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Kia Optima Real World MPG

139 messages,  Last post on Sep 16, 2009 at 6:48 AM

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What is this discussion about? Kia Optima, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan

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#20 of 139 Re: 1000 miles on the odometer-- LS 4 cylinder [mickeyrom] by csandste Feb 26, 2007 (6:45 pm)
Replying to: mickeyrom (Feb 26, 2007 9:08 am) It's been cold in northern Illinois. If you're driving strictly around town and not getting fully warmed up I can understand the 12 mpg. The Optima seems to have a large variation between city and highway driving. I think Consumer Reports picked up on this (don't have access to this month's issue-- from memory). Replies to this message: mickeyrom (Feb 27, 2007 5:34 am)
#21 of 139 Re: 1000 miles on the odometer-- LS 4 cylinder [csandste] by mickeyrom Feb 27, 2007 (5:34 am)
Replying to: csandste (Feb 26, 2007 6:45 pm) I understand the fact that it's cold and the car doesnt get a chance to warm up,but neither does the Chrysler.It just doesnt make sense.
#22 of 139 Re: 1000 miles on the odometer-- LS 4 cylinder [csandste] by mickeyrom Feb 27, 2007 (5:45 am)
Replying to: csandste (Feb 25, 2007 10:31 am) I have a friend who is a mechanic with Chrysler.He says that they are having the same air bag issue with all of their new cars.As he put it,they've had to "recalibrate"all of their computers.Mine is OK now, its been 2 weeks since the re flash,now the issue is the horrible gas mileage.My last three fill ups have been 20.something.20.something and 12.2.Thats just not acceptable.The 20 somethings were mixed driving,I would estimate 80% highway.We are going to look at the Prius and the Honda Civic hybrid.If we dont get one of those,then maybe a nice mini van.If we cant get great mileage, we might as well be comfortable.
#23 of 139 Re: A POINT TO PONDER [sike00] by mickeyrom Mar 09, 2007 (6:08 am)
Replying to: sike00 (Feb 26, 2007 12:21 pm) I'm sorry that I took so long to comment on your post.You bring up one of my pet peeves of this car.I believe the KIA Optima may be the only car on the market with a trip computer that doesn't have a MPG indicator.As far back as 1987 my Chrysler Le Baron had a trip computer which included MPG.It's hardly new technology.Whats with the average speed though.Like who cares?My mileage has really varied,from 12.2 to 31.7.Im doing a whole tank strictly city driving,so I will get a really good test.Its not as cold now,so it had better be at least a little better than 12.2 PS Did you get your "re flashing" done?If you have,did it solve your problem.Mine has been perfect since,so if the MPG improves I will just sigh in relief and move on.Looked into trading it.Not possible.In 4 month the car has dropped 50% of it's actual selling price,more than that if you consider MSRP.That means,its mine to keep,like a bad marriage. Replies to this message: csandste (Mar 09, 2007 9:38 am) mickeyrom (Mar 09, 2007 10:24 am) sike00 (Mar 10, 2007 1:01 am) mickeyrom (Mar 10, 2007 5:56 am)
#24 of 139 Re: A POINT TO PONDER [mickeyrom] by csandste Mar 09, 2007 (9:38 am)
Replying to: mickeyrom (Mar 09, 2007 6:08 am) Mickeyrom's right about that one. This is one of the dumber driver information centers that I've ever seen.   My buMaxx has constant termperature display, flashes things like warnings about ice, has a slightly optimistic mpg indicator and an oil life monitor. I think (and mickeyrom can confirm) that the Sonata shows mpg's, so why not Kia?   1. An attempt to cripple the car's amenities to less than that of the Sonata. 2. People will be reminded of sub-standard mileage (I'm still not convinced that it's worse than the Sonata although individual models may vary).   Certainly all the smarts are in the computer to do that since it gives you miles to empty.   When I was a kid, my small town hardware store had two identical Shakespeare casting reels. One had a plastic spool, held half the line and cost $10, the other had a stainless steel spool, held twice as much line and cost $15. Being cheap, I took the plastic one. Within an hour the plastic spool had fallen off and the more expensive reel lay underneath. They'd actually spent more in order to make it crappy. Sometimes it's all about marketing. Replies to this message: mickeyrom (Mar 09, 2007 10:24 am)
#25 of 139 Re: A POINT TO PONDER [csandste] by mickeyrom Mar 09, 2007 (10:24 am)
Replying to: csandste (Mar 09, 2007 9:38 am) The Sonata Ltd,has all the toys.A great computer,visible outside temp,and compass.The only thing they do NOT have is a top of the line car with a 4 cylinder engine.If I had taken the time to think about it,I could have simply had leather installed in my 2006 Sonata GLs, and avoided all of this annoyance.You would think that at my age,I would be less gullible.The only things I wouldn't have had are the moon roof,power seats,climate control and cassette in the stereo. BTW,I want to compliment you on your always interesting posts.
#26 of 139 I think we are experiencing a moment by iluvmysephia1 Mar 09, 2007 (2:10 pm)
of online serenity. Cool.   How are y'all doin'? I am waiting for my local(local meaning 90 miles away)Mitsu dealer to get '08 Lancers in still. Replies to this message: csandste (Mar 09, 2007 7:37 pm)
#27 of 139 Re: I think we are experiencing a moment [iluvmysephia1] by csandste Mar 09, 2007 (7:37 pm)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Mar 09, 2007 2:10 pm) The only Mitsu. dealer in St. Charles County just converted to a used Chevy dealeship. This is the second one to belly up.   Do you think the new Lancer will turn it around? The new Lancer is certainly better than the last model. Don't know if I'd put it ahead of the Optima though.
#28 of 139 csandste... by iluvmysephia1 Mar 09, 2007 (8:21 pm)
I still like the Kia Optima but I like the new Lancer's bodystyle, including the front valance and flares going out to the side. Also the bodykit along the sides and the spoiler in the rear. I am planning on getting the Sun and Sound Package which has the Rockford Fosgate 650-watt stereo(seem slightly excessive )and a sunroof. I believe you can get a sunroof on an Optima but not a stereo like that.   It's almost not a valid comparison in my mind...the '08 Lancer is a sportier car and the Optima is more conservative yet still sporty. I think Kia did a great job with it. I've just fallen for that aggressive front end of the Lancer and it's stealthy bold stance.   I would like to forge ahead this time and trade our Sportage 4x4 for an '08 Lancer but I know my wife will oppose the idea.   It's just that we're getting too deep past the '01 Sportage's Long-Haul coverage(our Sportage 4x4 just passed 127,000 miles but is running like a top). KBB pegs the Sportage to be worth about $3,800. We owe about $900 still on the Sportage so we're just about there for paying it off. It would be nice to not have a car payment, too, indeed.   I think we're at a little bit of a fork in the road. I see an Electric Blue import humming along coming straight at me and really beckoning to me for at least a harmless little test drive. Replies to this message: mickeyrom (Mar 10, 2007 6:11 am)
#29 of 139 Re: A POINT TO PONDER [mickeyrom] by sike00 Mar 10, 2007 (1:01 am)
Replying to: mickeyrom (Mar 09, 2007 6:08 am) About the re-flashing,,,I'm very happy to hear that it works,,however,,,I also feel that I should not have to tell them how to fix one of the cars that they make and support,,,it gives me great doubt about there abilitiy to fix things that might come up in the future,,,,I will take it in again with in the next couple of weeks,,,I have the problem on video this time,,,so I want to see how they will handle it,,,as they stated before that they would have to see the problem before they could try to fix it,,,,I will tell them they can have the car for 3 days if they will give me a lender car of equal size/class/value,,,not some 10 yr old car on the lot,,,and see if they can fix it,,,if not I will wait a week or two,,,take it in again,,,if it cant be fixed then thats strike 3 and lemon law goes into effect Replies to this message: mickeyrom (Mar 10, 2007 5:56 am)

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