What can Oppo teach me about the Optima

"Dasupersprint - base trim is enough" (dasupersprint)
10/05/2015 at 09:09 • Filed to: None

I may or may not have found a replacement for both the Saab and the Mustang to have a cheaper, bigger and all-year round car. I always liked the Optima. I know it drives like a...car. But what I want to know is if there’s any known problems with it. I found a unicorn manual in a not-boring color so, base 2,4L. Thanks

DISCUSSION (16)

itschrome > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough
10/05/2015 at 09:27

It’s a car. it has 4 wheels, 4 doors, windows and some appointment of tech and semi luxury. but other than that..... it’s a car!

Nibby > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough
10/05/2015 at 09:30

My uncle had a rental one for work a year ago. He said it was “one of the best cars he’s ever driven.”

Then again, he has had a 95 Sentra, ‘03 Rendenzvous...

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > itschrome
10/05/2015 at 09:31

This I know. I want to know if I put 30 000km/year (19 000 miles) on it will it be reliable as a long term car

Sam > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough
10/05/2015 at 09:32

It’s a decent looking car. But other than that, it’s just a car, nothing more. It’s basically a Corolla, for people who are smart enough to do research.

jariten1781 > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough
10/05/2015 at 09:53

Had them for rentals a billion times. They’re not bad, it’d be on my list for sure if I was looking for an appliance car. Haven’t heard anything fatal about them reliability wise...then again, I wouldn't expect to since Kia has their ludicrous warranty so owners don't really feel the impact until the cars are much older/much higher mileage than would be seen by other brands.

TylerJ > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough
10/05/2015 at 09:57

My sister has one with about 70k miles and she hasn’t had any issues. She has the turbocharged version with an automatic, however.

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > jariten1781
10/05/2015 at 10:04

Thanks

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > TylerJ
10/05/2015 at 10:04

thanks

itschrome > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough
10/05/2015 at 10:07

do you intend to take care of it? keep the oil changed, brakes taken care of, tire rotated, any other scheduled maintenance? if yes, then yes it will be fine.. I don’t under stand the question. “Will this basic mass produced car who’s sole purpose to be used as a daily driver/commute car be reliable?” Of course it will man, so long as you take care of it and don’t beat the shit out of it it will be fine. You’re asking about a base KIA not a strung out sports car it will last your forever so long as you take care of it.. same with any other car really, that is not full of unnecessary tech and over complicated mechanical bits.

wiffleballtony > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough
10/05/2015 at 10:12

It’s fine as a standard sedan. I think they look good. Although I would probably choose an Accord or Fusion ahead of it.

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > itschrome
10/05/2015 at 10:15

Yeah, you’re right...I’m just by default scared of cars I don’t know. I always worried about the SAAB, but there must not be any really bad car now

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > wiffleballtony
10/05/2015 at 10:16

Thanks. Accord is on the short list too

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough
10/05/2015 at 10:32

Kinja'd!!!

I had one as a rental car and drove it about 500 miles. I liked it more than I should have. It had decent power from the 2.4l turbo, was very comfortable, easy to drive, a bit of a wallowy suspension, and got decent fuel economy. If priced similar to an Accord or Subaru Legacy I would go up market, if it was less than those types of cars I would be happy driving one.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough
10/05/2015 at 10:32

If no one has posted it yet, the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty might become a 5 year from first owner/unlimited miles warranty when it sells on the used market. I couldn’t find anything on the Kia site about that, but that’s how Hyundai’s works and I assume they’re the same.

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/05/2015 at 11:02

thanks!

PWRandSPD > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough
10/05/2015 at 18:57

I had the cousin, a 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0t. I would put 45k-55k miles per year on it and it was pretty reliable but I was religious about maintaining the car as work paid for the servicing but I was on the hook for the loan. Changed jobs and traded the car in 2014, but it was pretty reliable other than a software update that needed to be done for the electronic blow off valve on the turbo. Unfortunately it took them 4 times to figure that out. Once that issue was resolved, the car had no problems. Granted, it was 3 years old with 160,000 miles +/- on it, 80% highway in New England/New York and Canada. The only thing I hated was it was “just a car” and nothing more. I hated giving up my MKV GTI for that thing, but it was a necessary evil for work.