Overview & Reviews
The Optima gets several revisions for its third year on the market. Most obvious is its new front-end styling, which replaces the Optima's reserved countenance with a more upscale European look -- double light clusters call to mind the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Other changes include new wheel designs, and inside, a new center stack, new door panels and fresh seat fabric. A manual transmission will no longer be available on the four-cylinder SE model; all automatic four-cylinder models will offer Sportmatic manual-shift capability. The LX model now comes with cruise control and a CD player (at the expense of the cassette deck). The SE will include automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Homelink and Infinity speakers; a wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel is now part of the Leather Package. Lastly, engine horsepower ratings have been lowered following parent-company Hyundai's announcement that it had misstated outputs (the Optima is a corporate twin of the Sonata), but the engines themselves are unchanged.
- Excellent warranty, pleasant highway ride, lots of bang for your family sedan buck.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 63.00-
Like it! - 2003 Kia Optima
By sharron99 - September 15 - 2:00 amThe car is a great value. I have the V- 6 and it rides great. I have had only one problem with the sunroof motor that was repaired by dealer, no charge to me. Car has excellent warranty! 5 year 60,000 bumper to bumper! 10 years - 100,00 powertrain.Most options are standard and I also got the leather package. The interior set up and controls look nice and function well. The styling is great, and several people thought I was driving a Mercedes because of the new front grill European style. A car with all the options I wanted for just slightly over $20,000! Time will tell, I hope the vehicle lasts. So far, so good!
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Fine Ride - 2003 Kia Optima
By militarymama1969 - September 4 - 10:00 amI love this car!! I had a Focus and i loved it and when trade in time came, the Optima is the only car that caught my eye...
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The service is the problem not the car - 2003 Kia Optima
By Leann - September 4 - 10:00 amI have made 4 visits to kia service centers and for a simple problem with the belt squeeling. I supose today it will be fixed after the car had to be towed.
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A lot of car for the money - 2003 Kia Optima
By Sewwolf - September 4 - 10:00 amso far after 3 weeks of ownership there isnt anything I dont like about this car. This is how the big three should learn how to make cars. We looked at a lot of cars in this class and nothing could compare to the Kias for price and warranty.
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You Get What You Pay For - 2003 Kia Optima
By James - August 17 - 2:43 pmWe purchased this car used and we know why the original owner sold it. Although the car drives great, the car has had many electrical problems and the transmission started slipping just after we bought it. Each time we put it in the shop it takes two days to get it back. Electrical problems include headlights, remote entry, radio, and battery draining down if not driven daily. Also, we have had the emissions worked on several times. The steering growls like it is out of fluid but it isnt and the dealer cant find the problem. We like the way it drives but with all the electrical problems, would like to get rid of it. We paid way too much for it, no resale!
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Worth It! - 2003 Kia Optima
By Babs - February 8 - 10:00 amThis is a great car! I have put over 5000 miles in less than 3 months and not one problem. I switched from a Maxima with all the options and this is just a good if not better with the warranty! I got the sunroof and leather and infinity stereo. You have to get that, better than the Bose in the Maxima. Pearl color is just like the lexus pearl! Nobody ever guesses this is a KIA! You cant beat the warranty! I bought the 4 cyl., worth it with gas today!
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A GREAT COMPETITOR - 2003 Kia Optima
By GaryG - January 1 - 2:00 amAlthough we just purchased the 2003 SE Optima it has the beginnngs of a keeper. I have sold others and this car will be difficult to compete against, even without the 10-100 warranty. The leather interior is a great opton, well thought out. The 2.7 is more than adequate for civilized driving. Freshened build for 2003 was needed.
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Not the best - 2003 Kia Optima
By P.R. - October 5 - 10:00 amthis is supposed to be a car that gets very good gas mileage, but what i have found is that there should be a law that makes the manufacturer state the real mileage that the car gets. over- all the car does have good looks on the exterior. i have found several rattles that are very annoying on the interior.
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Great Car for the Money - 2003 Kia Optima
By Levi - August 10 - 10:00 amThis has been a great car for the dollar. It has alot of the bells and whistles of the competition that you would be paying $20k or more for. The engine is surprisingly powerful. My car was in an accident and did well protecting me.
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In Love with My Kia - 2003 Kia Optima
By POP4YES - June 22 - 10:00 amI like my new Optima because it is easy to handle. I have back problems and it has the 8 point seat adjuster and it really helps when I drive for more than half an hour. I am 5 ft. tall and getting in and out is awesome. It is very roomy especially when my 6- 1" brother is in the car and in the back seat. My two Children love the storage/ cup holder the have in the back. the trunk space is incredible, I was able to put 20 bags of grocerys plus two soccer balls in there.
