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Kia Optima has been best selling car in its segment since it was launched last year July in Korea.
http://myhome.naver.com/mildbreeze/menu2.html
http://bbs1.adwars.com/read.php?table=mildbreeze&no=36
It seems that Kia Optima performs pretty well...
However, it was not a sophisticate test like U.S's real NCAP test but a simple test.
K-NCAP test includes safety of structure/cage, dummy restraints/kinemaics and some injury measures. For example, in the part of 'injury measures' we don't have regulaion about putting sensor on legs and foots. compared to U.S'S NCAP, it should be more improved.
Also, test cars only have driver's side airbag. They don't have passenger's side airbag. So, the results are unreliable to check driver and passenger's injury. Experts who know the safety of automobile only accept its result of structure and cage damage. Personally, I also think that only cage/structure damage results are valid in this test.
Anyway, Kia Opt's result is a little bit better than 2000 Hyundai Sonata's in structure/cage damage.
If new traffic law is passed in congress, government will do test by new standard which is as same as U.S's NCAP test in every fields.
Is the car you saw FWD or RWD?
It has 2.5L Inline-6 which is desingned by Porsche.
Will it have performance of Porsche?
I don't know yet.
But it put out 180HP.
I think it will be a definitely attractive model for the Mid-sedan hunters if they consider the bang for the buck!
A sporting variation of Kia's recently introduced four-door Optima sedan, the SE-L concept gets a 2.7-liter, dohc 181-hp V6, a modified version of the 2.5-liter 170-horsepower engine in production Optimas. (The base Optima offers a 2.4-liter 149-horsepower four-cylinder.) The larger-displacement V6 is destined for production in 2002-model-year Optimas. Sportier transmission shift points, suspension and tires also appear on SE-L.
Source: http://www.competitionpress.com/specials/2001_chicago/chicagowrap.mv
(link should be on 1 line.)
This car has been a head-turner. Expect to get comments and questions everyday from onlookers. The styling truly is beautiful. I understand now why KIA includes a first-aid kit with your Optima, people fall over when you tell them what you paid for the car.
My car is smooth running, quiet, and very comfortable. Weekly I drive 150 miles each way from California's High Desert to the coast and back. Not an exceptionally long trip, it is just long enough to appreciate some comfort, and the seats have plenty of adjustment.
At home I spend a lot of time looking out the window admiring my car. They really are gorgeous.
So far I have no complaints. Everything works as it should, there are no mysterious noises, and no indicators that something may go amiss. I feel it really is well built and much thoughtful planning has gone into these vehicles.
I will keep this board apprised of any idiosyncracies that may pop up over time.
KIA is still building a name for themselves and keeping purchase costs down. This may change as the name becomes better recognized. They are well-built cars and have better name recognition in other parts of the globe. I expect resale values will go up as KIA demonstrates a reliable track-record in the US. For now, get them while they're hot.
There are a few optima LX at Criswell KIA in Annapolis, MD. Was there sunday...all four bangers as I recall. I'm looking to try an Se/6 with the shiftronic
regards
Jack
Hyundai is getting serious.
I will curious to see how you like your cars after 6 months or a year; please keep us posted.
Hyndai has certainly gotten the design part figured out. If the quality is there to go with it, the Optima is going to be quite a winner.
It turns out there is a dealer very close to me at another Criswell in Gaithersburg. He used to sell KIA out of the Chevy, Lotus, etc. site but appears to have moved KIA to a separate site here in G'burg...at least that's what it says in the directory. I'll give them a look-see tomorrow.
and a sales card...guys' name is Richartd Hartzell. He said they have two V-6's, a White and a Black, two more that are being driven by the staff but are available with low miles, and lots of I4s. I didn't get to see if any was an SE. You might want to give a call at 410 747-3333.
I think I screwed this up the first time and it didnt post....Thanks for the info. glad to see I was not the only fool out in the rain checking cars. unable to pass hyundai, kia or acura without inventory check and putting hands on the metal. Wife thinks I have a serious problem. Kia/Hyundai have released cvt sonata/optima in Korea. Neat thing is cvt trans with additional 6 speed shiftronic thrown in. Hope it gets here. Previous message either lost or in some other group by mistake...if my employer only knew what Im really doing at my computer
regards
Jack
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
After two months and 2000 miles, it's running perfect. I've noticed nobody really knows what kind of car it is, they have to ask. They give me strange looks when I tell them it's a Kia.
As far as all the comparison to Honda and others, who cares. All cars fall apart eventually, they all end up worth very little compared to what you payed, so just get what you like.
Almost a month and about 1850 miles on my Optima LX I-4 5-spd now and I love it. I still have a lot of people asking me about the car, ("What kind is it? Really!? I'm going to check out the dealer.")
Very quiet on the road, it has good sound-dampening, smooth ride, and great handling. I can't complain about performance. The power-curve is on the upper end of the tach, just where I need it for passing on the mountainous California high-desert highways. It is common to drop to third gear when overtaking a vehicle moving under 60. For max acceleration getting onto the freeway I might take 2nd gear up to 5 grand or so, about 50 mph, before grabbing third on the on-ramp. This car loves the revs.
I visited the KIA dealership service dept close to my home (not where I bought the car, BTW). My power mirrors were not adjusting, and rubber around one corner of the driver's side window was poorly cut and lets a bit of noise through, something I didn't notice the first week or so.
For the mirror problem they found I had blown a fuse with a light I plugged into my cigarette lighter. They replaced the fuse and suggested I use only the auxiliary power outlet down on the console for my light. A new rubber piece has been ordered which warranty will take car of.
The KIA service guys also gave it a close inspection and found a minor power steering fluid leak that they will replace the PS pump when they replace the rubber. We agreed in order to expedite time to wait for this repair as the leak was minor and no fluid needed to top it off.
The service dept also told me they are replacing the cam cover and/or something related (not sure exactly), and asked if KIA had notified me of the campaign (not yet as I've had the car less than a month). They suggested they would perform that mod too when I brought the car back for the other service.
I left there with a confident feeling the service department was interested in my satisfaction and performing quality work. Would this much work be considered excessive for new-car adjustment?
Serpent Ki
Lately, the mag has dried up in my area newsstands. The only thing I am able to find is the Spring Used Car review. This kind of stuff drives me crazy. I mean, you shouldn't have to subscribe to everything you might want to read.
try a safeway if you have one in the area. Over here in Crofton its the only place Ive seen them
novotny_jack
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Let's try this again. You ask for news on reliability and economy from current owners but the Optima has only been sold here for a short time. Both Serpentki and I suggested you try the Sonata Topic for info on the reliability question in so far as the Optima is built on the Sonata platform using shared drivetrain components. Perhaps this prompted a 'not on topic' deletion from the host meisters. Who knows? I didn't get anything in the e-mail.
My '00 GLS V-6 with auto gets 25 mpg in mixed suburban. Pure highway yields 30 mpg or more depending upon load. The car has nearly 16K since last July purchase. My wife is the primary user and she has never felt more safe and confident behind the wheel.
Good Luck.
I understand some have already been restored, and more may be coming, but there are no promises at this point.
Please accept our sincerest apologies for this situation and trust that every effort is being made to rectify the problem. Thank you for your patience.
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
The last 3 tanks in my '00 Sonata GLS V-6 w/5-speed manual averaged 28.80 mpg over 900 miles. Mostly rural 2-lane county or interstate roads. I live in a smallish rural city, with only 3 stoplights!
- automatic headlight shutoff when you turn off the car (should you forget)
- chrome kick plates in the thresholds of all 4 doors
- overhead handgrips for all 4 passengers
- rear armrest w/storage, cupholders
- lumbar support for the driver seat (in addition to 8-way power adjustment)
- interior trunk release (for those times you are kidnapped)
- First Aid Kit
Too many pros to mention so I will give you the "cons"
- It's new so there is no "reference" for value or measure of appreciation as it gets older. In purchasing this car you are a pioneer.
- My model was recalled for a timing belt cover (the existing cover was not narrow enough to hold the timing belt on adaquately). My wife was in and out of the Service Dept. in half an hour.
- Intermittent squeaky front breaks (most notably the right one)I have 2,800 miles and this just started.
- "Thumping" noise when the car is lowered or driven onto an elevated pavement while turning (best I can explain it)Sometimes I get the noise while just turning.
- Transference of the Warranty clearly states that the second owner is not entitled to the same coverage as the first. Be sure to read the warranty - a copy of this is available on the web at Kia.com
I have a free 3,000 mile oil change - they will certainly check out my maladies at that time.
I envisioned a Honda or Toyota or Nissan when I started shopping - I checked KIA because of their Used Car lot and wound up with the Optima. I am not sorry.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I have seen ads for a 2001 OPTIMA with cd,air,auto,sunroof etc for under $16,000.I assume this is the 4cyl model without leather seats.My question is this-does the 4cyl (Hyundai engine?)perform decent with the auto trans?I am very pleased with the quality of the Leganza ,do you feel the Optima overall quality is as good ie-fit,finish etc?
April sales of the Leganza 2366. ytd 8564/100 days inventory
According to autonews.com
Comparison:
Mitsu Galant 8506 32,725/48 days inventory
Chevy Malibu (yuck) 15581 53,490/57 days inventory
Kia Rio (I like em) 4728 16,962/90 days" "
Here is a quote from the short write-up: "This is a good looking, feature-laden, relatively inexpensive, competent sports sedan that is a viable and attractive alternative to similarly equipped and priced sedans (for example, the Mercury Sable, Buick Regal, Chrysler Concorde). It should be built."
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Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick