2002 Kia Optima Consumer Discussions

Kia Optima Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Re: Done!!! my xmas present to myself completed today [rico23]

  Written by: refinow2003 on Feb 8, 2012 9:23:35 AM

  Should had looked at your post before I bought-- could had saved a 1000. OTD $$29731.58 for a SX which stickered at $31,795 including freight. Included $400 for tire and wheel replacement for 5 years (at the hard sell financing desk) if they got damaged by pot holes here in Colorado. Easily can happen with these 18 inch wheels and last car I bought was a 2002 Olds Aurora with 13k ... Read More

Kia Optima 2006 and earlier

• Re: Kia Optima 2003 - Timing /MAFS [gbreheny]

  Written by: t1224 on Sep 20, 2011 11:45:46 AM

  Probably too little too late for your car. My 2002 Optima was shaking violently when at a stop in drive. It started about 66000. When I would go into the dealer for an oil change, I would mention it. He would give me answers like try a different gas. Next time he would say, "Oh, dont use Sams Club gas." Turns out he was trying to prolong it past my extended ... Read More

Midsize Sedans 2.0

• Rented a late-model Ford Fusion...

  Written by: iluvmysephia1 on Sep 5, 2011 5:06:57 AM

  out of Dallas-Fort Worth last weekend. That is one nice, quiet ride the Fusion gives. I barely heard the engine whine, I didn't even look to see if I had a 4 or 6 cyl. The acceleration was decent, car "manners" on the freeways leading away from Dallas-Ft.Worth and then west on I-20 were very good. Handling was good, nothing more, but competent and fuel economy was good. I left in ... Read More

Kia Optima 2006 and earlier

• Re: Kia Optima 2003 - Timing /MAFS [dan_99503]

  Written by: gbreheny on May 26, 2011 4:37:08 AM

  I am having the exact same problem you are having with my 2002 kia optima. It started as a bad timing belt tensioner at 99,000 which led to the the timing belt to be replaced and the crank shaft shaft sensor. They then found a intermittant short in the extension wire that goes to the crank shaft sensor to the plug-in module. Then they changed the mass flow, tps sensor and ... Read More

Midsize Sedans 2.0

• Accord vs Camry vs Altima....NOT!

  Written by: trainer1366 on Jan 2, 2011 3:10:19 PM

  As a former Camry and present Accord owner (only used as an infrequently driven 2nd car) I totally agree with Plekto. The Japanese designers played it safe and designed white bread sedans since 2002. So, in 2004, after realizing that a fully loaded Toyota Camry would require a kidney donation, I switched out and purchased a new 2004 Optima EX V6. Standard features included leather, sunroof, etc for $17,500, $10k less ... Read More

2009 Kia Optima

• 2009 Kia optima Lx 2.4 175Hp

  Written by: 470 on Jul 28, 2009 10:08:35 AM

  I just Bought the 2009 a few days ago. There are a few changs. Stryling is right there now with any other midsize car. Also they have made the Traction control standard (ESC) ABS Standard and Sirus sadalite radio and sport shift standerd on all optima's in any trim package. I owned a 2002 and liked it untill I drove it to 80,000 on the original timing belt and took out ... Read More

Kia Optima 2006 and earlier

• Re: My 2002 Optima has a water leak thru "snout" into A/C & into interior... [lhsheets]

  Written by: ray_h1 on Aug 31, 2006 12:03:25 PM

  I have a 2003 Hyundai Sonata - same car except for badging, front and rear styling, and upholstery fabric and tailoring differences. If you have fewer than 60,000 miles on your car and registered it under your name for first use less than five years ago, you just might have a warranty claim. If so, at the very least, I'd contact KIA U.S. for an opinion. You'd also have the legal ... Read More

Kia Optima 2006.5-2008

• Re: 2006.5 Kia Optima LX Test Drive [ray_h1]

  Written by: chuck1959 on Jul 11, 2006 7:22:34 AM

  A loyal Kia owner I have 2. I like the new Optima. Almost consindering trading the older Rio Cinco (2002) for. Then there's the Azera. What to do, what to do?

• Re: Kia Optima now on sale. [azera25]

  Written by: chuck1959 on Apr 28, 2006 10:57:53 AM

  I saw one on the streets (Houston, Texas) just yesterday. IMO another winner for Kia. It had dealer plates on it. It went past me on the freeway, I only got a glimpse but saw the Kia emblem. I thought wow a Kia I haven't seen! Looks a lot better than the previous model. I am so glad Kia got rid of there funky front ends on all there cars! BTW ... Read More

Kia Optima 2006 and earlier

• Re: 2001 Kia Won't Start [ka6uup]

  Written by: loupjr on Feb 4, 2006 11:29:43 AM

  I presume you've already solved your problem. We own two Optimas...a 2002 V6 and a 2003 4-cylinder. Interesting that within a month (about September of last year) we had that same problem on BOTH vehicles. The '02 had about 50k miles and the '03 had about 18k. In both cases it was a bad battery. The REAL problem is that you can't find an after-market battery for this vehicle...you must go ... Read More

• Re: Any regrets Kia Optima 2002 owner? [tahugoreng]

  Written by: nburke on May 26, 2005 2:02:31 PM

  i have lots of regrets now. don't buy one. you will spendmore money in the long run fixing it.

• Why is the Optima I'm buying tomorrow so cheap?

  Written by: hiwattt on Oct 28, 2003 4:48:31 PM

  Hi, I'm buying a Kia optima tomorrow(We could pass on the jokes, thanks)It's a 2002 with 26,000 miles. The only noticeable defects are two or three small dings in the body. Both the inside and body rate at least 9 out of 10. It's the LX model with the V6.. The price I'm paying is $7,999 Which is a down right steal compared with the prices I come up with in ... Read More

• do the right thing, buy a kia!!

  Written by: 45auto on Aug 16, 2003 5:31:13 AM

  Whats all this babble about some stupid consumer confidence thing? I have written ya'll several times singing the praises of kia and apologize for not writing sooner. I have a 99 sephia with almost 90k on it and its been wrecked three times and runs like a clock. ALSO my wife has a 2002 optima 4 cyl se pearl white, and all we have done to it is rotate the tires, ... Read More

• i love my Kia

  Written by: streebs on Aug 15, 2003 12:25:33 PM

  I can't understand the "worst on the market" thing. My friend has had more problems with her Nissan Altima (same year as my Kia) , and I don't think it looks as good. Plus, she paid alot more... My 2002 Optima SEv6, Pearl white, tan leather interior and moon roof is such a beautiful car and I love it! People stop me in parking lots and ask "what kind of car ... Read More

• Any regrets Kia Optima 2002 owner?

  Written by: tahugoreng on Jun 23, 2003 1:04:38 PM

  Guys i am planning to buy a used one. Any regrets so far? Which one would you choose: - Honda Accord EX 1999 or Kia Optima 2002? Thanks!

• The wait is over... Edmunds Shows the 2003 Optima!

  Written by: xcmdx on Oct 24, 2002 7:53:53 PM

  Amazing that Edmunds is the first to show what the new Optima will look like, and has pricing! Even KIA's own web-site is still showing the 2002 model. I own an '02 SE and am very happy with it. In fact I think I like the looks of the '02 better than the '03. The '03 looks like KIA mated the '02 Optima with a Hyundai XG350 and Sonata. Not that ... Read More

• Infiniti M45 Clone...

  Written by: xcmdx on Oct 2, 2002 7:33:54 PM

  Anyone else notice the uncanny resemblence the new 2003 Infiniti M45 has with the Optima? I think I'll go buy a couple of Infiniti emblems and put them in place of the KIA badges on my Optima! "http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/2002/new_york/03.infiniti.m45.f3-4.500.jpg"

• Go ahead and laugh...

  Written by: xcmdx on May 6, 2002 7:52:34 PM

  I've owned a 2002 Optima SE V6 for a month now, and my friends think it's funny that I bought a KIA. That's OK with me! I feel like I've discovered a secret that no one else knows about. The Optima to me is the perfect combination of price, comfort, good looks and low cost per mile - making it the ideal commuting vehicle. I am actually happy not many people ... Read More

• Optima marketed wrong

  Written by: claywaterfill on Feb 26, 2002 8:06:57 AM

  IMO, the Optima is marketed wrong. They say the Optima is the lower priced alternative to the Accord. Well, they need to move down a little. As it has been said before, you will be very hard pressed to get a Honda customer to give up his Accord for an Optima just to save $1500. At Mall of Georgia Kia north of Atlanta near Lake Lanier, the 2002 Optima LX is ... Read More

• I prefer the Optima's styling to Sonata's styling,

  Written by: iluvmysephia1 on Nov 21, 2001 9:56:02 PM

  too! I find this being constant comparing all Kia models versus Hyundai's. I own a Sportage and I like it's styling over the Santa Fe's. However, I saw a picture of Hyundai's HG350 in a magazine tonight in gold color. Wow-what a knockout! It was the 2002 HG350. That really looks nice. Check one out! Back to the Optima's looks vs.Sonata's. I thought I would like the Sonata in person(2002) but ... Read More

• 2002 Optima

  Written by: claywaterfill on Nov 20, 2001 7:40:05 AM

  Kia has updated the web site on 2002--check it out (kia.com). Also, I'm sure the compartment will open--just ask!

• 2002 Optima

  Written by: jonbgood on Nov 19, 2001 4:17:33 PM

  Looked at one for the first time today. It was loaded with leather and sunroof. Very nice looking car. Sorry to say that the storage compartment (the low one right behind the gear shift on the console) WOULD NOT open. My wife gave it a try and it wouldn't budge. I'm sorry folks - but if a simple thing like a coin storage holder (or whatever it was) won't open it ... Read More

• 2002 Optima?

  Written by: claywaterfill on Oct 31, 2001 1:27:35 PM

  Has anyone heard anything about the 2002 Optima? All I see on kia.com is 2001 stuff. I'm interested to see if there were any changes since they changed the 2002 Sonata. New engines maybe? I'm looking to replace my 1995 Sephia this spring and I was going to go with the new Sonata. If Kia is doing anything exciting to the Optima, I may go that way. I have really had ... Read More

• no title

  Written by: hung0820 on Aug 30, 2001 4:31:50 PM

  If you like the 2002 Hyundai Sonata 2.7 then the 2002 Kia Optima should have the 2.7 too; which will work similar to the Sonata....

• Shifting

  Written by: rhard49 on Aug 30, 2001 5:34:28 AM

  I have been test driving the optima and am surprised no one has mentioned the automatic trans. I test drove several of the SE V6's and the tranns always seems to want to drop all the way to first with the slightest nudge of the gas. This is far from smooth to drop at 30 miles an hour to 1st gear and the top of the rev range. I like the ... Read More

• my two bits. . .

  Written by: baldguy on Jun 25, 2001 9:16:04 PM

  I think the Optima looks fantastic!! And I love the front grille just the way it is. Of course, I own a Leganza, and that's one of the reasons I bought it, was the looks of the front end. If the Optima was available when I bought my Leganza, it would have been a much tougher choice. It does seem they are charging a pretty penny for it, though, if the ... Read More

• Thanks for the reminder.....

  Written by: iluvmysephia1 on Jun 25, 2001 8:32:16 PM

  of just how tasteful the Optima looks. Kinda Galant-like in the rear but all Kia Optima up front. I, too, think Kia's done a great job of designing this car. Whenever I've seen one on the road I've HAD to do a couple of double-takes and steer the Sephia carefully to avoid collision. I like the Optima in Pearl White but I'd love to see one in black out on the ... Read More

• Road & Track Article

  Written by: giowa on Jun 8, 2001 6:13:48 PM

  Check out the July 2001 issue of Road & Track. Has a strange one-page first drive review of "the all-new Kia Optima". Odd that there is no mention, no whatsoever, of its Hyundai Sonata roots. Article doesn't mention Hyundai or the Sonata. Does talk about the Porsche-licensed Tiptronic manumatic shifter. And says "Kia says that a largerer-displacement V-6 is on the way for the 2002 model year."

• Welcome aboard ski3166!

  Written by: iluvmysephia1 on May 26, 2001 9:03:23 AM

  My dealer has dealt with me similarly with my '99 Kia Sephia. It's had one warrranty-covered part go bad and have to be replaced and two recalls. All fixes were done quickly with no cost to me (obviously), there was cheap coffee and TV to watch and beautiful Kia's all over the place to stare at. Dealer aftercare is really important and mine has been fantastic. Yes, a washed car always ... Read More

• fangio2

  Written by: netranger4 on May 5, 2001 11:52:00 PM

  Have a friend who is a Kia/Daewoo/Isuzu dealer so have driven the 4cyl automatic. Feels like a more substantial 4cyl Accord. Acceleration is adequate, ride and silence is notable. Fit and finish are very good as are thoughtful little extras. Daewoo Leganza (aka 2002 Magnus) will feature a 6cyl inline engine. However, Daewoo's future is still quite uncertain at this writing. Rumors persist that GM/Fiat will purchase. Nothing official has been ... Read More

• 2.7-liter V6 Optima "SE-L" for 2002

  Written by: hbrow00 on Feb 10, 2001 12:05:00 PM

  From a story in Autoweek about the Chicago auto show: A sporting variation of Kia's recently introduced four-door Optima sedan, the SE-L concept gets a 2.7-liter, dohc 181-hp V6, a modified version of the 2.5-liter 170-horsepower engine in production Optimas. (The base Optima offers a 2.4-liter 149-horsepower four-cylinder.) The larger-displacement V6 is destined for production in 2002-model-year Optimas. Sportier transmission shift points, suspension and tires also appear on SE-L. Source: http://www.competitionpress.com/specials/2001_chicago/chicagowrap.mv ... Read More

• Ladies' Car? (to netranger4)

  Written by: giowa on Jan 11, 2001 7:53:27 AM

  I especially poured over the Kia Optima, Hyundai XG300, and Suzuki XL-7 SUV at last weeks Omaha Auto Show. Had wife and kids in tow. Unlike my wife, I thought the Optima was quite impressive. She thought it was OK but nothing special. (She wants the upcoming baby Jag, the soon to be released X-type.) I really loved the Optima's looks and some nice touches (e.g., the strut-type trunk hinges that ... Read More

• Optima road test on Edmund's...

  Written by: vocus on Dec 20, 2000 11:04:05 AM

  They had a "first look" at the Optima and it just posted today. I like the way it looks. It's the same mechanicals, etc. as the Sonata though, but I like the Steptronic transmission. But they say even that is coming for 2002 to the Sonata. It might just be what Kia needs to turn around their streak of bad luck. I just hope it doesn't take sales away from Hyundai. ... Read More