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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 37 of 61

#361 of 609 Tapping Noise by infinite_way

Mar 17, 2003 (12:59 pm)

Thanks very much Ingtongue18 I was so worried. When this vehicle first came out I read everything that was available , because I knew I would be taken a great risk in its purchase. You hit the nail right on its head with your explanation. The tapping noise is only present after my vehicle has stayed stationary over a very cold night. Today all is well with 22950 miles on my vehicle and I regularly push my rpm's up to 5. The only serious issue are those honkook tires. They are the worst in raining and/or snowy conditions. My vehicle slides alllll over the place and those darn squealing front brakes. I had them replace under warranty of course and was reassured these replacement have solve the problem. Other than that all is well. If anyone has any neat accessories or kits that have put on their 2001 Kia Optima LX manual transmission, please let me know. I would like to add fog lights, but do not know the best course of action. I have been given many different answers due to my vehicle was not originally out fitted with this item. ( ex. in addition to purchasing the lights you may need wiring harness etc). I would appreciate any pics and assistance on these matters.

#362 of 609 Pondering purchasing a 2003 Optima SE-V6, Comments? by diegog

Apr 03, 2003 (9:37 am)

Interested in the Optima.
I took a test drive last weekend. The built quality felt better than the price suggested. The car rode nice although not a lot of feedback from the brake pedal. Interior room was comparable to other cars except perhaps the head room compared to the high ceiling of the Accord.
Overall I got a great impression.
 
Years ago I was a fleet mgr for a rental car company and had a lot of Hunday Accents. we all joked around when we got them, but they ended up being the most reliable car on the fleet. And we all know people are not the most careful when driving a rental car.
 
That is the reason I am now looking at Kia (don't like the styling of the Sonata).
 
I would appreciate any comments, or experiences you might have.
 
Thanks,
 
Diego

#363 of 609 Any reason not to buy a Kia? by malibu_jack

Apr 06, 2003 (6:41 am)

hi there... can anyone think of reasons not to buy this car? My wife and I are currently leasing a 2001 Nisan Sentra. We still have warranty left on the car (currently sitting at 50K), however when we try to address items which should be covered under the bumper to bumper warranty, quite often we are charged $24 for each item that the dealer claims is NOT a warranty item (and I am not talking about wear and tear items either). they won't even provide us with an estimate first!!!
 
What I would like to know is, how does KIA treat their customers in terms of after sales service? Will I have to fear a bill every time I take the car in for to inspect a problem? I have looked at the literature on the Kia Magentis (Canadian name for the Optima) and it looks quite nice. Especially from the price. Is it too good to be true?

#364 of 609 OPTIMA A SMART CHOICE TO BUY by sedanman2

Apr 16, 2003 (5:04 pm)

obviously i would recommend buying a new optima! saw new ones on the lot in new jersey. i own a 2001 se v6 leather abs and the car is great. people still look at it, guess they think its some kind of sonata leganza mercedes230 crossbreed!!economically it is definitly a smart choice. check out the prices on similarly equipped accords camrys and altimas (that everyone on the block has)and your jaw will drop!kia even has a $2000 discount cash back $3000 for previous kia owners! its a no brainer! saw a v6 optima lxv6 with alloys cd and spoiler going for 18g- so if you take the cash discount you could pick up one for about 16500 awesome diomond silver! well good luck

#365 of 609 Reasonable Price for a 2002 Optima SE? by gideon26

Apr 22, 2003 (8:12 am)

The local dealer has some leftover stock from last year. One 2002 V6 Optima SE is listed at around $14k (including current rebate)... is this a good deal? Anyone else have particular words or praise/warning about this car?

#366 of 609 Daylight Running Lights by grs2

Apr 22, 2003 (8:12 am)

Can any Canadian owners explain how DRLs are implemented on the 2003 Optima? Are they a provided by a hard-wired switch or are they activated by program changes to the cars' computer?

#367 of 609 Optima for the long haul? by nnbox

May 05, 2003 (7:47 am)

This board seems kind of abandoned right now, but I'll ask my questions anyway. I don't own a Kia Optima, but am interested in doing so to replace an old reliable Honda. First of all, is it acceptable to depend on the Optima to be able to run for 40,000-50,000 highway miles per year, for possibly up to four years? Secondly, if so, would it be better to go with the fuel efficient V4 or the more powerful V6 (keeping in mind this car would have to run for a long time, but also keeping in mind I need at least above average gas mileage with all the travelling I do)?
 
Thoughts/Opinions/Experiences?

#368 of 609 ADDED SPORT VISORS TODAY by sedanman2

May 06, 2003 (3:58 pm)

i simply went to my dealer and picked up my sport visors for my optima. easy installation, no tools, looks incredibly cool. thinking about adding a spoiler to my already loaded optima. guys at work are talking about getting optimas and sorrentos, i noticed a loaded optima on ebay!i would recommend this car to anyone. the sonata is cool- but they are everywhere- like altimas, that kinda kills them.buy a kia , be different- be cool!!!

#369 of 609 Re #366 - DRLs by grs2

May 08, 2003 (12:10 pm)

Finally figured out how to have pseudo-automatic daylight running lights on the 2003 Optima. Just turn the lights on and leave them on. When the ignition is turned off and the door is opened, the battery saver function turns the lights off immediately. When the car is started again, the lights come on immediately.

#370 of 609 nnbox by ofrakin

May 29, 2003 (6:41 pm)

Never heard of a V4, except on motorbikes.haha BUT,we were in the same situation. That is until I bought my wife a GSX Spectra. I bought it a week before xmas '02, for $11998-tax,tags and delivery incl.Then I see here that robsmith got a great deal.
She drives 500 miles a week in rushhour traffic between Balt. and DC. It always gets 33mpg w/1800cc4cyl. I've got a v6 Caravan thats dying w/140K(16mpg). A GST Spyder w/91k(27mpg.w/hi-test only). A Volvo740 w/280k (15mpg) and runs better than the van. A GSX w/30k and a 5spd.
 
With $5k down and $125 a month, a Mazda transmission (or clone) and a Hyundai Alpha motor,I feel I got a very good deal.
I personally believe that a Korean company now, as a Japanese company in the '70s, can't master an automatic transmission, or the complexities of a V6. The firing order of a 4cyl. has been the same since TR's, MG's and AH's of the 50's.
 
While we'll have 100k in 2 yrs., therefore the choice and warranty, I believe a Corolla at 42mpg will last longer. 4whatitsworth

Messages Page 37 of 61

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