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Kia Optima 2006.5-2008

905 messages,  Last post on Aug 30, 2012 at 7:54 PM

You are in the Kia Optima Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Optima, Sedan

Messages Page 64 of 91

#630 of 905 The thing is is that things like by iluvmysephia1

Jan 18, 2008 (7:07 am)

ESC and ABS are nice safety additions, but, are they totally and really necessary? I am not sold that they are. What's wrong with careful and steady and intelligent driving? The Hyundai Sonata was being put down by several people early on(the newly re-designed Sonata built in Alabama I'm talking about here)for having a front seat that bent down too much at the front, resulting in an uncomfortable sitting position. The Kia Optima doesn't seem to have this malady.
 
I took a good look at the Kia Optima, especially after seeing one in Jackson Hole, WY, in white that looked awesome. At that time I was strongly perusing a red Toyota Yaris 4-door sedan and a 2006 Scion xA in Polar White and 5-speed transmission. I hung on to our 2001 Kia Sportage 4X4 instead of buying one of those. But the 2007 Kia Optima was on my list, yes. I just like it's body design and solid mechanical setup, more so than the Hyundai Sonata. But the Sonata is a cool midsize car, though. Very, very competitive package Hyundai and Kia both have put together in the midsize sedan range.
 
Oh, for those that don't know, back on March 21, 2007, I traded our '01 Kia Sportage 4X4 in for a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS. I absolutely love my Lancer GTS but in 10 months of ownership I've had two flat tires and now I've got a slow leak going on in my left front tire, too. This will be the third tire repair. I'm leaving in an hour or so to go get that tire repaired and get my Lancer's 5th L-O-F. I'm wondering if my air filter is dirty, living here in SE Arizona with all of the blowing dust/sand. I'll check it out.

#631 of 905 Re: The thing is is that things like [iluvmysephia1] by mickeyrom

Jan 18, 2008 (8:06 am)

Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Jan 18, 2008 7:07 am)
Since ESC-ABS list at only at $600 total on the Optima,I think something that might save your life is certainly important.

#632 of 905 Re: The thing is is that things like [mickeyrom] by backy

Jan 18, 2008 (8:50 am)

Replying to: mickeyrom (Jan 18, 2008 8:06 am)
For me and those I love who drive and ride in my next car, yes, ABS/ESC is very important.
 
Unfortunately, the ABS/ESC package on the LX costs a lot more than $600 because Kia forces buyers to also get the appearance package ($1000?) in order to get the safety package. New Kia slogan: "Look good, be safe."

#633 of 905 Re: The thing is is that things like [backy] by mickeyrom

Jan 21, 2008 (7:37 am)

Replying to: backy (Jan 18, 2008 8:50 am)
Well Backy,I believe all Sonatas come with ESC/ABS or you can get the Optima EX which also has some other nice extras.

#634 of 905 Re: The thing is is that things like [backy] by csandste

Jan 21, 2008 (8:15 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 18, 2008 8:50 am)
The Michelins alone would pay for a large chunk of that thousand dollars. For my part, the major advantage is the very nice instrumentation upgrade.

#635 of 905 Should I do it by lionheart2

Jan 21, 2008 (9:03 pm)

I am dumping a 2002 Mercury Sable LS that is a P.O.S. nothing but problems with "check engine light" gremlins now costing me over $1,000. to fix and it came back on today. I am looking at a 2006.5 Optima EX V-6 loaded (supposedly it belonged to a family member of the dearship's owner) w/15K miles. I drove the car today and it performs well and seems to be very well built and super clean. I can trade in my POS (above) and walk out paying $12,382.77 which equates to about $240.00 a month for 48 months at my credit union. This is an easy payment to live with, however will I still be happy with this Optima three or four years from now?? What about this timing belt replacement?? That kind of scares me. I recently retired and while a new Accord or loaded Sonata would be nice they are getting big big $$ for them.
You Optima owners seem to be very happy w/these cars. All I read here says "do it". What do you owners think???

#636 of 905 Should I do it by lionheart2

Jan 21, 2008 (9:03 pm)

I am dumping a 2002 Mercury Sable LS that is a P.O.S. nothing but problems with "check engine light" gremlins now costing me over $1,000. to fix and it came back on today. I am looking at a 2006.5 Optima EX V-6 loaded (supposedly it belonged to a family member of the dearship's owner) w/15K miles. I drove the car today and it performs well and seems to be very well built and super clean. I can trade in my POS (above) and walk out paying $12,382.77 which equates to about $240.00 a month for 48 months at my credit union. This is an easy payment to live with, however will I still be happy with this Optima three or four years from now?? What about this timing belt replacement?? That kind of scares me. I recently retired and while a new Accord or loaded Sonata would be nice they are getting big big $$ for them.
You Optima owners seem to be very happy w/these cars. All I read here says "do it". What do you owners think???

#637 of 905 Re: The thing is is that things like [mickeyrom] by backy

Jan 21, 2008 (10:23 pm)

Replying to: mickeyrom (Jan 21, 2008 7:37 am)
Is ABS/ESC standard on the EX now for 2008? It used to be optional on the EX as well.

#638 of 905 Re: The thing is is that things like [backy] by mickeyrom

Jan 22, 2008 (8:02 am)

Replying to: backy (Jan 21, 2008 10:23 pm)
It is optional on all Optimas,but I do believe it is standard on the Sonatas. I didnt mean to imply that it was standard,just that it was available and not hard to find.

#639 of 905 Re: The thing is is that things like [mickeyrom] by backy

Jan 22, 2008 (10:48 am)

Replying to: mickeyrom (Jan 22, 2008 8:02 am)
Maybe not as hard to find on the EX as the LX. When I checked a couple of months ago, there were two LXs with ABS/ESC available in a five-state region.

Messages Page 64 of 91

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