In Defense of my Kia Optima

"AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams" (absintheminded)
06/27/2016 at 17:00 • Filed to: None

Pictured: Not my car, but it looks really similar.

I daily a Kia Optima. It is a 2013 with about 50k. It has a 6 speed automatic transmission with frustrating flappy paddles. My Optima is white and really hard to keep clean. Like really hard to keep clean. I HATE KEEPING IT CLEAN. It’s “automatic headlight” sensor is dimwitted and thinks I want the headlights on all the time. It comes stock with red painted calipers.

However, I still really like it. I really do. Some people pick on me for choosing something boring for my “dad car”. So in defense of this Korean midsize “performance” sedan. Let me tell you why I like this car:

1) It has the 2.0 Direct Injection Turbo. That’s rated from Kia @ ~270 Hp/ 270 ft.lb of torque. I don’t know or really care about the numbers but when I take it out of “Eco” mode, it is pretty quick.

2) Speaking of the “Eco” Mode, it gives me some damn good gas mileage. My commute is like 30 miles round trip each day and its a mix of city and hwy. I get about 30mpg when I am being “spirited” like the police officer said, I get mid 20s

3) I am 6'7" tall, and I fit!

4) The cooled seats are so good. Seriously. I want them in all my cars from now on.

5) People don’t realize it is a quick as it is. I have had friends that tell me “LOL NICE OPTIMA” until they drive it and change their tune.

6) Everyone drives an Accord. Bah. Although I really wish that it had a manual. :(

7) Maintenance has been awesome. Then again, the warranty is 60k bumper to bumper, 100k powertrain.

8) The Infinity speakers system are actually pretty damn good.

Only thing I would drop the Kia for in a heartbeat is totally not an old E39 Touring 540i 5MT. Oh, or a new V60 Polestar

Ask me whatever you want if you want.

DISCUSSION (21)

Honeybunchesofgoats > AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams
06/27/2016 at 17:05

I’ve never had a car with cooled seats, but it’s the only thing that matters to me in a new car. I don’t even know what it feels like, but I can imagine, and it’s glorious.

Party-vi > AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams
06/27/2016 at 17:07

I enjoyed reading your list of likes, and then you chucked them out the door with your E39 comment. Late ‘90s/early 2000s BMWs are not your friend, people. They will break you.

Ash78, voting early and often > AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams
06/27/2016 at 17:11

I never knew the Optima had any critics. Sure, it's a midsize sedan, but it's definitely on the much more interesting end of the spectrum. At least I always thought so. If Kia would wagonize, it, I'd buy one. I spent some time in a new Sedona recently and their overall materials and construction absolutely pwn3d our Honda.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Party-vi
06/27/2016 at 17:19

Can confirm.

E90M3 > Honeybunchesofgoats
06/27/2016 at 17:34

I had a coworker who had an F150 with cooled seats, he described it as wet bathing suit feeling, we took his truck to lunch cause 3 other engineers didn’t want to ride in a 128i, and that’s exactly how it felt, it was strange.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Honeybunchesofgoats
06/27/2016 at 17:35

This I can confirm. Had them on previous Acura. Glorious.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams
06/27/2016 at 17:36

Well I daily a Fusion, and I totally get what you're saying. It just suits me for the daily grind, it's inexpensive to run, and more than quick enough.

AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams > Party-vi
06/27/2016 at 17:41

I owned a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am with the 4 cyl. I am already broken

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams
06/27/2016 at 18:16

What does the “Eco” mode do? Does it just keep you from ever building boost?

AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
06/27/2016 at 18:23

Sorta. What it does is basically put low RPMS at the top of the ECUs priority list. I’ve noticed when it’s on the car accelerates more sluggishly and races through the gears. Once out of eco mode the car drives and responds much differently. It’s just a button on the steering wheel. I keep it on....most of the time.

AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams > Ash78, voting early and often
06/27/2016 at 18:31

Oh man, the wagon. Kia has teased it but man

Would do this.

Swayze Train GTi > Ash78, voting early and often
06/27/2016 at 19:38

People who are critical of the new Optima are fools entrenched in their outdated manners of thinking. It’s sharp looking inside and out, drives pretty well, and is reliable. Could get a bit better mileage though.

Probenja > AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams
06/27/2016 at 19:49

They already did it though:

Kinja'd!!!

jminer > AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams
06/27/2016 at 21:25

No need to defend it. It’s a decent car and the Korean manufacturers have come a long way. Cooled seats sound fantastic (it’s been nearly 100 here for the last 2 weeks) !

Take it from a guy that has numerous interesting vehicles (2 wheel and 4 wheel) and has to regularly steal his wife’s Ford Flex that is ridiculously comfortable and always gets him to work on time, rain or shine...

shop-teacher > AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams
06/27/2016 at 22:39

I think they’re good looking cars. I thought about buying one. Glad you like it.

boxrocket > AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams
06/27/2016 at 23:00

Do you have to do transmission flushes every 30k miles?

AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams > jminer
06/28/2016 at 08:01

You are telling me. I live in NE Atlanta and it has been insanely hot here recently. My wife tells me we are taking the Kia more often than not.

AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams > boxrocket
06/28/2016 at 08:05

Surprisingly not. I have asked the dealer a few times when I’ve gotten the car checked, and they said I don’t need to have it done. They recommended that the trans fluid be changed at 100k-125k.

So far so good!

Party-vi > AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams
06/28/2016 at 12:04

There’s “broke” and then there’s “BMW broke”

AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams > Party-vi
06/28/2016 at 12:45

Fair enough.

It’s crazy actually, I have a friend call me last night for help and is coming over this weekend to fix his 525 E39 because it is a “German Hunk of Shit” to use his title. Not sure what we are doing but he promised me bloody knuckles and lots of cussing. Should be fun.

Ferdinand Adlersflügel > AbsintheMinded: NeonHeatDreams
06/30/2016 at 00:18

It’s a good car that looks decently nice. Also, I think you might be one of the tallest people on Oppo while I am probably the shortest. I am ... 4'9"!