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2011 Kia Optima

Find a great in depth blog post on the 2011 Kia Optima at the GoodCarBadCar.net

Q: should i get 2010 kia optima or 2011 kia optima? what is the difference?
in Fall of this year, 2011 Kia Optima will be released. It is totally redesigned, and looks way too different from 2010. The interior and exterior seem to mimic lexus — almost like carbon copy. But the 2010 kia optima already looks good too and has 100,000 mile warranty. So is 2011 optima more advanced and improved? Dealer said that when 2011 optima is released, the 2010 optima will be discounted and price reduced. So should i wait for 2011 optima or buy 2010 in fall (since its price will be reduced then)?
picures of 2011 optima are at http://www.edmunds.com/kia/optima/2011/picturearchive.html
2010 optima looks like http://www.edmunds.com/kia/optima/2010/picturearchive.html
the 2010 optima will be at least $1000 cheaper than 2011 optima for same features and trim

A: mimicking a lexus interior/ exterior should not be the motivating factor, neither should a push button start. That 100K warranty isn’t all its cracked up to be either, read the fine print and you will see. The fit/ finish of the materials and what they are made of will let you know its cheap. I attend the detroit car show yearly, so it easy to see Kia still lags behind in the quality dept compared to other manufacturers.

Kia are most commonly known as disposable cars, they break easy, dont really last as long as you want and you toss them out after a few years.

You would be better off taking your limited budget, thats why you’re looking at kia in the first place, and getting a good used car from a more established brand.

Q: why would hyundai let it’s sister company Kia get ahead in the design department?
like kia is getting better designs since they have a design studio in Frankfurt Germany managed by Peter Schreyer the guy who designed the Audi TT and much more.My question is why would Hyundai let its sister company Kia get ahead in design?

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/new-york-auto-show-2011-kia-optima/?src=mv

http://www.nitrobahn.com/conceptz/autoshows/kia-unveils-2011-kia-optima-ahead-of-2010-new-york-auto-show/

look at that, they could put an acura badge on it for sure and no one would notice its not a real acura lol.

A: i like it fine, but the new Sonata is just as good looking. i must admit i do like the sportier styling of the kia, however. some may like classier looks of the Sonata

i think the new Tuscon looks better then the kia Sorento. and the coming Elantra should look sleeker then the Forte. all in all i would say the styling is different, but not “ahead.”

both are doing better then certain competitors, however. which is remarkable for hyundai and even more so for kia

Q: KIA motors to end production in 2011. Why?
KIA will no longer be manufactured from 2011 onwards and only Hyundai (which is the partner of kia group) will continue. So that means parts for kia will not be available? What about the re-sale values? I just bought kia optima for $22,000. if kia dealers shut down, where will oil change and maintenance be done?

A: LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE!

Give me break with your fake BS story.

If Kia was going under why would they spend hundreds of millions on advertising? The Super Bowl ad alone cost them millions!!!!!!!!

GM and Ford shutting down Pontiac, Olsmobile and Mercury have nothing to do with Kia. They were eliminiated due to non-existent sales!!!!!!! Kia is selling at record pace even in a tough economy so why would they be discontinued??????????

You’re probably just another retard starting an Internet rumor as a joke. Probably a idle GM, ford or Chrysler salesjerk.

Q: What are your thoughts on Hyundai and Kia?
ok, well I have looked at the 2010 Hyundai Tucson, 2011 Kia Sorento, and the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, and I love them!!! I was wondering are they good vehicles? has Hyundia really stepped up their quality in the past years, because I remember in high school just looking at Hyundai as being really low end cars. but now they look very nice!

Oh, and 1 extra question, is the Kia Optima just Kia’s sonata

oh, and another question, will the Kia Optima get a 2011 restyle?

A: Hyundai quality is WAY up just in the past 4 years. It was part of a corporate plan, and they have achieved it. You can drive a Hyundai which will be well built and reliable, and the cars can compete in their respective classes. Where as before a Hyundai was a “compromise car,” now its a car people buy because they actually want one. Good price, good car.

Reliability has steadily improved over the years, but build quality and refinement lagged further behind. With improvements in its manufacturing process and quality control, and continued improvements in reliability, many Hyundai models are viable alternatives to its Japanese competition. The newest Elantra for example typically outscores the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in quality surveys and has been Consumer Reports top rated small car.

Kia on the other hand is still lagging. They are ahead of where Hyundai was several years ago, but it varies from model to model with most still a couple of steps behind. Hyundai owns 40% of Kia now, so some Hyundai engineering and parts are being shared, making a Kia a better car. But if considering Kia i would stick to the newer designs such as the Forte, new Sorento, and Soul. The Forte and Sorento especially have a lot of the “New Hyundai” built into them. The Optima is a mirror of the outgoing Sonata. Its nothing special and is average in its class, but still worth a look as a bargain.Suspension noise over rough pavement has been a noted sore spot with this car, however.

Hyundai has some things going against it still. Brand image, resale value, and perception by more then a few that its a cheaply made car. But the new line up is solid, just take a look and drive some for yourself. And more new and redesigned models are coming. But if you get one some will still snicker, so you have to take comfort in being ahead of the curve a bit. Some wonder why I bought a ‘08 Elantra instead of a comparable Civic or Corolla? Its simple: I liked the Elantra and what it offered, and its just as well built as any car in its class. And i have not been disappointed by it after 30,000+ miles of solid, trouble free driving.

IMO Hyundai is a smart choice if buying a car new or used. Especially slightly used. Just get the best deal possible to make up some for lower resale value. If that matters to you. But you always want to get the best deal possible, anyway. Kia, you still have to tread lightly with imo.

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