- #1 of 70
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2009 Kia Optima
by backy
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Mar 15, 2008 (7:59 am)
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Word is out that the Optima will get a significant make-over for 2009, including powertrain upgrades and styling tweaks. Let's talk about it and share what you know about it!
I think the 2006.5-2008 Optima is a solid offering in the mid-sized class, with just the right blend of room, ride comfort, handling, size, and tasteful styling inside and out. And the price is right. Only two things I don't like: 1) ESC/ABS is hard to find on the LX, which is my preferred trim, and can't be had without getting an expensive appearance package; 2) the IIHS hasn't reported the side crash test results on the car yet. I am hoping that both of these issues, particularly the availability of ESC/ABS, will be addressed in the 2009 Optima.
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- #2 of 70
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Re: 2009 Kia Optima [backy]
by mickeyrom
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Mar 15, 2008 (9:34 am)
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Replying to: backy (Mar 15, 2008 7:59 am)
I think ESC/ABS should be standard. If they had the volume,they could just raise the price by a couple of hundred and not lose anything of their profit.Safety should be the #1 concern.
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- #3 of 70
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Re: 2009 Kia Optima [mickeyrom]
by backy
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Mar 15, 2008 (9:53 am)
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Replying to: mickeyrom (Mar 15, 2008 9:34 am)
Plus ESC (and therefore ABS) is mandated by 2011 anyway, so why not get ahead of the curve along with Sonata, Accord etc. and make ESC standard for the 2009 refresh? If it can be standard on cars like the Sportage, why not the 2009 Optima?
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- #4 of 70
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Re: 2009 Kia Optima [backy]
by mickeyrom
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Mar 15, 2008 (12:00 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Mar 15, 2008 9:53 am)
yep...especially since I think Sonatas do have them as standard.
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- #5 of 70
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Not wild about the changes I've seen...
by dovid2
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Mar 20, 2008 (9:29 am)
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http://www.topspeed.com/cars/kia/2009-kia-optima-ar54307/picture239225-0.html
I liked the large clear taillights and the flat instrumentation. Stability package is still optional. The front looks like the late, unlamented Ford Five Hundred, the tail like the last-gen Accord.
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- #6 of 70
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Re: Not wild about the changes I've seen... [dovid2]
by backy
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Mar 20, 2008 (9:56 am)
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Replying to: dovid2 (Mar 20, 2008 9:29 am)
I'm not impressed by what I'm seeing of the 2009 Optima. The revised I4, which matches what's in the Sonata and is now on par for the class, is a nice change, but I don't see anything special here. One of the things I liked about the Optima was that it was a little smaller than most mid-sizers, including the Sonata--now it's about the same size outside as the Sonata, and probably weighs more for 2009 as a result.
190 hp for the tweaked V6?? Why bother? Why would anyone buy one, at a premium, compared to the very nice 175 hp I4? 
And ABS is still an option!! (ESC too of course) That is inexcusable for a mid-sized sedan refreshed for 2009. 
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- #7 of 70
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Re: Not wild about the changes I've seen... [backy]
by dovid2
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Mar 21, 2008 (8:39 am)
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Replying to: backy (Mar 20, 2008 9:56 am)
The more I've thought about it, the less I like it. While I had looked forward to getting one whenever I finally decide to buy, I now doubt if it will be an Optima. I've never owned a Ford product, but I really liked the Mercury Milan I saw at the car show, and if they will throw in an extended warranty, I might do it. It comes in a Premiere trim with a four and is very attractive and has good reviews.
Maybe the Optima will look better in black. I'm not in any hurry, so I'll wait and see.
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- #8 of 70
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Re: Not wild about the changes I've seen... [dovid2]
by backy
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Mar 21, 2008 (8:56 am)
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Replying to: dovid2 (Mar 21, 2008 8:39 am)
What it does is open up an opportunity for me late this year, when I will buy a car, to get one of the last 2008 Optimas (LX, with ESC/ABS and the mandatory Appearance pkg) at a big "close out" discount, maybe at the same price as a smaller car like the Elantra and less than a comparably-equipped 2009 Sonata.
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- #9 of 70
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Re: Not wild about the changes I've seen... [backy]
by dovid2
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Mar 21, 2008 (11:27 am)
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Replying to: backy (Mar 21, 2008 8:56 am)
And that's a good idea, but I know exactly what I want, and I'm not optimistic about finding it when the '08's have been picked over. That's why I think a larger company would have more selection than Kia seems to have.
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- #10 of 70
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Re: Not wild about the changes I've seen... [dovid2]
by backy
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Mar 21, 2008 (11:35 am)
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Replying to: dovid2 (Mar 21, 2008 11:27 am)
Well, I don't know that I'll find an Optima I want at that time either. At the end of last year, there were two 2007 Optima LXes with ABS/ESC in the five-state region around me. But it IS an option. Multiple options are good. And makes for a firmer negotiating position. 
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