Kia optima sx-turbo

Thinking about picking one up. Anyone have one and can comment on it?

http://www.leftlanenews.com/kia-optima-turbo-review.html

 

I've seen them in person and they are sexy looking. I dont' know much about them though.

 

Its a good looking car, that's for sure.

 

We got my wife one for Christmas. 2012 Snow White Pearl SX with Technology and Touring packages.

I could not be happier with this car.

There are some of my comments in this thread...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/general-automotive/195149-just-picked-up-2012-kia-optima-sx.html

 

A Kia is probably the last thing on this earth I'd buy...ever.

 

My wife and I just bought one...Its a fully loaded EX...every option but the Turbo (wife was concerned about fuel economy) it even has the SX Wheels...

Great care and comfortable...

 

I'll try to find a pic

 

My wife went to her brother's house this afternoon to go look at one at the dealership he's the CFO for. We test drove a six speed and liked it. Felt like her old Civic si which was an awesome car.

 

must have been the regular non turbo with no options. from what i remember the 6 speed manuals = base model no options

i did a huge marketing tour/ campaign for them this year..
NY,La, St louis, Dallas etc auto shows

 

Thats awesome! I used to do Ride & Drives/Auto Shows for all the major manufacturers from 03-07, it was ALOT of fun and experiences i wouldn't trade for anything!

 

Im a farkin' knob...I'm getting mixed up with the Forte!

http://kia.ca/pages/showroom/model.aspx?model=Forte

 

I work at a local Kia dealership and I've driven a few different models of the Kia Optimas. IMO the turbo isn't very much more powerful than the non-turbo model. When I hear the word turbo engine, I think of Turbo VW's or Mitsubishi EVO's now those are fast!!

But I do like the Optima's regardless of the engine output. They are very well put together and drive nice with very little road noise and no interior trim rattles. You can't beat a 10/100k warranty either.

 

Very big chance we worked for the same company! lol were you direct with the manufacture or through a marketing firm?

Ahhh traveling to new cities all the time and city seeing on someone elses dime and getting paid for it! It's not like it used to be though unfortunately.

schwinn: No biggie! never did the forte, but looks like a fun car. The rio was super fun to drive believe it or not.

 

I worked through an event company called ESI. It was a blast back in my early 20's.

 

We have the Sonata 2.0T, which is largely the same car. It's a sedan, and tuned for touring. Accelleration from a start is no slouch, but not insane. What impressed me most was cruising at 75 on the autobahn and then punching it a bit to pass. The turbo wants to eat from 75 to 90 mph, and you can be doing triple digits real quick without noticing. Smooth as glass at 85.

 

My wife test drove both the Forte and the Optima and really liked both. She has a Sedona right now, and it's a big POS. I'm convinced she just got a lemon, though. Nobody seems to have the problems we do.

 

Looked at one, but they want wayyyyy too much for the SXL. its nice, but still a Kia. for that kind of money would rather get a Lexus IS. Even for the lower price of just the regular SX would rather buy a used IS.

 

arent all mini vans a big POS? lol totally kidding.

for what it's worth...
in dallas this year we were doing a kia ride and drive next to caddy ride and drive... 2nd or 3rd day the CTS-V they had... Blew its AC unit or something. less than a 100 miles on it. lol

The optima is nice and the warranty should take care of most problems.

 

Whoa...just priced both...how is the top-line SX Optima $34,500 and the top-line Sonata 2.0T limited with deluxe package only $31,200? The Kia has more aggressive styling but otherwise they're almost the same car, it's still a Kia and almost certainly won't hold its value as well as a Hyundai. I guess there's a market niche that wants a Kia but wants a really expensive one.

 

ahhh different company.

Can you believe G&R are doing ride and drives now? They hire a pretty face off craigslist that know nothing about right seating or the vehicles. There's been like 2 accidents already and a consumer got a ticket for going over 100mph in dtla in the cts-v lol
A challenger rammed into a hyundai veloster.... the ride seater was a co worker of mine working for a different company at the time.

I've even seen some right seaters sitting the BACK of the cars while a kid is in the passenger side without a seatbelt hanging their head out the window lolol. those f*ckers are taking my job opportunities! lolol rant over