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Kia Optima 2006.5-2008

855 messages,  Last post on Sep 14, 2009 at 9:43 AM

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What is this discussion about? Kia Optima, Sedan


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#740 of 855
What do you say when people ask you what year your car is. by jaydean
Jul 05, 2008 (2:05 pm)
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People look at me strangely when I tell them my Optima is a 2006.5 model. Most of them dont believe me, and think I am joking and then I have to tell them why that is. But I feel sort of privelidged and uniqe to own a 2006.5. Even though we know it was a model to see if people would like and when it was built at the time of year, but I always tell them the same thing. I actually think they made more 2006.5s with the appearance package and the ABS/ESC to see how the market would do. I do wish they would have had the leather package also, but mine is equipped with everything else. But until I get a new Kia, and now that I own one, I think I will be a Kia person for life, I will stand my ground on debating with people that my car is a 2006.5. At 49 years old I have had many cars, but have never owned a brand new one. I went out with my Dad in January of this year and we pulled into the Kia dealership and he said he wanted to test drive the Optima(he is a very practical man, and in life always wants the best bang for the buck with his money) so we took it out and came back and he made them an offer and then wrote them out a check and threw the keys to me and said here is your first new car. I filled out the paper work and I absolutely love my Kia and the compliments I get on it.
#741 of 855
Do people look at you strange when you tell them your Kia is a 2006.5 model by jaydean
Jul 06, 2008 (3:00 pm)
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Many people think I am joking when I tell them my car is a 2006.5 model. I think those of us that own this model are in a sort of uniqe category. Mine has the appearance package and is the Optima LX, with ABS and ESC. There have been a few who no matter what, wont believe me when I tell them the year. Anyway just wondering if anyone else gets wierd looks when they say they own a 2006.5. I couldnt be happier with my Kia Optima and will propably be a Kia car person for life.
#742 of 855
Re: Do people look at you strange when you tell them your Kia is a 2006.5 model [jaydean] by cmhj2000
Jul 07, 2008 (3:30 am)
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Replying to: jaydean (Jul 06, 2008 3:00 pm)

Don't get any strange or wierd looks when I tell people we have an 06.5 Optima.
#743 of 855
Re: Do people look at you strange when you tell them your Kia is a 2006.5 model [cmhj2000] by csandste
Jul 07, 2008 (7:00 pm)
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Replying to: cmhj2000 (Jul 07, 2008 3:30 am)

If memory serves me, Kia switched platforms in 2004 for the Spectra and never even used the .5 designation. There were simply two different Spectras. Didn't VW do that as well with the Golf and (New) Golf-- one and two generations before the present Rabbit?
 
Anyway with Kia, it's supposed to have something to do with improving EPA mileage averages for a model year but it's a really stupid practice.
#744 of 855
Re: Do people look at you strange when you tell them your Kia is a 2006.5 model [csandste] by backy
Jul 07, 2008 (7:19 pm)
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Replying to: csandste (Jul 07, 2008 7:00 pm)

What is weird is that Kia had two Spectra models, each designated 2004. That was really confusing. Journalists and others took to calling the new Spectra "2004.5" just to keep it straight from the old one. Similarly, VW didn't officially call the 2005.5 Golf a 2005.5, but the "New Golf." At least we could keep it straight from the old Golf.
 
Maybe the confusion over the Spectra caused Kia to use the 2006.5 designation on the new Optima. But they could have made it simpler by just calling it a 2007 and extending the model year by a few months.
#745 of 855
Re: Do people look at you strange when you tell them your Kia is a 2006.5 model [jaydean] by tcsf
Jul 12, 2008 (3:23 pm)
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Replying to: jaydean (Jul 06, 2008 3:00 pm)

I also purchased a 2007 Kia Optima EX V6 model, fully loaded but without the ESC/ABS. It came with all power options, leather heated seats, sunroof, Infinity stereo, Not sure why Kia would build such a model without ESC/ABS. I bought it because of the very good price, it costs less than a Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra or Honda Civic. The car looks very good and drives well. I decided to add in a few accessories: sunroof deflector, door visor, front & rear mud guards, cargo liner and all weather floor mats. My niece, who owns a 2007 Toyota Camry, has commented that it is a lot more "car" for a couple of thousands less than what she paid for her car.
However, the KIA dealer where I purchased the car provided no aftersales service, there were several minor issues and I will definitely not recommend that dealer. I have not deal with the service center yet, abd I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be better that the sales department. So far I like the car but KIA needs to monitor the dealers or it will lose business to other makes.
#746 of 855
Re: Do people look at you strange when you tell them your Kia is a 2006.5 model [tcsf] by mickeyrom
Jul 12, 2008 (6:26 pm)
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Replying to: tcsf (Jul 12, 2008 3:23 pm)

I think it's stupid for a car that well equiped not to have ESC/ABS...fortunately for me, my 2006.5 Optima EX 2.4 does have those options.The dealer had to get it from another out of state.
The service at that particular dealer was problematic,but after checking out a couple more service depts. I got lucky and now have one that I like.
#747 of 855
Re: Do people look at you strange when you tell them your Kia is a 2006.5 model [mickeyrom] by tcsf
Jul 13, 2008 (5:14 pm)
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Jul 12, 2008 6:26 pm)

I would have liked to get the ESC/ABS but I can live without the options since the car is not for work, mainly for local use. So far it has <600miles after 7 weeks, mostly city driving. To improve the braking, I will properly changed the front discs to EBC slotted/X'ed drilled discs and use their Green brake pads. I am researching to find the best prices for the parts. That should give better braking. I am also trying to find out if AXT (an Australian company) makes brake discs for the car because the accessories I ordered from KIA are all made in Australia. I have used their products before and they are reliable.
#748 of 855
Re: Do people look at you strange when you tell them your Kia is a 2006.5 model [tcsf] by mickeyrom
Jul 13, 2008 (6:39 pm)
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Replying to: tcsf (Jul 13, 2008 5:14 pm)

I drove a similar model with regular brakes before I bought mine and I found them very adequate.It was my wife who insisted with the ABS because she was used to them in our Chrysler mini van.
My experience is almost the oposite to yours.95% of my Optimas time is spent on the highway.Mostly long drives.Really not a whole lot of braking.
#749 of 855
20,000 miles later.....still love our Optima :) by mickeyrom
Jul 27, 2008 (5:31 am)
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I think it's time to check on all the 2006.5 and 2007 model Optima owners feelings about their car now. Once the air bag issue was resolved....I have had no repairs at all.Of course I change the oil etc. but no repairs or adjustments.I am a happy camper.I use 5-20 Synthetic Mobil 1 oil.I change at 6 month intervals,always less than 6000 miles.90% of my driving is highway.(maybe more)I keep my tires inflated with nitrogen(can't hurt)at 35 lbs.That is about it.I plan to change tranny fluid at 30K or maybe at 2 years,That is what a KIA service manager suggested.
The car has developed a few minor,very slight rattles and sometimes when I get out of the car there is a click from the front end.That is about it.Otherwise it's been running like a swiss watch and a real pleasure to drive always getting at least 30MPG and usually more.

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