Should I buy a used Kia or Ford?

Ford

Honestly? As a person that works on, and knows the ins and outs of vehicles fairly well? Neither. They are both very poor vehicles.

If these are your only choices, AND you are going to keep up the maintenance on them properly, either one will suffice for a "round town" vehicle. The choice is really personal preference. I, personally, have never met a Kia I liked, would like, or even approved of. Most of them are weak, poor on fuel, have very little options for their price, and are too small. Also, Kia is a korean company, and as such many parts are fairly expensive if they need replacing.

Ford on the other hand, has been around since the 1920s. The focus is a good 30 years old, and many of the kinks have been worked out. For it's pricing, the focus offers good options, good fuel economy, and decent power and handling. There are many more aftermarket parts for a ford focus than exist for any kia; making replacing almost anything at least a bit cheaper, if not a lot.

On a side note, it really doesn't matter what car any one person buys, so long as they keep up regular maintenance on it. Oil change every 4 months or ~4500 miles, air filter change every 12k or every year, transmission service every 60-90k (depending on the manufacturer) miles, tire rotation every 5-10k miles depending on driving conditions and the condition of the suspension parts, changing the fuel filter once every 24k or 2 years (or every year or 12k miles if you use gas from the cheapest place in town.), and any other service you owners manual may call for. This also inlcudes spark plugs, brakes, bushings and any lubricants not mentioned here.

I have an '04 Kia Optima with over 172,000 miles. Still drives really nice, I would put Kia quality against any car out there! I have owned it since new. I have to admit, if the previous owners took care of the cares, you may have a good car in both, but in my experience, Kia is the way to go!

Ford Focus

If you're in that kind of spot, get what you can.

Webbie, not to say the point was irrelevant (although it is irrelevant), but have you ever tried to buy a cabin air filter assembly for a 97-04 Ford truck? Or turn signal mirrors for a 2008 F150?

That "been around since 1920" junk didn't help me there.

I would personally go with the Ford but that's cause I'm biased towards American made cars. However, the Kia is probably a better value. Test drive both and see which one feels better.

I would go with Toyota or Honda. I work for Toyota and they are really long lasting and dependable vehicles. Don't really have many come in with major problems. Ive worked on fords before and they are nothing but problems. Never worked on Kia's before so couldn't tell you anything good or bad about them. But anyways, its your decision in the end...good luck!

That inflation for ya. that focus blows head gaskets. that kia is reliable and the flagship of that year I would go with that but for a flag ship it does sound pretty loud with road noise still yet the optima is the reliable way to go.

DON'T BUY A FOCUS!!!! Mine stalls and what not at roundabouts, its so heavy on petrol and its a heap of **** with no control when there's more than one person in the car. You feel like you're either going to topple over or the butt of the car will fly into the ditch.!! Shteer clear my friend! Not worth it!

I am support you to afford ford it is much more good the kia