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Comments
Sue
Your MT article sounds good. We need to remember to bring these points up about positive Kia and Hyundai reviews when we see them. There are still people that think that Kia's and Hyundai's are dangerous rattle-traps that shouldn't even be sold in the U.S. Ya think I'm kiddin'?
Just keep perusing the net for car chat rooms and you'll see what I mean. It's ridiculous. One can get a great car now from Hyundai and Kia with a great Warranty for a reasonable price. A car that is built well and is reliable, too.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
The Optima's standard 2.4-liter I-4 puts out 161 horsepower, competitive for the segment. Its optional 2.7-liter V-6 is good for 185, not as competitive among midsize V-6 sedans. That's two cylinders, just 0.3 liter, and a measly 24 horsepower separating the two engines. The four-banger offers nearly comparable power for less money and with much better fuel economy.
So what's their recommendation for the 2008 Optima? Go with the V6, of course. :confuse:
I really wish the IIHS would release the side crash scores for the Optima. I'd like to add it to my shopping list for next year.
Chevy Malibu 3
Chrysler Sebring 2
Dodge Avenger 2.5
Ford Fusion 3
Honda Accord 3.5
Hyundai Sonata 3
Kia Optima 3.5
Mazda 6 2.5
Mercury Milan 3
Mitsubishi Galant 2.5
Nissan Altima 3
Pontiac G6 2.5
Saturn Aura 3
Suburu Impreza 3
Toyota Camry 3.5
Volkswagen Jetta 3.5
I emailed again a few weeks ago, he now tells me that it will not be tested this year. The reason was Kia "thinks" it will do ok. I do not fully understand but in a follow up email to that response he explained that they have a certain schedule and if a manufacturer would like to "bump" ahead of the line they can pay a bumping fee.
Looking at the "government" website (www.safercar.gov) and comparing the results of the Sonata (which does have IIHS side results) against the Optima the numbers are similar. I realize the government tests are not as sophisticated and do not claim to judge head injuries and that the two vehicles are not the same structure any longer but thought it might give some insight into how the Optima might do when IIHS gets around to it.
Sounds like the IIHS should update their web site. Here's what it says re the side test on the Optima:
Design changes have been made; to be tested in 2007.
Fellow employee just bought a Sonata. Unlike my Optima, it didn't have leather, 17 inch alloy wheels, or electroluminescent instruments. It did have power seats and a sun roof. Think he said actual sticker was roughly 21K, plus a couple of thousand in stupid dealer add ons (dealer was a major reason I bought a Kia).
I think the Sonata was only a cubic foot or so larger than the Optima but seems bigger, more leg room-- less head room, but what do I care if there's 1 or three inches room over my head.
All in all, the Sonata seemed a bit more comfortable but I do like the LX (with appearance package) instruments-- Lexus like.
Couldn't tell much in driving a few blocks at low speed, but the Optima seems to handle better despite the Sonata's more sophisticated front suspension. Probably the 17 inch Michelins. Noticed that the Sonata had 16 inch Michelin Energies, the same tire (Energy, anyway) that was OEM in my 01 Elantra. Thought it was a greatly overrated tire. Hyundai must pay $10 and Michelin hope you get a blowout on one or be stupid enough to replace with the same tires. On the other hand, for an old fart like me, seventeen inch tires are largely wasted.
Like the Optima, the Sonata seems to have a flawed driver information center. The Optima lacks MPG. The Sonata seems to have only one trip odometer. What's it take to get it right? Having only one trip meter means you can't track business mileage and true, non-b.s. mileage computed at fill up.
Both lack the oil life monitor on my Malibu Maxx.
Both cars have a number of shared parts, though less than you'd think, but for me, at least the Sonata seemed a bit more comfortable-- of course what does five minutes behind the wheel really tell you.
It's nice to see two totally different cars after the last generation which parted on only front and rear clips.
I pretty much agree with your comments,but I want to emphasize that the two differences between the Optima that count,are the ride,(sonata better)the cassette(Optima has one) and the MPG on the trip computer.So I guess if I'm keeping score,the Optima wins 2-1.
If your friend's Sonata has 17 in wheels,he must have top of the line,unless they changed the options again.They cost considerably more than 21K.I had a 2006 LX,which had most of the toys,but not 17 inch wheels.I actually wouldnt want those as the replacement cost is much higher.Also they make the ride even harder.As a REALLY old phart(I'm 71),I like my comfort more than handling.I dont do much racing any more.
PS nice to see you again
PSS just reread your post.I had missed the part about the Sonata not having leather.Then it was not the top of the line and didnt cost more than 21K.Another senior moment on my part.They keep changing the model names,what model gets what and what options are available for which models.It does keep us on our toes.
My LS Optima (along with my Maxx) does not have cassette. In fact, CD's are disappearing in some new cars. Haven't started doing a lot of downloading of music, but after digging out the fuse on my Maxx in order to reset things and be able to get a CD out, I don't think I'll miss the CD at all when I replace these cars in 5-8 years.
Lock your keys in your car? Use your cell phone to call your wife or someone with access to the other key. Have them push the unlock button into their phone and your car will unlock. Seems to work with your cell phone at a normal fob distance from the car as well.
It's been years since I've locked my car with the key in the ignition and the last time I almost did (01 Elantra) you couldn't get the thing to lock anyway, but you could always lock the door and have the key slip out and fall on the floor, so this might come in handy.
If this idea works it could save a lockout fee because my wife and I both have Lancer fob keys and cell phones.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
When I get the chance, I'll try it with my Elantra--the only car in my household that still has two remotes.
Maybe someone with a cell phone would like to confirm this. I was able to unlock 2 cars and blow horn through phone in a minute of work.
This is in line with my experience last night where I was able to trigger the horn in the Kia with the phone but couldn't turn if off from the same place when I hung up.
BTW-- I remember my Elantra having a really strong fob transmitter.
Yes, the Optima (and Elantra) are on my "tentative" short list, pending the IIHS side crash test results. If both score Good, it may just come down to price. Also, it looks like it will be easier to find an Elantra with standard ABS and ESC than it will be to find an Optima LX I4 with the ABS/ESC package. I did a quick scan tonight of local dealers, and none had an LX I4 with the ABS/ESC package. The other plus of the Elantra SE is that I could probably find one with a stick; the stick Optima doesn't offer the ABS/ESC package.
The signal from the cell phone must goose up the signal from the fob a bit, but it doesn't seem to go through the phone system.
The short range (successful) tries were with a Sebring, Optima and Malibu Maxx. At least with the Optima, it didn't work at a mile.
Anyone have advice on how to keep the finish looking great? Do I need to wax the car? I've only been washing it so far.
Rented a Chevy HHR last week. Almost too much stuff to cycle through. Two MPG indicators, tire pressure (2x2), oil life monitor, oil temperature, and several other things plus everything on the Optima. Took about a dozen clicks on the steering wheel button to get through everything.
A friend bought a Sonata about a month ago and I think he said they only had one trip odometer. That would also be a big oversight as you need one for mpg and one for trips-- i.e. mileage reimbursement. If that's true, what kind of koolaid are Hyunkia drinking to make these decisions?
Clicking through air pressure in four tires last week was a bit repetitive but I'd rather have too much information rather than too little.
I put a piece of electrical tape on the windshield in front of the Optima's sensor and it seems to make the lights turn on earlier.
I notice the Malibu looks like it has electroluminescent instruments, sort of like the non-Base Optima.
So, are any you Kia owners feeling that there are significant relaiably concerns with the 2.4L & 4 spd Automatic transmission or that there could be issues with the 10 year warranty if problems arise? THANKS
I will however be using nothing but Amsoil products for piece of mind.
Unlike my Elantra the new engine has a timing chain so that should save $$$. Remember to buy the right transmission fluid in the automatic and you should be fine.
Like the Rondo a lot. If my Maxx died and I needed a replacement with storage it would be on my short list.
Checked my Malibu Maxx and its doors control both dome light and two front vanity/map lights, so essentially there's three times as much light as the Optima.
On the other hand if you turn on both map lights and done light the Optima is every bit as well lit.
On the other hand the (still low mileage) Optima has given me no repair problems in the ten months I've owned it.