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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).
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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