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I love my car and I don't get what they say when they talk about "styling by the witness protection program". Looks just fine to me. *shrugs*
After I have a few fill-ups and drive it a bit more I will rate it on the site.
I just priced out a 2008 LX 5-speed 4-cylinder with floor mats, and after rebate, TMV is under $13,500. That's pretty good for a mid-sized sedan. If I wasn't in such desperate need of a 9-passenger vehicle, I'd be considering one. And when we replace my wife's Taurus sometime next year, I'll definitely be looking at a new Optima along with used Impalas (which would be my primary choice for her).
After viewing the other deals, I only wish a 2007 Sedona EX fit our needs, for there is a $4000 rebate available!
The vehicle only came with one key and no keyless entry remote fobs so we went online and order two with an FCC# OSLOKA - 674T. The problem is now the dealer is telling us that this is a remote for a Kia Spectra and not an Optima. When we look online it appears they share the same remote (I could be mistaken though).
In the short period of time we've had the car we've dealt with the service department on several minor issues and they really don't seem to have their act together so I was wondering if anyone out there with a similar vehicle could give me an FCC# or a parts number for the remote fob so I can see if what they are telling me is actually the case. They checked and the car is equipped for keyless entry.
Thanks,
Todd
Mine is an EX,but that is what is written on my transmitter.
Good luck.
Maybe an Optima owner can tell us if the Optima's fob is user-programmable. Some are, but some require a special device to program it--meaning the dealer has to do it and will probably charge for it.
It's on ebay motors for $15.99 plus $5.99 shipping from Ilovewheezer (Kia Optima key fob search)
95430-2G200 which ends up being the FCC ID:OSLOKA-310T Fob (yeah, of course the one I didn't get!). They quoted a price of $138 to order a fob but said if I was able to find them online they would program them for $45 labor. I was able to find two on craiglist for $15 each including shipping so I'll see if they work (the first dealer offered to program them for free). Thanks to everyone who responded to my post.
So... does the EX I4 without any option packages have leather seating surfaces or not?? And if not, is the cloth the same as on the LX?
Also, when you have shopped for an Optima.... do you remember seeing EX I4s with the ESC package but no other option packages? If that combination is available, that would be an alternative for me rather than the LX with ESC and Appearance packages. The list price difference is only about $700 (considering mats are extra on the LX and standard on the EX), and if the EX has leather it would be easier to justify the extra cash.
If you go to www.kia.com and "build" an Optima,you'll get the idea.
I did go to kia.com, "build your own" or whatever. Also the list of features there--where it shows both leather and cloth checked off for the EX I4. :confuse:
Anyway, it may be a moot point. Last night I checked inventory at about 15 dealerships in MN and Chicagoland. NONE had an Optima LX with the ESC/ABS package, and NONE had an EX I4 with just the ESC/ABS package. There may have been a couple loaded EX I4s that included the ESC/ABS package, but that's not what I want. So the Kia sales rep I talked to on Saturday wasn't kidding when he told me ESC/ABS is very hard to get on the Optima, and in fact he tried to steer me to the Sonata (he's with a dealer group that sells Hyundais also).
For $500 (at my dealer, negotiated in purchase), I think roadwire's leather package is as good as OEM.
Anyway with Kia, it's supposed to have something to do with improving EPA mileage averages for a model year but it's a really stupid practice.
Maybe the confusion over the Spectra caused Kia to use the 2006.5 designation on the new Optima. But they could have made it simpler by just calling it a 2007 and extending the model year by a few months.
However, the KIA dealer where I purchased the car provided no aftersales service, there were several minor issues and I will definitely not recommend that dealer. I have not deal with the service center yet, abd I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be better that the sales department. So far I like the car but KIA needs to monitor the dealers or it will lose business to other makes.
The service at that particular dealer was problematic,but after checking out a couple more service depts. I got lucky and now have one that I like.
I am also trying to find out if AXT (an Australian company) makes brake discs for the car because the accessories I ordered from KIA are all made in Australia. I have used their products before and they are reliable.
My experience is almost the oposite to yours.95% of my Optimas time is spent on the highway.Mostly long drives.Really not a whole lot of braking.
The car has developed a few minor,very slight rattles and sometimes when I get out of the car there is a click from the front end.That is about it.Otherwise it's been running like a swiss watch and a real pleasure to drive always getting at least 30MPG and usually more.
You might also want to post on the Sonata forum if they have the pre- 2006 car isolated. Five-speed doesn't mean much these days as in the 06.5+ Optimas, all transmissions--manual and auto-- are five speed.
The car is comfortable enough for a five hour drive, although I'd still like a little more thigh support in the front seat. Seat is a bit too short. My Maxx is more comfortable as a road car. I think the Sonata might be as well. I'm 6'4 but have only a 32 inch inseam so I'm not that long-legged.
As I stated in the MPG post, I think it's good for 30 mpg, especially if you put the transmission into fifth. D seems to shift down far too often.
Handling is enough tighter compared to my Maxx so that I could see that people not used to GM electric steering would find it a bit sloppy at first drive.
I haven't rotated tires yet, tried to when I got my last oil change at Wally-World but they were confused by the tire inflation indicator. So it's to the dealer or a real tire dealer for the next oil change/rotation. Some wear on front tires at 11K, so these things are going to get less mileage and cost a lot more to replace than the standard sixteen inch tires. They didn't have a base car at the dealer when I made the sale in early 07, having second thoughts about the appearance package being worth it given replacement costs. Definitely will skip the Michelins next time.
Thanks!
I went to the KIA Global Information System (http://www.kiatechinfo.com) this morning and couldn't locate it on the Glove Box Materials page, but since then the site has been updated and it's there now. The only problem is that I can't seem to figure out whether I should download the 2006 or 2007 PDF. There isn't a specific PDF for the 2006.5 model.
Here's the page I found on the GIS site that had the list of manuals:
http://www.kiatechinfo.com/TechInfo/Glove/board_view.asp?docu_no=7&page=1
The 06 would probably get you the older car.
What I read on the Optima... it's well built and can give Camry and Accord a run for their money. My parents bought a new 2008 Accord EX-L, first of the year. A very nice car but this Optima seems just as big and rides the same. It has tons more room than the Ford.
I have been reading the threads here and it seems like you guys are pretty satisfied with your Optimas.
The only issue I had.. it was pulling bad to the right and they did a wheel alignment and that was fixed. I also complained to the guys at CarMax to check the right low beam headlight. It was spotlighting the ditch. They said they would. They said they had to take the car to the KIA dealership for the alignment.
I knew the very next night coming home from work the light wasn't fixed. I took it back. The lights are even and straight but they are "high". I read these "projector" beam lights put out a lot of light but this is extreme. I haven't been bright lighted by anyone yet. I'm a little tired of taking this car back. Does anyone know how to adjust the beams? I want them down a little. Seeing the leafs on the bottoms of high trees doesn't seem right to me.. :sick: