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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 21 of 62

#194 of 609 2002 Optima? by claywaterfill

Oct 31, 2001 (2:27 pm)

Has anyone heard anything about the 2002 Optima? All I see on kia.com is 2001 stuff. I'm interested to see if there were any changes since they changed the 2002 Sonata. New engines maybe? I'm looking to replace my 1995 Sephia this spring and I was going to go with the new Sonata. If Kia is doing anything exciting to the Optima, I may go that way. I have really had a good experience with my Sephia and would have no problem getting a new Kia--if they could lure me away from Sonata.

#195 of 609 Car and Driver by crackerjack_17

Oct 31, 2001 (8:24 pm)

I was reading an article in Car and Driver the other day about the Optima. After reading the Optima article, I flipped ahead to a comparison test of $55,000 dollar sedans. There I noticed that the Mercedes E430 actually is louder on the highway than the Optima. The Optima's decibel rating was something like 66, while the E430s was 69. Just an interesting tidbit.
 
P.S.-Drove a 2002 Sonata with 2.7 V6, believe me, a huge improvement!

#196 of 609 02 Optima by lngtonge18

Oct 31, 2001 (9:21 pm)

The 02 Optima looks the same but gains the 2.7 liter V-6 that is shared with the 02 Sonata.

#197 of 609 But that car has by fxashun

Oct 31, 2001 (10:14 pm)

17" high performance tires and a sport suspension. Of course it would be louder than the Optima.

#198 of 609 Love my Optima! by Sprottn

Nov 01, 2001 (4:21 pm)

While I feel the DEALERSHIP ripped me off on a few items, I LOVE the car!
 
We bought the 2001 4 cyl automatic (nice silver). Steers well and rides much smoother than our 98 Sephia. The car shifts well in traffic and the little 4 cyl automatic engine has more power than I expected. The fuel mileage isnt much different from my Sephia but I like having a bigger gas tank.
 
I don't know why KIA has gotten such a bad rap, we had no problems with our Sephia other than it having cheap interior materials that were hard to clean. But the price of the car made up for it.
 
Everyone likes to make jokes about us buying KIA but I get the last laugh when I show them my payment book! Before we bought KIA we had a Bonneville and the new Optima really isn't that far away from our old Pontiac as far as handling or ride goes.

#199 of 609 Congrats on your Optima! by claywaterfill

Nov 02, 2001 (7:56 am)

Glad to hear you love your new car. There is no reason to believe the Optima wouldn't be good considering it is based on Sonata. What did you give for it where you live? I know that Mall of Georgia Kia hear in metro Atlanta advertises the 2001 Optima LX for $13,990--which I don't think is too shabby! I have driven a 4 cylinder Optima and it does have surprisingly good pep. I drove one with the manual and it was very responsive, I thought. Happy motoring!

#200 of 609 optima accessories by sedanman2

Nov 03, 2001 (4:01 pm)

does anyone know anything about stuff for the optima, moonroof wind deflector, mud guards.by the way finally got my moonroof repaired-4th time-wheww almost lemon law in ny! car is great now.still looks best in black.i like the looks of new sonata- (looks exactly like optima from side-for much less money),my optima se v6 black with beige is excellent on highways with great gas mileage (city driving mileage is horrendous!)leather seats are the best i ever sat in,and cd player has near bose quality.

#201 of 609 sedanman2-know what you mean about the Optima by iluvmysephia1

Nov 03, 2001 (9:38 pm)

in black with the tan leather interior. My wife and I test drove one the day we bought our Sportage 4x4. Talk about smooth and quiet! This one had the moonroof and seV6 and leather. We love our Sportage and we'll probably be Sportageing for a long time but the Optima has not been crossed off of my "someday possibly" list, that's for sure. Black does the Kia Optima good-really good.

#202 of 609 RE: Congrats by Sprottn

Nov 04, 2001 (5:16 pm)

As I said, the dealership ripped us off on a few things so we probably overpaid at $15,600 in Fort Myers, Florida, but if nothing else, I learned a few things for the next new purchase.

#203 of 609 reviews by claywaterfill

Nov 13, 2001 (12:05 pm)

Hey Optima owners--you should go to the comparison section of the sedan board. There is a good thread that just started on Sonata, Camry, Accord, Passat, and Altima. Being the mechanical twin of the Sonata, you owners might be able to bring something else to the table.

Messages Page 21 of 62

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