Magentis

[Carguy]

Here's a car worth a second look.

Styling is Euro/American, the front has a ford likeness and the back is very Mercedes-like.

Inside is crisp and tailored, not "plastic-land" like so many other cars on the road today.

Two engin options, a four bangner and a smooth 24 valve DOHC 2.5 litre V6 that cranks out an impressive 170 horsepower.

This car is nice, refined, appealing and trust me if it had a Nissan or Honda badge on it, it would sell for 30% more than with the KIA logo.

This car is going to give KIA and other Korean brands a big lift in terms of quality, value and styling.

Check it out.


Carguy:flash:

[gang$tarr]

that car looks pretty sweet, but i'd never buy it just because it says Kia on it :smoka:

[Euro19]

I like it´s edge styling, kinda elegant, is it safe?. Anywise I prefer the Leganza and Accord way ahead.

[Jimster]

I'd have to say tat the back end reminds me more of the previous model Mitsubishi Galant more than anything else

[Hudson]

The Magentis is sold in the US as the Kia Optima. It's an excellent car, as is the similar Hyundai Sonata. I, personally, prefer the styling of the Optima/Magentis to the Sonata. Now, if they'd just offer a 5-speed manual V6 in the US...

Having driven a few cars, the Optima is a better car than the Leganza and I find it more entertaining than the Accord. The Leganza isn't offered (not yet) with a V6 and the four-cylinder is a bit anemic and noisy...otherwise, the styling and the quality are pretty good. To me, the Accord is merely transportation (albeit, good transportation)...not much fun to drive or stylish to look at.

[Euro19]

Originally posted by Hudson
The Magentis is sold in the US as the Kia Optima. It's an excellent car, as is the similar Hyundai Sonata. I, personally, prefer the styling of the Optima/Magentis to the Sonata. Now, if they'd just offer a 5-speed manual V6 in the US...

Having driven a few cars, the Optima is a better car than the Leganza and I find it more entertaining than the Accord. The Leganza isn't offered (not yet) with a V6 and the four-cylinder is a bit anemic and noisy...otherwise, the styling and the quality are pretty good. To me, the Accord is merely transportation (albeit, good transportation)...not much fun to drive or stylish to look at.

We´ll have to see how Optima sales performs in the United.
And were you talking maybe about the Accord 2.2L 4 cylinders? Cause I find the V6 to be very responsive and powerfull, yet smooth and even luxurious (with leather etc.) And of course it´s styling doesn´t say to much but I like it that way.

[Jimster]

You cannot beat an Optima for Value For Money either, in NZ the 2.0 4cyl (The only one available) starts at NZ$27,900 and includes Dual airbags, ABS, Air con, body kit, central locking and elec mirrors + windows, which is better equiped than a similarly priced Honda Civic VTi or Peugeot 307 XS

[Euro19]

Originally posted by Jimmy_11_cars
You cannot beat an Optima for Value For Money either, in NZ the 2.0 4cyl (The only one available) starts at NZ$27,900 and includes Dual airbags, ABS, Air con, body kit, central locking and elec mirrors + windows, which is better equiped than a similarly priced Honda Civic VTi or Peugeot 307 XS

Damn! that´s expensive for a KIA, I guess you don´t mean it in american dollars. What´s the equivalent for US dollars? 12000?

[gang$tarr]

Originally posted by Jimmy_11_cars
which is better equiped than a similarly priced Honda Civic VTi or Peugeot 307 XS

how does the magentis compete with civics??

[Jimster]

In every way but size

[gang$tarr]

wow... i never would have compared those together

they don't seem to be in the same category of cars

civics are more econo-box sporty, while the magentis is meant to be a bigger "cruiser" type car for a family

[SEDONA]

I do love to read the posts about KIA quality... which is like comparing IBM PC-Juniors to current laptops. Live in the now!

The 2002 models are not only rated VERY safe, but their performance is greatly improved. Look at the merger that recently occurred and look at the new engines.

Case in point, the Sedona is the ONLY V-6, 5-speed mini van on the market AND it's been awarded all around 5-Star crash test ratings.

For looks, performance, price and warranty the Magentis is a rather intelligent buy.

[Hudson]

Recent? The merger happened over three years ago.

[gang$tarr]

i sat in one of those Sedona mini-vans at the auto show last year.... those seats are sooooooo hard (it was grey leather)

[SEDONA]

Originally posted by gang$tarr
i sat in one of those Sedona mini-vans at the auto show last year.... those seats are sooooooo hard (it was grey leather)

That could be my only complaint so far about the vans. But that's minor considering the KIAs past reputation. The cloth that I chose (due to kids) actually broke-in pretty quickly.

Hopefully you'll get a chance to drive one for the fun of it someday. The shifter on the dash is pretty cool, and the V-6, 5-speed is fun to run on the highway.
:smoker2: