car is quite reliable, a bit underpowered but enough for city drive, and the exterior look still modern enough.

RV is non issue since you won't be getting new car anyway (the latest 1.6 CBU model cost 134k++ which totally not worth). I think old people still have bad perception towards Korean car but for me it's not much different with Japanese car except maybe the availability for some spare parts. I would say low RV is actually a plus point for second hand car buyer since you get the car with lower price as compared to Japanese brand from same segment and years, the money you saved is a lot than enough to maintain it for next few years to come.

My family has been convincing me to go for a Toyota/Honda make, even B segment cars, than this Kia cerato. Their concern is that when I try to sell the car few years down the road as I want to upgrade to my next car, the car would depreciate so much that it would be worthless by then.

I surveyed a 2014 1.8 low spec Corolla Altis, selling for 60k now, whereas this 2015 kia 2.0 can be gotten for <50k.

What do you think the future RV of this car will be? General perception towards Korean cars are still very bad in Malaysia

How long you plan to loan?
I have been driving cars with low RV(hybrids, korean car, french cars and coupe) but have no issue to sell it because my loan tenure is max 4 years. and I have been changing cars every 2 years, so by the time i planned to change the car, the resale value is enough to cover for the outstanding and some left overs for new car dp.

You can try compare the RV of these car on car listing website to gauge around how much depreciation per year. The depreciation will be getting lower and lower over the years so it might not have much different if you are getting a >7years car. I think the decision is based on whether you willing to go for B segment car, like what you posted if you want a C Segment then the Japanese brand will cost at least 10k more which also mean more insurance cost.

Seriously if RV is your main concern and your parent's opinion is important (e.g. they are sponsoring the downpayment) then just go for Japanese brand. No amount of information can change their mindset unless they personally own and maintain one.

In used car market, 1st owner will always take the hardest hit on resale value. Subsequent owners will normally just follow whatever leftover of the market value of the car. Why overthink on the resale value when you are aiming for a pre-loved unit? Isn't it clear as daylight that you are going in to pre-loved market that 1st or other owners have taken the hit? Instead of worrying about RV, your focus should revolve more on the actual condition of the pre-loved cars of your choice. And for this 1 reason, I have advised you to go for direct purchase from owner, NOT 2nd hand car dealers. Seems like you missed that piece of very important part. FYI 3/4 of my cars are pre-loved, and NONE went thru 2nd hand car dealers.

All the best to you.

Rear passenger seats are okay for me. As for heat, I think subjective depending on tint installed. I didn't get a chance to sit long distance in the cerato and elantra, maybe 30mins at most per trip. Didn't feel uncomfortable or hot, but the driver seat is kinda small for me in terms of width. I'm 6foot and 90kg. That's why I prefer my Optima.

No electronic sensor failure on my Optima. Only the Check Engine Light came on for faulty O2 sensor/front catalytic converter (P0420 code). Replaced the front cat con to SS extractor for performance instead.

Repairs I've done over a year of owning the car:
1. Change projector housing and HID to led. Projector housing coating started to corrode/oxidise until 1 side doesn't reflect the light properly. Cost RM 1k total.
2. Change new compressor, condensor, cooling coil and actuator valve. Aircon hot when idle, cold when rev, should be same issue with Cerato. Cost RM 2.8k total.
3. Change suspension parts due to wear and tear. Stabilizer link, bushing, link arm, steering yoke, absorber mounting. Cost RM 800 total.
4. Change spark plugs bcos 1 cylinder misfiring. Cost RM200 total.

I would say electronics failure is very rare for the cerato and optima, its either mechanical or wear and tear parts. I would standby RM 5k for repairs once you get the car just in case.

My friend's elantra bought 2nd hand in 2019 (2015 model 1.8) -> change suspension parts due to wear and tear, steering wheel clock spring.
My friend's cerato bought 2nd hand in 2020 (2015 model 2.0) -> change absorbers and control arms due to wear and tear.

There are reliable workshops around that specializes in Korean cars and frequented by FB Kia group members.
Penang has 1, Johor has 1, KL have a few.

This post has been edited by kaliku: Nov 29 2021, 01:06 PM

I'm planning to loan for 7 years although I can afford 5-6 years, so as to reduce monthly commitment on cars. As it is a C segment, the parts/maintenance cost may be higher than B segment cars especially the tyres, so I would very much like to have better cashflow monthly than to aim to finish loan asap. Please correct me if I have the incorrect understanding of how loan/cash flow works

It's funny how a 2014 Toyota vios can still fetch around rm50k in a used car dealer. 7 years car with depreciation less than 50%, I would rather just go for a new vios if I'm going for a Toyota.

On a side note, is the maintenance cost of a 2.0 Cerato comparable to an 1.6 one? Any special things/parts to take note of?

The car I'm interested in is actually from a direct owner, a Kia Cerato 2.0 year 15 for slightly below 50k. Their concerns are mainly parts availability (which I believe has been resolved very much in recent years) and RV down the road when I sell my car in the future for an upgrade.
I think the first owner has taken a hit of close to rm70k (60% of car price) in 5 years. Enlighten me if the offer I received is still too high

For your air cond issue, I've read that it's only a small part in the compressor that needs replacement rather than the whole compressor unit. Were you aware of that issue or you just proceeded to change the whole A/C system to solve the headache?

Glad to know that there's no major issue with your optima. The rest of the parts are pretty much similar price to a Toyota spare parts (from my experience maintaining a d segment and a mpv from toyota)

Are you aware of the price your friend paid for his 2015 2.0 Cerato in 2020? Would be a good indicator for me when finding one.
Can you also share the Kia workshop in Penang? I will be based in penang for work in the future

kindly share the repair shop for penang. I'm not in the FB group. i usually buy parts for shopee and ask the nearest workshop place to my area to replace them. so far replaced all suspensions, front wheels bearing etc.

my driver door handle and power window have issues. wonder the repair shop has the parts. thanks!

I think (based on Mudah's dealers pricing) the owner is trying to sell at market price to you. IMHO, as buyer (if I were in your shoes) I would press for another 5% at least to cover for wear and tear and registration/puspakom/transfer costs. Do PM me if you want to know more. No I am not a dealer.

My Elantra's previous owner took slightly over 50% hit after 3yrs. But car was still in pristine condition mechanically. So I didn't have to spend much to restore anything. Just changed tyres/rims and everything was fine.

my cooling coil was leaking also, so decided to change full set for peace of mind. It's an 8 years old car anyway.

My friend purchased for 57k OTR, mileage at about 75k. Bought from 2nd hand dealer. I suggest you join the Kia cerato k3 FB group. There's a few owners selling right now.

Penang workshop look for Ghee Auto.

For ECU maintenance and repairs, there's a guy called Arthur Pakia on several Kia groups, ie Rio, K3 and K5 who specializes in diagnosing and repairing ECUs.

This post has been edited by kaliku: Nov 29 2021, 11:05 PM