Kia: K5/Optima News
hail to the victors
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,498
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From: chicago
my friend bought a loaded sonata GLS for 21k OTD. yes, tax, title and everything. with nav and all the goodies!
optima will most likely be $500-$1000 cheaper than sonata. i can't imagine kia being more $ than its sister. and it's kia. they will throw all kinds of rebates and dealer incentives at you. try buying kia borrego or sorento. you will end up pinching yourself.
Registered Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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@ Optima...
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,282
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From: SoCal
Just saw this car this evening driving north on PCH in Newport Beach with Michigan plates on it. Even better in person. Anyone in OC look out for a dark silver/grey Optima spec'd as shown in the picture.
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but it looks VERY similar to a Jaguar XF on the road...especially the side/rear profile. One of my best buds drives an XF and I was shocked at the similarities. I told my wife "hey look at that Kia Optima over there" (two lanes over). She said, "that's a Kia??" with a shocked look on her face. "I thought that was some sort of sports car..."
Pretty sweet...even better looking than a Sonata...Kia is on a roll...
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but it looks VERY similar to a Jaguar XF on the road...especially the side/rear profile. One of my best buds drives an XF and I was shocked at the similarities. I told my wife "hey look at that Kia Optima over there" (two lanes over). She said, "that's a Kia??" with a shocked look on her face. "I thought that was some sort of sports car..."
Pretty sweet...even better looking than a Sonata...Kia is on a roll...
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2008
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This thing is just extension of Accord coupe with 4 doors. Just the behind is Jaquar XF. Accord has that square agressive lines not like rounded oversize doors of Lexus IS/GS. Lexus/Optima designs are for women. They are not brutish enough.
Last edited by SSFTSX; Jul 25, 2010 at 12:36 PM.
My first Avatar....
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 32,437
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From: NJ
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
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Also, the Optima takes its headlight cues from the Kia Kue concept which dates back to 2006 - so I guess that means the Accord coupe is a rip off of Kia (lol!).
And the rear/taillights only has a passing resemblance to the XJ, unlike the taillight designs of say - the Civic, MDX and RDX which all have a very Audi-ish flavor (I guess that means Peter Schreyer should be pissed).
Last edited by YEH; Jul 27, 2010 at 01:01 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,581
Likes: 64
That's funny considering the Accord sedan's front fascia has a resemblance to the 2007 Sonata (not to mention the Accord's take on the BMW greenhouse/Hofmeister kink).
Also, the Optima takes its headlight cues from the Kia Kue concept which dates back to 2006 - so I guess that means the Accord coupe is a rip off of Kia (lol!).
And the rear/taillights only has a passing resemblance to the XJ, unlike the taillight designs of say - the Civic, MDX and RDX which all have a very Audi-ish flavor (I guess that means Peter Schreyer should be pissed).
Also, the Optima takes its headlight cues from the Kia Kue concept which dates back to 2006 - so I guess that means the Accord coupe is a rip off of Kia (lol!).
And the rear/taillights only has a passing resemblance to the XJ, unlike the taillight designs of say - the Civic, MDX and RDX which all have a very Audi-ish flavor (I guess that means Peter Schreyer should be pissed).
look at those timeing of Accord Accord Coupe especially near and above 100mph. It is as fast as BMW 535. and that witout HFP package that lowers the coupe height by 1 inch with sport suspension & still pull 0.85b
No other car can generate such performance from 268bhp/248 ft-torque for its size. This needs some serious aerodynamic testing.
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezfl...bc73f00eba.pdf
Senior Moderator
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 47,710
Likes: 801
From: Toronto, Canada
I cant believe ur still raising this issue. Honda has the world hightest reliability and longetivity. and i mean on World level. and for that level of reliability and longetivity. it needs years of testing. so when current Accord was introducted in summer of 2007. Shape would have been in testing for years ahead of time. probably some where in 2003-2004.
look at those timeing of Accord Accord Coupe especially near and above 100mph. It is as fast as BMW 535. and that witout HFP package that lowers the coupe height by 1 inch with sport suspension & still pull 0.85b
No other car can generate such performance from 268bhp/248 ft-torque for its size. This needs some serious aerodynamic testing.
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezfl...bc73f00eba.pdf
look at those timeing of Accord Accord Coupe especially near and above 100mph. It is as fast as BMW 535. and that witout HFP package that lowers the coupe height by 1 inch with sport suspension & still pull 0.85b
No other car can generate such performance from 268bhp/248 ft-torque for its size. This needs some serious aerodynamic testing.
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezfl...bc73f00eba.pdf
Thank you!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 973
Likes: 115
I cant believe ur still raising this issue. Honda has the world hightest reliability and longetivity. and i mean on World level. and for that level of reliability and longetivity. it needs years of testing. so when current Accord was introducted in summer of 2007. Shape would have been in testing for years ahead of time. probably some where in 2003-2004.
look at those timeing of Accord Accord Coupe especially near and above 100mph. It is as fast as BMW 535. and that witout HFP package that lowers the coupe height by 1 inch with sport suspension & still pull 0.85b
No other car can generate such performance from 268bhp/248 ft-torque for its size. This needs some serious aerodynamic testing.
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezfl...bc73f00eba.pdf
look at those timeing of Accord Accord Coupe especially near and above 100mph. It is as fast as BMW 535. and that witout HFP package that lowers the coupe height by 1 inch with sport suspension & still pull 0.85b
No other car can generate such performance from 268bhp/248 ft-torque for its size. This needs some serious aerodynamic testing.
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezfl...bc73f00eba.pdf
Also, one could say the same thing about Hyundai (or any other auto manufacturer) testing their prototypes/preproduction models; and often exterior styling can be changed irrespective of testing of the powertrain/drivetrain and other underpinnings (see Honda deciding to delay the Civic likely to make cosmetic changes).
And blah, blah, blah about Honda quality.
Yes, Honda has good quality (aside from certain transmission and other issues from time to time), but it's not like other auto manufacturers don't as well (when was the last time Honda or Acura topped JD Power Reliability Rankings?).
Heck, AutoBild just awarded Hyundai the top place in its Quality Report for 2010.
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...22/488312.html
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,581
Likes: 64
Uhh, how can I be the one "still raising" the issue when you were the one who initially brought about the styling accusations (regardless, my point that your accusation is fraudulent still stands).
Also, one could say the same thing about Hyundai (or any other auto manufacturer) testing their prototypes/preproduction models; and often exterior styling can be changed irrespective of testing of the powertrain/drivetrain and other underpinnings (see Honda deciding to delay the Civic likely to make cosmetic changes).
And blah, blah, blah about Honda quality.
Yes, Honda has good quality (aside from certain transmission and other issues from time to time), but it's not like other auto manufacturers don't as well (when was the last time Honda or Acura topped JD Power Reliability Rankings?).
Heck, AutoBild just awarded Hyundai the top place in its Quality Report for 2010.
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...22/488312.html
Also, one could say the same thing about Hyundai (or any other auto manufacturer) testing their prototypes/preproduction models; and often exterior styling can be changed irrespective of testing of the powertrain/drivetrain and other underpinnings (see Honda deciding to delay the Civic likely to make cosmetic changes).
And blah, blah, blah about Honda quality.
Yes, Honda has good quality (aside from certain transmission and other issues from time to time), but it's not like other auto manufacturers don't as well (when was the last time Honda or Acura topped JD Power Reliability Rankings?).
Heck, AutoBild just awarded Hyundai the top place in its Quality Report for 2010.
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...22/488312.html
and initial quality is not same thing as reliability and longetivity. Audi routinely wins awards for higher grade quality materials. Honda has recently UK long term JD award for family car.
Punk Rocker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,579
Likes: 79
From: St Simons Island, GA
Civic delay has nothing to do with styling change but more with making it lighter and more fuel efficient. Honda does not change styling that much as every thing goes through wind tunnel for the most efficient Cd for its size and safety.
and initial quality is not same thing as reliability and longetivity. Audi routinely wins awards for higher grade quality materials. Honda has recently UK long term JD award for family car.
and initial quality is not same thing as reliability and longetivity. Audi routinely wins awards for higher grade quality materials. Honda has recently UK long term JD award for family car.
:thumbsdow: 
The sizzle in the Steak
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 71,436
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From: Southern California
Senior Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Chicago Burbs
2011 Kia Optima configurator goes live with estimated pricing starting at $18,495*
The 2011 Kia Optima doesn't go on sale until sometime this Fall, but the configurator is now live on Kia.com. The new Optima brings Kia design to a whole new level, with a sleek coupe-like profile that should be backed up by some pretty impressive performance when equipped with the new 2.0-liter direct-injected turbo.
Kia hasn't released official pricing yet for the new Optima, but in an odd move, it is listing estimated prices on the configurator. The base, 200-horsepower 2.4-liter LX model with a six-speed manual is listed at an affordable $18,495 (*sans destination charges, which are likely to add $695), while the least expensive model with the 274-hp 2.0T engine is the $23,895 EX. A maxed-out SX with the premium and technology packages comes in just shy of $30K, which actually strikes us as pretty reasonable based on what we've seen so far of the car. That means that the 2011 model is more expensive that the staid but surprisingly competent current model (which starts at $17,995), but we're thinking the better-looking sheetmetal is worth it alone, not to mention all of the other equipment and material upgrades. Appreciate the tip, Matt!
Kia hasn't released official pricing yet for the new Optima, but in an odd move, it is listing estimated prices on the configurator. The base, 200-horsepower 2.4-liter LX model with a six-speed manual is listed at an affordable $18,495 (*sans destination charges, which are likely to add $695), while the least expensive model with the 274-hp 2.0T engine is the $23,895 EX. A maxed-out SX with the premium and technology packages comes in just shy of $30K, which actually strikes us as pretty reasonable based on what we've seen so far of the car. That means that the 2011 model is more expensive that the staid but surprisingly competent current model (which starts at $17,995), but we're thinking the better-looking sheetmetal is worth it alone, not to mention all of the other equipment and material upgrades. Appreciate the tip, Matt!
