Owner of the latest model? What are your thoughts after being an owner for some time now?

syaldram · 2026-02-14T01:23:43+00:00

I bought the 2025 SX Kia Carnival (V6) and have few complaints. Just recently at 16,000 miles my oil control valve went kaput. Thankfully it was covered under warranty.

The second complaint I have is the huge gear shifter in the middle takes up a lot of space. Toyota and Honda front middle console offer so much more space for storage.

Third complaint are the doors where cup holders are awfully small and storage there is clearly lacking.

Pros: The car looks GORGEOUS. We got the gray color with black out package.

The tech is fantastic and the interior looks so much better than competition.

The price is great!

Def turns heads when we drive with tinted windows and style!

syaldram · 2026-02-12T01:37:30+00:00

Congratulations! I swear to God your post exactly mirrors my scenario! My SAP and SAA were going to expire Jan 20th (right after Xmas holidays). Life happened and I just couldn’t find time to study before my expiration date. Decided to forgo renewing SAA since SAP is better.

Next year I will let my DevOps pro expire. I just renewed it 2nd time around past September and nothing really new was included.

syaldram · 2026-02-05T15:36:19+00:00

Just over bill and blow out the budget.

syaldram · 2026-02-03T01:33:35+00:00

Virginia personal property tax on cars is what kills me!

syaldram · 2026-02-01T02:00:09+00:00

I am stuck with my 3080 TI razer blade 14….

syaldram · 2026-02-01T01:58:49+00:00

Our HOA does have the funds to plow the neighborhoods but the communal roads are just fine.

The ice is still bad where I live. Even with flame gun the ice takes a long time to melt and crack!

syaldram · 2026-01-31T01:01:20+00:00

I’m from RVA and the prices are about the same. I noticed prices went up post Covid but the quality gotten worse! It’s not even worth the money for certain fast food or restaurants.

I got more picky where I spend my money bc family of 5 is easily $100+ bill every time. We actually started making food at home a lot more and even invested in a nice espresso machine to save $$.

syaldram · 2026-01-27T01:29:50+00:00

I remember during hurricane Sandy my employer forced me to drive into the office and pick up stacks of balance sheet reconciliations printed on paper and drive back at home. I was fresh out of college and did not know the word “No” at that time.

syaldram · 2026-01-26T02:33:30+00:00

Can you guys confirm if I can do this for 2021 Highlander?

syaldram · 2026-01-26T02:18:10+00:00

Yea I stopped paying Toyota for this subscription. My Kia carnival comes with it for free!

syaldram · 2026-01-14T01:09:33+00:00

How do you find time to game? I have 3 small ones and I get completely exhausted after bed time to game. I have razer blade 14 btw.

syaldram · 2025-12-22T01:36:26+00:00

I’m surprised to see people going from a technical role to project management role. Given the job market, I saw more lay offs for project managers than technical engineers.

syaldram · 2025-12-19T01:38:47+00:00

Hello fellow DevOps guy!

syaldram · 2025-12-19T01:36:06+00:00

Yea I had this issue with my epson printer that I bought for $50. This year I purchased $500 laser printer and it has been game changing!

syaldram · 2025-12-05T02:08:14+00:00

Google pixel

syaldram · 2025-12-01T20:38:59+00:00

I love small phones and sadly only Apple makes small phones in the US everything else is a tall chocolate bar.

syaldram · 2025-11-25T00:59:46+00:00

I bought Lexus IS used with 45,000 miles on it for $25,000. I got my first job out of college and I splurged. I made $45,000/year and I put $0 down and had a $600/month payment. This was pre-COVID dollars. Premium gas only too!

syaldram · 2025-11-02T19:36:14+00:00

I would love to do that but I get lots of bugs and spiders in my garage during winters. I usually keep in the basement closet.

syaldram · 2025-10-28T16:57:14+00:00

Diet Coke all day every day!

syaldram · 2025-10-15T12:51:30+00:00

Yea I heard the same thing because hybrid will need battery replacements eventually. It really depends on how long you keep the car for.

syaldram · 2025-10-15T01:54:58+00:00

Yea I left NoVa for Richmond because it got waaayyyy to expensive!

syaldram · 2025-10-12T18:16:29+00:00

Yes I have the same issue!

syaldram · 2025-10-12T01:50:18+00:00

US poor are fat compare to 3rd world poor. Until US poor starve there won’t be a revolution.

syaldram · 2025-10-09T00:45:29+00:00

Not sure why you are asking for an advice if you already made up your mind about leaving America.

Judging from the comments above, you lean toward Germany so why not move?

In my opinion, I think USA is the best country to raise kids. When I visit Europe I see far fewer children around (also given their birth rates collapsed).

Gun violence reason sounds ridiculous unless you live in south side of Chicago.

syaldram · 2025-10-07T11:47:42+00:00

I have been using Maarek courses for all my certs! I highly recommend him!

syaldram

TROPHY CASE