I am soon going to be acquiring a Kia Sportage for free. Nothing wrong with it, my mom is just getting somthing new for herself and since i have been having hard times the past 2 years, she is going to give me her Kia Sportage to help me get back on my feet.

Should i look into selling it, or do you think this would be a suitable BOV for one or 2 people? It does at least have 4wd. It is also, at least, manufactured in the USA by US workers, despite it being a foreign company.

To outright own your vehicle has its advantages, far to many advantages. If you sold it you'd end up in the payment machine again. Did ya say FREE, honor thy Mother. Now you can afford to prep as one should.
Just my thoughts.

It would be fine as long as it is sound. I am in the car business and have drove several, 4wd works pretty good would be an ok BOV as long as you was not being chased because if you turn on the air it doesn't want to run to good if you step on the accelarator it only gets louder not faster.BUT free can't argue with free. I would drive that free kia smiling like hell.

I say,"drive it till the wheels fall off"!Other than parts availability,it would probably make a good BOV."Free",Good on gas,4x4,quiet,easy manuverability for tight spaces.Doesnt need to be a hot rod to do the job,and bigger is not always better when it comes to vehicals.To bad its not a diesel.I've got a 1999 2500Ram 4x4 that I'd readily trade for a micro 4x4(particularly a mid 80's 4x4 Chevy Luv/Isuzu Pup diesel@50or so MPG).Matt

anyone suggest any modification?

I was going to suggest bolting it onto the tray of a real truck, but you'd probably think I was being rude.

I agree with goinpostal, drive it 'till the wheels fall off. You can't beat a free car.

As far as modifications I'd look into adding a second battery as a backup, maybe rig up an onboard welder and an onboard air system. Throw in a jack and a few tools and you should be able to fix/build just about anything.

Man, you absolutely win!

Good score, any paid-for car is a good car. Every day you have that car you're NOT making payments on is a day that puts money in your pocket. Drive that thing til the doors fall off it. My advice (which nobody asked for) is to take the money you're saving on not having to pay a car not every month, and put it in a savings account so you have it next time the rain comes.

The Sportage, is a decent off-road truck with that short wheel base it has. It's obviously not a CJ7 but it should more than do the job as a BOV and the gas mileage and reliability are equally adequate as an every-day ride.

Congratulations. Enjoy it, and I hope it helps.

Put some decent all terrain tires on her, give it a tune up, and do as others have said; Drive it till the wheels fall off.