Comeon CS,8 or 9 are not average.8-9 are very good.I cant change your mind because you have your own system of grading ,but to me 5 is average on a scale of 1 to 10.6 is a bit above average,7 even more above and 8,9,10 is excellent.
Well, I think csandste understands me, but you mickey, do not. Try to think of it this way. In grade school, you take a test with 10 questions. A person who misses 0 or 1 is given an score of 10 or 9 and is rated as excellent. If 2 are missed, the score is 8, but the rating is only good. If the score is 7, that is average, or a C grade. Miss 4 and you get a D, below average. Miss 5 answers and you get a failing grade, F. The C ratings are average. A score of 5 is flunking, even though numerically 5 is the average of all possible scores. Average is based on the curve of results, not on the total length of the scoring scale. Get it?
You did say that to get to the filter that transmission would have to be disassembled.Since now you say that isn't needed,I can only assume that the filter is neither changed or cleaned.
Its not a test.Its rating a car.its a totally different concept.I cant believe the firestorm I started by not rating my car higher.I wonder how many of you dissenters actually own a 2007 EX Optima.If you dont,how do you know if you would rate that car any higher.Im really tired of this subject.I honestly dont think anyone wants to hear another opinion unless it matches theirs.Its just one persons opinion,to debate anothers taste is really dumb.Its like a piece of art.You like it or you dont.I like my Optima,I dont love it.Its an OK car.AAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!
If you take any ten ratings, some are usually in the sevens and some people give everything a ten. It evens out.
I suspect your complaints about hard ride might be linked to the 50 aspect tires. I suspect sixties would change things. I did drive the base car but it was several months ago and I don't remember the specifics.
The closest dealer to me gave me a real good deal on a car with the appearance package, he was also out of base cars. Some of the basics in the package: i.e., expensive tires and blacked out trim, wouldn't be high on my list of things to have.
Hyundai and Kia were criticized in the last gen. car for their soft handling, but the few drives I took in the cars proved them to be quite pleasant.
Sort of like the Malibu: everyone criticized the old-timey ohv engine in the present car but I found it cheap to operate and very economical (roughly the same as the Optima 4 in actual mileage), so now-- thanks to years of scorn from Car and Driver-- the new model has an dohc engine. They also killed the "numb" electric steering. Results: gas mileage drops from 32 to 26.
You have to remember that most people don't take their vehicles out on test tracks. There's more in mind to a car then whether it'll do 0-60 in 6.4 seconds v. 8.1.
I actually rated most of the items as 9s.The ones that I gave lesser grades were 5,such as dependability.How the hell can I rate dependability after 2 months,and already 4 trips to the dealer about some issues.I consider a middle number(5)as neutral.As far as a Hyundai Sonata which you mentioned...I leased a 2006 GLS for 10 months.It was a better car in my view, and had Hyundai had a comparable leather equipped Sonata with a 4 cyl engine I would have bought it.My mistake was in leasing the GLS and not just buying the Ltd right off the bat. I dont know what 50 aspect tires are,but mine are Humor(sp)16 in tires.I have the leather package not the appearance group. I think its better because I have heated seats and both seats are powered.
I thought you probably had the last gen. Sonata. The Optima is for all practical purposes an overgrown new generation Elantra with a better body. The Sonata's front suspension is probably more sophisticated. I test drove one, didn't find much difference and chose Kia because of dealer considerations.
I think your tires are probably 215x16x60's and mine are 235x17x50's (I might be off by 10 on the size, this is from memory). The entire wheel/tire size would be the same in both cars. I have more wheel and a lower wide (50% as tall as it is wide tires). Your ride should be softer but your performance less good then mine.
If my car was in the dealership for four times in two months I'd probably give it a five too (depending on what I was in there for). As I said, these things tend to even out with more than one report.
Nope,the 2006 Sonata is identical to the 2007.Thats the year they changed.I got the 16 in wheels over the 17s to get a softer ride,but the difference is not noticable. I was at service for problem with the air bag,for the headlights acting weird and for out of round tires.They changed tires which were Michellins,but now are Khumo.That took care of that.The other issues remain.Im going to a diffrent dealer next week..let them try their luck. BTW I had better MPG on the Sonata,although it was rated lower.Figure that.... :confuse:
The Kia Rondo, known as the Carens elsewhere in the world, is available in other markets with a manual transmission. Of course, it's also offered with a diesel there too, as most sold in Europe are diesels, rather than petrol engines.
It's interesting to look at Kia's UK and German websites, and see the differences between the Carens (the current 3rd generation Carens) and Rondo, both in terms of drivetrains offered, but in other options too. The Europeans get all the goodies, and have more options than we North Americans do.
If 10 surveys offering scores from 1 to 10 are given and 5 people rate a car 10 and the other 5 rate the car 8, then the average rating is 9. The average is not 5. if the next person rates the car 7, then that 7 rating is way below average.
I didnt rate the car a 5.I mostly rated it a 9.However on 3 questions I rated it as a 5, i.e. average.If you have ever taken any surveys,when a scale of 1 through 10 is used,5 is described as neutral or average. My 7.3 was created by adding all of my numbers together and then dividing by the number of questions. :sick:
I have owned a 2006 Sonata GLS and a new KIA Optima EX.Both have the 4 cyl.engine.These are my impressions.The appearance of the Sonata is more attractive,especially the rear end.The gas mileage is a bit better on the Hyundai despite the fact that the Optima is EPA rated higher.The Sonata steers better and has a better ride.The biggest advantage that I could find on the Optima was that the radio includes a cassette player.For me its a no brainer.Despite the fact that now I own a loaded Optima EX,I think that the Sonata is superior,in ride,economy and handling. :shades: However,they both are very nice and extremely well put together cars.
1. Styling is subjective. Personally I like the Optima slightly better but it was the dealer not the styling that moved me towards Kia. 2. Gas mileage SHOULD be better on the Kia because of the five speed automatic. I'm sure your Sonata was better. Hyundai engines are notoriously stiff when new and cars should continue to get better for the first five thousand miles or so. It's too early to judge my mileage but it's definitely no better than my V-6 Malibu Maxx. 3. The Sonata does have a more sophisticated front end. I still wonder what kind of tires your two cars had. I think the Sonata dropped 50 series tires for 55's in 2007, possibly a reaction to people complaining about harsh ride-- something that wouldn't be the case in base cars of both types. Quick drives of both cars didn't give me any definite feeling as to better handling, although I could tell great differences in the new V-6 in the Sonata and the small Optima V-6. 4. Sonata-- better traction control standard. Optima-- better automatic transmission (although unproven), more bags in base car (haven't rechecked 07 specs. some of these things may have changed).
My take-- A push. The dealer and the better rebates are what swayed me.
Note-- Cars are subjective. I have no doubt that you liked your Sonata better and that it was a better car for you.
2006+ Sonata has always had 6 airbags standard--same as Optima. But Sonata also has not only traction control standard across the board, but ABS and ESC also. That is a big advantage for me; I don't have to worry about finding a car that has the ABS/ESC/traction control options package.
Another advantage Sonata has is that Kias still suffer from really low resale values. Hyundais aren't great there either, but Kias seem to be worse. That should improve as Kia's new models change the public's perception of Kia, but for now it's something to consider if it's a choice between Hyundai and Kia models that are similar (Optima/Sonata, Rio/Accent, Sedona/Entourage, Spectra/Elantra).
Chat tonight with Ian Beavis, VP of Marketing for Kia Motors America. Join us 6-7pm PT, 9-10pm ET and bring some good questions!
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Yeah, I understand what the numerical average of the choices are. But my point is that if all respondents award an 8 to a specific question, then 8 IS THE AVERAGE RATING, NOT 5.
Mickeyrom - would you be proud to have your kids come home showing that they got 50% on a school test, since that is the halfway average between getting the answers all wrong ,or all correct !? Think about it .
If Mickeyrom had four or five repair incidents in the first month or two of owning the car his 5 was probably right on. If he preferred his Sonata that's his choice.
The low score has now been averaged into a broader range of responses that averages high eights, about like other cars. I'm sure there's some low sevens in the Camry responses as well. It just bothered me when that was the only score and it was being picked up by C&D.
Time and more responses even things out. I'd rather discuss Optimas than scoring.
Finally took a look at oil recommendations 5w30/5w20 is certainly thinner than my 01 Elantra (recommended up to 10w40 long after most manufacturers had given up on that weight). Ran 5w30 for 9 months a year on the Elantra and it worked just fine.
5w20 has proven to be very robust oil, usually a bit newer in composition than 5w30. Of course it's harder to find. Anyone tried it. Any noticible mileage improvements?
The typical 5w30 shears down to a 5w20 after a few thousand miles anyway. I'll probably do 3500-4000 for a couple of OCI's then do an oil analysis. The Elantra did very well with ST (Warren PP) oil on a 4000 change cycle. I'll probably treat this one to Pennzoil. No way this engine will match my Malibu V6 on OCI's however. The GM oil life monitor is giving me 7000 mile indications. Love big lazy torquey engines with good economy.
1.I agree that styling is subjective. 2.EPA Mileage is better on the sticker,but in real world,so far my Optima is clearly inferior by some 3 MPG. 3.Ihad Michellins on my Sonata,and have Khumos on the Optima.Thats as technical as I can get. 4.I have the same safety features on the Optima although they were not standard.I had to pay extra for ETC and ABS.
No,no,no....3MPG under the real world mileage.The EPA is definitely in the Optima's favor.The Sonata averaged approx 3 more miles per gallon.Not by the EPA but by actual mathematical figures.I.E....I was getting around 34 MPG hwy on the Sonata, and around 31 on the Optima.Why is it that I'm confusing you?I actually got the EPA predictions at least for highway on the Sonata(or better).The city is another story.They both pretty much suck.I was getting something like 14.5 on the Sonata, and maybe 13 on the Optima.Hopefully that will improve.
manual transmission automobile would do better in city mpg with their choice of tranny's over someone with an automatic tranny. But, after reading up on the new automatic transmissons that may be changing.
Or would highway mpg be close with either tranny and the manual still give you better miles per gallon in city driving. On a test I would select the letter that says the manual transmission still would do you better mpg's in the city. Any input on how that might go today with the improved automatics would be great. Fire away.
I've been hard at work for days and too tired afterwards to even read these forums but finally have come to my days off(WHOO-HOO!!)so I'm stoked to read up on the 2006.5 and 2007 Kia Optima from those that know-those that own them.
BTW-mickeyrom-stick to your guns and keep telling it like it is-it helps give those of us considering a new Kia Optima more information to go on. If you're not happy with your car or your dealer continue to say why. That's part of what makes online car forums fun to go to and educational. I'm enjoying all of these posts in here and learning every time I come in here.
I'm also so proud of favorite Kia and how they're doing. My '01 Sportage 4x4 at 125,016 is running like a champ. I refreshed her windshield fluid today and a LOF is coming right up for the small South Korean built SUV. To me, both Kia and Hyundai are getting better with each year. Now is a critical time to gain ground on the Japanese and I see it happening. What's cool is JD Power, Motor Trend, Edmunds, etc. are seeing the same things I am in them and they're now getting the accolades I've been giving them for years and years.
mickeyrom...I have an '07 LX with the 4 cylinder and appearance package. Your Kumhos sound like the base tire rather than the narrow aspects. My car should drive even harder. I read that Hyundai substituted 55 series for 50 tires in 07 because of complaints of harshness.
Iluv... five years ago I was convinced that I had to have a manual transmission. The Optima is fine with an automatic, however. Neither the Optima nor Maxx had an available manual so I had to make do. Now it doesn't bother me at all.
Some cars are geared a lot lower with the manual and new automatics are GREATLY improved, so I don't think the savings with manuals (have to learn not to say 5-speeds) are there compared to the automatics.
I think the original Sportage was a tough little truck. I do think quality control stunk, but if you lucked out and got a good one the basic toughness was there. You apparently drew a good one.
csandste, What kind of MPG are you getting?Mine for 3000 miles avegaged 25.5,the Sonata for 10,000 miles averaged 28.6 Dont you find that a bit strange as the Optima is lighter and has a 5 speed automatic?
My biggest complaint is the air bag issue on the passenger seat.Ive been now back 4 times to the dealer and the problem persists.I called the KIA number on their main site,snd essentially the guy told me that the seat belt is the main restraint.He also told me to give him a call when the car is actually at the dealer.
My wife's driving the car. Haven't had it out on the road yet and so it's too early. Looks like low twenties around town. If you're getting 25.5 mixed for 3000 miles you're probably doing a bit better than my Malibu Maxx. I'd guess that's averaging 24. Kia (for some unexplained reason) doesn't have a mpg calculation-- did Hyundai? My Maxx is about a mile and a half too optimistic. Right now I've been driving around town with it and it's probably showing 24. Fill-up would be closer to 22.5
I'm not sure what is the problem with the air bag. Does it indicate that the bag is off when someone's in the car. I could have had heated seats for an additional $50 with the leather but dealer said that would interfere with airbag indicator.
Having a non-functioning passenger airbag and having Kia tell you that's not serious is a problem. Obviously cars need functioning airbags to be certified. I'd contact NTSB on that one. I haven't looked at their site to see if this shows up (assume I've got the correct one)-- have you?
Yes,the light does come on when the seat is empty.When my wife is in the seat,sometimes it goes on and sometimes it doesn't.I thought maybe that even so,the air bag was active.But no,the KIA people say that when the light is on,the system is not functioning. Ah yes,the MPG...another stupid decision by KIA.Hyundai and every other car that has a computer,has a MPG mode.Isn't that the most important part of the device?
As far as my car and the air bag,,,my wife is VERY irritated because she seems to think that since we paid for the safety device it should function.ALL THE TIME.What a concept, :surprise: lol,that what we paid for should actually work.
yeah, we got a good Sportage 4x4. The truck had a few pickups that needed to be done under the Long-Haul and under the 20,000 mile mark, so it didn't go perfectly when we just got it. But since then the alternator has gone out(at 88,000 miles)and the brake light switch. Those two repairs totaled about $400 to take care of and were not covered under Warranty.
Everything else on the SUV were either Long-Haul covered or brakes or tires...all the normal maintenance stuff. I really can't believe how minimal the 5+ year costs have been to own and operate the Sportage 4x4. Oh, the truck has gotten me out of about 4 or 5 stuck-in-the-ice issues so far, too. It's nice to have the 4WD available. The rig is highly reliable and runs quiet and smooth and runs right away and doesn't need any warm-up period. Nice truck and we won't be trading it in anytime soon.
As for this thread's topic, the new Kia Optima, I would expect a different response concerning mickeyrom's airbag problem, too. Disappointing handling of that issue and it needs fixing. That is a safety issue-mickey...do get it handled by your dealer ASAP.
Didn't realize all carmakers were installing mpg-a-meters as standard equipment these days. My Sportsman sure doesn't have one. I don't really need one, either. I just figure mine up the old-fashioned way, in my head! It is true that the old-fashioned method doesn't give me real-time miles per gallon data on a constant basis, indeed. I look forward to my next new rig having one of these new-fangled mpg-a-meter's.
I didnt mean to imply that all cars have the MPG features,just the ones with "trip computers"I have a 97 Chrysler T&C and even that 10 year old car has one.Its pretty accurate too.The Hyundai computer on every model that has one has the MPG feature.I think KIA is the only one for reasons I cannot fathom,does not. Re. the airbags,now the light stays on all the time,so it actually might be easier to fix.We have an appointment at a dealer on the 6th of Feb.
Agreed. If it computes mileage to empty it's got the smarts to do it. Was it this thread that postulated it was because the mileage would be under EPA?-- didn't want it in your face.
It seems Kia chooses to place the trip computer on vehicles sold outside of the USA - go figure! I've been seriously looking at the new Rondo, and I don't think it has a trip computer either, even on the EX model. Interestingly, the online service manual shows that there's a trip computer, but this must be for the fortunate few in other countries.
Heck, my old 1994 Grand Caravan ES had a trip computer, and the MPG readout was within .1 MPG of the calculated figure.
They have a trip computer,they just dont give you the MPG.Which IMO makes it almost useless,except they do have a Range to empty,which is somewhat useful.My trip computer has 2 odometers,range,average MPH and outside temp.Not sure what the purpose of the MPH part is,but there it is. My 87 Chrysler Le Baron had the same computer.I enjoyed it.It was a cool little toy.So does my current back up,an 97 Town&Country LXi.BTW,that is a car that gets terrible reviews,but I love mine.Even the highway MPG is pretty good.23-25. I have looked at the Rondo,and for such a small vehicle 29MPG isn't impressive,not with a 4 cyl engine.What do you think of it?
I like the Rondo a lot and it would be on my short list if the Malibu bites the big one. On the other hand I also like the Maxx a great deal. Give me a big hatch....
I had an 01 Elantra sedan. Second or third best car I've ever had, but I like the Malibu Maxx better. Of course they're different classes of cars.
It took me several months to get used to the larger size but now I think I'd miss it if I went back to a C class car.
I did like the looks of the last gen. Elantra hatch-- very Saabish and better looking than the new one IMHO.
I don't have enough time behind the wheel of the Optima to make a judgement yet as to whether it's better than the Maxx, I do know I'm going to spend more on maintenance.
about the 2006.5 and 2007 Kia Optima's and their timing chain instead of timing belt? Was it just on the 2.4L 4 cyl engine that a timing chain is installed and not on the 6?
Or was this found to be bunk information?
csandste...I found out yesterday that the 2008 Chevy Malibu us not going to have a manual tranny on any model 'Bu. I have removed myself from that particular race then.
Oh, well...I still have the '08 Lancer, '07 or '08 Optima, '08 Hornet, '08 Obvio! 828/2, '07 or '08 Suzuki SX4 crossover and SX4 sedan to follow closely as owners get 'em and drive 'em to make up my mind what I might want next. Also, the Rondo is cool, the Kue looks cool, the Soul may come here(or is the Soul really the Kue)...whoa...Kia has been/is very busy lately! Lots of choices so the '08 'Bu can be dropped with no real pain inflicted.
But I do wonder about the new Optima's timing belt vs. timing chain question. Did we resolve that?
Comments
You should carefully re-read my post because I indicated no such thing.
Try to think of it this way. In grade school, you take a test with 10 questions. A person who misses 0 or 1 is given an score of 10 or 9 and is rated as excellent. If 2 are missed, the score is 8, but the rating is only good. If the score is 7, that is average, or a C grade. Miss 4 and you get a D, below average. Miss 5 answers and you get a failing grade, F. The C ratings are average. A score of 5 is flunking, even though numerically 5 is the average of all possible scores.
Average is based on the curve of results, not on the total length of the scoring scale.
Get it?
I suspect your complaints about hard ride might be linked to the 50 aspect tires. I suspect sixties would change things. I did drive the base car but it was several months ago and I don't remember the specifics.
The closest dealer to me gave me a real good deal on a car with the appearance package, he was also out of base cars. Some of the basics in the package: i.e., expensive tires and blacked out trim, wouldn't be high on my list of things to have.
Hyundai and Kia were criticized in the last gen. car for their soft handling, but the few drives I took in the cars proved them to be quite pleasant.
Sort of like the Malibu: everyone criticized the old-timey ohv engine in the present car but I found it cheap to operate and very economical (roughly the same as the Optima 4 in actual mileage), so now-- thanks to years of scorn from Car and Driver-- the new model has an dohc engine. They also killed the "numb" electric steering. Results: gas mileage drops from 32 to 26.
You have to remember that most people don't take their vehicles out on test tracks. There's more in mind to a car then whether it'll do 0-60 in 6.4 seconds v. 8.1.
I dont know what 50 aspect tires are,but mine are Humor(sp)16 in tires.I have the leather package not the appearance group.
I think its better because I have heated seats and both seats are powered.
I think your tires are probably 215x16x60's and mine are 235x17x50's (I might be off by 10 on the size, this is from memory). The entire wheel/tire size would be the same in both cars. I have more wheel and a lower wide (50% as tall as it is wide tires). Your ride should be softer but your performance less good then mine.
If my car was in the dealership for four times in two months I'd probably give it a five too (depending on what I was in there for). As I said, these things tend to even out with more than one report.
I was at service for problem with the air bag,for the headlights acting weird and for out of round tires.They changed tires which were Michellins,but now are Khumo.That took care of that.The other issues remain.Im going to a diffrent dealer next week..let them try their luck.
BTW I had better MPG on the Sonata,although it was rated lower.Figure that.... :confuse:
It's interesting to look at Kia's UK and German websites, and see the differences between the Carens (the current 3rd generation Carens) and Rondo, both in terms of drivetrains offered, but in other options too. The Europeans get all the goodies, and have more options than we North Americans do.
My 7.3 was created by adding all of my numbers together and then dividing by the number of questions. :sick:
However,they both are very nice and extremely well put together cars.
2. Gas mileage SHOULD be better on the Kia because of the five speed automatic. I'm sure your Sonata was better. Hyundai engines are notoriously stiff when new and cars should continue to get better for the first five thousand miles or so. It's too early to judge my mileage but it's definitely no better than my V-6 Malibu Maxx.
3. The Sonata does have a more sophisticated front end. I still wonder what kind of tires your two cars had. I think the Sonata dropped 50 series tires for 55's in 2007, possibly a reaction to people complaining about harsh ride-- something that wouldn't be the case in base cars of both types. Quick drives of both cars didn't give me any definite feeling as to better handling, although I could tell great differences in the new V-6 in the Sonata and the small Optima V-6.
4. Sonata-- better traction control standard. Optima-- better automatic transmission (although unproven), more bags in base car (haven't rechecked 07 specs. some of these things may have changed).
My take-- A push. The dealer and the better rebates are what swayed me.
Note-- Cars are subjective. I have no doubt that you liked your Sonata better and that it was a better car for you.
Another advantage Sonata has is that Kias still suffer from really low resale values. Hyundais aren't great there either, but Kias seem to be worse. That should improve as Kia's new models change the public's perception of Kia, but for now it's something to consider if it's a choice between Hyundai and Kia models that are similar (Optima/Sonata, Rio/Accent, Sedona/Entourage, Spectra/Elantra).
Join us 6-7pm PT, 9-10pm ET and bring some good questions!
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Review your vehicle
But my point is that if all respondents award an 8 to a specific question, then 8 IS THE AVERAGE RATING, NOT 5.
The low score has now been averaged into a broader range of responses that averages high eights, about like other cars. I'm sure there's some low sevens in the Camry responses as well. It just bothered me when that was the only score and it was being picked up by C&D.
Time and more responses even things out. I'd rather discuss Optimas than scoring.
5w20 has proven to be very robust oil, usually a bit newer in composition than 5w30. Of course it's harder to find. Anyone tried it. Any noticible mileage improvements?
The typical 5w30 shears down to a 5w20 after a few thousand miles anyway. I'll probably do 3500-4000 for a couple of OCI's then do an oil analysis. The Elantra did very well with ST (Warren PP) oil on a 4000 change cycle. I'll probably treat this one to Pennzoil. No way this engine will match my Malibu V6 on OCI's however. The GM oil life monitor is giving me 7000 mile indications. Love big lazy torquey engines with good economy.
2.EPA Mileage is better on the sticker,but in real world,so far my Optima is clearly inferior by some 3 MPG.
3.Ihad Michellins on my Sonata,and have Khumos on the Optima.Thats as technical as I can get.
4.I have the same safety features on the Optima although they were not standard.I had to pay extra for ETC and ABS.
Or would highway mpg be close with either tranny and the manual still give you better miles per gallon in city driving. On a test I would select the letter that says the manual transmission still would do you better mpg's in the city. Any input on how that might go today with the improved automatics would be great. Fire away.
I've been hard at work for days and too tired afterwards to even read these forums but finally have come to my days off(WHOO-HOO!!)so I'm stoked to read up on the 2006.5 and 2007 Kia Optima from those that know-those that own them.
BTW-mickeyrom-stick to your guns and keep telling it like it is-it helps give those of us considering a new Kia Optima more information to go on. If you're not happy with your car or your dealer continue to say why. That's part of what makes online car forums fun to go to and educational. I'm enjoying all of these posts in here and learning every time I come in here.
I'm also so proud of favorite Kia and how they're doing. My '01 Sportage 4x4 at 125,016 is running like a champ. I refreshed her windshield fluid today and a LOF is coming right up for the small South Korean built SUV. To me, both Kia and Hyundai are getting better with each year. Now is a critical time to gain ground on the Japanese and I see it happening. What's cool is JD Power, Motor Trend, Edmunds, etc. are seeing the same things I am in them and they're now getting the accolades I've been giving them for years and years.
Chat on, my car nutty friends!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Iluv... five years ago I was convinced that I had to have a manual transmission. The Optima is fine with an automatic, however. Neither the Optima nor Maxx had an available manual so I had to make do. Now it doesn't bother me at all.
Some cars are geared a lot lower with the manual and new automatics are GREATLY improved, so I don't think the savings with manuals (have to learn not to say 5-speeds) are there compared to the automatics.
I think the original Sportage was a tough little truck. I do think quality control stunk, but if you lucked out and got a good one the basic toughness was there. You apparently drew a good one.
What kind of MPG are you getting?Mine for 3000 miles avegaged 25.5,the Sonata for 10,000 miles averaged 28.6
Dont you find that a bit strange as the Optima is lighter and has a 5 speed automatic?
My biggest complaint is the air bag issue on the passenger seat.Ive been now back 4 times to the dealer and the problem persists.I called the KIA number on their main site,snd essentially the guy told me that the seat belt is the main restraint.He also told me to give him a call when the car is actually at the dealer.
I'm not sure what is the problem with the air bag. Does it indicate that the bag is off when someone's in the car. I could have had heated seats for an additional $50 with the leather but dealer said that would interfere with airbag indicator.
Having a non-functioning passenger airbag and having Kia tell you that's not serious is a problem. Obviously cars need functioning airbags to be certified. I'd contact NTSB on that one. I haven't looked at their site to see if this shows up (assume I've got the correct one)-- have you?
Ah yes,the MPG...another stupid decision by KIA.Hyundai and every other car that has a computer,has a MPG mode.Isn't that the most important part of the device?
As far as my car and the air bag,,,my wife is VERY irritated because she seems to think that since we paid for the safety device it should function.ALL THE TIME.What a concept, :surprise: lol,that what we paid for should actually work.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
Everything else on the SUV were either Long-Haul covered or brakes or tires...all the normal maintenance stuff. I really can't believe how minimal the 5+ year costs have been to own and operate the Sportage 4x4. Oh, the truck has gotten me out of about 4 or 5 stuck-in-the-ice issues so far, too. It's nice to have the 4WD available. The rig is highly reliable and runs quiet and smooth and runs right away and doesn't need any warm-up period. Nice truck and we won't be trading it in anytime soon.
As for this thread's topic, the new Kia Optima, I would expect a different response concerning mickeyrom's airbag problem, too. Disappointing handling of that issue and it needs fixing. That is a safety issue-mickey...do get it handled by your dealer ASAP.
Didn't realize all carmakers were installing mpg-a-meters as standard equipment these days. My Sportsman sure doesn't have one. I don't really need one, either. I just figure mine up the old-fashioned way, in my head!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Re. the airbags,now the light stays on all the time,so it actually might be easier to fix.We have an appointment at a dealer on the 6th of Feb.
Heck, my old 1994 Grand Caravan ES had a trip computer, and the MPG readout was within .1 MPG of the calculated figure.
My 87 Chrysler Le Baron had the same computer.I enjoyed it.It was a cool little toy.So does my current back up,an 97 Town&Country LXi.BTW,that is a car that gets terrible reviews,but I love mine.Even the highway MPG is pretty good.23-25.
I have looked at the Rondo,and for such a small vehicle 29MPG isn't impressive,not with a 4 cyl engine.What do you think of it?
It took me several months to get used to the larger size but now I think I'd miss it if I went back to a C class car.
I did like the looks of the last gen. Elantra hatch-- very Saabish and better looking than the new one IMHO.
I don't have enough time behind the wheel of the Optima to make a judgement yet as to whether it's better than the Maxx, I do know I'm going to spend more on maintenance.
Or was this found to be bunk information?
csandste...I found out yesterday that the 2008 Chevy Malibu us not going to have a manual tranny on any model 'Bu. I have removed myself from that particular race then.
Oh, well...I still have the '08 Lancer, '07 or '08 Optima, '08 Hornet, '08 Obvio! 828/2, '07 or '08 Suzuki SX4 crossover and SX4 sedan to follow closely as owners get 'em and drive 'em to make up my mind what I might want next. Also, the Rondo is cool, the Kue looks cool, the Soul may come here(or is the Soul really the Kue)...whoa...Kia has been/is very busy lately! Lots of choices so the '08 'Bu can be dropped with no real pain inflicted.
But I do wonder about the new Optima's timing belt vs. timing chain question. Did we resolve that?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick