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Kia Optima: Prices Paid & Buying Experience

472 messages,  Last post on Apr 13, 2013 at 4:51 PM

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What is this discussion about? Kia Optima, Sedan

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#1 of 472 Kia Optima 2007+ -- Prices Paid & Buying Experience by csandste

Dec 29, 2006 (9:08 pm)

2006.5+ actually.
 
Re-state of my post on the general Kia Optima board.
 
*2007 LX with appearance group
*Dealer installed leather (January 2-- we'll see but it looked OK in the showroom.
*Spoiler (who cares)
 
$16,100
 
Chose the Optima over the Sonata because I'm not too crazy about the high-pressure local Hyundai dealer.
 
Good experience so far.
 
Compared to my Malibu Maxx ($100 less)--
1. Better handling than the Maxx with 50 series Michelins.
2. Four cylinder seems almost as quick as the 3.5 Maxx.
3. More stuff on the Maxx--power petals, better drivers information center, power seats.
4. Maxx seems bigger despite the Optima's roughly equal interior space. Think Optima puts it into more head room. Maxx seems a bit more comfortable to me.
5. Maxx should be cheaper on maintenance: no timing belt, cheaper tires, longer oil change intervals (roughly 7000 on dino. oil.
6. Like the looks of the Optima more and more. Better interior design. No goofy front-end clip of the pre-06 'Bu's.
 
I have 40K trouble free miles on 'Bu, only a couple of hundred on Optima. At this point, they're probably the two best cars I've ever had with my 01 Elantra a close third. Actually counting my beloved 88 Festiva, Korean cars count for three of the four best cars I've ever owned.

#2 of 472 Very nice to read that by iluvmysephia1

Dec 31, 2006 (11:58 pm)

csandste! I loved my '99 Kia Sephia and our '01 Kia Sportage 4x4 has been a great runner and has been very affordable to maintain.
 
More and more I am looking to Kia Motors to supply us with our next new rig. Might be one of the new Optima's or I'm interested in this new concept car of Kia's called the C'eed. I would go for a 5-speed, 5-door Kia C'eed if the production model looks anywhere near as good as the concept car. And if Kia keeps the price around $17,000 or lower. Figuring Kia's history in they probably will keep the C'eed reasonably priced.

#3 of 472 C'eed... by csandste

Jan 01, 2007 (1:16 am)

Thought that was staying in Europe. Have you heard anything about importing?

#4 of 472 I guess I'm searching for information by iluvmysephia1

Jan 01, 2007 (10:59 pm)

about the Kia C'eed, csandste. I read that it will be the first Kia motorcar designed in Europe, but does that mean it won't come to the U.S. as an import? I doubt that, but I don't really know. I'm guessing we'll know soon as the '07 Auto Shows fire up and the company feels that it's time to share more information about the new C'eed.
 
I believe we will get the Kia C'eed here because it is talked about as being the new design direction Kia is going to for the future.

#5 of 472 Price for a "new" 2007? by lifterguy

May 20, 2008 (1:12 pm)

A dealer close to me is promoting "special purchase" a sale on 2007 Kia Optimas. These cars are new (no miles), but just didn't sell, and now this dealer has about a couple dozen of them. The 2008 model of the same car currently carries a $3000 rebate. I'm very interested in buying one of the 2007 models - if I can get a good deal. The problem is, I have no idea what the dealer paid for these cars. Do I negotiate the price as if it was a low mileage used car (based on Kelley Blue Book)? How much of a premium should I pay above blue book for a used 2007 given that this is a new car, with full factory warranty?
The Optima EX V6 I'm interested in originally stickered for about 24,700. According to a dealer e-mail, they are asking $19,200. But Kelley Blue Book for this same model used (even with very low miles) is $17,600. A near by Enterprise Rent-A-Car sales place has the same model 2007 - with fewer options and 30,000 miles - for about $12,700.
Any thoughts?

#6 of 472 Re: Price for a "new" 2007? [lifterguy] by csandste

May 21, 2008 (7:42 pm)

Replying to: lifterguy (May 20, 2008 1:12 pm)
One of the problems with HyunKia is that they're busy getting rid of American talent and reverting to running things in Korean fashion. This means that they're building new cars way beyond the point of supply and demand. There's thousands of new Sonatas at the Alabama plant that the dealers don't want. This should mean a very good deal for you. I'd offer a bit over 16K for the car you cite and see what happens.
 
In my opinion there's not a lot of benefit in going with the V6. Not much more power, lower MPG's (although the four is none too good), and an expensive timing belt to replace.

#7 of 472 What's the going rate on Optimas? by backy

May 31, 2008 (3:35 pm)

Now that Honda has pretty much eliminated the 2009 Fit from my fall car shopping list (by making VSC available only on the most loaded Sport + Nav trim, which I figure with AT will go for somewhere close to $19k), I am refocusing on other cars. The Optima has been on my list for some time, but with current incentives at $3500 and the refreshed 2009 Optima coming in the fall, I am thinking I could get a real good deal on a 2008 this fall.
 
So I was wondering what kind of deals people are seeing/getting right now? The trim I am interested in is the LX AT with the ESC package and Appearance package (which is required with ESC/ABS). With mats and $675 destination, MSRP is $20,110 and invoice (per Edmunds.com) is $18,755. There is a $3000 general rebate and a $500 competitive rebate (which I qualify for since I own a 626).
 
I have seen some Hyundai dealers offer as much as $2000+ off invoice on 2009 Sonatas, before rebates. If I could find a Kia dealer who offers a comparable discount off invoice, that would make the Optima I want a little over $13k + TTL. If I could get a price like that, it would be pretty hard to pass up. Wishful thinking?

#8 of 472 Re: What's the going rate on Optimas? [backy] by csandste

May 31, 2008 (6:46 pm)

Replying to: backy (May 31, 2008 3:35 pm)
My Optima's had no issues other than slightly disappointing gas mileage. I prefer the looks of the 08 to the Ford-like 09. 13K should be a compelling deal.

#9 of 472 Re: What's the going rate on Optimas? [backy] by igozoomzoom

Jun 17, 2008 (2:35 pm)

Replying to: backy (May 31, 2008 3:35 pm)
The Kia Optima proposes an interesting value proposition for me as well. I've always owned Hondas (Civics, Accords and an Integra) until my current car, a Mazda3 5-door. I love my Mazda, but at the age of 33, I've finally accepted the fact the manual transmissions and Atlanta gridlock don't mix. It's time for an automatic.
 
The Optima is actually a good looking vehicle, even when compared to Accord, Camry and Sonata. The Appearance package is a must-have for the price (17-inch wheels, fog lights, trip computer, leather steering wheel) as is the Stability/Traction Control with ABS. I priced an Optima LX 4-cylinder automatic with those two options at a local dealer- with rebates factored in, I could buy it for $16,000 plus tax (sticker is $20,025). That's a steal and I'd be a fool to pass it up, right?
 
I think the biggest obstacle is my own snobbery (Kia doesn't roll off the tongue as easily as Honda or Mazda). Then again, maybe driving a good looking, well-equipped mid-size car with a 100k mile warranty and payments less than a Honda Fit are just the cure for that!

#10 of 472 Re: What's the going rate on Optimas? [igozoomzoom] by backy

Jun 17, 2008 (4:01 pm)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Jun 17, 2008 2:35 pm)
Agree 100%. The problem in my region--hopefully not in yours--is that LX I4s or even EX I4s are inpossible to find with the ESC package. So I am worried about finding one when it comes time for me to buy a car around October. Hope you have better luck.

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