The New Kia Optima

[jamesgios99]

PLEASE! It's ugly, just like all the other Kia's!

[Razi]

I wonder why they aren't bumping up the power in the Genesis to higher than 210.

[Mr1der]

to not undercut V6 sales?

[darens13]

it looks really nice, i just dont think i could ever own a kia.

Slap four rings on it. The way they're going, no one on the outside can tell the difference.

and thats why. to me kia seems like a knock-off brand. im surprised wal-mart doesnt open up car lots and start selling kias.

maybe i am like the people who hated datsuns when they were first sold here, but for now they still seem like this to me.

funky off-brand sh*tboxes.

[Razi]

to not undercut V6 sales?

Ahh of course.
Makes sense.

[hannibal]

Hyundai is doing big things. Even rolling out the Equus in the midst of a recession

Kia styling certainly surpasses Hyundai's. I cant beleive how nice the Optima looks compared to the Sonota.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I'm not feeling the C-pillar on it, and I'm going to assume that it drives just as bad as the Genesis coupe I test drove, which was pure awful.

[themadscientist]

I'm glad to see the Korean designers have stopped taking acid and flinging poo at the drawing board. That's the first Korean car I have seen that doesn't like like hot buttered a**.

[Dattebayo]

taking acid and flinging poo at the drawing board

WHAT A CONCEPT

[IanS]

Have any experience with the Kia brand in recent years. I haven't driven a Kia since like 2005...

I worked on an 08 Kia today, one of the smaller models. With 45,000 miles on the clock, in had blown front struts, mounts that rattled like crazy, and a broken link pin. The customer brought it in because it was smoking badly. Turns out the PCV froze, pressurized the crankcase. It was haemorrhaging oil from the valve cover at an alarming rate, and misfiring because the spark plugs/wires were all swimming in oil. I would guess there was barely a quart of oil actually "in" the engine.

Sadly this has not been uncommon. I have seen the build quality of most Hyundai's improve drastically over the last couple of years, but the Kia brand still seems to suffer many of the same reliability/durability problems that Hyudai once did. It almost seems intentional, like they are trying to separate the 2 makes.

[themadscientist]

Not sure you want to differentiate your brand by being the one known for poor build quality.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

I'm glad to see the Korean designers have stopped taking acid and flinging poo at the drawing board.

Yeah, they got fired and now work for Acura.

[sbird1]

Have any experience with the Kia brand in recent years. I haven't driven a Kia since like 2005...

I worked on an 08 Kia today, one of the smaller models. With 45,000 miles on the clock, in had blown front struts, mounts that rattled like crazy, and a broken link pin. The customer brought it in because it was smoking badly. Turns out the PCV froze, pressurized the crankcase. It was haemorrhaging oil from the valve cover at an alarming rate, and misfiring because the spark plugs/wires were all swimming in oil. I would guess there was barely a quart of oil actually "in" the engine.

Sadly this has not been uncommon. I have seen the build quality of most Hyundai's improve drastically over the last couple of years, but the Kia brand still seems to suffer many of the same reliability/durability problems that Hyudai once did. It almost seems intentional, like they are trying to separate the 2 makes.

This and other things like it are making me second guess my desire to own a new Genesis coupe. I like them a lot, but I may just stick with something with a better track record. I just got a new job and that new*er* car is just around the corner. I think I am going to hold out on the Koreans for another half decade or so.

[themadscientist]

I got my eye on a 2011' KJI great capitalist pig-dog terminator long bed. I hear it runs on peasant sweat.

[HashiriyaS14]

I like the Optima, especially the interior, but I like the Sonata a lot more.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I like the Optima, especially the interior, but I like the Sonata a lot more.

Nobody's perfect.

[IanS]

This and other things like it are making me second guess my desire to own a new Genesis coupe. I like them a lot, but I may just stick with something with a better track record. I just got a new job and that new*er* car is just around the corner. I think I am going to hold out on the Koreans for another half decade or so.

Thats the weird thing though. The Hyundai line seems to have stepped above. There is a guy who brings his 2010 Genisis Sedan in pretty regularly. I just did his 30K maintenance service. So far he hasnt had a single issue with it. One of the things I have been most impressed with, is the fit and finish of the interior. In the past, the interiors often showed their age very quickly. I would not hesitate to buy this car off the guy. The interior shows no signs of wear, and is still as luxurious as any Audi or BMW. Even driving the car on moon like St Paul streets lends credit to how far they have come. Some of the worst roads in the state, and it drives smooth silent and composed. This is even more impressive to me considering its the first model year of the line. Typically I stay away from the first year or 2 of any vehicle, because so many of the bugs are often worked out in that time. Hyundai seems to have done serious testing to insure longevity.

In a few years, when it comes time to trade in the A34, the Genisis sedan may very well give the M35/M37 a run for my money. Dollar for dollar, they are going to be tough to beat in years to come. Hyundai is going to upset the market.

[sbird1]

Interesting. How is it possible for such a major quality difference between brands? In the coming years, I'm going to want something sporty (something that I can take to Road Atlanta without feeling like an idiot) that still has functionality. I don't know how "sporty" the Genesis sedan is, but I'm kinda leaning the direction of STi kind of thing. IDK, I guess I'm going to have to do some significant research in the next year or two. Maybe I'll just get a POS econobox to DD and have a dedicated track slut if I can afford it...

[Mr1der]

I'm glad to see the Korean designers have stopped taking acid and flinging poo at the drawing board. That's the first Korean car I have seen that doesn't like like hot buttered a**.

you haven't seen a Genesis sedan.

anyone that calls that car ugly is blind and doesn't have any hands.

[IanS]

Interesting. How is it possible for such a major quality difference between brands? In the coming years, I'm going to want something sporty (something that I can take to Road Atlanta without feeling like an idiot) that still has functionality. I don't know how "sporty" the Genesis sedan is, but I'm kinda leaning the direction of STi kind of thing. IDK, I guess I'm going to have to do some significant research in the next year or two. Maybe I'll just get a POS econobox to DD and have a dedicated track slut if I can afford it...

It may be as much a difference between the upper end of the model line, and the lower, as it is the brand.

The genisis is much more luxury than sport, but it is RWD, so there is fun to be had.

[themadscientist]

you haven't seen a Genesis sedan.

anyone that calls that car ugly is blind and doesn't have any hands.

That is visually pleasing, like a Lexus or an Acura kind of car.

[Ace2cool]

What the Ford Focus is going on in here?