- #16 of 383
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Re: Rondo EX V6 3rd row [baltimore_jeff]
by dakota29803
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Dec 22, 2006 (6:08 am)
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Replying to: baltimore_jeff (Dec 22, 2006 5:16 am)
Keep us up to date on your driving experiences.
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- #17 of 383
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Re: Rondo EX V6 3rd row [baltimore_jeff]
by odman
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Dec 23, 2006 (5:43 am)
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Replying to: baltimore_jeff (Dec 22, 2006 5:16 am)
Way to go! Please let us know over the next few weeks/months what you like/dislike, any neat features or annoying features. If you can, track your real world fuel economy (miles driven, gallons pumped) so we can see whether the V6 is close to its EPA ratingss. Tell us how you are going to be using it - is this your main car or a second one? Why did you want the 3rd row (kids?).
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- #18 of 383
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Re: Rondo EX V6 3rd row [baltimore_jeff]
by csandste
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Dec 24, 2006 (10:17 am)
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Replying to: baltimore_jeff (Dec 22, 2006 5:16 am)
I'm kind of surprised that Kia stuck with the 3.7 v-6 rather than going to the larger Hyundai unit. I thought one of the reasons that the Optima stuck with a 3.7 was lack of room in the engine compartment. I assume the Rondo's Elantra based platform brings the same restrictions in space.
I test drove a 4 cylinder Rondo and both Optima engines before buying a 4 cylinder Optima. I couldn't feel that much difference in the two engines. Did you notice a considerable difference with the Rondo?
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- #19 of 383
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Re: Rondo EX V6 3rd row [csandste]
by arumage
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Dec 24, 2006 (3:17 pm)
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Replying to: csandste (Dec 24, 2006 10:17 am)
I wouldn't think you would see a big difference unless you have a full compliment of passengers. The V6 would probably handle it better with less downshifting. I know that when I have a full load in my 4-cyl Camry, it has to downshift even more than when it is just me.
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- #20 of 383
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Re: Rondo EX V6 3rd row [csandste]
by w9cw
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Dec 24, 2006 (6:26 pm)
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Replying to: csandste (Dec 24, 2006 10:17 am)
I think you meant to say the 2.7L engine. The Sonata has the 3.3L Lambda engine.
As one who works on engines, I would much rather work on any Inline 4, than any V-design. In the long term, especially if you ever need any "out of warranty" work done, you will be happy you chose the 4-cylinder, even if you do give up some HP, torque, and smoothness.
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- #21 of 383
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Just bought one!
by cdot
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Dec 27, 2006 (12:20 pm)
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Went last night to 'shop' for a new Optima, and left owning a new Rondo LX - the 4 cylinder version, with seating for 5. The dealer was wonderful, but the sales guy was not real 'up' on the features of the car - found out a lot more looking at the Internet after I got home. The sticker was $18880, and I traded in 2 vehicles: 03 Optima manual 5-speed with about 45000 miles, and a 92 Lexus LS400 with 140,000 (yes, that's an old car with a lot of miles, but it's such a beautiful car!). Walked out the door paying $12,850 which includes tax, title, everything! Oh.. and I haven't picked it up, yet because they're also going to add a little gold pinstripe for **free**.
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- #22 of 383
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Re: Just bought one! [cdot]
by w9cw
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Dec 27, 2006 (8:42 pm)
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Replying to: cdot (Dec 27, 2006 12:20 pm)
They didn't give you much for your 2003 Optima did they?
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- #23 of 383
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Re: Just bought one! [w9cw]
by arumage
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Dec 28, 2006 (5:13 am)
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Replying to: w9cw (Dec 27, 2006 8:42 pm)
Trade-in for both vehicles in good condition together is rated by KBB at $8k. That would make it $10,800 or so off of MSRP. Add tax and title, and it would probably be in the 12k range. As long as cdot is happy, that's all that matters! 
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- #24 of 383
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EX V6 follow up
by baltimore_jeff
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Dec 28, 2006 (6:26 am)
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Merry Christmas to all! I can now give you my 1000 mile update on my new '07 Rondo EX V6...
Having to leave the day after I bought it to travel from Philadelphia to Cape Cod for the holidays, I was a little apprehensive. Not for any reason about the car, I guess I just felt bad buying a car with 4.7 miles on it (a first for me) and immediately sinking a 1000 mile trip on her!.
So here are the particulars: average economy 25.1 mpg 90% highway travel at left lane speeds (except Connecticut which was construction delayed). Family of four and luggage and Christmas presents made for a packed vehicle, but it did very well.
PROS:
Torque in the V6 is definitely better than the four getting off the line and seemed a good deal quieter at highway speeds.
The 5-speed transmission also makes a definite difference. Shifting was very smooth and rarely dropped into 3rd even on a couple tough bridges.
The overall seating position is great and there is a tremendous amount of room in te second row (one of the key reasons we bought it).
Lots of glass made for easy visibility and no real blind spots. Something easily noticeable against most midsize SUVs we tested.
All in all, I am thrilled with the purchase and consider it the perfect choice for my needs. Great price, good mileage, great warranty, good power, great space, good choice.
17" tires provide great grip and car is VERY solid in the turns. Does not tip or lean anywhere near as much as I was expecting from a "Microvan".
CONS: There were several things that I would have liked to have gotten on the car that it does not have and were noticeable.
A review that I read from Canada showed the automatic climate control with outside temp and a digital readout in the center stack where the center dial is on mine. This does not appear to be an option in the US, but shows up in the manual.
There is no trip computer, just 2 trip odometers. I'd hoped for a "miles to empty" option but no luck.
The 2 overhead lights for the front row do not come on when you open the doors. The other two rows do however. (Lighting is great otherwise.)
No RDS on the 6-disc radio, and I have had 50/50 luck on getting it to read an mp3 disk, though it says it has that capability.
Keyless entry but no alarm system.
Rear window wiper is NOT intermittant (but shows up in manual.)
Rear windows are NOT tinted. This is going to be a problem in the summer and I will surely remedy this myself before then.
Again, these are small points to concede and there are certainly lots of features I do like that come in handy:
The grocery bag flipout holder in the passengers seat.
HEATED Front seats!! (Toasty buns on leather)
The second row slides almost a foot to allow for more room in the third row, and back again when you dont need it for MAJOR legroom.
Interior materials are VERY touch friendly! I can't say this enough. Much higher quality than I was expecting.
Incredible amount of headroom even with the moonroof. I am 6'3" and must have at least 6" of headroom in every seat (except third row, but still can fit back there.)
Comfortable seating position and much higher and more commanding view of the road. Easy height to access seats as well. Easy height to get at 2nd row car seat too.
Very quiet ride on highway at speed. Better than Mazda5, Rav4, Outlander, and Sante Fe. (others that we shopped)
Also, I am enjoying the exclusivity of ownership at the moment, as Kia has reported selling only about 170 of these through November 2006. I am sure that with what this car has to offer, that number will get bigger and bigger.
I hope this helps answer some of the questions. If you have others, let me know and I'll try to get to them.
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- #25 of 383
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Re: Just bought one! [arumage]
by cdot
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Dec 28, 2006 (2:52 pm)
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Replying to: arumage (Dec 28, 2006 5:13 am)
Still happy. However, went to grocery store this morning and ended up with a flat tire. Took car back into dealer, and they're going to replace the tire for me (defective)... but... they don't have it in stock. should be ready sometime tomorrow. On the plus side, they gave me a free rental (I gotta cover gas), and I don't think that's really suppose to be covered. They were just trying to please me I think.
Can't wait to get it back and take a little trip this weekend!
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