I've noticed over the past few months most of the 2016 Optimas I see are LX and EX with a larger number being the EX versions. Even dealers that used to stock a lot of the SX and SXLs are not carrying a lot in their inventory. In my area I was used to seeing a lot of the SX and SXL version before 2016, now the EX are everywhere. The EX are such a great value when fully loaded and feels way better than the previous cars, even I was thinking of just getting an EX after driving it. Is anyone else seeing the same or see more SX/SXls?
Yea I agree with you , I'm also myself thinking of a 2016 EX, my local dealership only has 1 black sxl 16" in stock and not even 1 SX. Maybe the price difference has to come to factor also. But that's just my thoughts
So true that the number of 2016 SXL models on the roads or dealer lots are small.
Even in my area, you see only the non-SXL models on the roads even with 2011-2015 models.
However, that is true of any auto brand from Honda Accords to Subaru Outbacks.
Most owners seem to buy the more cost effective low-end models more than the upscale models of the same car.
I personally would pay more for the extra features, but I know plenty of people who will try to save a few thousand dollars by not buying the model with factory navigation and just use a TomTom dash unit or upgrade the factory radio with an aftermarket system etc.
The dealer usually do not stock a lot of cars that will not sell quickly, so that is why you will not see many SXL models compared to the other cheaper models.
Agreed. Even though the $41k I spent on the wife's 2015 could possibly have gotten her an entry level BMW, Lexus, Infinity and even a C class Benz, she preferred the Optima, right down to the quasi-white diamond tuck leather seats.
I'd have to agree. When I picked up my SXt (16) in January they only had the model I purchased and one SXL. I guess they don't really stock too many of them because they sell the lower models more which is obvious because it's cheaper vs a $30,000 sticker. But for me the bells and whistles is what I was looking for.
I just bought a SX turbo 2016, with the Launch package. There were none on the lot at this particular Kia dealership, so they had to go and trade whatever car the other dealer wanted for the one I wanted to buy. What a great car, only comes in Pearl White with the Merlot interior when you get it with the launch package. Very few dealers have this particular car on their lots. This one MSRP's @ $33,501 which of course I did not pay. The car is loaded to the gills with all the nice toys you could possible want. I think , except for the nappa seats, it is a better deal then the SXL. Also, I believe the trade-in will be much better on this Optima due to the amount of SX turbo's with the Launch Package Kia has made.
I don't think the Launch Package will have as much affect on the resale value of the Optimas. The average consumer that would look to buy a used Optima probably won't know that there was such a thing. And I'm willing to bet that most salesmen at used car lots won't know what a Launch Package is. They will probably assume it is some sort of "Launch control" feature that helps the Optima take off at stoplights. If Kia had packaged the car with some sort of extra HP or performance packaging, then I could see it selling for more at trade-in, but just giving it an extra label and a few interior pieces and options, I can't imagine someone paying a premium for those items.
As far as the SX and SXLs apparently smaller numbers, I'd attribute that directly to the styling of the car. With the previous generation's version, it always is mistaken for a Lexus, Audi, or some other luxury brand and people were ok with paying a premium for a car that had that distinctive styling. The new body style doesn't really scream out like the previous style did, IMO and that's why people aren't biting. I can see Kia either rolling back prices on the SX and SXL or restyling them more aggressively to try to sell more. My guess is they'll try to do to the SX/SXL what they did with the Sonata after it had poor sales figures with its latest refresh.
Not all used Optimas end up back at Kia dealerships. It's extremely reasonable to believe that someone, either buying or selling the vehicle, would not know the ins and outs of a "Launch Edition" Optima as passionately as you do.
**** I work at a dealership (not Kia) and own an optima and I don't even know what is different about a launch edition lol.
True, not all Optimas end up back at a Kia dealership but someone who is buying the Optima with the "Launch Edition" probable would know about it, its called research, and someone who is selling one would certainly know
about the "Launch Edition" . After all, before the person bought the 2016 I am sure he or she looked at a brochure. Unless you own a 2016 optima you would NOT know about the difference of owning a SX with the "launch Edition Package" because this is the first year that they have offered it. By the way, the car salespeople that I have dealt with where very knowledgeable about the product that they sell. What is different about the launch edition is the 11 options that you get with it and the only color of the car is Pearl White.
From the 2011 redesign, I saw more of the SX around, for around $30K with all the options and probably $25 with discounts and rebates, it was a great deal and an excellent buy, if a bit noisy. With it being quieter and offering as much equipment at the EX level, it's hard to justify the Turbo when the performance is a small step more but a big jump in price without a big discount as before. I'm sure the improvements are worth the price increase but q lot of us was hoping they would take the performance a bit further instead of detuning the engine and charging more.
The SX/SXL could do with a bump in power and performance to match the price they want to charge now. With Ford and Honda doing a Sport version, KIA should do the same and not do like Hyundai and put out a lame sport version that's basically a looker with nothing to back it up. If the top SX came with some 19 wheel/tire, suspension lowering, different and sportier front and rear bumpers along with 25 more horses and 30 lb ft, oh and proper sport seats, all at that $36K price, that would do it for me. I'm just hoping they will do just that with their new 8speed transmission.
I know SUV/CUV are the big sellers now but with the Optima looking as luxurious and sporty as it does, they need to do something to make the SX nomenclature really stand out and worth the price they are asking now.
Agreed. Even though the $41k I spent on the wife's 2015 could possibly have gotten her an entry level BMW, Lexus, Infinity and even a C class Benz, she preferred the Optima, right down to the quasi-white diamond tuck leather seats.
$41K for an Optima? HFS!!! Did you buy this as soon as they hit the lots, middle of the year or late to left over time of the year? Did you get sucked in to an expensive extended warranty by the Finance Guru that you might not have mentioned?
$ 37,000 Approximate Total with any extras $ - 3,700 Less the 10% you should have negotiated it down to
$ 33,300 Subtotal $ - 1,000 Less the incentive which was probably available (assuming mid year)
$ 32,300 Subtotal $ 1,000 Adding your tint and remote (hope they didn't charge you twice this amount)
$ 33,300 Subtotal
$ 2,664 Add Sales Tax (8%) $ 175 Add Title & Registration fees
$ 36,139 Total OTD price
$ 41,000 What you paid $ -36,139 What you should have paid with good negotiation
$ 4,861 What you got screwed for
This is realistic and you really should have someone that's savvy to help you buy a new car. You should negotiate with numerous Dealers and find out which ones have larger inventories and sell high volumes.
Does either one have the Launch Package. Easy to tell, Pearl White color with the Merlot interior.[/QUOTE]
Nope. Mine is Platinum Metallic SX. Neighbors is White SXL. I looked at Launch Edition when buying. Would have bought it if it came in Platinum Metallic.
This is because of the cost to feature ratio. I got an EX with the peremium pack because for the money I am getting pretty much a fully loaded car. The SXL would've added a turbo, radar cruise control, an EPB, and a few other nice feature, but it isn't worth thousands more for those things
The one feature that I was specifically looking for when I opted for my SX-L was the vented seats. They're a nice feature in Texas with all the heat, but I've learned to enjoy some of the other features like the Auto Hold feature and even the heated steering wheel feature (good for 3-4 days out of the year in TX). What you have to keep in mind is that in 3-4 years some of the features that you paid a premium for are going to be standard in most entry trim levels. If you paid extra for them when your car was new, it'll help a bit with the resale of the car when you go to sell it. But just remember that you generally paid extra for those features so they don't necessarily mean you're going to come out ahead one way or the other.
Now after starting this thread, I see my first SXL this morning after having to take a detour from the highway due to a traffic incident. It was parked on the street and I thought it was an EX, then as I got closer I noticed those tail lights and the SX T-GDI badge.
I've been VERY pleased with my SX-T I bought new in 2012. At that time, you could get an EX with a turbo but without all the SX sport features. The step-up to the SX-L was ~$4K and besides some extra bling (which I liked BTW) and the nicer seats, just wasn't' worth the extra cost to me. Note that my SX has only the UVO system and not the NAV system (which I'm glad of cause I use my Samsung S5 for anyway). In the "value for the dollar" quotient, I feel that I got an excellent buy, especially compared to the competition back in 2012/2013.
Combine that with the modifications I've done over the last three years and I'm really pleased with my purchase/investment. Looking forward to many fun miles ahead is my plan and expectation.
When I bought my first Optima in 2011, it was a very unique car hardly seen at all on the roads. It also came with so many standard features, that it offered way more bang for the buck than most other brands. It was an ebony black LX. I drove it for almost five years and 66k miles and the only trouble I ever had with it was a left front wheel bearing replacement and a cracked emission control canister. At the end of April I traded it in for a new, but leftover 2015 SXL, again in Ebony black. Man, I love this car! The black with the chrome wheels looks spectacular and I've had several folks stop and look it over in parking lots, etc. The amount of bells and whistles on my SXL makes it so fun and enjoyable to drive. Just a great car and fun to drive.
Little late in the conversation - but all the Optimas I see are still of the EX/LX trims. I've seen one other SX-T around but other than that I'm still looking. Compared to my old modded BMW I had, I'd say this is more rare right now haha.
With all the sales advertisement on KIAs, I was driving by an area with multiple dealers and was surprised how dead the area was. We drove through the KIA dealer lot and they had tons of Sorentos and shortage in stock the cars, of all types were not as plentiful. What's interesting was they had no Optima SX or SXLs on the lot, not one! I've been reading that CUVs have started to outsell cars, a number of dealerships I've been past seem to have more trucks and CUVs in their inventory than cars. Those compact versions seem to be selling a lot in my area as well.
Looks like the EX with all its upgrades is becoming the top seller now. Seems KIA has priced the Optima SX/L too high for the majority of folks, even though it is still a good value compared to other vehicles in its class out there. Well at least KIA is making great strides in their products. The age of the SUV/CUV starts this year.
I say it's the styling. A co-worker of mine said she liked how my SXL looked and said she was considering buing one. I told her they redesigned them and showed her a picture of the new styling and she said, "eww!". She said it looks too much like a cross between a Ford Fusion and a Toyota Corolla.
I get how folks can get turned off by the changes. When BMW redesigned the 5 series back in 2003, I really disliked it so much I didn't even want to sit in it. Years later once I got to drive one, I was so impressed I bought it and then a 2nd version. I've learned since to be more open towards different vehicles, hence my foray into KIA.
The 2016 now carries the status the 2011 presented but never delivered. Knowing what the interior has now, I would love my car to have that or have a replacement with the new look. Now that more info is out on the Niro, we might go with one of those if it drives well.
Well I almost traded my 2014 SXL in for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee 75 year Edition yesterday.
The Jeep salesman loved my Optima and stated that he may buy my car after I trade it since he was surprised about how loaded my SXL was when he was doing the appraisal and test drive.
When they tried to look up the price of other 2014 SXL models in the area they could not find one other 2014 SXL model in a 100mile radius of Atlanta for sale to base my trade on.
They decided to give me $20k on a trade since my car has only 17k miles on it, however I actually liked my Optima more than the Jeep after much consideration and I just kept my car.
I wanted to have an AWD car/suv for bad weather days, but I am just going to buy a set of Bridgestone winter tires and 17in wheels from Tirerack and store them in my basement for those days that i may need them.
But it was nice to see that my car still has some value to it, and it is very rare in my area.
SXL models are one those rare cars that is very nice that actually goes unnoticed by many until they actually see one in person.
The thought did cross my mind, but many other cars out there do not give the same amount of perks as the SXL does unless you spend $$$$ and they still have issues with recalls like Jeep and Chevy.
---------- Post added at 11:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 PM ----------
Snow tires are always a good choice if you get a lot of the white stuff in your area, unless you need the AWD for some off-roading and trail driving it's probably not worth it. I've always thought the Jeeps looks good from the outside but have never been impressed with the interior and they way they drive.
You got some low miles on your ride, that's a good thing for you. Have you driven the new Optima or Sorento (if you're looking at SUVs)? Both are much like luxury vehicles now, I was impressed with the way the both drive and handle.
The Jeep I wanted looked nice on the outside, but the interior was mostly plastic and kind of cheap looking for the $40k+ price tag.
The Jeep also had a weird control setup for the heated/cooled seats that required you to use the radio touch screen to use the features without having any control switches in the car itself.
Therefore, if the radio fails I would lose a lot of other features/controls in the Jeep which was the deal breaker for me after thinking about it.
So i decided to just save my money and go with the winter tire combo since i do not ever go off road, plus I would get tired of the Jeep after about a year when the new wore off.
---------- Post added at 11:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:17 PM ----------
Since reading this post back in June I've also noticed, in my area, that I'm not seeing any other SXL models. Lots of EX and SX on the road. I did see another SXL at my dealer. It's the same color as well but has the chrome wheel option. It was a new arrival and still had the shipping protection in place.
Almost every online review I've read on the SX, show 0-60 in high 6's to low 7s. To me that's not a good deal for a Kia that's $30K + (lowest price I've found is $31,290 for an SX-T). For that price I can get a barely used used A4, 328i, or new Accord V6......all with higher performance.
On the other hand, there are plenty of Optima EX's for $22.4k around here in SoCal. Yeah it's the 2.4 but that's still a lot of car for the money IMO. I don't see how an SX is worth the nearly roughly $10K premium over the EX.
You have a few good points and even the 2.0 are not that fast hence that's why its a sedan, the 2.4 actually make more sense than the turbo for the value but most people will regret not getting the turbo afterwards lol. If you want a faster 4 door sedan car then this is NOT the car you want, heck I think the V6 are the way to go and if want more balls then go for a V8 :lol:
It depends on what features are important to you, I guess. I don't care at all about 0-60 time or any of that business. The SXL is a huge leap above an Accord, with tech features that match upper end Audis for significantly less money. You can't really compare used car prices with new. In my opinion, the SXL is drawing people that would otherwise buy a luxury brand, it's not competing with Honda, Nissan, Toyota, etc. I got a car the size of an A6 or S80 with about the same creature comforts, for way less money than an A4 or S60. For what's important to me, the SXL was a good value. That's just my opinion, I have very little to complain about with this car...
It depends on what features are important to you, I guess. I don't care at all about 0-60 time or any of that business. The SXL is a huge leap above an Accord, with tech features that match upper end Audis for significantly less money....
LOL. Comparing an Audi to Kia. You can throw every nanny gimmick into a Kia (adaptive cruise, lane warnings...etc). None will make it feel/handle/accelerate like an Audi. The MSRP Kia wants for the SX-L is laughable and throwing tech gadgets at it to fetch mid to high $30s, is limited to the silly demographic that thinks more tech = more car. Hence the reason they don't sell well unless they're heavily discounted to $30K.