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Comments
1. Driver information center without mpg rating (hopefully fixed in 08)
2. No map lights when you open the door.
Plus--
3. Not to sound like Backy, but at least the LS seat changes angle as you adjust it up and down, and it's a bit to short in thigh area for me.
Now a question for you: I didn't understand you initial complaints (I think it was the Spectra v. Elantra) about the single lever adjustment v. the two dials on the last gen Elantra. Although it doesn't bother me that badly, I can certainly see the point you were making. Apart from a power seat, is there anybody that does it right, or is it two dials, clunkiness and comfort or one lever, speed and seat height oddness?
Actually my Maxx LS has a single up and down power lever. Back also brings you down and forward brings you up and closer, so it doesn't really drop the angle of the seat but moves everything up and back at an angle. I guess this is better, but you have to also make a manual adjustment back and forth. Still better than having the entire angle change like the Optima does.
I know Mickyrom has power seats so I'm sure that with all the potential adjustments this isn't a problem.
It's strange but I don't find the manual driver's seat of the Optima as uncomfortable as on the Sonata. I think I could get by with the Optima's manual seat. One of the plusses is that the Optima has a telescopic wheel standard, and that's not available on the Sonata GLS. That helps adjusting seating position. Another reason for why if I got an Elantra, I'd get the SE with the telescopic wheel.
The only major gripe I have about the Optima is hard-to-find ABS/ESC on the LX. These days those features should be standard, as on the Sonata and now the Accord. And I'd like to know the IIHS side crash test score on the Optima. Other than that it's high on my shopping list for next year, if I decide not to go with the Fit I am standing in line for.
The Optima is mostly my wife's car but I drove it today. You're right, it's not the seat angle that bothers me, it's the shortness of the seat itself. I'm 6'3 but have a 32 inch inseam, so that's not so lanky. Still it seems that my legs hang out a lot more than they do in the Maxx. The leg room also seems to be less.
My wife's a lot shorter and so the seat is set way up and close when I get into it. I don't mess with the wheel since she's the driver most of the time. My Maxx has a telescoping wheel and power pedals so maybe I have it set differently.
I didn't notice it when I later drove a friends Sonata for a short distance, but that had power seats.
Not trying to be overly critical because the Optima has been rock solid and handles better than my Maxx. The engine is also quieter and almost as gutsy (though it does get worse gas mileage). Maybe it is time to retire the 3.5 ohv engine and put the manufacturing of the new Malibu solidly in the four cylinder camp. Rented an HHR on vacation and the engine was fine although I think the Kia's is every bit as good or better.
IMO the only advantage the Optima has over the Elantra is the 8 way power seat, and the cassette as part of the stereo.Otherwise the Elantra comes ahead.Better MPG,lower price and I personally like the Hyundai brand a little better than KIA.
One pending Optima problem is that Hyundai has cut back Sonata leases and pushed much of the lease/rental business onto the Optima.
Not exactly practical while you're going down I-80 in Indiana at 70 MPH. :shades:
PS I only get occasional notifications of posts that are replies to me...what could I do to correct that?
I have to say though, Optimas were completely off my radar screen until I saw a 2007 at work. What a beautiful car, and so cheap! (I had to ask the owner.) I'm trying to determine whether it would be a worthy replacement for my '98 Corolla (which keeps going and going...long as I top up the transmission, LOL). There are so many airbags! Power windows are STANDARD! I of course like the lighter colored interior. If only I could trust that Kias wouldn't let me down eventually.
and iPods are so trendy. I have many casettes so I think it's great that my Optima plays CDs and Casettes.
I cant be as supportive of the sound quality in my Optima as the stereo in my old(97)Chrysler Town & Country LXi is far superior. It too has CD and cassette.
The analogy to 8-track is to the fact that there is apparently still a market for those who prefer old technology in new cars. (I imagine this is especially true in Asia.) I'm the same way when it comes to brakes. I'd rather not have ABS in my car, prefer the old fashioned brakes. Thank you KIA.
I got my wife a 2007 LX at the end of last December. Appearance package with electroluminescent instruments and 17 inch tires, leather interior. Paid $16,100, good value. I'm sure you got a better deal at the end of the model year. The Optima's interior is close to the new Malibu and Accord and well above the Camry IMHO. Very good value.
tires, or the Appearance Package with the alloys on 17" Michelins?? Ive heard that
the 16" Kumhos will actually prove to be a smoother, less jarring ride than the
17" low profile Michelins!
Im also concerned about the replacement costs of 17" tires verses 16". Certainly.
over the course of 10 years, it would be cheaper to have 16" Kumhos!
Any thoughts??
Here I thought that ESC was supposed to help in bad weather. <img src="
Do you think I will be safer with the ESC on while driving on a snowy highway? Of course I mean while I'm already at speed,not starting out.
Yes. Think of it as an insurance policy if you do something you're not supposed to do, like drive too fast around a curve. It gives you an extra margin for error, but it's not a cure-all.
1. I agree with you on the tires. I probably won't replace with the OEM Michelin but any 17 inch replacement is going to be more expensive and probably get poorer tread life. I'm sure the Michelins handle better than the 16 Kumhos but I'm not out on the skid pad.
2. The blacked out trim and interior aluminum-- no big deal.
3. The electroluminescent instruments-- definitely nice. Worth several hundred bucks IMHO.
4. Having upscale wheels is definitely worth several hundred over the base steel wheel, although having a 16 incher would be plenty good.
5. Drivers Info. Center is worth a bit, but is crippled-- needs MPG indicator. This may be corrected in 2008.
6. Auto headlights-- OK but they don't go on quickly enough.
7. Fog lamps-- Worth maybe a hundred bucks.
I bought the apparence package because there were no base cars on the lot and they gave me a good deal, LX plus nice add-on leather for $16,100. On balance I'm not sure if I'd do it if I could save $800 and get the base car with leather, however.
I bought my Lancer GTS in March of '07 and now have 13,719 miles on it. It is my first Japanese car, new or used. I am really enjoying it and recently purchased a Rally Red paint stick from the Mitsu dealer to do a few touch-ups. I am looking forward to covering up those annoying little tiny chips you get on the front grille, valance and hood during normal travel.
Are you guys still feeling good about your Kia Optima purchases and are either of you gonna be trading in anytime soon for something different?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
If they do,I'm hoping that will enable me to update my 06.5 model.After all it's probably going to be pretty much identical,don't you think?
The lights...pretty weird cut-offs.I mean the light pattern on the road.
The Optima is my wife's car and has gotten about as much mileage in the last eleven months as my cars do in three. Frankly I prefer my Malibu Maxx but that's ok because she prefers the Optima. Since this thread is mostly Mickeyrom and I discussing the same points over and over again, I think you can get a pretty good idea of our likes and dislikes on the car.
I have no desire to trade this anytime soon. Anyone who gets into a new Kia should do so with the idea of keeping the car a long time. This is not a car to trade in after a year or so.
During the time we've had it, nothing whatsoever has gone wrong. In fact, it hasn't even been back to the dealer and is just getting ready for its second oil change. If I had an oil life monitor like my Maxx has it might be getting ready for its first oil change.
Other than incredibly bad depreciation (Lujacks has a 2006 Opima with 19,000 miles for sale for under $10K) I love my Optima EX.It is loaded,so I will more than likely have no need to replace it.What more could I ask for,although my real dream car is a hybrid.
Just what are my criteria you may be wondering? Well, I'll tell you.
1) I need the car to go about 200 miles on a single charge
2) I need to be able to re-charge the car in 8 hours or so from a standard electric
socket
3) I need the car to be able to go 75 mph at least
4) The car should not cost more than $22,000
No, although that's about what a new Toyota Prius costs, I am not looking at a new Toyota Prius. Mitsubishi is working on an all-electric car right now that I will start to study. Since I just bought my '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS in March and am planning on keeping this car for at least 5 years and quite probably 7 years, I have a lot of time to study which electric car I would want to buy. I want to get myself away from internally-combustioned engined automobiles. It's time to think electric, forget about hybrids(for me anyway).
As gas soars towards $3.00 and maybe even $4.00/gal I am starting to grow weary of this held-hostage to us and our dino-oil game. Tired of it. Manufacturers are working hard making hybrid/electric/hydrogen-powered vehicles and by the time I'm ready to trade-in again the price may even come down on them, though, they may be kind of expensive still.
There's a car made in Canada called ZENN that is all-electric. It goes 25mph tops and requires an overnight re-charge. Range is short, IIRC only 70 miles or something like that. It sells for about $12,000. But I need more range out here in the Wild, Wild West where my wife and I like to go shopping in Sierra Vista, Safford and Tucson, Arizona. We'll need a cruising range of something more like 200 miles. Then there is talk of re-charging stations along the way, so that may be a moot point if the re-charging doesn't take more than an hour or so. Lots of questions but I just decided about 4 or 5 days ago(when I learned that Mitsubishi is working on an EV that may be practical for usage)that I am truly interested in an EV. We shall see. Not yet sold on one just interested in one.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
The recent change in Forums layout has made this even more crucial than it used to be.
If you cannot make the post fit within the text area, please just post a link to it.
Thanks.
I paid close attention to the lights on dim tonight. Actually like it. The right lamp is significantly higher than the left. This is good because the oncoming traffic is out of the range of the higher light but you get a good look at what's directly in front of you.
You are better off with the 4cylinder IMHO. Less maintenance and almost as much power. If you want a 6 cylinder Korean car get the Sonata.
I do not want 6 Cylinder Sonata as we already have one!
it's silk smooth but gets only 21MPG
I want something fuel efficient with strong value that's why I'm thinking Optima EX. 6 disc changer with MP3 computability is must have for me that's why I'm thinking EX
I was thinking of buying LX and change the audio system but then I won't be able to use steering audio control so....
The wife has the car currently so I don't have the owners manual. What type of oil, including weight/viscosity is recommended for the 2007 Optima (4 cylinder)? Thanks in advance.
FWIW I use Amsoil XL 5W-20 in my I4 2.4L.