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I leased a new 2011 Kia Optima EX 2.4 GDI last Saturday (7/2) with 5 miles on the ODO. First Kia I have ever owned, but we bought a new 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe new and had a troublesome 1.5 years of ownership before upgrading.
This thread will serve as a journal for the next few years.
7 days later the car has 380 miles on it. The gas tank is still 1/4 full with the computer showing 140 miles until empty. The computer is showing 32.3MPG with my mountain commute.
The car has a sporty ride and feels well planted. The interior has a high quality feel and the keyless ignition is a nice touch. I love keeping the key fob in my pocket and not ever have to take it out.
Here are some negatives I've found:
- Trunk hinges are not hidden, so you have to arrange things in the trunk around them
- The temp gauge must be selected out of a bunch options in the instrument cluster. This should be located next to the clock in the center
- The OEM tires are loud on various road surfaces.
- I wish you could scroll through all of the Sirius presets (18 total) but you have to go to each SAT mode (6 per mode).
What I've done to the car:
- 20% 3M Window Tint ($170)
- Mud guards ($65)
No, it's the slow poke 200HP 2.4 GDI. I was on a budget with the lease and the turbo was a bit more. Depending on how reliable the 2.0T engine is, I may get one in a couple years if I'm happy with my Optima.
Mileage sounds great. It would be good to calculate the MPG when you actually refuel it to see if the computer is giving you the correct reading. Styling is sporty and IMO, more attractive than the sister model the Sonata. Considering you do mountain driving and the advantages that a manual would afford you in terms of engine braking/control, did you consider it? Otherwise how's the automatic in hilly terrain?
It really is a sharp-looking car, that Optima. At first I didn't like the new Sonata, then I started to like it, then I saw the new Optima, and didn't like the Sonata so much again.
Mileage sounds great. It would be good to calculate the MPG when you actually refuel it to see if the computer is giving you the correct reading. Styling is sporty and IMO, more attractive than the sister model the Sonata. Considering you do mountain driving and the advantages that a manual would afford you in terms of engine braking/control, did you consider it? Otherwise how's the automatic in hilly terrain?
The automatic does fine up and down the grades. I don't like driving stick, so I didn't consider it. But it a manual is only available on the lower model LX. I believe it only gets 1mpg better on highway. If I want to engine brake, I can always put the shifter in manual mode and change the gears.
I like the Optima styling over the Sonata as well, but I do think the Sonata is still a looker. I haven't seen many Optimas on the road (yet) but plenty of Sonatas. So it's nice having a more rare car.
One thing I don't like is that it's an import from Korea. I do wish it was made in the USA but I won't lose any sleep over it. Good news is that the 2012 models will be built in Kia's Georiga plant once the plant gets upgraded.
It really is a sharp-looking car, that Optima. At first I didn't like the new Sonata, then I started to like it, then I saw the new Optima, and didn't like the Sonata so much again.
The new Hyundai Sonata looks like somebody grabbed a hold of the hood and pulled down over part of the grille.
I've heard that the tires that come with the car are horrid. Because you're leasing it, have you thought about replacing them with better tires right now? And then when it's time to return the car, re-mount the original tires!
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