I bought a new 2003 SE 6 cylinder three years ago and just turned 54,000
miles.

I have had no problems at all.  Just replaced the brakes 1,000 miles ago.
Only expense I've had was the recommended service.  I'm very happy with my
decision to buy this car.  It was certainly the most car for the money when
I was looking.  Another few years and I'll start looking at an Armanti.  Any
other questions, give me a shout.

A couple of comments that will hopefully help you:

*The Kia Optima is turning out to be a decent and reliable automobile; the
newer, the better;

*Kia/Hyundai (they are working more and more together all the time) is
having an almost unprecented increase in overall quality.

*A 2007 re-design is about to come out.  While the new engineering is almost
always attractive and flashy, whether the new re-desin holds up against the
tested and proven predecessor is always a question, especially for the first
year or so of the re-design.  Meanwhile, that last year before the re-design
has the most tested and reliable hardware, and can usually be had for an
EXTREMELY attractive price;

*Dealer network, as is always the case, is a key.  In my area, I have two
Kia dealers, one who may be one of the best in the industry, the other a
dud.  If you have only one to choose from, find out from other customers
whether it is "cool" or "cruel."

*Whatever you can say about Kia, this much you can be sure of - "Daewoo it
is NOT"  (a good thing);

*Repairs??  A 5 year/60,000 mile basic warranty, and a 10 year/100,000 mile
powertrain warranty (easily the best in the industry) should tell you all
you need to know.

Tom Wenndt

daggerfall,

Yes, I can give u some advice on buying a Kia.  I bought a 2004 Kia Spectra
Hatchback.  So far, it's been the best car that I have ever had!  No
problems thank God!

I recently had a master mechanic take a look aand service it and he was a
former Navy engine mechanic for fighter planes.  He said that from what he
could tell and saw, that it was well engineered!  He said that he would have
no qualms in buying a Kia; albeit buy a reputable one like Spectra's,
Optima's or higher end!  But, all the Kia's have a solid warranty and with
that kind of a guarantee; I imagine that Kia, which is now owned ny Hyundai;
the construction moving euipment people, must be well engineered.  Like I
said, so far, so good.  Opitma was rated as a best but by Consumer Reports
Magazine.

D.