Topic: Test Drive: 2011 Kia Optima SX

[flowave]

Does anyone actually know how the Optima line is selling in Canada compared to cars like Accord, Camry, Altima, Fusion etc?

I know Elantra is right behind the Civic in Canada now but where do Sonata and Optima stand in the midsize segment?

yes, these are sales in October 2011
Optima - 274
Sonata - 1275
Accord - 624
Camry - 896
Malibu - 570
Mazda 6 - 308
Altima - 562
Fusion - 1316
Legacy - 275
Galant - 2
Avenger - 324

According to my dealer, he just can't get his hands on much stock of Optima's, he's only had about 3 or 4 since its introduction.  If he could get the supply that the Hyundai dealers get with the Sonata he feels he could outsell it.  He is hoping when the 2012 models arrive supply will improve, as Canadian models will be coming from Korea and the West Point, Georgia plant will only be supplying the US.

I am surprised 2 Galant were sold.

[sacrat]

Does anyone actually know how the Optima line is selling in Canada compared to cars like Accord, Camry, Altima, Fusion etc?

I know Elantra is right behind the Civic in Canada now but where do Sonata and Optima stand in the midsize segment?

yes, these are sales in October 2011
Optima - 274
Sonata - 1275
Accord - 624
Camry - 896
Malibu - 570
Mazda 6 - 308
Altima - 562
Fusion - 1316
Legacy - 275
Galant - 2
Avenger - 324

According to my dealer, he just can't get his hands on much stock of Optima's, he's only had about 3 or 4 since its introduction.  If he could get the supply that the Hyundai dealers get with the Sonata he feels he could outsell it.  He is hoping when the 2012 models arrive supply will improve, as Canadian models will be coming from Korea and the West Point, Georgia plant will only be supplying the US.

I am surprised 2 Galant were sold.

I might have to look into buying a Galant. Talk about driving something unique 

[Jaeger]

If you're talking about the loaded versions of each, the difference is more like 16k.  Which could buy you a pretty decent second car.  If I were shopping in that bracket, I'd be looking at a G37x or 335i as alternatives to the Acura.  I would not expect the Optima to match that caliber of vehicle in any dynamic respect.

Jaeger

agreed...my point was more about acknowledging the fact the Optima SX is decent, but it isn't an Acura, BMW or G37, nor is it anywhere near as expensive...the Optima SX is for someone who wants a fully equipped sedan, with a touch of sportiness, but still "affordable" for most people.

Understood.  My comment was really directed toward the dude who was hoping to run the Optima SX against the TL SH AWD back to back.  People can obviously cross-shop whatever they want, but I think the outcome there is a foregone conclusion in terms of a dynamic comparison.

Jaeger

[Guy]

Yes dude, and what I wanted to see was: Is the dynamic superiority of the TL worth $10-16K more? Really the limits of these cars are so high in terms of handling, how often can you push them anywhere near their limits on the street?

At this level, the car itself is not the limit, it's the driver.

[dirtyjeffer]

Yes, and what I wanted to see was: Is the dynamic superiority of the TL worth $10-16K more? Really the limits of these cars are so high in terms of handling, how often can you push them anywhere near their limits on the street?

At this level, the car itself is not the limit, it's the driver.

well, the reality is, you can't push any limits of a car on the street...in that sense, the Acura TL would be a waste of money...however, the same logic would also apply that the Optima SX would be a waste of money compared to a base Optima, since it too will easily exceed "street limits"...or even a Versa Sedan, for that matter...cars under $20k could be considered "needs"...$20-$30k gets more into a blend of needs and wants...pretty much everything above $30k is "want".

[tortoise]

Agreed,  for day-to-day use handling limits are more or less meaningless (Snowy excepted).   How the car handles is much more important.  A good handling car is not just appreciated at the limit.  It's appreciated all the time.

This is where the Acura has to justify the extra 10k.

[Guy]

Agreed,  for day-to-day use handling limits are more or less meaningless (Snowy excepted).   How the car handles is much more important.  A good handling car is not just appreciated at the limit.  It's appreciated all the time.

This is where the Acura has to justify the extra 10k.

[dirtyjeffer]

Agreed,  for day-to-day use handling limits are more or less meaningless (Snowy excepted).   How the car handles is much more important.  A good handling car is not just appreciated at the limit.  It's appreciated all the time.

This is where the Acura has to justify the extra 10k.

i can agree with you to a certain point...while i agree you would still notice the difference in day to day driving, i wouldn't say that a reason to purchase a BMW is it's precision handling...you don't need a precision vehicle to drive in bumper to bumper traffic in the city, constant stop/starts, navigation the parking lots and driving it into your garage...so yes, an Acura would certainly feel much better dynamically, but it certainly isn't a need, it's a want...as well, for regular day to day driving, all new cars are more than adequate and certainly present no "danger" (as in, the handling in an Acura, or whatever brand, is so superior to Brand B that you would be putting your family in danger by not getting it, because Brand B is such a dynamically inferior vehicle).

[ajay]

I don't know about that , I consider a good handling car a need to better avoid accidents .

[dirtyjeffer]

I don't know about that , I consider a good handling car a need to better avoid accidents .

if you can't "avoid accidents" in urban traffic in a Kia Rio5, you don't know how to drive.

[ajay]

I like small nimble cars , but the Optima is no small nimble car is it

[dirtyjeffer]

I like small nimble cars , but the Optima is no small nimble car is it

no, it isn't a "small nimble car"...it is a full size sedan...as someone who currently owns a Taurus, and a Grand Marquis before that, if you can't manage what you drive, you might be best taking the bus.

[ajay]

Manage what you drive ? lol
Small cars will always be able to avoid accidents better than big cars .