Kia Optima

Tweaky · 10-11-2016 01:23PM #1

Currently looking to change my car and one that has really got my interest is the Kia Optima. Went to look at the new Sportswagon but while I liked the look of it I was disapointed by the Spec level that they are offering. It is their entry level spec with a small few extras. Kia don't let you tick options so what you see in the showroom is all you can get.
The platinum spec of the Saloon is the other option which comes fully loaded and has full leather and Xenon fronts and LED rear. Very impressed with the overall package.
Is there anybody on here that has the current model - would really appreciate your thoughts and feedback on the car - running costs , fuel efficiency etc.
The 7 year warranty is a big plus - but one concern I would have is residual values - do they depreciate rapidly ?

bazz26 · 10-11-2016 02:00PM

Bob Flavin does a decent review of it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXuLWdNk8gE

The Optima seems to get over looked by it's sister car the Hyundai i40 despite the Optima being fresher. Kia launched the new Optima here back earlier in the year and being honest I don't think many knew it, it also looks very similar to the old model though the interior definitely has improved. Kia's marketing and market share drive at least in Ireland generally isn't the same as sister company Hyundai. That stance can have both pros and cons though.

Tweaky · 16-11-2016 12:23PM

Took the Optima - Platinum spec for a test drive and must admit I was well impressed. I found the drive nice and smooth even on the 18 inch wheels. I found the engine responsive and the 141bhp seems to be enough for this size of car. No excessive road noise and did not notice any issues with the steering that some reviewers have referred to.
The toys and extras at the platimum level are more than enough. the only thing I am trying to get confirmation on is that it will have android auto like the sportswagon does - they seem to use the same head unit and infotainment system.
The only open item for me is understanding the resale values in 3 years and seeing what kind of hit I would be taking. Anyone here any indication or experience of the resale/ trade in values of the Optima.

NIMAN · 16-11-2016 12:33PM

Not sure if you can use this experience as gospel, but a friend of mine bought a new Kia a few years back, and said he struggled to find non-Kia dealers who were willing to trade it in when he was looking to change.

Now this might have changed in the meantime, as Kia has got a lot more popular and got a better reputation as car manufacturers since then. There might also have been an element of an unwritten rule where the other dealers were a bit miffed about the 7yr warranty and lower costs cars, and wanted to be as difficult as possible to Kia owners, trying to damage the brand.

Mantis Toboggan · 17-11-2016 05:32PM

The Optima is a very nice looking car.

A guy from work has a white one and it's sex on wheels.

The resale value has improved over the years also especially since the 7 year warranty was introduced.

Currently have a Pro_Ceed but would have no problem buying another Kia.

ofcork · 17-11-2016 05:46PM

Are they more expensive than the avensis mondeo etc have seen them stickered at 32k odd in j&p cork.

bazz26 · 17-11-2016 06:10PM

You would be hard pressed to find an Avensis or Mondeo with the same spec for the same price as the Optima.

Tweaky · 17-11-2016 11:52PM

All the feedback here seems to be positive. Nothing to frighten me so far. As mentioned you would be hard pushed to get the same level of kit for the price in another brand. The superb used to be the value car with all the extras but they have gotten very expensive. Coming out of a 2014 Superb elegance and finding it is big money to go to a new one.

bazz26 · 18-11-2016 12:29AM

Yep Skoda are no longer the bargain brand they were a few years ago. The new Superb is nearly the same price as an equivalent specced Passat but to be fair it's just as good.

NIMAN · 18-11-2016 09:22AM

And to be fair, Kia aren't really far behind the bigger name brands either now.

There was a time they were much cheaper, but I was looking at the price of the Ceed the other day, and its fairly similar to a Focus, Astra, Leon now.

Tweaky · 18-11-2016 09:40AM

Yeah there has been a nice increase in Superb pricing over the last couple of years since the new model came out. € 17k to come up to an equivalent spec from 141 to 171 - a lot higher than I was expecting and to be fair to the sales guy he said I wasn't the first person to be surprised. But you do get what you pay for. The Optima has the same spec as the superb that I was looking at plus a few extras and leaves me with €6k in my pocket. It's hard to overlook it especially when it has a longer warranty.

colm_mcm · 18-11-2016 07:36PM

Look at the mondeo too.

bazz26 · 18-11-2016 08:58PM

In order to match the spec of a Platinum Optima in a Mondeo you would nearly have to buy the Vignale version at well over 40k. Yes the Mondeo has a better range of engines and dynamically would be a better car to drive than the Optima but a new Mondeo is not great value these days imo, even leather seats are nearly 2k extra on the Titanium model.

Tweaky · 18-11-2016 11:35PM

Actually priced up the mondeo today starting with the titanium spec and it was getting expensive. When I started adding options. At this point the Kia is the front runner.

colm_mcm · 19-11-2016 12:12AM

The Optima is a fine car. Does it have the glass roof?

Tweaky · 19-11-2016 12:25AM

The platinum spec doesn't. You have to go up to the GSE spec for that. The new GT line has it as well.

colm_mcm · 19-11-2016 12:26AM

I think the glass roof makes them. Probably not what you want to hear

The look the biz in that bright blue on the original model or in white.

Tweaky · 19-11-2016 12:42AM

The glass roof was not high on my wish list. I have heard of issues with the seals on them after a couple of years.
Colour wise I'm thinking the gravity blue. The chrome on the car shows up well against it. Not a huge fan of white cars myself.

colm_mcm · 19-11-2016 12:47AM

Do they do the temptation red in Ireland? Looks like the Mazda red

elperello · 19-11-2016 12:55AM

Tweaky wrote: »

Yeah there has been a nice increase in Superb pricing over the last couple of years since the new model came out. € 17k to come up to an equivalent spec from 141 to 171 - a lot higher than I was expecting and to be fair to the sales guy he said I wasn't the first person to be surprised. But you do get what you pay for. The Optima has the same spec as the superb that I was looking at plus a few extras and leaves me with €6k in my pocket. It's hard to overlook it especially when it has a longer warranty.

Is that 17k to change for exactly the same spec and month? Seems very high when your car would be an easy seller for the dealer. Did you try another Skoda dealer?

bazz26 · 19-11-2016 02:18AM

elperello wrote: »

Is that 17k to change for exactly the same spec and month? Seems very high when your car would be an easy seller for the dealer. Did you try another Skoda dealer?

That's going to be in or around the money you will spend to trade up from a 3 year old Mk2 Superb to a brand new Mk3 Superb.

elperello · 19-11-2016 02:00PM

bazz26 wrote: »

That's going to be in or around the money you will spend to trade up from a 3 year old Mk2 Superb to a brand new Mk3 Superb.

Seems a lot to me.That adds up to €109 per week just in depreciation, never mind the cost of the finance if you are not paying cash.

bazz26 · 19-11-2016 02:02PM

elperello wrote: »

Seems a lot to me.That adds up to €109 per week just in depreciation, never mind the cost of the finance if you are not paying cash.

New cars cost alot of money these days. The days for trading up for a couple of grand per year are well gone. If depreciation is a major issue then buying brand new is the wrong choice.

elperello · 19-11-2016 02:07PM

bazz26 wrote: »

New cars cost alot of money these days. The days for trading up for a couple of grand per year are well gone. If depreciation is a major issue then buying brand new is the wrong choice.

You are probably right. I'm just showing my age!
I wasn't expecting couple of grand but over 5.5 grand per year is saucy for ordinary family cars.

bazz26 · 19-11-2016 02:11PM

Yep, every time they launch a new model the price increases over the old model so the gap just gets wider to trade up.

Tweaky · 19-11-2016 03:33PM

elperello wrote: »

You are probably right. I'm just showing my age!
I wasn't expecting couple of grand but over 5.5 grand per year is saucy for ordinary family cars.

I'm with you. I had a benchmark of €4k per year when I went out looking. So when I got those numbers I was shocked. List price has increased nearly €3k when comparing the mark 2 to the mark 3 so I have to bridge that gap as well. The €17k was same spec to same spec. To come up to a bigger engine I was looking at another €1.5k. That was all before I added a few options.

elperello · 19-11-2016 03:38PM

There is some sort of "because I'm worth it" marketing strategy going on with Skoda at present. They appear to be going upmarket. Time will tell if they can pull it off.

carsfan2 · 19-11-2016 08:14PM

Cost of new cars in general is creeping up all the time I think. Whenever new model is launched the price goes up a bit it seems and manufacturers say extra features efficiency etc. To blame.
This is partly why pcp is getting more popular as people can't save up anymore to get money together for even regular family cars.

Ardennes1944 · 19-11-2016 09:09PM

Parents just put down a deposit on a 2017 one of these today in high spec, heated steering wheel and all if im being told correctly!
Seems a very nice car all round I must say.

blackbox · 19-11-2016 10:05PM

Tweaky wrote: »

The glass roof was not high on my wish list. I have heard of issues with the seals on them after a couple of years.
Colour wise I'm thinking the gravity blue. The chrome on the car shows up well against it. Not a huge fan of white cars myself.

I have a 2013 Platinum model with the glass roof. It makes the cabin really nice and airy, especially needed with the black seats. Unfortunately mine has developed a small but annoying rattle that the dealer has only been able to repair temporarily.

I'll be seriously considering replacing it with the new model next year.

.

Tweaky · 20-11-2016 06:47PM

blackbox wrote: »

I have a 2013 Platinum model with the glass roof. It makes the cabin really nice and airy, especially needed with the black seats. Unfortunately mine has developed a small but annoying rattle that the dealer has only been able to repair temporarily.

I'll be seriously considering replacing it with the new model next year.

.

That says a lot for the car and the brand that people like yourself are considering a like for like replacement. I actually placed the order for mine today,

Kia Optima

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