2003 Kia Optima SE V6 from North America
Summary:
Very dependable vehicle even after 17 years
Faults:
Wear and tear only. Radiator, coil, coolant tubing replaced after 200k+ miles. I recently replaced the valve cover gaskets. Cover had no sludge at all!
Replaced timing belts and water pump close to schedule. Oil changes between 5k and 6k. I usually did it. The 2.7 V6 may burn a half a quart of oil by 5k miles. I have an 06 Sedona with 284,000 miles and it burns less than the Optima with similar replacement schedule.
I don’t understand why Toyota’s, Honda’s, Acura’s etc all have excessive oil burning issues.
General Comments:
Solid mechanically.
Minor electrical glitches with the radio until the antenna was replaced.
The ABS light has been on for years.
Unless the battery was left in too long, the car has always started, completed every trip and gets decent MPG.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 24th November, 2020
26th Apr 2021, 15:30
Interesting point on the oil burning issue. Years ago I had an oil burning VW Jetta, and a Toyota Avensis, went to the dealer and they said this was normal, even though they had low miles. No leaks, smoke or problems, just oil consumption was excessive in my opinion, had to top up now and then.
In later years I had older high mileage cars that did not use any oil at all between services, so it is weird. Can a mechanic/engineer comment on this?