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Kia Optima 2006 and earlier

609 messages,  Last post on Sep 20, 2011 at 11:45 AM

You are in the Kia Optima Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Optima, Sedan

Messages Page 15 of 62

#137 of 609 my two bits. . . by baldguy

Jun 25, 2001 (9:16 pm)

I think the Optima looks fantastic!! And I love the front grille just the way it is. Of course, I own a Leganza, and that's one of the reasons I bought it, was the looks of the front end. If the Optima was available when I bought my Leganza, it would have been a much tougher choice.
It does seem they are charging a pretty penny for it, though, if the 6 cyl is ending up at $23,000.
Anyone here have any 'real life" prices that they care to divulge? It looks like Kia beat Daewoo to the punch with a 6 cyl (the Leganza gets one for 2002, provided they are still here).

#138 of 609 DELIVERY OF NEW OPTIMA by sedanman2

Jun 27, 2001 (1:34 pm)

ANYONE ELSE HAVE TO WAIT FOREVER FOR DELIVERY OF THEIR OPTIMA.DEALER DIDNT HAVE WHAT I WANTED SO I ORDERED.KIA OPTIMA SE V6 BLACK (LEATHER PACKAGE ABS FLOORMATS)THEY SAID 2-3 WEEKS, IT IS NOW 5 WEEKS AND NOT EVEN A VIN#.WHATS GOING ON.COULD IT BE THEY ARE SELLING MY CAR TO HIGHER BIDDERS?IS THERE ANY DELAYS AT THE KIA FACTORIES.WHERE ARE ALL THE OPTIMAS?? PLEASE HELP,SHOULD I CANCEL?

#139 of 609 Special orders by majorthomecho

Jun 27, 2001 (8:37 pm)

This applies to all cars and not just Kias, but from what I have read "underestimating" how long it will take for a special order to arrive seems par for the course.
 
If it is an actual factory order, you might have something of a much longer wait.
 
Sorry.

#140 of 609 Reply to iluvmysephia1 by serpentki

Jul 01, 2001 (7:01 am)

Greetings! Yes, my Optima is still treating me just fine. I really love this car and spend a good deal of time driving and admiring it - perhaps the reason I have been away from the boards.
 
I now have over 6K miles on the Optima. I had to take it in for the side airbag recall. There was no problem with mine but they did make whatever adjustment they deemed necessary. It took about an hour and was painless, got a free car wash in the process.
 
Anyone considering an Optima I say "Go for it!" I'm really happy with mine.
 
Been busy selling my condo on the coast and it's closing escrow in about a week or so. I will receive a fairly substantial windfall, maybe put in a new pool and remodel my kitchen, I may even buy a new pickup but I intend to drive my Optima for quite a while yet - really love it. -SK

#141 of 609 Thanks, serpentki! by iluvmysephia1

Jul 01, 2001 (9:52 am)

I figured you were OK and your Optima was OK just hadn't heard anything from you in several weeks. Yes, selling a place is a very busy task. I understand now why you've been away from here. The recalls (2) on my '99 Sephia were also of precautionary mode and very painless to wait for. They seem to average about an hour and there's plenty of cars to look at, TV to watch,etc. The treatment with my Sephia from my dealer has always been very helpful. Sounds like your Optima is a great car. I love the looks of Kia's flagship car and your input has been very helpful. Enjoy and hope all goes well with your sale and then shopping afterwards. That's always fun!

#142 of 609 Another New Optima Owner!!! by schaeffz

Jul 05, 2001 (8:39 am)

Bought it yesterday, celebrated with fireworks!
Crisswell Kia, Gaitherburg MD, supposedly the #2 Kia dealer in the US, only had seven on the lot!
My local Kia dealer, Don Phillips, Frederick MD had two, upscale models.
Other local dealers in Hagerstown and Westminster only have a few upscalers also.
I lucked out at Criswell with an LX, 4-cyl, auto, in beautiful shimmering Gold!
I'm having them put on a cruise control.
The minimum model is fine, but seems hard to get.
Got a couple hundred off because my wife really wanted Steel Blue, but she settled on the Gold.
My test drives of the V6 vs. I4...the V6 runs smoother and quieter in city stops&gos. But the I4 is plenty peppy. On the Interstate, I noticed very little difference, even in passing pick-up. I didn't play with the V6's "+/-" shifter.
On the road price, $16100 (plus MD 5% tax-ugh!).
Comfy, quiet on the road, smooth over the bridge seams, and I think my wife is quickly getting over her Steel-Blue-fixation, and is taking all the comments about how nice the Gold looks to heart.
So...I like it for all the manly reasons, my wife likes it for all the womanly reasons, and my 15-year-old daughter even likes it and can't wait to start her Driver Training so she can be seen driving around town in it!
I'll be watching here for comments about maintenance and performance and will add my 2-cents as time goes on.

#143 of 609 One Optima Complaint... by schaeffz

Jul 13, 2001 (9:20 am)

I really love my Optima.
But...there is a problem.
The trunk "floor" is made of a flimsy thin pressboard.
I noticed this when I checked out the car on the lot, but it didn't concern me then.
Since, I have used the trunk several times to cart stuff around.
When I placed a small but heavy object in the trunk, at a relatively unsupported spot, the "floor" bowed. If I had dropped the object, it may well have broken thru.
I intend on reinforcing the floor with a sub-floor of 1/4-inch pressboard or plywood.
Meanwhile, I parked it one day beside a Gold Lexus, and the Optima gleams much more than the Lexus!

#144 of 609 Check Out Edmunds Road Test for Optima by giowa

Jul 21, 2001 (12:46 pm)

Edmunds has finally published their road test. Mostly good things to say. I don't remember seeing anything in the article about the Optima being the Sonata's sister. Maybe I just missed it, but it should've been clearly and specifically pointed out. Writer lost credibility with me.

#145 of 609 by pat

Jul 21, 2001 (3:10 pm)

That road test giowa mentions is now linked in the Additional Resources box on the left sidebar of this page - check it out and let us know what you think.
 
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board

#146 of 609 Mostly good things to say in the Edmunds road test by iluvmysephia1

Jul 22, 2001 (11:26 am)

and the review leaves a Kia enthusiast feeling confirmation of the fact that this midsize entry from Kia merits serious further consideration. It would definitely be the step up I would take if I decide to go bigger in size next new car. The review if very favorable(I'd recommend reading it)and the negatives either wouldn't apply or I could live with them. I'd rather have an honest review though than a sugar-coated one. The upper picture of the silver Optima was a definite printout for me to go in my collection of car pictures. A handsome new car it is. Giowa-it's true no mention was made of the platform sharing with Sonata. We can't just assume everyone knows, either, judging by what I've read on Optima from other reviews and sites. Kia's done a fine job and should be proud of this good looking well performing new midsize car.

Messages Page 15 of 62

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