Proud owner of a 92 Kia Pride 1.1 with 115K on the clocks

[Bdonkin88]

Hello all,

Last night I picked up the keys for my very own Kia Pride here in the UK for a grand total sum of £235 with a full years MOT and plenty of spares.

Bit of history on my cars, started as many 17 year olds in the UK with a cheap hatchback my weapon of choice were Fiat Puntos with the 1.2 petrol engines x 2 as had a few smashes (not my fault) then I owned a smaller fiat Seicento which was awful put up with it for 3 weeks (will never buy a car of the side of the road except for a Kia Pride) Then I was 18 and thought I need something stronger. At about the same time Top Gear aired their show showcasing the mighty Toyota Hilux https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnWKz7Cthkk - I was sold and picked up a 1988 Mk2 2.4 D and spent the next 6 years owning it, off roading it, modifying it, breaking it, fixing it and enjoying every minute of it (still regret selling it now)

The Hilux for me was great because alongside my motorbike project I learned a lot about working on cars and doing a lot myself and learning as I went along so YAY.

At the same time I am a lucky guy and my wife likes her cars too so she has had a Suzuki SJ410 and a double cab Toyota Hilux "mini" monster truck as daily drivers and offroaders. Then we moved abroad and worked a winter season in Chamonix, had no ties or debt and decided to buy a cheap run about to initially allow us to continue working the following winter but went the job fell through we decided to go for a drive for 3 months around Europe and do some travelling! That car was a £500 Kia Rio 1.3 estate with around 78K on the clock this car was a turning point for us as it was a fairly standard plain car not with 4 wheel drive or a big exhaust stack just a standard run about. I loved that car for 4 years we did many trips across Europe racking up some 70K additional miles on the clock in those 4 years, we slept in it, we road tripped in it, we cooked, we ate, we took our Daughter on her first road trip with it too, however the whole time all I did was put it through its MOT each year and do the bare minimum to it in terms of additional work just to prove that a £500 car goes further than a £500PCM leased new car! This car only died earlier in the year and has now been replaced with a more practical family travelling car for the Mrs to drive as we are expecting number 2.

My daily runner for the past 2 years alongside the trucks was a 1998 Lexus LS400 4.0 300BHP V8 with a modified air intake and RWD - one of the best cars I probably will ever own in terms of luxury, reliability, style, power and refinement. However spending £40 every couple of days for hooning the car around does tire after a couple of years so I recently sold this car (made a profit) and have been caught by something ever since I saw it a couple of months ago. None other than a 1992 Kia Pride in faded red with grey bumpers and red painted wheels. I am not sure what exactly has attracted me away from electric everything, powerful v8 engine with RWD and leather heated seats but the little pride has and for the past month I have been back and forth with the owner to put it up for sale again for me, and he has said yes finally and put it through its MOT for the year! So last night I collected the keys after my first test drive last week, the 4 speed box and lack of any electrics have got me feeling things I haven't for a while in a car, the simplistic look and the rarity of the car makes me want it more.

So without further adu:

IMG_3891.jpgIMG_3892.jpgIMG_3893.jpg

The plans so far consist of putting my motorbike back together and getting shot of this along with my Hyundai run about I bought recently as an in betweener. Then I will give the old Pride a good clean inside and out including de gunking the engine bay, service, posible cam belt (Was last changed @ 98K in 2008 so advice there would be great?) Then will look at tinted windows, lowered suspension, steering wheel swap, induction kit and exhaust (then save save save for B6T swap!)

Look forward to meeting some of you in the future - do you have many meets in the UK?

Thanks for reading and sorry for the essay!

Ben

[Greywolf]

NICE! And I must say, the simpler and smaller cars were a thing I got away from for some reason - even though I knew deep down that fuel was going to be a huge issue. When I got out of the military after making a career out of it I had planned for years to focus on small cars and go touring all over the map, but somehow I got into full sized trucks and wasted a lot of time and cash on that.

Now I'm back into my roots (first car for me was a Datsun 1200 that I went from California to Washington DC and back in). Since I was on the road a lot in my parents cars when I grew up (Dad was an aircraft engineer and we changed coasts several times) I fell in love with road trips and driving.

It seems to me that bigger cars with spongey suspensions tend to take away from road "FEEL", where a smaller car with very basic equipment actually feels a lot more like an old time race car. In a smaller car we are also closer to the road surface - and that tends to make it look like we are going faster even though we are going at the same speed as everyone else, so that too is a "Come-on".

I hope that soon we see even more people in countries all over the globe on the site, I tested a google map out less than a week ago and it is filling up nicely, so who is to say that the UK may show some more map pins on it? I hope so. I did see there was a marker near London - is that you?

No wait - that's someone who goes by "Sun Top"

Have a look at the map, the link is in my sig below...

ADD yourself!


~ And CHEERS! That looks like a nice one there.

* What, by the by, is an MOT? Is that like an annual safety inspection?

[w4rkry]

Welcome to the Forums!

That is an absolutely lovely pride! I have never gotten a close look of the UK model before, and there a lot of things that I have not seen before, like your grille. Many prides in other countries have rounder, bubble headlights and a grille to match. However, yours has Ford style headlights, but a different grille than the US got. Super Cool!

Some quick tips:
Check the Advanced Suspension Mods thread or Ultimate Street suspension guide to get it lowered.

Also, for steering wheels, use a hub adapter for an RX7 or Miata, they will fit perfectly.

again, Welcome, you will love it here!

[harpon]

What's a "MOT"?

[azgtx]

Vehicle inspection and emissions testing

[Bdonkin88]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys!

Yes Greywolf can't beat the simplisticness of the car and we do love a good old road trip

Yes to confirm an MOT is annual test we have to do on the cars each year here in the UK to make sure they're road worthy bit of a pain but keeps you in check with looking after your cars

Thanks W4rkry! I was looking at a few things and was going to ask if these would fit actually...

Good old eBay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181897769965?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151520944569?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The reason I am looking at lowered springs over coilovers at the moment is just to get the look (Ive always had trucks which have been jacked up so lowering is a new world to me) and until I do an engine swap I don't think I can warrant spending big bucks on coilovers!

PS I have just found another Kia Pride a 96 1.3 litre in red 50K miles on clock which has just failed its MOT for £100 - might get this and take off the good bits such as the 110 speedo, spare lamps and lenses have a look at the interior too and also the bonnet as mine has some minor rust on the lip and potentially the 1.3 litre engine...

[firebush357]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys!

Yes Greywolf can't beat the simplisticness of the car and we do love a good old road trip

Yes to confirm an MOT is annual test we have to do on the cars each year here in the UK to make sure they're road worthy bit of a pain but keeps you in check with looking after your cars

Thanks W4rkry! I was looking at a few things and was going to ask if these would fit actually...

Good old eBay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181897769965?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151520944569?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The reason I am looking at lowered springs over coilovers at the moment is just to get the look (Ive always had trucks which have been jacked up so lowering is a new world to me) and until I do an engine swap I don't think I can warrant spending big bucks on coilovers!

PS I have just found another Kia Pride a 96 1.3 litre in red 50K miles on clock which has just failed its MOT for £100 - might get this and take off the good bits such as the 110 speedo, spare lamps and lenses have a look at the interior too and also the bonnet as mine has some minor rust on the lip and potentially the 1.3 litre engine...

Sounds like a deal!

[Advancedynamix]

Welcome to the forum!

[TominMO]

Actually it is tremendous fun to drive a slow car fast--i.e. do the suspension/tyres first. And it will sharpen your driving skills for corners. Of course, making sure the brakes and steering are in order (plus serviceable tyres) precedes everything else.

For the front, I cut my stock coil spring 1.25 coils, and went with Kia Rio uppers and struts. For the rear, homemade VW coilovers per the guidance available in the forums. Charlie/Advancedynamix is the suspension (and tyre) guru. He races some of his Festivas against super-high-dollar cars on a road course, and often humiliates them.

Driving a fast car slow, not so much fun.....a powerful motor in a stock Festiva will just get you into trouble, and/or be frustrating. If you want a sporty Festiva, a brake system upgrade should also precede the motor swap.

[TorqueEffect]

Surprised it with a nice clean straight body and no rust, especially in a country with the amount of rain you guys get, so it must've been garaged and rarely driven. But the paint is very flat, so no one ever waxed it even once. lol

[TominMO]

Surprised it with a nice clean straight body and no rust, especially in a country with the amount of rain you guys get, so it must've been garaged and rarely driven. But the paint is very flat, so no one ever waxed it even once. lol

I doubt that they salt the roads over there. There are plenty of older cars in the PNW, which gets a tremendous amount of rainfall in places.

[w4rkry]

Thanks W4rkry! I was looking at a few things and was going to ask if these would fit actually...

Good old eBay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181897769965?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151520944569?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The reason I am looking at lowered springs over coilovers at the moment is just to get the look (Ive always had trucks which have been jacked up so lowering is a new world to me) and until I do an engine swap I don't think I can warrant spending big bucks on coilovers!

Ok, a few things then.

That hub adaptor should work. If you ever want to upgrade the hub to a well known brand, just know that RX7 and Miata ones will work as well.

Those springs will not work, as they are for the 2nd generation of the Kia Pride. Note the model years listed in the description (94+)

While it is possible to get lowering springs for a Festiva, the coilover swap is the best route. It will really surprise you how much better the Festiva Handles with this setup, and it can be had for less than $600 US.

If you just want to try Lowering Springs still, check out The Festiva Store

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

[Bdonkin88]

Actually it is tremendous fun to drive a slow car fast--i.e. do the suspension/tyres first. And it will sharpen your driving skills for corners. Of course, making sure the brakes and steering are in order (plus serviceable tyres) precedes everything else.

For the front, I cut my stock coil spring 1.25 coils, and went with Kia Rio uppers and struts. For the rear, homemade VW coilovers per the guidance available in the forums. Charlie/Advancedynamix is the suspension (and tyre) guru. He races some of his Festivas against super-high-dollar cars on a road course, and often humiliates them.

Driving a fast car slow, not so much fun.....a powerful motor in a stock Festiva will just get you into trouble, and/or be frustrating. If you want a sporty Festiva, a brake system upgrade should also precede the motor swap.

Yes this is what I am most excited about Ive had a big fast V8 now its time to take a little 1.1 and tweak, tune and modify to make it fast! The little car I bought as a run about only a week or so ago has some Toyo race tyres on cost the owner like £400 new and I have never been more amazed how a car handles just goes to show you get what you pay for when it comes to rubber! I am definitely keen to get the wheels, tyres, break and suspension combo sorted before putting more power in it in the form of an engine swap! Can't waith td

Surprised it with a nice clean straight body and no rust, especially in a country with the amount of rain you guys get, so it must've been garaged and rarely driven. But the paint is very flat, so no one ever waxed it even once. lol

The previous owner had it for 3 years he was a welder by trade and racked up like 2000miles in 3 years - was his second car, I believe he also has re done the sills as it is spotless underneath! Agree with the paint it hasn't been cleaned in some time - this is my first to-do once the other projects are done, ideally I am looking to change the paint potentially red over black or white over black like an AE86 style... Might look at wrapping it too instead of paint we will see.

Ok, a few things then.

That hub adaptor should work. If you ever want to upgrade the hub to a well known brand, just know that RX7 and Miata ones will work as well.

Those springs will not work, as they are for the 2nd generation of the Kia Pride. Note the model years listed in the description (94+)

While it is possible to get lowering springs for a Festiva, the coilover swap is the best route. It will really surprise you how much better the Festiva Handles with this setup, and it can be had for less than $600 US.

If you just want to try Lowering Springs still, check out The Festiva Store

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Thanks for your help again - have seen your wheels on FB and looks super cool! htd

Budget is the key at the moment so will go budget steering wheel and boss kit first but will check out an rx7 one before hitting the pay now button!

Hmm I had seen that but I wasn't aware there was a 2nd generation Kia Pride? According to the internet (not searched this forum fully yet) the Kia pride ran from 1987 to 2000 then in 2005 there was a new model which was more like a saloon car?

[Bdonkin88]

As its Friday here is some more pictures taken last night of my ride and also a little more info on my car as it tells a story for sure!

IMG_4592.jpgIMG_4593.jpgIMG_4594.jpgIMG_4596.jpgIMG_4597.jpgIMG_4598.jpgIMG_4599.jpgIMG_4600.jpg

So I am the 4th owner of my Pride but the history is awesome!

The original owner bought the car for a whopping £1!!! - The local Kia garage decided to raise some money for charity and also bring awareness to the new kia pride by auctioning off the car in a raffle. The entrants could buy a lucky dip ticket for £1 and were allowed a maximum of 10. One very lucky lady owner won the pride and owned it for the next 12 months she then sold it to some guy who owned it for the next 20 years who kept up with the service in his own little file (which I have) even down to the paint he used to spray the wheels plus all the spares! He then put it up for sale in a classic cars magazine and Pete the welder bought it from him who has just used it to drive to customers houses collect their cars and drive them back to his garage to do welding work on. It is in need for a service as Pete has been a bit sloppy so a good service and tune up is needed also I don't reckon the car has been cleaned inside or out in 10 years so the engine bay is going to get blasted!

Anyway he gave me a file with all original docs and sales brochures its a real find!

[Bdonkin88]

Hmmm there are a bit more expensive not by a lot but would work I guess?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KILEN-UP-TO-40-MM-FRONT-REAR-FULL-LOWERING-COIL-SPRING-KIT-OE-QUALITY-931403-/262203837770?fits=Car+Make%3AKia%7CModel%3APride%7CCars+Year%3A1992&hash=item3d0c910d4a:g:rocAAOSwSHZWeTin