3rd Jan 2006, 14:49

I've got a 2004 Optima with 26k miles on it. Never had a problem. Does anyone remember when Honda came out? Or even Toyota? Hyundai owns 51% of Kia... and Hyundai is now rated very highly (especially the Sonata, which is the Optima twin) in safety, ownership, performance, etc.

16th Apr 2006, 16:57

In September of 2003 my wife and I went to a local Kia dealer to see about the 'buy on get one free deal'. She already told me she wanted an optima. I researched the car and was against it. (I took her to other brand dealerships instead.) We purchased a 2003 SE-V6 optima. I didn't want it nor did I like driving it at first. I have since changed my mind about her car. It runs well, handles decent, gets decent mileage (Japanese cars do better) and it sounds good. (I have a ford focus ZTW). The only problem we have encountered was caused by the dealer having the new guy install replacement trim into the console. he broke the shifter. There are about 33000 miles on the car today.

20th May 2006, 11:23

I worked for Nissan Corp. USA for several years and always purchased a Nissan for myself. In the mid 80’s there was a need to buy four cheap subcompacts for my family’s computer business. These would be used by repair techs traveling to client sites. Nothing was cheap back then except a Yugo and a Hyundai Excel. The Yugo was terrible in most ways. The Excel at least had some comfort and in the 3 door hatchback I found a suitable car for the business.

Those Excels all had over 100,000 miles on them when sold and I kept one for commuting which was sold with over 145,000. Three of the Excels needed noting beyond regular maintenance. One needed a new starter, but was replaced early under warranty. The interiors held up although rust was starting to show on the hatchback area.

These are not Kia cars, but goes to show that Koreans were in business for the long haul. In 1989 I purchased a Hyundai Sonata with a 4 cylinder automatic and was still working at Nissan. Co-workers commented that it wouldn’t be long before the Koreans would be equal to or better than the Japanese. In about ten years, the Koreans including Kia came along with much better automobiles and today both brands are very reliable and solid performers.

After leaving Nissan, I purchased a Kia Optima V6 automatic and consider it one of my favorite cars of all times. I love how it looks, its fit and finish, overall performance and very comfortable interiors. I could have easily bought another Nissan and be happy, but now I was buying without an employee discount. The price point and the warranty made the Kia stand out at first look. I preferred Kia’s detailing to that of Hyundai. Well, I can afford a lot of car for a lot of money, but why waste it on a brand that offers less and don’t back up their products like Kia? I have an excellent dealer and my Optima have been trouble free. I will buy the newest Optima soon and keep my older Optima for a second car. Kia cars have improved so much in the past 3 or so that I have confidence that its quality is on par with any American and most Japanese brands.

7th Mar 2007, 13:26

KIA's can be great car, just remember maintenance, any car this applies to!...My brother had a 95 KIA Sephia. He bought it with 0 Miles back in 95 and just sold it in 2005. The miles was 263,487 miles on it and it was still going. Never had engine or transmission work done... He upgraded to a Kia Sorento (FAMILY NOW) and also bought a truck. He has has gone cross country with it (KIA SEPHIA) and never had a problem. The only thing was probably in Colorado climbing up at 8,000 Feet, the kia was not keeping up with the other vehicles, but still made it through. Tough little KIA.

11th Feb 2008, 06:43

I own a 2005 Kia Optima and it has 40,000 miles on it, when its cold outside, say 25 deg's, the car starts, but only runs on 4 or 5 cylinders, running very poorly. Its done that to me twice now and I called the roadside assistance for help, they said it would the next day for a tow, so I took the day off work and they told me someone has to be with the car or they will not tow it. Then they called the morning it was supposed to be towed and said they could not find anyone to tow it, they were all to busy, that I needed to call back and reschedule the tow! I told them I am not home all week that I work 3 hours from my home, and I can't afford to take another day off because they are busy. So far I would have to say the service sucks really bad.

30th Nov 2008, 13:59

We have owned two kia's. Both developed transmission problems. Needless to say the long warranty is only good with the original owner.

20th Mar 2010, 15:57

I bought a Kia 3 years ago, and it's caused me nothing but trouble. I'm in and out of the dealership, fixing one problem after another, most recently the transmission. The warranties are bogus, you have to follow such a specific maintenance plan that it's impossible to comply with. I will never buy a Kia again, it's the worst car I have ever owned.