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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18435 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 3:41 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1682 of 1844

#16805 of 18435 Re: 2006 kia optima lx [justme5803] by gene84

Jul 16, 2012 (7:30 pm)

Replying to: justme5803 (Jul 16, 2012 11:50 am)
Sorry to hear that you had so many problems with your Kia. The Kias I've ridden in are not up to Toyota or Honda standards of finish. Example; my 2004 Prius with over 201,00 mile has had replaced except a water pump at 196,000 miles. There are no belts or hoses to replace or transmission adjustments/tuneups, outside of spark plugs, fluids, & filters nothing has had to be replaced except the water pump. My local Toyota garage doesn't even carry brake shoes in stock since they last so long. They have to be shipped in if and when needed.

#16806 of 18435 Re: 2006 kia optima lx [gene84] by fushigi

Jul 17, 2012 (4:38 am)

Replying to: gene84 (Jul 16, 2012 7:30 pm)
For the record, reduced Prius maintenance is really the result of it being a hybrid more than it being a Toyota. The brakes last a long time because they're secondary to the regenerative system - they're simply used less. The same can be said about many of the traditional ICE components that exist in any hybrid: When being propelled electrically there's little to no wear on the ICE side of things so those components last longer.
 
That said, the Kia was more problematic that I would expect.

#16808 of 18435 Re: 2006 kia optima lx [fushigi] by cski

Jul 17, 2012 (6:55 am)

Replying to: fushigi (Jul 17, 2012 4:38 am)
On the Prius, the lack of wear on it's brake's is due to regenerative braking (which generates friction by spinning a motor backwards thus generating electricity..just like you said). However, I suspect that the lack of brake wear is due to many owners driving 20mph everywhere. "Look at me! I am saving the world!!!". LOL.

#16809 of 18435 Re: 2006 kia optima lx [gene84] by nyccarguy

Jul 17, 2012 (7:24 am)

Replying to: gene84 (Jul 16, 2012 7:30 pm)
200K plus on a Prius is impressive! That's someone who gets his money's worth out if the hybrid!

#16810 of 18435 Re: 2006 kia optima lx [justme5803] by andres3

Jul 29, 2012 (8:06 am)

Replying to: justme5803 (Jul 16, 2012 11:50 am)
Bought this car in 2006 and put 5200.00 in it and now the resale value is down to 2000.00 Timing belt, rusted oil pain ( car sits in garage) yearly brakes, starter, sensor, Battery, Radiator and many more items I replaced. I will never buy a Kia again! Not built to last.Money pit!
 
Didn't Kia's already have the Hyundai 10 year 100K warranty in 2006?
 
Or did you buy it used? In which case, you took the risk of buying used and you can't really blame the vehicle for that.

#16811 of 18435 Re: 2006 kia optima lx [andres3] by backy

Jul 29, 2012 (10:36 am)

Replying to: andres3 (Jul 29, 2012 8:06 am)
Well, even with the 10/100 warranty, most of the problems would have been covered only for five years or 60k miles.
 
Also this particular car, a 2006 Optima, is actually a tweaked Gen 3 Sonata, designed in the mid-'90s--before Hyundai's push for quality vs. only low price. Current Hyundais and Kias are a big improvement over the older cars.

#16812 of 18435 2006 Optima woes avenged with 2012..... by cski

Jul 30, 2012 (5:48 am)

Yes, I recall the 2006 Kia Optima. My friend had a blue one that looked really nice. The interior was nice too. Nothing too fancy but it had lots of features for the money. Other than replacing the driver side power window motor he had no trouble with it until he sold it with 119k on it about a year ago.
 
He bought a 2011 and I recall him showing it to me. after researching it (it is STILL a Hyundai Sonata underneath); I found out that the chief designer at Audi AG designed the new Optima line.
Generating 2 cars with one solid uni-body shell and reliable drivetrain is called "Platform Sharing". It cuts development costs drastically, and allows more creative styling with the money saved. There are no body panels shared between the current Sonata and the Optima. Even the interiors are totally different. The suspension tuning is different as well, with the Optima being a bit more sporty and with a 2" wider track.
I purchased my 2012 Optima EX on December 31st 2011. It is a beautiful car to me...but isn't beauty really held by the eye of the beholder?
 
Thanks for letting me ramble! -Chris

#16813 of 18435 Re: 2006 Optima woes avenged with 2012..... [cski] by gimmestdtranny

Jul 30, 2012 (5:59 am)

Replying to: cski (Jul 30, 2012 5:48 am)
Wow, 2" difference in track is a lot for two chassis' based off the same platform. That much difference could provide significantly greater g's in corners if the suspension tuning is matched to it, which apparently it is. In theory, this wider track could also trickle down to more elbow/shoulder etc room and even easier to meet side-impact crash standards.

#16814 of 18435 2012 Optima chassis info source. by cski

Jul 30, 2012 (6:20 am)

Car and Driver May 2012 issue has a 6 car comparo called "Hot Six". The Optima EX came in 3rd, but only missed second by 5 points I believe. It defeated the Sonata SE as well.
 
Hyundai-Kia has come a long way since the 1999 Sephia, which tended to explode directly after leaving the dealership with a signed buyers order.
 
They are slowly closing in on Honda and Toyota, beating them at their own game. I am not saying they are hands-down the best cars, but they may be the best value on the market in the mid size sedan segment.
 

Messages Page 1682 of 1844

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