Kia Optima or Honda Accord

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how old these Kia impressions are. I have a 2018[i][u] Kia Niro and love it. We looked at Kias a few years prior and were disappointed in the build quality and bought something else. But their newer models get good reviews and I liked it more than everything else we saw.

I remember in the 80s when Toyatas had the reputation of being cheap and crappy. That's obviously changed. I wonder if Kia isn't turning that corner.

key point here.

I also ended up in rented KIA recently and thought that the build quality seemed much improved from 10-15 years ago. I was in a newish Sorento, though.

If I was just looking at a vehicle to throw some miles on, then I would look seriously at the Optima. I'm a Toyota owner, but my perception is that even the entry-level American cars have largely caught up to where Honda and Toyota were in the 90s. At that time, the Honda and Toyota sedans were seen as miracles because they lasted to 250K generally without major problems, whereas American cars tended to become real headaches around 100k. Now, I don't think that is the case. My brother works in an unaffiliated shop in the Midwest, and seems to think that 250k has become more the standard on sedans like Focuses and Fusions. I'm sure that every company has some extra long-running vehicles. My dad put something like 400,000 on an Oldsmobile van. The point of this digression is that if the Optima is going to hold up to 250k, then you were probably going to want to replace the car at that point anyway because in 10-20 years there will be a new generation of tech. And you can get the KIA for substaintially less, not quite half price, but not so far off either. But my opinion has always been that the best car is the one with the lowest true cost of ownership. To me, Honda's have moved away from economy roots to become quite pricey, though if you care about all those extras perhaps it is a bargain.

However, I don't know anything about the safety ratings of the vehicle. That could be a serious concern, particularly if you see the vehicle as a potential hand-me down to a future teen driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how old these Kia impressions are. I have a 2018[i][u] Kia Niro and love it. We looked at Kias a few years prior and were disappointed in the build quality and bought something else. But their newer models get good reviews and I liked it more than everything else we saw.

I remember in the 80s when Toyatas had the reputation of being cheap and crappy. That's obviously changed. I wonder if Kia isn't turning that corner.

key point here.

I also ended up in rented KIA recently and thought that the build quality seemed much improved from 10-15 years ago. I was in a newish Sorento, though.

If I was just looking at a vehicle to throw some miles on, then I would look seriously at the Optima. I'm a Toyota owner, but my perception is that even the entry-level American cars have largely caught up to where Honda and Toyota were in the 90s. At that time, the Honda and Toyota sedans were seen as miracles because they lasted to 250K generally without major problems, whereas American cars tended to become real headaches around 100k. Now, I don't think that is the case. My brother works in an unaffiliated shop in the Midwest, and seems to think that 250k has become more the standard on sedans like Focuses and Fusions. I'm sure that every company has some extra long-running vehicles. My dad put something like 400,000 on an Oldsmobile van. The point of this digression is that if the Optima is going to hold up to 250k, then you were probably going to want to replace the car at that point anyway because in 10-20 years there will be a new generation of tech. And you can get the KIA for substaintially less, not quite half price, but not so far off either. But my opinion has always been that the best car is the one with the lowest true cost of ownership. To me, Honda's have moved away from economy roots to become quite pricey, though if you care about all those extras perhaps it is a bargain.

However, I don't know anything about the safety ratings of the vehicle. That could be a serious concern, particularly if you see the vehicle as a potential hand-me down to a future teen driver.

Kias is not American. It's Korean. As is Hyundai.

[Anonymous]

We were debating this same thing, actually (as well as the Camry). Our mechanic said that unless you are strapped for cash, or only plan on driving it for a few years, you should always buy an Accord or Camry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were debating this same thing, actually (as well as the Camry). Our mechanic said that unless you are strapped for cash, or only plan on driving it for a few years, you should always buy an Accord or Camry.

Or Subaru

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were debating this same thing, actually (as well as the Camry). Our mechanic said that unless you are strapped for cash, or only plan on driving it for a few years, you should always buy an Accord or Camry.

Or Subaru

Meh. Subaru is notorious for head gasket issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were debating this same thing, actually (as well as the Camry). Our mechanic said that unless you are strapped for cash, or only plan on driving it for a few years, you should always buy an Accord or Camry.

Or Subaru

Meh. Subaru is notorious for head gasket issues.

You are out of your mind. Subaru is great car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were debating this same thing, actually (as well as the Camry). Our mechanic said that unless you are strapped for cash, or only plan on driving it for a few years, you should always buy an Accord or Camry.

Or Subaru

Meh. Subaru is notorious for head gasket issues.

You are out of your mind. Subaru is great car.

The 2004-2010 models had the head gasket issues. The 2011 and onwards have had other issues. We had a 2012 Outback, sold it 2017 and replaced it with a 2010 model Honda (yes, 2 yrs older than the Subie) and the Honda felt much better put together. Most cars appear very nice and similar, drive them 5+ years and you'll start seeing the differences. The paint quality on the Subie's are useless, just google "Subaru paint quality" and also "Subaru oil consumption".....Subie engines use a quart of oil every 3-4000 miles, plus they've had a bunch of recalls.

Most car's initial quality is very good and comparable, minimal differences, and Kia/Hyundai's are much much better now than 10-15 years ago, however drive them 5=10 years (assuming you intend on keeping you car that long) and you'll find Honda/Toyota quality is superior to anything else on the market.

[Anonymous]

We have a Kia and it's been great. With Honda and Toyota you're paying a big upcharge just for the name. Check Consumer Reports. Kia has become a pretty reliable brand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a Kia and it's been great. With Honda and Toyota you're paying a big upcharge just for the name. Check Consumer Reports. Kia has become a pretty reliable brand.

Kias are pretty good except for that issue that they have with engine fires.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a27053460/nhtsa-investigation-hyundai-kia-fires/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a Kia and it's been great. With Honda and Toyota you're paying a big upcharge just for the name. Check Consumer Reports. Kia has become a pretty reliable brand.

Kias are pretty good except for that issue that they have with engine fires.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a27053460/nhtsa-investigation-hyundai-kia-fires/

Hmm, kind of like Honda (and Toyota’s) issue with the exploding airbags that has killed 24 people?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/06/29/honda-recalls-deadly-air-bag-inflators/amp/

Or Toyota’s “unintended acceleration” problem that killed 89?

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/toyota-unintended-acceleration-has-killed-89/#

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how old these Kia impressions are. I have a 2018 Kia Niro and love it. We looked at Kias a few years prior and were disappointed in the build quality and bought something else. But their newer models get good reviews and I liked it more than everything else we saw.

I remember in the 80s when Toyatas had the reputation of being cheap and crappy. That's obviously changed. I wonder if Kia isn't turning that corner.

Toyotas were never crappy. They were cheap and small but amazing reliable. Hence how they thrived.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were debating this same thing, actually (as well as the Camry). Our mechanic said that unless you are strapped for cash, or only plan on driving it for a few years, you should always buy an Accord or Camry.

Or Subaru

Meh. Subaru is notorious for head gasket issues.

It's true, because I know someone who's head gasket cracked at around 120K in their Forester

[Anonymous]

If Kias were such great, well-built reliable vehicles, then why are they so affordable vs. a Japanese brand?@

Do they still come w/that power train warranty?

[Anonymous]

I have an 2004 Honda Accord EX with 180k miles and it's going strong. Except for oil change, tires, tune-up, the only thing I had to replace is the O2 sensor.

Honda reliability is proven, Kia is not (yet). If you want to take a chance with Kia, go for it.