New car time!
#41
My first Avatar....
#42
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
I like the new Optima but not more than a G37
#43
Drifting
The Kia is good. Are you leasing or buyiing?
If intending leasing, I would really recommend that you find a car you can afford to actually buy instead. The one exception to this rule of thumb is if you have a business to write off that lease.
If intending leasing, I would really recommend that you find a car you can afford to actually buy instead. The one exception to this rule of thumb is if you have a business to write off that lease.
#44
Punk Rocker
Thread Starter
Not leasing this time. I also agree that the G37 > Optima but I'm trying to lower my payment and I still really like the Kia.
As far as the Accord goes, it is very nice inside if a bit boring outside. Thing that kills it is price. Fully loaded the Accord was sitting at $35k while I can get an Optima SX loaded for $5k less.
Also looking into the new Fusion.
As far as the Accord goes, it is very nice inside if a bit boring outside. Thing that kills it is price. Fully loaded the Accord was sitting at $35k while I can get an Optima SX loaded for $5k less.
Also looking into the new Fusion.
#45
05/5AT/Navi/ABP/Quartz
Not leasing this time. I also agree that the G37 > Optima but I'm trying to lower my payment and I still really like the Kia.
As far as the Accord goes, it is very nice inside if a bit boring outside. Thing that kills it is price. Fully loaded the Accord was sitting at $35k while I can get an Optima SX loaded for $5k less.
Also looking into the new Fusion.
As far as the Accord goes, it is very nice inside if a bit boring outside. Thing that kills it is price. Fully loaded the Accord was sitting at $35k while I can get an Optima SX loaded for $5k less.
Also looking into the new Fusion.
Did you test drive the 4 cyl Manuel?
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is300eater (11-16-2012)
#47
Punk Rocker
Thread Starter
Kia's also offering $2k in competitive bonus cash so I figure if I can get them to $29000 - $2k I could get a fully loaded SX for $27k +ttl. Pretty good deal no?
#48
אני עומד עם ישראל
Is just buying out the G37 an option?
#49
Punk Rocker
Thread Starter
OK so I am probably going to make an offer of $29k OTD for a 2013 Optima SX this weekend. Please list off any other 4 door cars around $30k that might be better just so I can be sure I haven't missed anything...
#51
S E L L
#54
Advanced
The interior quality of the Jetta is a major JUMP down from your infiniti...they do drive nice and the tdi gets great MPG (my dad has one). I like the optima but you should take it for a long test drive with no music/climate control on and listen to the road noise and the sound of the engine etc etc. I have looked at the optima, sportage, and sorento to replace my 06 TL and the refinement of each of those was too much of a step down from acura/infiniti for me to stomach just to have a new car.
#57
Team Owner
Mine was fully loaded 6mt with $1000 drive off , 15k miles a year $500 with tax included.
Go lease another G Sedan... you can get 1 with 0 drive off.. $350 with tax included
#59
Id personally get the gen coupe over the BRZ. I prefer the oomph over subtle handling differences on the street, but thats imo.
I'd go with the Gen Coupe. I too am in the market for a new car, my lease with the V6 TSX is coming up next April. I was looking @ the Genesis
I'd go with the Gen Coupe. I too am in the market for a new car, my lease with the V6 TSX is coming up next April. I was looking @ the Genesis
#63
Punk Rocker
Thread Starter
No, I'm still in the car decision stage. Unfortunately I don't really have a passion for anything right now. I do really like the Optima but I'm not obsessed with it like I was the G when I got it. Of course I'm not really big into cars now like I was a few years ago.
I did check out the 2012 Civic Si today and I quite like it (some of you may remember I had an 06 Civic Si back in the day). It's actually pretty good looking in coupe form (the sedan is hideous) and I would love to have another Honda 6MT. It would also save me even more money considering that the fully loaded nav model I saw today was only $24k.
I dunno, lots of choices out there but nothing really grabbing me at the moment...
I did check out the 2012 Civic Si today and I quite like it (some of you may remember I had an 06 Civic Si back in the day). It's actually pretty good looking in coupe form (the sedan is hideous) and I would love to have another Honda 6MT. It would also save me even more money considering that the fully loaded nav model I saw today was only $24k.
I dunno, lots of choices out there but nothing really grabbing me at the moment...
#64
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
There's no way I would go from a 4-door to a 2-door unless it was a weekend car.
#65
Punk Rocker
Thread Starter
Yeah, I really do want a 4 door but the Civic sedan is way too hideous for me to ever own. The plus side is that the Civic coupe is so cheap that I could keep my Expedition for when I need a bigger vehicle...
#66
Moderator
#68
#69
#70
Three Wheelin'
Have you extensively driven the Optima? I had one as a rental car and the steering is probably one of the worst I have ever experienced. Everything else about the car was nice from the exterior looks to the interior feel.
But honestly, the steering was so notchy and every correction required 2 addt'l corrections just to fix the first correction! I almost went bonkers driving this thing on the highway for 300 miles.
Maybe it was just the rental car I got and it was beat from other drivers, who knows.
My opinion is skewed but on that list a used 335 with a warranty is the best mix of luxury, performance and gas mileage while being in the mid to low 20s.
But honestly, the steering was so notchy and every correction required 2 addt'l corrections just to fix the first correction! I almost went bonkers driving this thing on the highway for 300 miles.
Maybe it was just the rental car I got and it was beat from other drivers, who knows.
My opinion is skewed but on that list a used 335 with a warranty is the best mix of luxury, performance and gas mileage while being in the mid to low 20s.
#71
Punk Rocker
Thread Starter
ILX is too much $$$. I really am digging the Civic Si coupe. Seems like the best car for $23k out there so far (plus the little imid screen is pretty cool)...
#72
The Third Ball
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Wait for the 2013....the current gen Si is a fucking joke. The quality of the interior SUCKS...especially compared to the 8th...and the GTI rip off fabric of the seats is vomit inducing...and of course the interior design. The 80's called, they want it back.
#73
Punk Rocker
Thread Starter
I drove the SI this morning and all I can say is.......meh. I mean, the little imid screen and the 3d looking dash gauges look great but every plastic surface looks horribly cheap and the headliner is an absolute travesty (looks like it came out of an 80's Elantra). I just can't see me being happy for long in a car so obviously designed by accountants and bean counters even if it was fantastic fun to rip through the gears in a Honda 6MT once again.
Back to square one...
Back to square one...
#77
Moderator
I drove the SI this morning and all I can say is.......meh. I mean, the little imid screen and the 3d looking dash gauges look great but every plastic surface looks horribly cheap and the headliner is an absolute travesty (looks like it came out of an 80's Elantra). I just can't see me being happy for long in a car so obviously designed by accountants and bean counters even if it was fantastic fun to rip through the gears in a Honda 6MT once again.
Back to square one...
Back to square one...
#78
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
#79
Moderator
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CLtotheTL32 (11-22-2012)
#80
You'll Never Walk Alone
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With the recent EPA fuel economy issue with Kia and Hyundai...I'd hesitate with buying any of their vehicles at this moment..even if the Optima isn't in the list of affected vehicles.
On the other hand, it's probably because of the above reason along with the fact that the Optima is in its 4th model year that makes the car cheaper now.
My other concern is, other than the EPA "mistake," are there any other "mistakes" with the car? Hyundai made a "mistake" with rating horsepower before too....
Out of your car list, I'd pick the following (in order): used 335i, new Mustang GT, new Genesis coupe.
You mentioned that the Accord V6 sedan doesn't come with 6MT. I don't think the Optima has MT as an option in any of trim level.
You also mentioned a fully loaded Accord V6 sedan is about $5k more than a fully loaded Optima. I think that's mainly because the Accord is a Honda, it's a brand new model, and
it doesn't have the EPA investigation issue. Also, the new Accord is quite nicely equipped with things like LED headlights, lane change camera, etc. I think it's fuel economy is also on par, if not better than the Optima, while offering the luxury of a proper V6 engine. And then there's also the issue of resale value if you decide to buy the car. One nice thing about the Accord V6 6AT is that pretty much the fastest mid-size FWD family sedan right now (C/D got 0-60mph in 5.6s, 1/4 mile in 14.1s@101mph). Based on the 1/4 mile trap speed, you won't lose much performance with the Accord V6 6AT when compared to your G37 or IS350.
I'd also take a look at the ILX 2.4 if you want a smaller sedan with a bit of performance and a proper 6MT and you are okay with the look. The msrp is $29.2k but it seems like dealers are willing to sell for less.
Have you seen the 2013 Civic? It looks much nicer than the 2012 model. Perhaps if you can wait, it might be a good idea to check out what sort of changes are made to the 2013 si coupe too.
I'd definitely consider the BR-Z/FR-S before considering the Genesis coupe. I feel that the Genesis coupe is more of a stripped down G37. It's not much lighter and doesn't have much more power. On the other hand, it seems like you want "new blood" and the BR-Z/FR-S IMO certainly deliver on that. It's one of the most fun to drive cars in its price range and fits your budget. It's got 6MT as well with a semi-high revving engine.
On the other hand, it's probably because of the above reason along with the fact that the Optima is in its 4th model year that makes the car cheaper now.
My other concern is, other than the EPA "mistake," are there any other "mistakes" with the car? Hyundai made a "mistake" with rating horsepower before too....
Out of your car list, I'd pick the following (in order): used 335i, new Mustang GT, new Genesis coupe.
You mentioned that the Accord V6 sedan doesn't come with 6MT. I don't think the Optima has MT as an option in any of trim level.
You also mentioned a fully loaded Accord V6 sedan is about $5k more than a fully loaded Optima. I think that's mainly because the Accord is a Honda, it's a brand new model, and
it doesn't have the EPA investigation issue. Also, the new Accord is quite nicely equipped with things like LED headlights, lane change camera, etc. I think it's fuel economy is also on par, if not better than the Optima, while offering the luxury of a proper V6 engine. And then there's also the issue of resale value if you decide to buy the car. One nice thing about the Accord V6 6AT is that pretty much the fastest mid-size FWD family sedan right now (C/D got 0-60mph in 5.6s, 1/4 mile in 14.1s@101mph). Based on the 1/4 mile trap speed, you won't lose much performance with the Accord V6 6AT when compared to your G37 or IS350.
I'd also take a look at the ILX 2.4 if you want a smaller sedan with a bit of performance and a proper 6MT and you are okay with the look. The msrp is $29.2k but it seems like dealers are willing to sell for less.
Have you seen the 2013 Civic? It looks much nicer than the 2012 model. Perhaps if you can wait, it might be a good idea to check out what sort of changes are made to the 2013 si coupe too.
I'd definitely consider the BR-Z/FR-S before considering the Genesis coupe. I feel that the Genesis coupe is more of a stripped down G37. It's not much lighter and doesn't have much more power. On the other hand, it seems like you want "new blood" and the BR-Z/FR-S IMO certainly deliver on that. It's one of the most fun to drive cars in its price range and fits your budget. It's got 6MT as well with a semi-high revving engine.