Kia: Optima Purchase

"tww1491" <net> wrote in message
news:iGXjq.2204$iad... 

All I can tell you is wife's '02 Optima V6 now has 140,000 on the odometer &
has been the most maintenance free care we've ever owned. After initial new
car issues, specifically window regulators, the car ran trouble free until
over 100,000 miles. Both the input & output sensors for the automatic
transmission had to be replaced, plus the factory radio. And then.......
nothing. In our experience, KIA stands for:

K eeping
I t
A ffordable

Rich

tww1491 wrote: 

I have an 06 Kia Spectra with 65000 miles on it. Non turbo.
So far I have had to replace both license plate light
bulbs and one headlight bulb. Nothing else has gone wrong
with it. It is probably the easiest car to work on that I have
ever owned. Also, the most synergistic. And has the best
factory stereo I have ever had - no reason to get a better stereo.
My one complaint is low gas mileage.
Around town I get 24 mpg, highway 28 mpg.
Flat freeway using cruise, 31 mpg.
No alignment problems.

tww1491 wrote: 

I was very pleased with my 03 Kia Sorento bought in 2005 from a Kia
dealer used with about 20K miles on it. Then it got older. Electrical
problems galore. Refused warranty because it was a demonstrator or
loaner by the first dealer. (I can explain later, if you want) Rusted
thru rear brake line at 80000 miles! (Always garaged) (Warranty is only
62000 miles in Canada. Now dash lights out most of the time, for about 2
years. Refused to fix bad antenna connection while still under warranty.
Most Kia parts are AT LEAST twice the price of name brand replacements
at a parts store. I will have to repair the connector in the heater
controls again. It's like a PCI bus connector for the computer savvy -
not for the rigors of an automobile. Spark plugs replacement time on its
fore-and-aft V6 is 2 and a half hours. Fuel pump is $500, part only.
Timing belt coming up soon at $500. (It's an interference engine.)
Dealer offered $5000 for my trade, but only charged me $1800 more on a
cash deal a week later.
NEVER AGAIN!! Still got the factory spark plugs in it, though. Somebody
is going to have fun getting those out.
It's a "kit" car. Hyundai engine, Nissan transmission, Eaton axles,
BorgWarner xfer case, Delco radio etc. Lucas?
Try a Google search on "kia sucks". What does KIA stand for, anyways?

I hope to trade up to a nice used Yugo.
Beware.

"name" wrote in message news:N4frq.5273$iad...

tww1491 wrote: 

I was very pleased with my 03 Kia Sorento bought in 2005 from a Kia
dealer used with about 20K miles on it. Then it got older. Electrical
problems galore. Refused warranty because it was a demonstrator or
loaner by the first dealer. (I can explain later, if you want) Rusted
thru rear brake line at 80000 miles! (Always garaged) (Warranty is only
62000 miles in Canada. Now dash lights out most of the time, for about 2
years. Refused to fix bad antenna connection while still under warranty.
Most Kia parts are AT LEAST twice the price of name brand replacements
at a parts store. I will have to repair the connector in the heater
controls again. It's like a PCI bus connector for the computer savvy -
not for the rigors of an automobile. Spark plugs replacement time on its
fore-and-aft V6 is 2 and a half hours. Fuel pump is $500, part only.
Timing belt coming up soon at $500. (It's an interference engine.)
Dealer offered $5000 for my trade, but only charged me $1800 more on a
cash deal a week later.
NEVER AGAIN!! Still got the factory spark plugs in it, though. Somebody
is going to have fun getting those out.
It's a "kit" car. Hyundai engine, Nissan transmission, Eaton axles,
BorgWarner xfer case, Delco radio etc. Lucas?
Try a Google search on "kia sucks". What does KIA stand for, anyways?

I hope to trade up to a nice used Yugo.
Beware.

Thanks for the input. I remember the Yuga -- a fiat by any name.

On Oct 30, 11:38*am, name <net> wrote: 

500 for a timing belt? You are an optimist. Maybe at a private shop.
I'm not sold on KIA yet either. But they have improved. I believe even
the new one are interference engines and have a 60k spec on the TB.
Normally one would stretch that 60k into 90k if it were
noninterference.

Optima's due for a refresh in 2013. I'd at least wait for that. These
are the test run optimas coming off a total refresh. Updated versions
are always better.