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#217207 - 02/01/12 02:51 PM New car
HercMan(Rob) Offline
Member
Registered: 09/12/03
Posts: 14035
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
Well after a long time of contemplating I've decided on getting a new car. Thought long and hard about trading the GP in. After looking over what I could get for it privately and what I could get for it in trade I've decided to keep the GP as an extra vehicle. Once Uncle Sam gives me my taxes back I'm going to get an 11-12 Kia Optima. Test drove an LX (2.4L di 200hp) Car handled well, had some get up and go (nothing like the GTP but enough) six speed auto/manual. Car drives nice. Turning radius is unreal. U turn feels like the car pivots on the back tire. Trans shifts real smooth both in auto and manual. Tons of leg room for both front and rear passengers.

here's an example




Only problem is wife will drive it more then I will.
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#217208 - 02/02/12 10:59 AM Re: New car [Re: HercMan(Rob)]
AustinGTP Offline
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Registered: 05/23/03
Posts: 8078
Loc: Austin, TX
Nice.
I'm hoping I get to do the same sometime this year.
I'm looking forward to giving the GTP one last wash then back her into the garage and take the tags and inspection sticker off and cover her up. She's been very good to me over the past 9 years and I can't wait to retire her.
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Bobby

Died 5/1/08, resurrected 5/15/08
ASCD SD hood, 17" Bullitts, Overkill PCM, 3.4" Pulley, NGK TR55IX, K&N 9" cone filter, JimmyC D/P, U-bend removed, Flowmaster 40 series, Hooker big bore tips with resonators, S/B brake lines, drilled/slot rotors, GMPP handling kit, KYB struts, F&R strut supports, HID's, LED's, 2.5" Air Dam, red GTP overlays on custom badges, white rear insert.
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#217209 - 02/02/12 06:56 PM Re: New car [Re: HercMan(Rob)]
Richard Candelario Offline
Member
Registered: 12/15/05
Posts: 5286
My GT's still in active service and probably will be until she blows up three times. I love that car. My Camaro will be getting new suspension and probably a stage 1 clutch from RAM clutches. I might start snapping up my car collection after I get out, but the Army won't move any more than 2 POVs. I really don't like the idea of renting a carhauler semi to PCS somewhere.
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WizAire CAI w/9" K&N & HV3, 2.5" d/p w/h/f cat, Cobra CB, PowerSlot slots w/Hawk HPS, GR-2s, GMPP handling kit, NextLevel STBs, Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires.

98 L36/MM5
RaC
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#217295 - 02/15/12 03:31 PM Re: New car [Re: HercMan(Rob)]
HercMan(Rob) Offline
Member
Registered: 09/12/03
Posts: 14035
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
Well here's the new horse added to the stable



2011 Kia Optima LX. It's a base model but nicely appointed. Got 36mpg on the highway on the way home.
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#217296 - 02/16/12 12:06 AM Re: New car [Re: HercMan(Rob)]
RooK Offline
Member
Registered: 03/07/05
Posts: 5158
Loc: Southern KY
I swear they look like a Ford Taurus and a Ford Fusion had a love child with a Camry ass.
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'13 Mustang 3.7V6 - MT82
'00 GP SE (L67 Swap, XP, Headers, 3.25")
'98 GTP, '01 Bonne
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#217388 - 02/29/12 01:33 PM Re: New car [Re: HercMan(Rob)]
HercMan(Rob) Offline
Member
Registered: 09/12/03
Posts: 14035
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
Here's and updated pick. Put 35% all the way around. So far with mixed driving it's getting over 27mpg. Nice thing is the tank is just about the same size as the GP. That's over 400 miles of around town driving before a fill up.



Edited by HercMan(Rob) (02/29/12 01:33 PM)
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#217389 - 02/29/12 11:12 PM Re: New car [Re: HercMan(Rob)]
RooK Offline
Member
Registered: 03/07/05
Posts: 5158
Loc: Southern KY
I still can't get over how nice they look... I hope she holds up for you Herc.
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'13 Mustang 3.7V6 - MT82
'00 GP SE (L67 Swap, XP, Headers, 3.25")
'98 GTP, '01 Bonne
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#217430 - 03/09/12 11:03 AM Re: New car [Re: HercMan(Rob)]
HercMan(Rob) Offline
Member
Registered: 09/12/03
Posts: 14035
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
Well so far still enjoying the Optima. Mileage in this horrible traffic town has been 28 with mixed driving of highway, in town, sotp and go traffic etc. Wife was only getting 19 in the GP. Back seat isn't quite as wide as I first thought. If three people need to ride in the back the middle person needs to buckle up before the third person gets in. The six speed trans is working like a dream. It does shift alot but I'd expect that with a four cyl and that many gears. The "manumatic" trans is more of a gimick then any use. Only time I'd use it would be at the track. Also it will auto shift just before redline anyways. Only time it's of use is for engine braking. The engine has lots of pep for a 4 cyl. No lack of get up and go. ECO mode makes the car a dog but that's so you can get the best mileage out of it. It limits accelleration and lowers shift points to get the best mileage. Turn the ECO mode off and it's a whole new ball game.

People complain about road noise but I was riding in my MIL's 07 Toyota Highlander and that is noisier then my Optima.

Only two complaints. One the speedo doesn't have as many marks between the key numbers like the GP (but I have noticed many new cars are like this) The other is the spring that holds the trunk lid up is on the weak side and in my driveway it has a tendancy to close with a slight breeze while the car is facing uphill. Might take it in and see if they can do something about that. I do have a bumper to bumper warrentee after all.

The tint is a god send. With the sunscreen in the window the car is only about 10* above outside temps when left out in the sun.

My wife is really getting the use out of the blue tooth link with her phone and radio.

All and all pretty happy so far.
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#217433 - 03/09/12 12:34 PM Re: New car [Re: HercMan(Rob)]
RooK Offline
Member
Registered: 03/07/05
Posts: 5158
Loc: Southern KY
Keep us updated. I'm keeping my eye on the new KIAs and Hyundai cars to see how they hold up. The old ones were dogs, but they may have finally turned a new leaf.

My '10 Malibu I bought used with 8k miles on it, so it was practically new. Since then, and it's at 31k miles, I have 2 issues I can attribute to the car but they're being repaired under warranty.

- Air Bag connector issue in the seats. Apparently they corroded or break because they were made bad. Yes, my car exhibits the symptoms of random airbag light from it and there is a recall.

- Power Steering/Traction issue. Car has electric steering and about a month ago it gave me a power steering warning, then disables my stability/traction control. A bad switch is supposedly causing the issue.

I'm taking it to have both fixed Monday. No mechanical issues to date, and she gets about 27mpg mixed. On the way back from Acworth, GA I got 33mpg hwy. Never seen it drop below 26mpg driving city or whatever. Unfortunately, mine is the base LS with the 4spd, not the 6spd. I'm sure that hurts my hwy mileage the most cause it can't drop an extra gear for cruising.
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'13 Mustang 3.7V6 - MT82
'00 GP SE (L67 Swap, XP, Headers, 3.25")
'98 GTP, '01 Bonne
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#217475 - 03/12/12 01:27 PM Re: New car [Re: HercMan(Rob)]
HercMan(Rob) Offline
Member
Registered: 09/12/03
Posts: 14035
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
I was just purusing the specs on the Optima. Car has a curb weight of 3200 pounds. Front discs are 11.8" rears are 11.2.

To think the rears on the Optima are about the same size as the fronts on the GP!

Wonder how much my mileage would suffer if I swapped the skinny 205s for 225s?


Edited by HercMan(Rob) (03/12/12 01:28 PM)
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#217481 - 03/12/12 06:33 PM Re: New car [Re: HercMan(Rob)]
RooK Offline
Member
Registered: 03/07/05
Posts: 5158
Loc: Southern KY
After you said that, I tried finding out the difference. Seems most people swapping tire widths, even drastically (245 to 275) experienced less than 1mpg difference. It would be hard to even calculate that with consistency.

As for rotors on a GTP:
Front Brake Rotor Diam (in): 10.8
Rear Brake Rotor Diam (in): 10.9

Upgrading to the Impala rotors puts you at 11.9" front.
_________________________
'13 Mustang 3.7V6 - MT82
'00 GP SE (L67 Swap, XP, Headers, 3.25")
'98 GTP, '01 Bonne
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#217482 - 03/12/12 09:13 PM Re: New car [Re: HercMan(Rob)]
HercMan(Rob) Offline
Member
Registered: 09/12/03
Posts: 14035
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
Found out the optimas wheels are 5x114.3 and 40 offset. May try swapping wheels with the GP. Not sure on the center bore.
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