Yes, I believe the Hyundai dealer is correct, that the Optima is based on
the previous series Sonatat.  The engines, etc. seem to back that up.

But I also think that means that a re-design on the Optima is not far
behind.  And before that hits, some great deals on the way for the Optima,
maybe next Summer.

Green Valley Giant

un-brilliant prediction & nostagia of cohenac:

eventually, the hyundai & kia will be akin to olds & buick & pontiac &
chevy & cadillac (yeah, i heard that olds is a bye, bye)

in-that there's going to be more similarities & inter-changeables
within the family/corporation

as the production lines are up-graded & re-tooled

i'm also thinking of how much the dodge, plymouth, and chrysler cars
were alike (yeah, i heard plymouth is bye, bye too)

helle, i recall the desoto, sponsor of groucho's YOU BET YOUR LIFE a
la:

"the car for you in '52 is the deliteful, deluvly, de-soto," as sung to
the ole tune of

"deliteful, de-luvly" or close enuff

also there were

studebaker (neighbor had it right after ww II)
packard (looked-at in show room, maybe rode-in one a time or two)
jeep (whatever happened? su..v ..vat-is-that?)
amc gremlin (now sorta delivers mail)
plymouth barracudda (now at seaworld as "drift-metal")
crosley (cincinnati's amazin compact forebearer)
hudson (next door neighbor's 1940s ugly car)
fiat (for some obscure reason, there's still quite a few in italy)