Since I retired August 1 and lost my take home car, I have been considering the purchase of a used car. I located a private party sale for a 2015 Kia Optima EX nearby that looks promising. It has the EX Premium Package, 39000 miles on the odometer, and new tires. Asking price is $15,700, which is $2k less than average private party sale value per KBB. Checking sites like Carvana and CarFax Sales shows that the price may be a little high but not by much.

Anyone have any experience with this make and model? Are there any known issues to watch out for? Thanks in advance.

I know a few people that have them. They swear by them. Seem to be pretty solid cars. Essentially, they’re just a Hyundai. If you wait until October and want to spend a little more than $15k, you can get some pretty great deals on Hyundai/Kia. Last October I bought a 2018 Hyundai Sonata (sticker $27k) for $19400 including TTL.

If it has the 4 cylinder, make sure there is proper documentation on the oil changes.

The warranty may not transfer. Check with your local Kia dealer.

The 4 cylinder Forte we had could not get out of its own way.

I use www.cargurus.com sometimes ... pretty good info, but you will get a LOT of ads from them after visiting their site. But that's what pays the bills I guess.

I’ve been really impressed with Kia/Hyundai over the last 20 years. My MIL is very hard on vehicles and couldn’t kill a 2001 Sephia (model before the Spectra). The 2003 Spectra we bought new for my wife was great until she destroyed the transmission. Our 2008 Sportage developed an electrical issue around the 150k mile mark but it only affected the rear wiper. I don’t know any specific issues with the Optima but I’m sold on the brand overall.

ETA: The 10/100 warranty won’t transfer but it’ll still have 5/60 coverage.

quote:

Originally posted by Leemur

ETA: The 10/100 warranty won’t transfer but it’ll still have 5/60 coverage.

That's good info to have, especially since the seller is using the warranty as a selling point and a reason to justify the price.

If you have a Kia dealer local to you, go tell them what you found and see what they’ll do. Their certified used carry the 10/100.

Girl in my office has a '13 SX that's been dead-on reliable. Only issue she's had in the last 5 years was a bad neutral safety switch which rendered the car unstartable.

I'd opt for a new one with the full warranty or a certified used one, like was said the 10/100 isn't transferable.

Kia had issues with the 4 cyl and oil sludge build up, generally as was said due to poor maintenance schedules.

I've been happy and impressed with our '11' Sorento SX. Other than normal maintenance it hasn't been to the dealer for anything else. I can't comment on the Optima, just the brand. If it meets your needs I wouldn't hesitate in buying it.

Jim

My son has one and it has been a solid car for him. He is also 6'4" and can fit in it. I have a Kia Sedona Minivan and am very impressed by it. I've got about 50,000 miles on it and just had to put on a new set of tires, but everything else has been solid so far (knock wood).

Ex GF had one with over 215,000 miles on it. Each year she would have ALL fluids replaced at KIA dealership - brake fluid, motor/transaxle oils, coolant, etc...

It finally died in a rear end crash.

She bought another KIA.

We had a 2013 Kia Optima. Drove it for about four years with 80000 miles when we traded her in. That was one of the better cars I have ever owned.

My problem with it was it was so damn low that it was difficult to get in and out of. For me at least. I ain't big either at 5-10 and about 155 lbs.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Girl in my office has a '13 SX that's been dead-on reliable. Only issue she's had in the last 5 years was a bad neutral safety switch which rendered the car unstartable.

Then how is that dead on reliable?

To me, that price sounds high. ,especially for the year. I will say our Kia Sedona has held up really well despite my wife's best effort to destroy it.