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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 74 of 91

#729 of 905 EX I4--leather or not? by backy

Jun 15, 2008 (7:11 pm)

I am a bit confused over what I've seen online re the interior trim on the 2008 Optima EX I4, so I'd appreciate help from anyone with knowledge of the EX's interior. When I look at kia.com, in the features summary for the Optima, both "leather" and "cloth" are marked for the EX I4. Then when I look at options packages for the EX I4, it says that leather-trimmed interior is included in the Appearance Package. There's also some notes about how other packages relate to the black leather interior only. Then when I look at Edmunds.com, it says the EX I4 has a leather interior.
 
So... does the EX I4 without any option packages have leather seating surfaces or not?? And if not, is the cloth the same as on the LX?
 
Also, when you have shopped for an Optima.... do you remember seeing EX I4s with the ESC package but no other option packages? If that combination is available, that would be an alternative for me rather than the LX with ESC and Appearance packages. The list price difference is only about $700 (considering mats are extra on the LX and standard on the EX), and if the EX has leather it would be easier to justify the extra cash.

#730 of 905 Re: EX I4--leather or not? [backy] by mickeyrom

Jun 16, 2008 (4:50 am)

Replying to: backy (Jun 15, 2008 7:11 pm)
Leather on Optimas is an option.Not sure about 2008s,but in 2006.5 you had a leather package or an appearance package.They have some weird ways of equipping their cars,
If you go to www.kia.com and "build" an Optima,you'll get the idea.

#731 of 905 Re: EX I4--leather or not? [mickeyrom] by backy

Jun 16, 2008 (6:54 am)

Replying to: mickeyrom (Jun 16, 2008 4:50 am)
I think things may have changed for 2008. I happen to have a brochure from 2007 and it mentions a "leather package" for the EX. No such package now on the EX.
 
I did go to kia.com, "build your own" or whatever. Also the list of features there--where it shows both leather and cloth checked off for the EX I4.
 
Anyway, it may be a moot point. Last night I checked inventory at about 15 dealerships in MN and Chicagoland. NONE had an Optima LX with the ESC/ABS package, and NONE had an EX I4 with just the ESC/ABS package. There may have been a couple loaded EX I4s that included the ESC/ABS package, but that's not what I want. So the Kia sales rep I talked to on Saturday wasn't kidding when he told me ESC/ABS is very hard to get on the Optima, and in fact he tried to steer me to the Sonata (he's with a dealer group that sells Hyundais also).

#732 of 905 Re: Note to Host [backy] by backy

Jun 16, 2008 (6:55 am)

Replying to: backy (Jun 15, 2008 7:04 pm)
Thanks for the name change!!

#733 of 905 Re: Note to Host [backy] by pat

Jun 16, 2008 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jun 16, 2008 6:55 am)
Thanks for the suggestion.

#734 of 905 Re: EX I4--leather or not? [backy] by csandste

Jun 16, 2008 (6:56 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jun 16, 2008 6:54 am)
http://www.roadwire.com
 
For $500 (at my dealer, negotiated in purchase), I think roadwire's leather package is as good as OEM.

#735 of 905 2008-- MPG indicator? by csandste

Jun 16, 2008 (6:58 pm)

Mickeyrom and I have both complained about the lack of a MPG indicator as part of the DIC in 06.5-07 Optimas. I understand that instrumentation in the 08's is enhanced. Do they include a MPG indicator yet?

#736 of 905 Re: EX I4--leather or not? [backy] by jaydean

Jul 03, 2008 (3:21 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jun 16, 2008 6:54 am)
I purchased a 2006.5 Kia Optima in January of this year. It was the Lx v6 with the appearance package. No leather. Even though it was 2008 the car was still brand new and I got the car for 14,250. The car is great. I also found out from numerous people and consumer reports that it is very hard to find the ESC/ABS on these cars. I wonder why that is. Fortunately mine came with it. I am very happy with my KIA Optima, and feel sort of special that it came with those features. But as I said, I too am puzzled why it is so hard to find those features on the optima.

#737 of 905 Re: EX I4--leather or not? [jaydean] by mickeyrom

Jul 03, 2008 (3:30 pm)

Replying to: jaydean (Jul 03, 2008 3:21 pm)
I don't know for certain,but I have a feeling that it will be more common on the 2008s and 2009s. I have an EX of the same year,and I had to wait a week until they got such an equiped car from another dealer.I guess KIA is just a bit quirky.

#738 of 905 Re: EX I4--leather or not? [jaydean] by backy

Jul 03, 2008 (3:32 pm)

Replying to: jaydean (Jul 03, 2008 3:21 pm)
I can only figure that Kia is out to snag the people looking for low price no matter what, and for whom safety is a secondary concern. With all the base LXes I've seen in dealer inventories, I wonder if that is the smartest sales strategy...

Messages Page 74 of 91

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