I test drove the dark-green Kia Sportage 2WD for fun. “Kia Performance” dealership in Nicholasville, KY had for a week sold some of their cars at the Wal-Mart parking lot in Danville, KY one October week of 1999, so that people in Danville could buy them. I decided to have fun and test-drive one of the Sportage trucks. I wanted to drive one with a manual clutch transmission and in 4WD. The only Sportage they had with a 5-speed was the very plain dark-green 2WD that was very stripped-down. So I drove it for a while and then returned it. I wasn't planning on buying it; I just wanted to see how it felt as at the time I had a '97 red Ford Aspire car. I liked it but knew it wouldn’t be right for me even if I could afford it.

1999 Used Kia Sportage 4 Dr STD SUV: The one I drove had only 2WD and was very stripped-down. I test-droved this at a Kia dealership. I wanted one with a 5-speed manual transsmission and the only one they had was a standard, plain green '99 Kia Sportage 4-door in 2WD. I was not planning on buying one; I just wanted to drive it for fun. I liked it but it was very much like a truck as it hopped on the road and felt a little slow.

1999 Used Kia Sportage 4 Dr EX 4WD SUV: Constant trouble right from the start - especially upon approaching 90K mi... Let's see: mechanically, everything underneath is extremely light-duty.  Front bearings constantly loosen up, vacuum lines for front hubs rip/tear frequently, sparks plug(s) blew out twice!, head gasket blown, oil pan rusted out, rear door handles and power locks haven't worked since 35K (no, it's not the fuse)...I have owned it since 27K mi and have not had a stretch of more than 2 months without a problem.