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Updated 02/22/2011 (Bought Sonata): 2011 Optima vs 2011 Sonata

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Ok. I've test driven the 2011 Optima LX Automatic trim and rented the Sonata GLS with preferred equipment. If no one told me that Hyundai and Kia were the same group, I wouldn't have thought they were built on the same platform. Both are great cars of course and have the same engines.

Style/Exterior: Optima looks sporty and very upscale. Sonata... has too many curves/lines and makes it look like a transformers movie reject of how starscream would look in car form.

Interior: I really liked the Sonata interior with the blue lights. The center console is nice too. The optima is interesting since the center console is directed 10 degrees towards the driver. The gauges are red in color. Overall, I like the Optima interior a lot more.

Performance: I'm looking at the 2.4 L engine, so they both are relatively the same, just tuned a little differently. Both roughly around 200hp/185~lb/tq.

Mileage: Combined mileage checked by fueleconomy.gov reports 27mpg, which is the same for both vehicles.

Suspension/Ride: Sonata is a bit softer, versus the Optima which is firmer as someone else had mentioned. I do like the sportiness since I'm coming from a Evo X. I don't know if it translates in being a corner carver, but at least it didn't feel floaty, as though I was in an oldsmobile.

Insurance: Same costs.

So far, I'm leaning towards the Optima... but who knows, I've also been eyeing the new Elantra.... that 40mpg highway is sure attractive.
 
So what do you guys think about the 2011 Honda Accord? I just got a quote and it seems that the Sonata and Accord are priced pretty much the same. The Kia Optima is actually a little more expensive (most likely since it's new/first year).
 
Chrono said:
So what do you guys think about the 2011 Honda Accord? I just got a quote and it seems that the Sonata and Accord are priced pretty much the same. The Kia Optima is actually a little more expensive (most likely since it's new/first year).
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I think the Accord is uglier than the Kia...on par with the Sonota. Rentals I have had drive decent enough for the segment. Honestly I'd probably go for a Legacy manual or a Fusion in that segment.
 
2011+Kia+Optima.jpg


:awe:
 
Castiel said:
Did you get the Turbo?
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Chrono said:
selected a Radiant Silver with GLS popular package.
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..


OP, I'm hoping that $20k price you listed is your OTD price.. otherwise it seems that you paid at or near MSRP. Truecar says $17.4k for the manual GLS and $18.5k for the auto GLS... and there is no official "popular package" it sounds like something your dealer put together.
 
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I didn't want to wait so I went over to the Hyundai dealership
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I don't get this - you stated that you preferred the Optima over the Sonata, but you're willing to throw $20K+ at your lesser choice because you might have to wait a couple more weeks?

Anyway, I like the Sonata better personally (exterior anyway, never been inside either). I hope it serves you well.
 
Go to truecar.com, enter in 91754 as zip code (SOCAL), select 2011 Sonata GLS w/ Automatic. Now select popular equipment I believe. Choose ipod cable, wheel locks, cargo net, all weather floor mats. Now add on 9.75% tax. There you have the price.

Evo was a great car but it was also my commuter car. I've had it for over 2 years with 46k miles on it. @220-230 miles/tank with premium gasoline, it was time to move on and get a dependable car that I had some room to move some people/stuff with.

I liked both the Sonata and the Optima. I liked the Optima but honestly I couldn't get over the fact that it was a Kia. It was actually more expensive than the Sonata. Plus they didn't have the one I wanted, which was White with convenience package.
 
mb said:
..


OP, I'm hoping that $20k price you listed is your OTD price.. otherwise it seems that you paid at or near MSRP. Truecar says $17.4k for the manual GLS and $18.5k for the auto GLS... and there is no official "popular package" it sounds like something your dealer put together.
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That's interesting because I went to both truecar.com and hyundaiusa.com and I see the popular equipment package listed right there. Not sure where you live but Sonata's are not going for 18.5k for the auto around here in LA.
 
Chrono said:
Got it for 20020, which is actually cheaper than ZAG pricing. I traded in my 2008 Evolution for 21K. I owed 20600. Leftover amount was rolled over as a down payment. Got the car for 21500 roughly. I think I did alright. Includes 5 years of oil, lube, tire rotation.
.
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Congrats. I don't mean to derail the thread but how does the above work? They took your car as down payment, $400? What advantage does a dealer have when they take an asset with a loan and sell their car for 20K?

BTW - Sonata is sexy.
 
Sid59 said:
Congrats. I don't mean to derail the thread but how does the above work? They took your car as down payment, $400? What advantage does a dealer have when they take an asset with a loan and sell their car for 20K?

BTW - Sonata is sexy.
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Just think of it this way... they offered me 21k for my car. My car is actually worth 22k as a great trade-in, however, my car has been in two accidents, both totaling over 4-5k in damages. So for me I actually got a good deal since others I've seen have only been quoted a few thousand less than what was offered to me. So the positive equity of $400 gets rolled over to the new vehicle purchase.
 
Chrono said:
That's interesting because I went to both truecar.com and hyundaiusa.com and I see the popular equipment package listed right there. Not sure where you live but Sonata's are not going for 18.5k for the auto around here in LA.
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d'oh! I'm sorry, I thought you were the guy looking at the manual GLS, and the manual GLS doesn't have any packages. When I quickly switched to the pricing on the auto GLS I neglected to look for options packages.

My local price with everything you have listed is $19,381. So if the prices you listed are your OTD prices (which I'm starting to assume they are - you still haven't said for sure) then your price is pretty good!
$18.5k is without the popular package, ipod cable, all weather mats, and cargo net. So again I think you made out pretty good.
 
mb said:
d'oh! I'm sorry, I thought you were the guy looking at the manual GLS, and the manual GLS doesn't have any packages. When I quickly switched to the pricing on the auto GLS I neglected to look for options packages.

My local price with everything you have listed is $19,381. So if the prices you listed are your OTD prices (which I'm starting to assume they are - you still haven't said for sure) then your price is pretty good!
$18.5k is without the popular package, ipod cable, all weather mats, and cargo net. So again I think you made out pretty good.
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It's ok no problem. The OTD price I made out with was 21500 after TTL. California robs us... so yeah.
 
I test drove the Optima EX, pretty much loaded. Damn, that's a pretty nice car. Granted, it was raining, and dark. Will prob go back Monday to try it out again.

My only holdback is that, well, it's a Kia. How hard will I get screwed on resale 4 years from now?
 
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