Very interesting article on the 07 Optima.

[Huney1]

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...07-Kia-Optima/

I remember seeing something about JD Powers giving them a good rating but I was startled when I rad this about Kia reliability: "The Automobile.com reviewer cites specific data to support this claim. For instance, "In the 2003 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the South Korean brand was rated 34th out of 37 nameplates, nothing to brag about, with 168 problems per 100 vehicles sold, all cars tested being within the first three months of ownership." Even better, "The latest 2006 study is its strongest showing yet, in 24th place with 136 problems per 100 vehicles, now ahead of such industry figureheads as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Saab, Hummer and Land Rover, not to mention a number of direct rivals such as Subaru, Mazda, Suzuki and Volkswagen." Welllll Dogies! Now ain't that a knee slapper? Also see J.D. Power's assessment of the Optima's quality and reliability. I saw a TV show about the new Hyundai plant in Louisiana and is it ever ultra-modern and for 1.1 BILLION dollars it should be. KIA is building a new plant in the US but I don't know where. I said this before, but it is strange how American car mfgrs are moving overseas while foreign car mfgrs are moving here. Somehow that just doesn't sit right, but then I wonder why foreign cars sales are making record profits while American cars are experiencing record losses and laying off thousands in their plants. Maybe it's the unions costing so much to produce a vehicle they end up cutting their own throats.

[cmhj2000]

Back in 03, which is the time frame this study was started, I had little to do with Kia/Hyundai. Now I've taken a completely different look. They seemed to have gotten many issues behind them.

There is though still an issue with the dealer network. I've found many cases where the dealers will try to wiggle when it comes to warranty. Fortunately I have a good dealer, which keeps me on their side.

[Huney1]

That's the most comprehensive article I've read thus far and it certainly brought a lot of good things to light. From what the article said KIA is coming on strong so maybe the resale value will get better soon. I plan on keeping ours at least five years and by then we'll cut back to just one vehicle because I'll be completely retired by then. I bought it at KIA Country Of Savannah, GA and it's an hours drive 50 miles from my home in SC. They seem nice enough but then they all talk a good game, so here's hoping they're easy to deal with for sevice work and if need be warranty. Hopefully no problems will develop and 'prolly be a long time before we get a KIA dealer in this town.

"There is though still an issue with the dealer network." I think poor to lousy service is the order of the day with most dealerships and if you don't watch 'em like a Hawk they'll stick it to you in a heartbeat. Everytime I took our Ford for an oil change they overfilled it at least a half quart to a quart. Once they filled it a quart and a half over full. Never check the tires air presure and over torqued the lug nuts big time. I said heck with Ford dealer and take it to the local garage and watch what they do and they do it right. So it goes in America the land of lousy service and the incompetence in the American workplace is absoultely unbelievable. No. I'm not an old grouch and I am not parinoid, I just want it done right and what a shame it is so hard to find a place that will simply do it right. Not only with vehicles with so many other facets of life in general.