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Used 2002 Kia Optima Consumer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
59 reviews
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4.63 out of 5 stars

NO regrets

BOW, 07/25/2008
2002 Kia Optima SE V6 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought this car used in '03. It had 27,000 miles on it and was a rental. Before the Kia I had a Mitsubishi Galant. I traded in @ 120,000 miles and 2 transmissions. The KIA is a very well made car, seats are very comfortable, very solid feeling for a mid-size and economical car. Have had no major issues and have 143,000 miles on it now. Even though I did not get the 100,000 mi warranty because I bought it used, no regrets. Would buy another. Think they are well made and a great value. Wish it had a sunroof though!

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3.25 out of 5 stars

Watch the Warranty

zodda, 04/08/2004
2002 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

My wife and I bought 2 new Kias after hearing about the great warranty. Our 2002 Optima now in the shop while we gather up the $1800 needed to repair clutch and flywheel for a warranted car! I know flywheel's are covered. As for the clutch, it's a wearable item, but who ever heard of a clutch burning out after 30K miles? With the worst driver, 30K miles for a clutch is totally unacceptable. Said burned clutch caused the failure of other parts (pressure plate, flywheel) No way I could have foreseen the clutch going in 2 years. Other things: door moulding fell off. Check engine light on and off, driver side window fixed twice. Tires are already wearing.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

It gets the job done

Convinced, 08/24/2010
2002 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

I bought this car in 2008 from a private party. It had 120,000 miles on it. I have put about 60,000 miles on it in 2 and a half years. In that time, I have had to replace the power steering pressure hose (upper) and power steering return hose (lower). I have had to replace the starter. I am not complaining as the car has over 180,000 miles on it now. It is still solid. The engine does not smoke. The AC still blows cold air. The biggest problem I forsee is that the transmission shifts erratically. It seems to slip a little in between gears. I am a backyard mechanic. If you work on your own KIA, go to kiatechinfo_dot_com, put in your car VIN and you can view repair manuals online.

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5 out of 5 stars

Awesome!

Allen, 09/21/2008
2002 Kia Optima SE V6 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

My aunt purchased this car new, and i have always wanted it. I got it and love it. My car has 154,000 miles on it with many more to come. NEVER has left me stranded, the only thing ever replaced is 02 Sensor which is normal to go out after 100,000 on any make or model car.

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3.75 out of 5 stars

pay less, get less

scruff, 08/23/2009
2002 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have owned this car for 3 years now, and cant wait for the moment I can get out of it! I spend about $1k in repairs a year on this car, and I'm not talking about routine maintenance. Speaking of that, it doesn't like to go more than 3k miles without an oil change. It needs to be babied. Its a comfortable car and a Nice look, but unreliable. Interior components falling apart/peeling/breaking. Wears tires out like no ones business, but thats due to the factory recall of a rusting sub frame! Hard to find someone that knows how to work on it too... Parts are never available and needs to be ordered. All in all, if you want a cheap car, go Hyundai, my brothers car has lasted way longer than mine

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