- #10607 of 13296
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [backy]
by elroy5
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Aug 23, 2008 (9:43 am)
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Replying to: backy (Aug 23, 2008 9:37 am)
It must be the 06.5 Optima (or whatever), because it definitely is the new model. It looks nothing like the 05.
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- #10608 of 13296
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [elroy5]
by backy
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Aug 23, 2008 (9:47 am)
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Replying to: elroy5 (Aug 23, 2008 9:43 am)
I tend to agree with the professional reviews I've seen such as C/D's which put the Optima over the current-gen Camry, noting that the Optima has higher levels of quality/fit-finish and has in fact "out-Toyota'ed" Toyota. The fact that the Optima can be had for thousands less than a comparable Camry and has the long warranty is icing on the cake.
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- #10609 of 13296
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [mickeyrom]
by micro99
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Aug 23, 2008 (11:10 am)
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Aug 23, 2008 5:14 am)
Hey mickeyrom, don`t be too discouraged by our two "self -professed car enthusiasts" who apparently have nothing better to do with their time than roam these boards and make uninformed disparaging comments about cars they have never owned !! Kia has a less-than-sterling reputation to overcome BUT the most recent generation Optima`s (2006.5 through to current) demonstrate imo at least how remarkably quickly change is coming about. This car is a solid, well built and exceptionally quiet vehicle, with driving/handling characteristics that are more than adequate for all everyday drivers. The fit and finish, both interior and exterior is remarkable, and material quality is very high.Again imo the best value Optima is the top-of line model where the list of convenience and safety features cannot be matched by most competitors. When competitors do come close to matching features, they come with a significantly higher price tag.
The long term reliability of the Optima has yet to be determined but CR mag gives the recent generation Optima good marks. The difficulty is always to get enough feedback to legitimize the surveys.
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- #10610 of 13296
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [micro99]
by backy
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Aug 23, 2008 (11:23 am)
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Replying to: micro99 (Aug 23, 2008 11:10 am)
IMO the best value Optima is the LX I4 5AT with Appearance Package and ABS/ESC package, just under $20k MSRP including destination. The EX I4 is a pretty nice package for the money too, under $21k MSRP with leather, but what kills it for me is that you can't get one with just the ABS/ESC package, you have to load it up with other options also... at least that is what a Kia dealer told me. And I tend to believe them, since I've scoured my region and have never seen anything but a loaded EX with ABS/ESC. And I found only a handful of LX I4s with that package. That is the only major drawback to the Optima for me... very hard to get an I4 with ABS and ESC, which I consider essential.
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- #10611 of 13296
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backy, don't they offer an '08 Optima
by iluvmysephia1
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Aug 23, 2008 (12:52 pm)
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with ABS but not with ESC that has all the other things you want? This new world order Optima is a great car. I had it on my short list before I "opted" for a '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS instead. Pardon the pun...opted--Optima--get it? 
I won't belabor my disdain for absolutely needing ESC on a modern automobile...although most feel a "modern" rig should have ESC, I disagree but agree to disagree to agree that ESC is not really necessary. Yikes, that was more tiring than it should have been. 
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- #10612 of 13296
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [micro99]
by elroy5
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Aug 23, 2008 (12:54 pm)
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Replying to: micro99 (Aug 23, 2008 11:10 am)
our two "self -professed car enthusiasts" who apparently have nothing better to do with their time than roam these boards and make uninformed disparaging comments about cars they have never owned !!
Did I say I owned a current Optima? My sister does own one, and gave me her opinion. She said it didn't measure up to the current Camry or Accord quality (specifically mentioned the seats which I agree with after sitting in it). If you don't agree with her opinion, YOU don't have to. She did buy one anyway, so obviously it was good enough, and fit her budget.
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- #10613 of 13296
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Re: backy, don't they offer an '08 Optima [iluvmysephia1]
by backy
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Aug 23, 2008 (1:59 pm)
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Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Aug 23, 2008 12:52 pm)
On the '08 Optima, ABS and ESC are always optional and come together in a package. And you can't just get a base LX or EX with that package--you have to get other stuff too, e.g. the $1000 Appearance Package on the LX I4. It's ridiculous to me that in 2008 an important safety feature like ABS is optional on a mid-sized family sedan. And that ESC is so hard to get. In all the checks I've done of inventories around my region, I only once found a few LXes with ABS/ESC and that was 500 miles away. A few days later, those were gone. So buyers obviously want those safety features. Why Kia doesn't ship more Optimas here with ABS/ESC is hard to fathom.
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- #10615 of 13296
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Re: reliability rating [aviboy97]
by thegraduate
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Aug 23, 2008 (9:11 pm)
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Aug 23, 2008 8:32 am)
I was who brought up the Camry; it gets the same mileage as the '07 Jetta 2.5, yet has 118 more horsepower.
And, so what if I'm special? 
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- #10616 of 13296
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [micro99]
by jeffyscott
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Aug 24, 2008 (6:49 pm)
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Replying to: micro99 (Aug 23, 2008 11:10 am)
Not that I have "professed" to be anything, but it is possible to form an opinion on a car after driving it 950 miles in a week, despite not being the owner of the car.
CR mag also made the following comments about the Optima: Although it has a supple ride and secure handling, the Optima isn’t particularly agile and The Optima’s handling is competent but not sporty...the steering is responsive and reasonably weighted but short on feedback.
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