RC-Monster Forums - View Single Post - Starting to look at new car options (1:1)

BrianG · 10.03.2011, 03:49 PM

Bringing up this old thread to post my new baby (finally): 2011 Kia Optima SX T-GDi

I know what you're saying "Really?? Kia?". If you would have told me last week that I was going to get a Kia, I would have laughed in your face. I remember the days doing car audio and remote starter installations swearing when working on a Kia/Hyundai. They were cheaply built crap heaps.

Judging by the age of this thread, you can see I've been looking around for quite a while waiting until my current car ('05 Mazda 3) was paid off since I had to take a loan off it to replace flood-damaged appliances items last year. I've looked at lots of vehicles from the Smart ForTwo to a full-size truck, but couldn't find anything that really did it for me.

Then, last Friday, I took my step-son to his football practice and had some time to kill. So, hearing a radio commercial for Kia saying they are liquidating 2011 stock, I decided to take a look. As soon as a I saw this car, I was hooked. Then, the test drive made it a slam-dunk.

This is the fully loaded turbo version, with all the bells and whistles (proximity ignition, NAV, rear camera, power everything, heated and cooled seats, panoramic sunroof, HID headlights, LED taillights, traction control, bluetooth connectivity for calls and streaming music from your cell, etc, etc). The tiny 2.0L 4 banger does surprisingly well power-wise while getting 26-28mpg combined city/HW while being quiet, but for passing, that turbo kicks it up to 275HP/270ft-lbs torque; no problem off the line or passing! There's no discernible turbo lag and it shifts very smoothly. Not a 'Vette to be sure, but does nicely as a family car that's fun to drive.

I did my usual "kick-the-tires" routine and it passed everything: I can lean on the flatter parts of the metal and nothing flexes/dents (try it sometime; you'd be surprised), the gaps for all the seams are consistent (not 1mm gap at one end and 4mm gap at the other), everything is secure (no slop on any of the interior parts like seats, center console, etc when moved by hand), doors have that nice solid "thud" without any rattle, etc.

It came with the "high-end" Infinity sound system. It's "ok", but not high-end by my standards. Still, it sounds decent. Since the radio doubles as the interface for the reversing camera and navigation, I don't see myself upgrading. Besides, I'm over the time where I "needed" 1,000w sound system to satisfy me.

	(#13)
BrianG RC-Monster Admin Offline Posts: 14,609 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Des Moines, IA	10.03.2011, 03:49 PM Bringing up this old thread to post my new baby (finally): 2011 Kia Optima SX T-GDi I know what you're saying "Really?? Kia?". If you would have told me last week that I was going to get a Kia, I would have laughed in your face. I remember the days doing car audio and remote starter installations swearing when working on a Kia/Hyundai. They were cheaply built crap heaps. Judging by the age of this thread, you can see I've been looking around for quite a while waiting until my current car ('05 Mazda 3) was paid off since I had to take a loan off it to replace flood-damaged appliances items last year. I've looked at lots of vehicles from the Smart ForTwo to a full-size truck, but couldn't find anything that really did it for me. Then, last Friday, I took my step-son to his football practice and had some time to kill. So, hearing a radio commercial for Kia saying they are liquidating 2011 stock, I decided to take a look. As soon as a I saw this car, I was hooked. Then, the test drive made it a slam-dunk. This is the fully loaded turbo version, with all the bells and whistles (proximity ignition, NAV, rear camera, power everything, heated and cooled seats, panoramic sunroof, HID headlights, LED taillights, traction control, bluetooth connectivity for calls and streaming music from your cell, etc, etc). The tiny 2.0L 4 banger does surprisingly well power-wise while getting 26-28mpg combined city/HW while being quiet, but for passing, that turbo kicks it up to 275HP/270ft-lbs torque; no problem off the line or passing! There's no discernible turbo lag and it shifts very smoothly. Not a 'Vette to be sure, but does nicely as a family car that's fun to drive. I did my usual "kick-the-tires" routine and it passed everything: I can lean on the flatter parts of the metal and nothing flexes/dents (try it sometime; you'd be surprised), the gaps for all the seams are consistent (not 1mm gap at one end and 4mm gap at the other), everything is secure (no slop on any of the interior parts like seats, center console, etc when moved by hand), doors have that nice solid "thud" without any rattle, etc. It came with the "high-end" Infinity sound system. It's "ok", but not high-end by my standards. Still, it sounds decent. Since the radio doubles as the interface for the reversing camera and navigation, I don't see myself upgrading. Besides, I'm over the time where I "needed" 1,000w sound system to satisfy me.