Optima Purchase

"tww1491" wrote in message

> In the next few months, I will be looking to replace my 0-6 Accord I4
> coupe with an Optima -- most likely the EX model with the package that
> upgrades the sound system with the sunroof. I driven Hondas for years, but
> think that the current models lack in design and quality. In sum the
> Koreans appear to have surpassed Honda. I have considered the turbo
> model, but my experience with turbos in the past tell me that reliability
> suffers -- burned out and shortlived turbos etc. For those who have
> driven Hondas in the past or considered a new Accord -- how do rate the
> comparison. Overall, are there any particular problems with Kia -- i.e. I
> have read about the alignment problems (pulling to left or right) I should
> be aware of.

All I can tell you is wife's '02 Optima V6 now has 140,000 on the odometer &
has been the most maintenance free care we've ever owned. After initial new
car issues, specifically window regulators, the car ran trouble free until
over 100,000 miles. Both the input & output sensors for the automatic
transmission had to be replaced, plus the factory radio. And then.......
nothing. In our experience, KIA stands for:

K eeping
I t
A ffordable

Rich
 >> Stay informed about: Optima Purchase 

tww1491 wrote:
> In the next few months, I will be looking to replace my 0-6 Accord I4
> coupe with an Optima -- most likely the EX model with the package that
> upgrades the sound system with the sunroof. I driven Hondas for years,
> but think that the current models lack in design and quality. In sum the
> Koreans appear to have surpassed Honda. I have considered the turbo
> model, but my experience with turbos in the past tell me that
> reliability suffers -- burned out and shortlived turbos etc. For those
> who have driven Hondas in the past or considered a new Accord -- how do
> rate the comparison. Overall, are there any particular problems with Kia
> -- i.e. I have read about the alignment problems (pulling to left or
> right) I should be aware of.

I was very pleased with my 03 Kia Sorento bought in 2005 from a Kia
dealer used with about 20K miles on it. Then it got older. Electrical
problems galore. Refused warranty because it was a demonstrator or
loaner by the first dealer. (I can explain later, if you want) Rusted
thru rear brake line at 80000 miles! (Always garaged) (Warranty is only
62000 miles in Canada. Now dash lights out most of the time, for about 2
years. Refused to fix bad antenna connection while still under warranty.
Most Kia parts are AT LEAST twice the price of name brand replacements
at a parts store. I will have to repair the connector in the heater
controls again. It's like a PCI bus connector for the computer savvy -
not for the rigors of an automobile. Spark plugs replacement time on its
fore-and-aft V6 is 2 and a half hours. Fuel pump is $500, part only.
Timing belt coming up soon at $500. (It's an interference engine.)
Dealer offered $5000 for my trade, but only charged me $1800 more on a
cash deal a week later.
NEVER AGAIN!! Still got the factory spark plugs in it, though. Somebody
is going to have fun getting those out.
It's a "kit" car. Hyundai engine, Nissan transmission, Eaton axles,
BorgWarner xfer case, Delco radio etc. Lucas?
Try a Google search on "kia sucks". What does KIA stand for, anyways?

I hope to trade up to a nice used Yugo.
Beware.
 >> Stay informed about: Optima Purchase 

"name" wrote in message

tww1491 wrote:
> In the next few months, I will be looking to replace my 0-6 Accord I4
> coupe with an Optima -- most likely the EX model with the package that
> upgrades the sound system with the sunroof. I driven Hondas for years,
> but think that the current models lack in design and quality. In sum the
> Koreans appear to have surpassed Honda. I have considered the turbo
> model, but my experience with turbos in the past tell me that
> reliability suffers -- burned out and shortlived turbos etc. For those
> who have driven Hondas in the past or considered a new Accord -- how do
> rate the comparison. Overall, are there any particular problems with Kia
> -- i.e. I have read about the alignment problems (pulling to left or
> right) I should be aware of.

I was very pleased with my 03 Kia Sorento bought in 2005 from a Kia
dealer used with about 20K miles on it. Then it got older. Electrical
problems galore. Refused warranty because it was a demonstrator or
loaner by the first dealer. (I can explain later, if you want) Rusted
thru rear brake line at 80000 miles! (Always garaged) (Warranty is only
62000 miles in Canada. Now dash lights out most of the time, for about 2
years. Refused to fix bad antenna connection while still under warranty.
Most Kia parts are AT LEAST twice the price of name brand replacements
at a parts store. I will have to repair the connector in the heater
controls again. It's like a PCI bus connector for the computer savvy -
not for the rigors of an automobile. Spark plugs replacement time on its
fore-and-aft V6 is 2 and a half hours. Fuel pump is $500, part only.
Timing belt coming up soon at $500. (It's an interference engine.)
Dealer offered $5000 for my trade, but only charged me $1800 more on a
cash deal a week later.
NEVER AGAIN!! Still got the factory spark plugs in it, though. Somebody
is going to have fun getting those out.
It's a "kit" car. Hyundai engine, Nissan transmission, Eaton axles,
BorgWarner xfer case, Delco radio etc. Lucas?
Try a Google search on "kia sucks". What does KIA stand for, anyways?

I hope to trade up to a nice used Yugo.
Beware.

Thanks for the input. I remember the Yuga -- a fiat by any name.
 >> Stay informed about: Optima Purchase 

On Oct 30, 11:38 am, name wrote:
> tww1491 wrote:
> > In the next few months, I will be looking to replace my 0-6 Accord I4
> > coupe with an Optima -- most likely the EX model with the package that
> > upgrades the sound system with the sunroof. I driven Hondas for years,
> > but think that the current models lack in design and quality. In sum the
> > Koreans appear to have surpassed Honda. I have considered the turbo
> > model, but my experience with turbos in the past tell me that
> > reliability suffers -- burned out and shortlived turbos etc. For those
> > who have driven Hondas in the past or considered a new Accord -- how do
> > rate the comparison. Overall, are there any particular problems with Kia
> > -- i.e. I have read about the alignment problems (pulling to left or
> > right) I should be aware of.
>
> I was very pleased with  my 03 Kia Sorento bought in 2005 from a Kia
> dealer used with about 20K miles on it. Then it got older. Electrical
> problems galore. Refused warranty because it was a demonstrator or
> loaner by the first dealer. (I can explain later, if you want) Rusted
> thru rear brake line at 80000 miles! (Always garaged) (Warranty is only
> 62000 miles in Canada. Now dash lights out most of the time, for about 2
> years. Refused to fix bad antenna connection while still under warranty.
> Most Kia parts are AT LEAST twice the price of name brand replacements
> at a parts store. I will have to repair the connector in the heater
> controls again. It's like a PCI bus connector for the computer savvy -
> not for the rigors of an automobile. Spark plugs replacement time on its
> fore-and-aft V6 is 2 and a half hours. Fuel pump is $500, part only.
> Timing belt coming up soon at $500. (It's an interference engine.)
> Dealer offered $5000 for my trade, but only charged me $1800 more on a
> cash deal a week later.
> NEVER AGAIN!! Still got the factory spark plugs in it, though. Somebody
> is going to have fun getting those out.
> It's a "kit" car. Hyundai engine, Nissan transmission, Eaton axles,
> BorgWarner xfer case, Delco radio etc. Lucas?
> Try a Google search on "kia sucks". What does KIA stand for, anyways?
>
> I hope to trade up to a nice used Yugo.
> Beware.

500 for a timing belt? You are an optimist. Maybe at a private shop.
I'm not sold on KIA yet either. But they have improved. I believe even
the new one are interference engines and have a 60k spec on the TB.
Normally one would stretch that 60k into 90k if it were
noninterference.

Optima's due for a refresh in 2013. I'd at least wait for that. These
are the test run optimas coming off a total refresh. Updated versions
are always better.
 >> Stay informed about: Optima Purchase 

in2dadark wrote in

@q16g2000yqn.googlegroups.com:

> On Oct 30, 11:38 am, name wrote:
>> tww1491 wrote:
>> > In the next few months, I will be looking to replace my 0-6
Accord
>> > I4 coupe with an Optima -- most likely the EX model with the
>> > package that upgrades the sound system with the sunroof. I driven
>> > Hondas for years, but think that the current models lack in
design
>> > and quality. In sum th
> e
>> > Koreans appear to have surpassed Honda. I have considered the
turbo
>> > model, but my experience with turbos in the past tell me that
>> > reliability suffers -- burned out and shortlived turbos etc. For
>> > those who have driven Hondas in the past or considered a new
Accord
>> > -- how do rate the comparison. Overall, are there any particular
>> > problems with Ki
> a
>> > -- i.e. I have read about the alignment problems (pulling to left
>> > or right) I should be aware of.
>>
>> I was very pleased with  my 03 Kia Sorento bought in 2005 from a
Kia
>> dealer used with about 20K miles on it. Then it got older.
Electrical
>> problems galore. Refused warranty because it was a demonstrator or
>> loaner by the first dealer. (I can explain later, if you want)
Rusted
>> thru rear brake line at 80000 miles! (Always garaged) (Warranty is
>> only 62000 miles in Canada. Now dash lights out most of the time,
for
>> about 2 years. Refused to fix bad antenna connection while still
>> under warranty. Most Kia parts are AT LEAST twice the price of name
>> brand replacements at a parts store. I will have to repair the
>> connector in the heater controls again. It's like a PCI bus
connector
>> for the computer savvy - not for the rigors of an automobile. Spark
>> plugs replacement time on its fore-and-aft V6 is 2 and a half
hours.
>> Fuel pump is $500, part only. Timing belt coming up soon at $500.
>> (It's an interference engine.) Dealer offered $5000 for my trade,
but
>> only charged me $1800 more on a cash deal a week later.
>> NEVER AGAIN!! Still got the factory spark plugs in it, though.
>> Somebody is going to have fun getting those out.
>> It's a "kit" car. Hyundai engine, Nissan transmission, Eaton axles,
>> BorgWarner xfer case, Delco radio etc. Lucas?
>> Try a Google search on "kia sucks". What does KIA stand for,
anyways?
>>
>> I hope to trade up to a nice used Yugo.
>> Beware.
>
> 500 for a timing belt? You are an optimist. Maybe at a private shop.
> I'm not sold on KIA yet either. But they have improved. I believe
even
> the new one are interference engines and have a 60k spec on the TB.
> Normally one would stretch that 60k into 90k if it were
> noninterference.
>
> Optima's due for a refresh in 2013. I'd at least wait for that.
These
> are the test run optimas coming off a total refresh. Updated
versions
> are always better.
>
>

I have an '07 Rondo, built on the old Optima body. So far the only
repair, done under warranty, were the sway bar links wearing and
causing a rattle over bumps. It has the new 2.4 engine which has
a timing chain, no belt. I think all the new Kia engines have
a timing chain now.

Regards,
Bob
 >> Stay informed about: Optima Purchase