I've been told that I need a new timing belt.

First you have to specify which engine you have so we can figure out if the water pump is even driven by the timing belt. If it is, it is standard procedure to recommend replacing the water pump with the timing belt, ... IF the mechanic has your best interest at heart. A failed water pump bearing can quickly lead to timing belt failure, and if you have an "interference" engine, a broken or jumped timing belt will get REAL expensive real fast. You can expect around a $3000.00 bill to remove the cylinder head to replace bent valves. To not replace the water pump will save you a few pennies today and risk costing you many dollars later. No professional wants to risk that.

Water pumps can run from 50 bucks to over $200.00 for the part. Timing belts can also vary a lot in price. We don't get involved with costs here because there's too many variables. For an older Chrysler product that I'm more familiar with you can expect the repair to run around $400.00. Parts to do my '88 Grand Caravan a few years ago totaled $90.00, and took me about four hours taking my time.

By the way, MY timing belt had close to 300,000 miles on it and only got replaced because the water pump bearings failed and the belt began to shred. I knew however that I don't have an interference engine, (and I would never own one), so all that would have happened if the belt broke is I'd coast silently off to the side of the road. There would be no internal engine damage.

At 115,000 miles, if this is still your original timing belt, I would bet you are way past the manufacturer's replacement recommendation. They want that baby replaced before it breaks to avoid the need for a very expensive valve job. Most manufacturers specify somewhere between 75,000 and 100,000 miles. Honda used to recommend every 75,000 miles, and their belts typically broke at 65,000 miles. I don't know the history of Kias but you don't want to risk major engine damage.