- #10633 of 13330
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [mickeyrom]
by jeffyscott
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Aug 27, 2008 (4:27 pm)
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Aug 27, 2008 10:56 am)
Never been a a Corvette.
My anti-optima-ism is not really about the ride, it is the handling. But overly "supple" (to use CR's term, whom I quoted merely to back-up my own impressions) rides and undesireable (to me) handling characteristics generally seem to go together in this class of cars.
I drive a Mazda6 and while the ride is certainly firmer than an optima, I would not call it uncomfortable or hard and certainly not harsh. The handling is so much tighter and more responsive, than the rental optima that I had to be very careful to keep my car under control when I drove my Mazda home from the airport. "Oh, I turn the wheel just a little and the car changes direction instead of continuing in a straight line"  .
What did you drive before the Optima?
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- #10634 of 13330
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [jeffyscott]
by explorerx4
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Aug 27, 2008 (5:21 pm)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Aug 27, 2008 4:27 pm)
kind of hesitant interrupting the discussion, but in my experience, many rental cars have the tire pressure set very low. i guess they get less complaints about soft handling versus a hard ride.
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- #10635 of 13330
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [jeffyscott]
by mickeyrom
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Aug 27, 2008 (5:38 pm)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Aug 27, 2008 4:27 pm)
I have never been in a Mazda,let alone driven one.I have heard good things about them,so I am not about to argue with you about it's qualities. I am not sure what the term "handling" means to you,but to me it's how responsive it is to the driver's touch on the wheel. I am quite satisfied with it's handilng maybe because my other car is a Chrysler Town and Country.Now that one does not handle very well.
I keep my tires at 35Psi and the ride is very firm.If I had the 17 wheels,I think it would be almost unbearable.Oh well..."different strokes for different folks"
PS I would bet that mazda 6 as well equipped as my Optima (leather, heated seats,moonroof,six disc changer,etc.etc.etc)would probably cost a lot more,and I think value has it's own quality.
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- #10636 of 13330
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [mickeyrom]
by oldcem
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Aug 27, 2008 (7:46 pm)
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Aug 27, 2008 10:44 am)
OK - I'm with you now. I have an X Type - It's the only Jag Model with AWD. The S was a good bit more expensive new than what I'm driving. When I priced the S in 06, the new 6 cylinder models were running in the upper $40 K range, and, the top of the line 400 HP V8 R models were around $60K. The dealer had a certified pre-owned 6 cylinder one that he kept trying to sell me, but, the car, while very plush inside, just didn't appeal to me. I didn't even test drive it, and, have to agree with you. Didn't think it was worth the money.
Regards:
Oldengineer
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- #10637 of 13330
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [jeffyscott]
by backy
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Aug 28, 2008 (4:44 am)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Aug 27, 2008 4:27 pm)
I have driven the Mazda6 numerous times and it does handle more crisply than the Optima. But the Optima is definitely a sharper handler than cars like the Camry and Sonata, and even the 2008 Accord, while it does have a "supple" ride (which I see as a positive and not the same as "soft"). So someone who highly values crisp handling would probably not find the Optima to his liking, nor would he like most cars in this class.
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- #10638 of 13330
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [mickeyrom]
by jeffyscott
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Aug 28, 2008 (5:46 am)
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Aug 27, 2008 5:38 pm)
I would bet that mazda 6 as well equipped as my Optima (leather, heated seats,moonroof,six disc changer,etc.etc.etc)would probably cost a lot more,and I think value has it's own quality.
You might be have been surprised, they were commonly available at about $5000 below MSRP in many areas, after all rebates and discounts. I paid $16K, but mine does not have leather or moonroof (because, I don't like leather or moonroofs) so can't really compare. Assuming I'd have gotten the same $5000 off on the leatherized Mazda6i touring with moon roof, it appears that it would have been about $18,700.
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- #10639 of 13330
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [jeffyscott]
by mickeyrom
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Aug 28, 2008 (8:28 am)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Aug 28, 2008 5:46 am)
I went to a Mazda site and built a 6 to make it comparable with mine.It came to just under 25 grand,which is almost 3K more than mine. Nobody in my area is discounting (any make) 4 cylinder sedans by 5K and Mazda is not discounting at all.
I live in Illinois near the Iowa border,and you will not find any of those ridiculous discounts unless you're looking at an expensive minivan or SUV,and only certain brands,like Hyundai or KIA.
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- #10640 of 13330
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [mickeyrom]
by m6user
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Aug 28, 2008 (8:59 am)
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Aug 28, 2008 8:28 am)
I think the key word in Jeffy's response was "were" on the Mazda6 pricing. He is referring to the 2008/2007s before the new Mazda6 which is what you are pricing on the Mazda web. Don't know why you would compare a newly redesigned model that just came out with no discounting to your Optima pricing.
a 2008 Mazda6 equipped as he described was selling all over Chicagoland for $5k to $5.5k off sticker. Chicago area is not that far from where you live and I'm sure heavy discounting went out to Central IL just to stay competitive with the Chicago market. That is not far from where you live.
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- #10641 of 13330
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [m6user]
by mickeyrom
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Aug 28, 2008 (9:08 am)
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Replying to: m6user (Aug 28, 2008 8:59 am)
.....Wrooooong!
I priced a 2008, and I have never seen a current model of any brand with a 4 cylinder engine discounted anywhere close to $5000.At any rate we are going way off subject,so ...have a nice day...peace...
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- #10642 of 13330
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Re: Some compliments to the KIA Optima [mickeyrom]
by akirby
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Aug 28, 2008 (9:30 am)
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Aug 28, 2008 9:08 am)
2008 Mazda6 4 cylinder currently has a $2750 factory rebate, so $5K total discount sounds pretty close.
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