Kia Optima

[BigN8]

Looking at getting a used Kia Optima for my daughter. Anyone on here have any experience with that car? I read good things about it and it's highly rated in Consumer Reports.

Thanks,

 

[OnTheWater]

We bought a new in 2012 for a commuter car and now the kids use it for school. I'm happy with it. When I started looking in 2012, I didn't even have it on my list, but after reading reports and talking to a couple of people with them, I was confident enough to purchase it. Safety and reliability were both rated good. Style was good for that class. Knowing what I know now, if I was looking for the same type of car, I'd buy it again.

 

[stever40]

I have a 2013 Optima SXL that I use for my work vehicle. I love it. Great gas milage, great price for all the options. Great warranty. I drive about 30K miles a year and have 74K miles on it. I have had zero issues with it. The only thing it has needed to date are the oil changes.

 

[Julian]

We looked at both Kia and Hyundai when shopping for a new SUV for my wife, ended up with a Hyundai, but both are nearly identical (same company). Both brands get great reviews.

 

[BigN8]

Thanks guys. I'm looking at a 2013 EX loaded for my daughter. The dealer here gives a lifetime warranty on the engine and transmission. I got the warranty paperwork to look at the fine print and it's pretty legit. $100 deductible. Just perform normal oil changes and if anything happens they cover it.

 

[Julian]

Thanks guys. I'm looking at a 2013 EX loaded for my daughter. The dealer here gives a lifetime warranty on the engine and transmission. I got the warranty paperwork to look at the fine print and it's pretty legit. $100 deductible. Just perform normal oil changes and if anything happens they cover it.

That was one of the major advantages we liked.....had been looking at a Lexus RX and it has half the warranty, all the same features and cost 15K more, and had no power port for the back seat! (oh...it did have a power adjustable steering wheel).

 

[Speedling]

Gotta say as someone that helps working on cars andworks on his own stuff that the kia/hyundai that i have worked on have been pretty decent. You're still gonna have the random issues that anyone will.
My wife had a 2000 tiburon that was awersome.
Then when it was time for a kid hauler we got the sante fe which was flawless.
They don't make a kid hauler boat tower suv which is fine because i am a firm believer that importers make good cars and sub par trucks (perhaps toyota?) But also that most of your "domestics" make good trucks and sub par cars.

They use slightly dated technology and are never the front runners in that department which is really to their advantage because they never have anything untested in a way.

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

The only negative I have heard from a friend of mine who is a General Manager for a large Chevy, Cadillac, Nissan Dealership is that Kia's do not hold their value very well, actually he said they are the worst on holding their value - so I would buy a nice used one that already has taken the depreciation hit.

 

[BigN8]

I heard the same from a few car salesman. I'm getting a fully loaded 2013 low miles for about $13,500. It's got everything. Moon roof, heated/cool seats, heated steering wheel,...... pretty much everything. Factory 10 year/100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty and the dealer lifetime warranty on engine/transmission.

 

[jawsf16]

What dealer? @BigN8

 

[Danielmailin]

Read fine print for the factory warranty, the 10/100 only applies to first owner, and does not transfer. As for dealer lifetime warranty, do some research on which company they use, I have seen some good ones and many bad extended warranties. Try to get all the maintenence paper work from dealer if avaliable or carfax doc, check if it was a trade in or an auction bought vehicle, stay away from car rental retired vehicles. My 2 cents!

 

[Danielmailin]

Unless is a certified pre-owned, then 10/100 applies.
And have a mechanic fully check the vehicle, dealers do not do a good job in throughly checking used cars or certifying them as pre-own.
Have a mechanic check for:
Any sings of body repairs (even if not shown in carfax)
Allc suspension components, tires shocks bushings, any premature leaks
AND to make sure there is no sings of sludge in engine oil, due to lack of maintenance from previous owner.
They may charge you an hour labor to perform this check or allow you to have your own mechanic due the the inspection.
It's worth doing it to have peace of mind

 

[BigN8]

It's certified preowned