Used 2008 Kia Optima Consumer Reviews
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Awesome Optima LX
ex_green_beret, 06/05/2011
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
23 of 23 people found this review helpful
I've had my '08 Kia Optima LX for nearly 3 years, I bought it new when gas went to $4/gal back in '08. I got rid of my Hemi Ram and bought the Kia thinking I'd keep it for a little while and trade up later. It now has 107,000 miles on it and has proven itself an EXTREMELY reliable little car. I've done nothing to it except change the oil and filter religiously every 5k miles, had one brake job done at 75k miles, replaced the battery at about 60k miles, put on a set of new tires at 72k miles (I put on Kumho KH16's since that's what it came with), and flush/fill the radiator every 45k miles. I did almost all the maintenance myself. IT'S THE MOST RELIABLE CAR I'VE EVER OWNED and I love it!
Best car I've ever had!
MARK A PETERSON, 03/01/2015
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
19 of 22 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new in 2008 and now have 93,000 miles on it. The only maintenance items I have had done were rear brakes at 75,000 miles, front brakes at 90,000 miles and new tires. Oh, forgot about the new battery at 46,000 miles (thought that was too soon). I have had the oil changed at 3800 miles on average and changed transmission fluid once. It won't stop being dependable. Love it!
Love my car
yellowbus1, 01/04/2015
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Love my Kia have had it for two years now with no major issues im at 65000 mil... get 20-28mpg, its fun to drive and handles well. I have only had a few problems that were all covered under worriment, there was an issue with the sway bar Waring out and the power locks going out, also have had to replace the radio and visor on the passenger side. all little fixes so over all a grate car that has done me well and i plane to drive to the ground. The one major disappointment that was not covered is the TPMS sensor going out and kia refusing to fix saying i caused it
Hands down, absolute fantastic vehicle!!!
Annonymous, 12/31/2016
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car in 2015, the car had 2 previous owners prior to me. When I purchased it, it had a clean title, had never been wrecked, clean body, clean interior, everything worked electronically, and mechanically. It had been very well kept and maintained. It had 100k original miles, and I luckily purchased it off of a private seller at an unbeatable price that you absolutely couldn't refuse. At first, I was hesitant until I had actually seen the car in person, and had test drove it, I had never owned a newer car like such, nor did I have any experience with Kia's, driving them, or knew much about them. But I gave it a shot and took it for a test drive, mind you it was winter time, and there was plenty of snow on the roads. After my first time driving it I was inlove! Completely! I made up my mind, and purchased the vehicle about a week later. The car drove, and handled flawlessly! Easy to drive, very comfortable, very agile, and to be honest it was a fast little thing! I never had any serious problems with it, only normal wear and tear, and normal routine maintenance. All repairs were very affordable, parts werent hard to come by, nor were they expensive. Labor on the vehicle was always very affordable also, every mechanic that had done work on it said it was relatively easy to repair. This car had never steered me wrong! Very reliable, and very safe too!!! It has alot of the newer, luxury, sought out features, like the AUX port, vallet parking safety feature in the trunk, keyless entry, etc. Its very roomy and spacious for its size, seats 5 comfortably, has multiple cup holders, arm rest folds down in the center seat in the back, the back seats come down for more storage room in the trunk, the trunk is a pretty decent size, etc. It has multiple different storage spaces in the front center console, classes holder by the rear view mirror, reading lights, lights in the visors, as well as mirrors. The heat, and AC work great, and circulate great through out the vehicle. It has heated exterior mirrors, which are perfect in the winter. Automatic headlights, which provide perfect visibility at night. Temp. guage, avg mpg, range, and distance display. It has the manual drive, slap stick option which is great in the winter providing you with more traction and control in lower gears. Overall its not bad on gas at all. Also hands down one of the safest cars I've ever owned, or driven! These cars are built like bricks, unfortunately Ive first hand seen how safe these cars are built, due to 2 separate accidents I was in, in this vehicle, and I would never feel unsafe myself or be hesitant to have my child in this car because Ive seen first hand how safe they really are! this car changed my entire outlook on cars, I am now a die hard KIA fan, and will not buy anything other than a KIA because of the experience I had with this model! I would recommend this car to just about anyone, young or old! Fantastic car, I honestly dont think theres 1 thing I could say thats bad about this vehicle! great car!!!
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Outstanding!
Outstanding!!!!, 06/16/2010
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this car instead of the Ford Fusion and Chevy Impala. I could see the quality in the car. The lower price sealed the deal. The engine was clean and sounded good. I like the dual auto/manual shifting. I had 2 Toyota Corollas and this is much better. Better comfort than my Crown Victoria. A/C system is stronger than the Crown Vic. The increased MPG from my Chevy S10 will take me one month without fill ups or 512 miles. That's great for a long trip. The 2.4 liter is surprising nice and can handle almost anything. I think this car is a winner for the price. I thank God i live in America where we can chose our best values. Kia Optima definitely is a good car. With 42K it looks like new.
A fair car for the price
patdaddyt, 11/14/2011
2008 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
We've had our car for 3 1/2 years now, For the last few months our car has really bad road noise like a wheel bearing is going out or somethings wrong with the new tires we just put on the car. tom. we're going to get it checked out a kia dealership maybe they can fix it.
MY Kia
kiaman, 07/10/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
When researching all the cars in the same class as my Optima I know I got more bang for my buck over every other car.
Great car, so far: SAFE
Jose, 09/25/2010
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I wanted to get a safer, more reliable car for my kids. Got a great deal, and the car still has 3 years/30,000 miles on original warranty, then a lifetime dealership kicks in. Rated safest car I could find, next to Subaru Legacy, which would have cost $10,000 more. Happy so far; I'll check back in 6 months.
Terrific car
LPCBuckeye, 09/03/2016
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new. It now has 125000 miles. I am very pleased with how well this car has done. I consistently average 29 mpg in mixed driving. While first gear is a little tricky, the car shifts very smoothly. I won't be winning any drag races but if I am passing someone on a 2 lane and drop to 3rd. I get around them well. The car handles very well except on wet roads. I have tried different tires but the results are minimally different. I have to be careful and not try to stop quickly or turn quickly on wet roads or the car will fish tail. On dry roads it handles very well and the ride is smooth. Visibility is very good. The stock radio is fine for me. The road noise is not too bad. What I love the most about this car is how reliable it has been. I have had no major problems at all. Have replaced the battery 2 times and the tires 1 time. I started going through oil at @105,000 miles. I had to top it off about every 1600 miles. I just had the car looked at and the plugs and belt replaced. My mileage was 123,500. The man was able to fix the oil leak problem with a very minor tightening of something but I don't remember what. The problem has been solved. I am very pleased with how well this car has held up since I drive it for work so am in it a good bit. I also bought an 07 Kia Rondo with the exact same engine and it is doing well also. I intend to drive this car until the wheels come off. I am very glad I bought it.
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Reliability could get 6 stars
bklyndriver, 07/16/2012
2008 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've had this car, as second owner, for three years. It has never been a problem. All I've done is replace the brakes and tires. It's still got less than 35K miles, but so far this is the best around-the-town car I've ever had. It is surprisingly fun to drive, handles great. Downsides: I don't get the mileage I thought it would get - seems like I fill up a little too often. At about 30, I can feel the gear shift. There is absolutely no style to this car - it is super generic. These things don't detract from how good the Optima is.
Kia EX V-6
PatrickDT, 11/20/2009
2008 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
This Year kia was a pretty good one. But if you are trying to find one of these models used, good luck there very hard to find.The only model I can find used right now is the LX Model with the 4 Cyl. Engine or the EX With the 4 Cyl. Engine.
Don't be afraid, this car is a winner
steve, 06/07/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I'm a ASE mechanic. My son drives a Camry and my wife drives an Accord. I am very familiar with these cars. When it was time for me to sell my Honda Element, I test drove the 2008 Accord, Camry, Sonata, Sebring. Then I rented a 08 optima with 7 miles on it for vacation and drove it 1000 miles. I was shocked. Right out of the box, it averaged 30 mpg on an engine that wasn't broken in yet. I was completely taken away with the build quality of this car. Tight panel seams, interior quality outstanding and very quiet. The accord handling and engine is better but this is a close 2nd. I bought this car $7000 less than a Camry and $6500 less than accord. Read Car and Drivers 2007 comparison.
This old girl has been good to me.
Barbara Reed, 05/18/2018
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in 2010, with 30,000 miles on it. I still have it and it now has 134,000 miles on it. The oil has been changed and fluids checked every 3-5 thousand miles. I've never had it in the shop for repairs and have only changed the battery twice. It's a great little car, I love it. The only thing I could complain about is the paint is beginning to flake and that could be because it's red....I've heard that color was prone to flaking. I drove 30 miles every workday for five years and the car was faithful, even in the snow. It's the second KIA I've owned. The first one was the Sephora and it was also a great little car, though not as well built as my Optima. The Sephora was still on the road the last time I spoke to the owner in 2015. KIA is my favorite make of car.
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Stay away from Kia
i_hate_kia, 01/11/2012
2008 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
6 of 10 people found this review helpful
1 BAD EXPERIENCE , I will never buy another , motor locked up with only 46,688 miles , they piece together another new engine because kia was to cheap to send a complete motor it runs for 10,00 miles and the oil light starts coming on at ideal. I ended up letting the dealer buy the car back and bought a Toyota camry, almost forgot car was out of service for 47 days the first time and the next time well its been 3 weeks today and its still not fixed 1/11/12 VERY BAD EXPERIENCE
Good with Flaw
KIASTINKCS, 12/04/2010
2008 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I've really enjoyed my Kia Optima. However there is a major issue with the car stalling and power cutting out, upon starting the car up and when driving.
Solid Dependable and Great Deal
Douglas, 03/02/2008
2008 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
The Optima is a wonderful experience. The car drives real smooth in town and is very quiet on the interstate. It drives very solid and it is a great buy.
So far so good
Eric, 07/23/2008
2008 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I really like this car. Especially when compared to much more pricey models in its class. Drove Altima, Honda, and others, but landed with this car due to price and warranty. Paid 16K for the upgraded model with leather, etc. Very pleased.
So far so good.
new kia owner, 07/01/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Got this car about 1 month ago. After much research, I decided this car would provide the best value for the dollars invested and so far we have few complaints. My wife is not pleased with the "bumpy" ride, but for me I like to "feel" the road a little. I told her for the price we paid that I could get better shocks that would provide for a smoother ride, but so far we haven't made any modifications. For an out-the-door price of less than $15K (with $3000 in rebates) there wasn't anything new in this size of car that even came close. Been getting about 27 MPG with a 50/50 mix of city and highway driving. So far so good. We are very pleased with the purchase of this vehicle.
OK so far
fred ruedy, 05/31/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We purchased our optima after doing lots of research (consumer reports, edmunds, etc). The reviews caught our attention so we investigated and test drove the vehicle. The quiet ride in a strong cross wind was a positive. We also drove the Camry and Fusion. Both of these cars were nice but the price on the optima sold us. I wish the noise from the suspension were not as sharp when driving on roads with tar strips or ruts. I like the feel of the road and the ease of handling.
First foreign built
fred r, 06/12/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Now have 1000 miles on 2008 LX. Fun to drive. Corners very well. Have only had city driving and getting 21mpg. Like the interior setup and the blue light on the dash. Would like a softer driver seat with a longer front cushion. The car has a "ping" sound when driving on rough roads. I had the car undercoated thinking it would help but it didn't. On smooth roads it is a quiet ride but a definite metallic ping on rumble strips.
I wish it could've lasted longer
Drummerdude476, 01/20/2022
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My Optima (2.4) had 305k miles on it before timing tensioner failed. It'll still run now, just not for long. This poor thing soldiered on through low oil abuse for years (leaked out of timing cover) while I drove to college and work, which is an hour and 15 from me. I honestly just might buy another one, these are amazing and cheap cars. Only maintenance it ever needed besides standard stuff (brakes, etc) was an alternator, and redoing the A/C around 250k. Most reliable car I ever owned and I'm sad to see it go.
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great
mary mclaury, 02/19/2021
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
bought it in 2009 with 17000 miles and i cant say enough about it
Five star safety, 10 year warranty!!!
BOBSKIA, 06/14/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I traded in my truck because of gas prices. The KIA was ranked high in safety, warranty, and performance. I was given great rebate incentives that brought down the price to around 14,000. The four cylinder has 168 HP, almost as much as the 6 cylinder. They gave me a great price for my trade. The warranty for the first buyer is a great one! The room in the Optima is great since I am 6'5". The car has a load of standard features: heated mirrors, tire pressure monitoring, 5 speed automatic transmission, 5 star crash rating, air bags all over, large trunk, great handling, and good MPG (I am getting over 30 currently) The KIA dealer was excellent too!!!
Great Car
Great Car, 05/30/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Value value value lots of space. Smooth ride with plenty of pick-up for a 4 cyl engine. Excellent fit and finish! Basic transportation at a very reasonable price.
Great Car
Amanda, 06/02/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I recently bought the optima because I needed something more fuel efficient than a Durango. I am very impressed with the car. Not only does it look good for the price but it drives great too. The inside has everything that a person could possibly need. Nothing extra that could just cause problems in the future. I don't care for 4 cylinders but with gas prices the way they are I couldn't pass this car up. If I didn't no that the car was only a 4 cylinder I would have never guessed it. Great car for the price. I would recommend it to anyone looking for something easy on gas and still have good style.
Do Not Get a Kia
barbararoberts, 09/03/2012
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 17 people found this review helpful
I bought my car brand new in June '08. The main reason I bought an Optima is because all the safety airbags on it. it really did seem to be a safe car on the market at that time. Since then I have seen a main complaint that the airbags DO NOT deploy when there is an impact. That gave me a really big concern. Well, now my car is cutting off with me as I start down the road and I have been told it is because I have used aftermarket oil filters. BULL!!!!! They put Kia oil filter on and guess what? It is still cutting off with me. I came to a T-intersection one day and it desided to cut off. When it did NO BRAKES, No Power Steering and I had to pull out IN FRONT of another vehicle that was coming and just luckily there was noone coming in other lane so that vehicle could go around me. And I guess that I forgot to mention that my 10 yr old SON was in the car with me. I have taken my car down to the Kia shop in Myrtle Beach, SC every Tuesday for the last 2 months and it also stayed there for 1 full week during that time. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE EXCEPT A KIA OIL FILTER PUT ON... I"m considering this car to be a LEMON and I have told Kia that it will be on them if this car kills me and my son until it is fixed or replaced. I have been dealing with Wes and Bob at the Kia Service area in Myrtle beach, SC which has been very nice to me but something has to give. I am fixing to list this car under the Lemon Law with my lawyer. The safety of this car SUCKS!! I need help with this. Someone else higher up the ladder needs to step in on this case. Wes has a case number already out with the Technical staff but something has got to be done. I can not have mine and my son's life in jeoperdy like this. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS. I have dropped it off AGAIN at the Kia Service area this evening (09/03/12) for the ump-teenth time so it can be checked out again tomorrow. I will travel ANOTHER 45 min to check on it tomorrow. My days off from work should NOT be spent at the Kia Service area.
one thing after another
bobbyhill, 12/31/2011
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
iv had my car for just over a year, i bought it off my dad and he got it new in 08! in the last year i have had nothing but problems with it, first it was struts and sway bar links and bushings, then wheel bearing, and now the newest thing is my headlights like to burn out, replaced the passenger one 4 times now, at $25 a bulb for h11b its getting expensive, had it to the dealership and they want me to spend a bunch of $ to replace the headlamp assembly! iv been reading up on this and it seems it was a real issue in some of the older optimas, 02 especially! oh yeah, when i had it in there to look at headlight they told me the shift module had to be replaced, at $700 i passed, NOT IMPRESSED!!
In defense of the Optima
Leo Miller, 06/13/2009
2008 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I recently rented an Optima for a week trip. It was by far the most enjoyable car I have ever driven..I recently dumped my Mercedes AMG last month for numerous ongoing problems. The Optima was responsive, comfortable, quick acceleration and the gas mileage exceeded 30 mpg on the highway. I am planning to buy one in the next 30 days. I understand that one week is not the same as owning, but I was that impressed with the car.
Surprised at the Value
Suprised Kia Guy, 07/19/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Had been looking around at new cars. Ford A/Z plan eligible. Drove a Fusion and an Optima. Even with A plan pricing Optima beat out Ford with Features, Pricing (rebate + discount), and gas mileage. The 5* crash rating was the clincher. With Rebate + discount, paid $14,500 for a well equipped Optima LX. Would have liked to buy a Toyota but with the discount, warranty, and features feel like I got a steal. Had it for 3 weeks now and rides great. Getting 25 - 27 mpg mixed driving. Love the steering wheel controls for radio. Only regret is buying white which looks great, but it going to be work to keep clean. Recommend Kia to anyone looking at a Honda or Toyota to save some $$.
Our Little Vacation Car
Hummer Guy, 06/21/2009
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Have a new H3, a 6yr old Sunfire, and an 08 Dodge Avenger (son). Needed a new smaller, more economical car for vacations now that both of us are retired. Looked at all of them in the one-year-old under $15000 range. I wanted another Avenger which son loves, but wife not comfortable in the seat. Ended up getting this 2008 Optima as a former Enterprise car. Absolutely LOVE IT. Wanted a four, but settled on a six, but the power is amazing -whiplash acceleration -and the economy on three fill ups has been 34, 34, 38 on combined interstate and city driving. The four could not have done much better. It has all the toys like steering wheel radio controls. Only had it 1 mo. So far VERY PLEASED!
Great Value!
GorgeKiaDriver, 07/07/2009
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased the base Optima, 4 cyl., 5 speed manual. A lot of car for the money, purchased new last month, 6/2009, for $10,995! Sweet deal. Had 10 miles, now have 300, first tank of gas I received on 18 mpg! Mostly in town, getting use to manual transmission again! Previous review complained about passenger doors not operating from driver side. Turn key once to the right to unlock driver door, twice to unlock all doors! Small price to pay for an inexpensive, quality built vehicle!
What A Great Little Car!!!!!!!!!!
ExGreenBeret, 08/20/2009
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my Optima last year when gas was nearing $4/gal. I drive a lot of miles so I sold my 475hp 12mpg Hemi Ram and bought the KIA. I had rented one in the past and was pleasantly surprised so I decided to give it a try. I've had it a year now, and have put over 40,000 miles on it already. There have been NO major problems, in fact I've not been back to the dealership for any reason. I change the oil and rotate the tires religiously but that's it. Would I recommend one to a friend? Hell, yes! Would I buy another one? Absolutely!
Premium Car for Undervalued Price!!!
Scott, 10/26/2009
2008 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is Amazing! Coming from a Detroit Union raised native (typically purchases GM, Ford & Chrysler vehicles) I decided to take a look at one for the warranty of 10YR/or/100K Miles, whichever comes first. Nice driving give me 30 mpg hwy and the automatic stick shift allows me to have optimal usage in passing slow cars. Plenty of get up and go in the 4 cylinder...technology is incredible as 2009 KIAs may introduce MSFT software in them!!! Drives incredible and has hard hitting stock sound system (from Detroit Rock City). Be sure to go to your dealer and take one for a spin.
More for less
rick vanbarg, 07/25/2008
2008 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I really thought about buying an Accord or a Camry, you know image is important. Well, I could not get over how much better the Optima was compared to the other image cars. The optima rode better, looked sharp, (I have the appearance pkg) and was thousands less. The sound system is really nice. I have over 8,000 miles on it, getting around 31-32 mpg on highway. I must say that I'm very pleased with this car. Kia's image is the only thing bringing this company down, give them a couple more years and your looking at the next Honda or Toyota. Can't wait to see whats next for them.
GREAT CAR!!!
Chris Martin, 11/16/2009
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
me and my dad got this car for my mom. i was surprised as to how well a 2.4l 4 cylinder performs... quick on the accelerator, yet responsive on the brakes. not only does it have a lot of gumption under the hood for a 4 cylinder, it looks great, rides smooth, quiet, great sound, comfortable, accessible, and most of all, affordable! i definitely recommend this car to anyone, even if their on a tight budget! i give the Kia Optima a 9.5/10
Great car for the price !!!!
Don, 07/03/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Plenty of interior space. Dashboard is well laid out and controls within easy reach. I have only owned my Kia for one month but am averaging 30 mpg back and fourth to work. Ride is good but drivers seat needs more lumbar support. On long drives, back gets a little tired. One thing I did have troubles with were the headlights. They left a dark shadow on the drivers side. Had dealer replace headlight and problem was fixed.
Amazing Car! Worth every penny!
Marjorie, 08/11/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've owned Hondas, Camrys, and other trendy cars in the past, but this is by far the best in terms of safety, price, and smooth riding. I love this car! Too bad people think it's a cheap car b/c of the name brand, but it's very reliable, rides smoothly, very safe 5 star-crash safety testing, 6 airbags, double safety bars on doors, etc. This car is by far better than any Honda, Camry, or Nissan in terms of gas mileage, price, warranty and safety. I highly recommend it to anyone buying a new car. You can't beat the warranty. I got free oil changes for 80K miles:)
Great car for the price
spysgrandson, 12/10/2009
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have owned 9 Hyundais (still have 3) but this is my first Kia. I purchased it in August 2009 (it was a year old) with 18900 miles for $9988 (I know the folks at the dealership). Given the warranty, the great fuel economy, and the comfort and features, I have to say I am very pleased. I have owned a Toyota and a Honda before. Those brands may be slightly better quality, but considering the $$ difference, I think there is no question which is the better buy.
LOVE this car!
Me Me, 02/04/2010
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We just got this car about 2 weeks ago. And i truly love it. It is so easy to drive. I dont have a bad thing to say. Awesome car for the $$$ Would recommend this to anyone!!
Value-vs-Pre-Conceived value
bilwhi, 08/22/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
With the exceptions of the following. Hard seats, blind spots, cheesy interior door handles, misleading mpg, it is a great little car. Known'n then what I know now, I would have never traded my overly-dependable 1989 olds 98 that delivered a honest 31 mpg & more comfort & mpg than Kia ever thought possible. Bottom line is like the car but I loved my olds!
nice little car
Chris B, 03/17/2010
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I'm 5'11, 265 lbs. This car offers plenty of room and a great many stock features which all work well. I do have some complaints however. The pillars on the front windshield can be difficult to see around and I have removed the headrests because of visibility issues as well. The shift gate is an absolute nuisance when trying to go from "D" to "R". The key fob frequently opens my trunk because of additional keys in my pocket, but that's pretty nit-picky. Stock tires bad - I put "winters" on this year to manage that. All in all, a sound vehicle at a terrific price warranties are questionable only because of the difference between dealerships. Seat adjustment are just ok.
Recently purchased, Love more each day
NCShane, 07/10/2008
2008 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We looked at other cars (Camry, Accord, Sonata) & Kia offered the most for the $ w/roomy interior, good mileage, lots of trunk space & 5 star front, rear & side impact ratings We opted for a fully loaded EX w/appearance pkg, convenience pkg & Electronic Stability Control. This includes leather & heated seats too! We got a great deal especially with the $3K cash back Kia offered So far the car has performed well. It handles very nice on the road. The interior is very quite at cruising speed, though the engine is heard when accelerating but it is not overbearing. Fit & feel are great, acceleration smooth. The interior to us was nicer style than others. Optima gets better more I drive it!
WOW, says it for me.
BigChris, 08/25/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
As with many people my bias toward Kia was negative based on second hand knowledge of prior year models BUT Wow, I am so far amazed. I gave the car a 9/10 on Interior only because I feel the plushness of the cloth seat fabric does not fully live up to the quality level of this car. I am impressed with how this car measures up to my test drives in similar Lexus, Toyota, Volvo, and Mazda vehicles. Sweet! The cabin is solid and quite. Rear seat leg room and comfort beyond expectation. Ride, Steering, and Handling ... ahhhh ... so good. Love the Deep Sea Blue paint. Trunk - Deep & Wide. Standard sound system, pretty darn good, and that's VERY important to me. A/C works very well even in Texas.
Not bad
Piper Cub Pilot, 05/10/2010
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My first imported car. Very well thought out packaging and overall design. Efficient with great safety features. At 27,000 miles the car feels and looks the same as it did when new. Reliability has been excellent and performance is on par with competition. Cheap to maintain and insure. At a $14,500 out-the-door price in 2008, it is a bargain.
Great Car
6Dogwood, 08/31/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I sold my Corolla and was looking to find a great replacement. Well, enough said. This is a great car. It can carry four people very comfortably. However, economy is a hard pill to swallow. I am averaging 21 mpg and this is taking some getting used to. My corolla averaged 28 mpg. I thought this was a problem with the vehicle but turns out that after reading other reviews this is normal. Overall I am pleased.
Best new car yet
art, 10/07/2010
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I own a '08 optima. Was skeptical at first, but after a shake down Cruise of 500 miles, I was hooked. Got 31 mpg new. Only after market addition was a k&n air filter. Got 50.000 out of the original tires and believe it or not the brakes! Have had no major problems and it only left sit once a dead battery! I remember the earlier models and all the problems associated with them. Night and day! Way to go! Would recommend Kia to anybody looking for an inexpensive durable car. BTW mine has over 75,000 on it.
A great choice
Mike, 07/11/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After driving my used 2001 KIA Rio to 120,000 trouble-free miles, it was time to trade it in. The $3000 rebate and some research made the Optima an easy choice. Simply put I really love this car. Performance is excellent, the 5-speed manual is smooth as silk, the engine feels more powerful than the numbers would suggest. Handling is good and the interior is comfortable and quiet (a big change from my old Rio. It was a great little car, but let's face it, it was a go-cart with doors!). You could easily spend a lot more for a car with fewer features. The KIA brand may not have "status" but they do deliver a lot of value for the money.
Great little car for the downsizer
bumpergirl, 09/22/2008
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have owned the 2008 Kia Optima for a few weeks now. I understand it may take a while to break in a new car and improve gas mileage. So far I am averaging between 26 and 30 mpg. Highway of course is outstanding. I am overall happy with my purchase. Its somewhat of an adjustment coming down from a Toyota Avalon. However, I am very happy with the balance between luxury and economy in the Kia. The interior and exterior appearance are definitely luxury. The ride and price is definitely economy. So keep that in mind. The experience buying the car was excellent. The best way to work is to put a small deposit on your car, and write up the Purchase and sale, then shop 2-3 dealers. Happy days!
My Kia
Karin , 11/14/2010
2008 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have nothing bad to say about my Kia Optima. The only thing I don't like is the headlights. They are pointed too low. It's like 20 ft in front of you is bright, then it drops off to total darkness.
Power to Surprise
Streeter, 09/18/2008
2008 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I agree with Kia's slogan. I was planning to replace my well worn out 91 Honda Accord with another Accord or Camry. I then saw the commercial for the Optima stating a price $3000 less than a Camry or Accord plus a $3000 rebate. This grabbed my attention so I went to see what Kia was all about. And I was surprised. Kia has done a nice job of building a sound car with features only found on higher end cars. I already have 3500 miles on it in two months. My mileage has steadily increased with each fill from 27 mpg to 29.5 for my driving. The car is quiet and shifts smooth (although a bit too frequently). We'll see what I think after 100,000 miles but so far I am impressed.