Looking to get a 2014 optima sx....what should I know?
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All cars and people got issues, man. Browse around this site and you'll find a few of each.
Boy, will you see a difference in fuel mileage, Hybrid vs. 2.0T. All the engines '11-'14 are suspect, and probably the '15, but with the new ecu update, the engine will have an unlimited years/mileage warranty. The original turbo oil feed line is poor, and Kia will replace free of charge when leaking. If leak starts, get it done right away as when it splits there goes the oil. Oil/filter changes 5k miles, spark plugs 40k miles, fuel mileage is lousy, but the performance outweighs the negatives, or at least most of them. To me the heated/cooled seats feel like I'm setting on concrete, and the suspension is very stiff.
Your not better off with a 15. All 14 and 15's have engine recall to update the ecm. theirs no difference at this moment, both are suspect engine but covered under lifetime warranty due to the recall (for bearing wear)
Not to get confusing, but the 2015 Optima has not been recalled for the engine debris problem, only 2011-2014, but along with the '11-'14, the 2015 has had the voluntary ecu update and when the update is performed, then the unlimited engine warranty would be in effect.
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2015 is better since you'd get Android Auto.
I have a 2014 SX Turbo. I think its a great car. The performance is nice, it looks great, and I enjoy the ride quality, the interior is quiet, you get blindspot monitoring, rear parking sensors. I'm at 60k miles. But here are some of the problems I have had:
1. Pano sunroof made tons of noise that not even the radio could drown out. Kia replaced the whole thing under warranty but still a hassle to deal with.
2. HID headlight beam tends to bounce over bumps. I have asked kia to check if anything is loose and they said no everything is nice and tight.
3. Heated seats on the driver side failed. Kia fixed under warranty.
4. Water would infiltrate both taillights. If you let it persist the LEDs on the bottom half will die and thats why you may see 2014-15 SX optimas with half a taillight working on the road. Kia replaced both under warranty.
5. Stock Nexen tires are garbage. Change them if you can.
6. Gas mileage is terrible. Even when I drive like a pansy I don't achieve the rated mpg.
1. Pano sunroof made tons of noise that not even the radio could drown out. Kia replaced the whole thing under warranty but still a hassle to deal with.
2. HID headlight beam tends to bounce over bumps. I have asked kia to check if anything is loose and they said no everything is nice and tight.
3. Heated seats on the driver side failed. Kia fixed under warranty.
4. Water would infiltrate both taillights. If you let it persist the LEDs on the bottom half will die and thats why you may see 2014-15 SX optimas with half a taillight working on the road. Kia replaced both under warranty.
5. Stock Nexen tires are garbage. Change them if you can.
6. Gas mileage is terrible. Even when I drive like a pansy I don't achieve the rated mpg.
I went and test drove a 2015 sx. I thought these came fully loaded!! No proximity sensors, no garage door opener on the mirror, no heated steering wheel...
Not a deal breaker though. Nice drive and acceleration. Still has 21 months warranty. Engines shakes a bit ,wondering if it's normal. Rpms are steady at 900 more or less at idle. Tires need to be changed and brakes are a bit spongy. I'm used to my koh....nothing brakes like the Koh.
Not a deal breaker though. Nice drive and acceleration. Still has 21 months warranty. Engines shakes a bit ,wondering if it's normal. Rpms are steady at 900 more or less at idle. Tires need to be changed and brakes are a bit spongy. I'm used to my koh....nothing brakes like the Koh.
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the most loaded is SXL. SX won't have heated steering, but will have paddle shifters.
Heated steering wheel wasn't an option on the 2015 SX, option on EX, std. SXL
2015 SX options:
Folding outside mirrors
Panoramic sunroof
Infinity sound system
UVO2 w/rear camera
Navigation w/rear camera
HD radio
4 way pass seat
Driver's memory
Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated outboard rear seats
Rear view camera
Back up warning system
Blind spot detection system
2015 SX options:
Folding outside mirrors
Panoramic sunroof
Infinity sound system
UVO2 w/rear camera
Navigation w/rear camera
HD radio
4 way pass seat
Driver's memory
Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated outboard rear seats
Rear view camera
Back up warning system
Blind spot detection system
Sounds about right. It doesn't pull hard off the line so much as you can feel it on the road. Think some of those things you mentioned might be part of the Premium or Technology packages.
Favorite option is the pano roof. Mine hasn't squeeked but have read about people taking there cars in to repair it. I imagine they try to clean off the rails and lube the rollers. Seats I'm ok with but they could be more bolstered. The ride is pretty firm to me. Didn't know about the LED tail light thing, thanks for mentioning it. Would trade paddle shifters for a heated steering wheel. You couldn't get both unfortunately.
Just wanted a DD to get to work, drive some around town and take short trips on. So far its been a great car for a great price, also bought mine used.
Favorite option is the pano roof. Mine hasn't squeeked but have read about people taking there cars in to repair it. I imagine they try to clean off the rails and lube the rollers. Seats I'm ok with but they could be more bolstered. The ride is pretty firm to me. Didn't know about the LED tail light thing, thanks for mentioning it. Would trade paddle shifters for a heated steering wheel. You couldn't get both unfortunately.
Just wanted a DD to get to work, drive some around town and take short trips on. So far its been a great car for a great price, also bought mine used.
I think its an all around good car for the money. The ride is firmish because of the sport tuned suspension and crappy nexen tires. If you change the tires so a higher quality brand it will improve the ride quality. I had a Optima LX with the 16inch wheels and that had a softer ride quality than the SX with the 18inch wheels and sport suspension.
Pano roof is fantastic once I had it fixed. But in my case it was't simply a matter of greasing the rails or whatever. Apparently there were numerous parts broken that had to be replaced. But yea no optima in the 2014-2015 comes with heated steering wheel. But other that that its got all the features you'll need.
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