2018 Kia Optima — cheap project has enough margin to fix and resell?
2018 Kia Optima EX, about 113,000 miles. I found a running car with cosmetic damage and deferred maintenance at a low price. Before treating it as a flip, how…
1 owner reports for this model.
Kia Optima
2018 Kia Optima — check-engine light turned itself off — still scan it?
The light was on for two days and then disappeared before I could schedule service. Car feels normal. Is there still likely to be useful stored or pending data…
2018 Kia Optima — clunk when changing from reverse to drive — anyone dealt with this recently?
There is a single clunk when changing direction at low speed, especially reverse to drive. No vibration while cruising.
2018 Kia Optima — lower mileage or better documentation?
2018 Kia Optima EX, about 101,500 miles. I am comparing two older enthusiast cars. One has lower mileage but thin records; the other has more miles and years o…
2018 Kia Optima — reliable cheap first car or newer car with warranty?
2018 Kia Optima EX, about 29,000 miles. I am trying to balance purchase price against downtime and surprise repairs. Would you put the same budget into an olde…
2018 Kia Optima — car pulls right even though alignment is green
2018 Kia Optima EX, about 96,000 miles. Alignment printout is within spec, but the car still wants to drift right on a flat road. Tire pressures match. Would y…
2018 Kia Optima — ticking noise follows RPM but fades when warm
There is a light ticking sound that follows engine speed for the first few minutes and then becomes hard to hear. Oil level is correct.
2018 Kia Optima — brake fluid is old but still looks clean — Bay Area owner question
Fluid looks clear in the reservoir but has been in the car for several years. Would you change based on time/moisture rather than appearance?
2018 Kia Optima — should I negotiate the trade and purchase separately?
2018 Kia Optima EX, about 102,500 miles. I have a trade with some equity and I am buying another car. Dealer wants to talk only in payment numbers. Would you s…
2018 Kia Optima — dealer keeps discussing monthly payment instead of OTD
2018 Kia Optima EX, about 117,000 miles. Every time I ask for sale price and fees, the conversation goes back to monthly payment. I am bringing my own financin…
2018 Kia Optima — windshield replacement created a highway whistle
A windshield was replaced and now there is a whistle around highway speed that did not exist before. Glass looks seated. Any simple way to locate the air leak…
2018 Kia Optima — old 6V-to-12V conversion has decades of splices
2018 Kia Optima EX, about 143,500 miles. I bought a classic that was converted years ago and several owners have added wiring since. Everything works now, but…
2018 Kia Optima — is this actually a good used-car deal?
The online price looks competitive, but I am trying to judge the entire deal rather than the headline number. What should I compare besides mileage, history, c…
2018 Kia Optima — humming rises with road speed, not engine RPM
There is a low hum that rises with road speed regardless of engine RPM. Turning slightly left or right changes the sound. Is that enough to suspect a wheel bea…
2018 Kia Optima — dealer cannot reproduce an intermittent warning — anyone dealt with this recently?
I have brought the car in twice for the same intermittent warning and both visits ended with could-not-reproduce. I have video and timestamps. What is the best…
2018 Kia Optima — engine fits but driveline angle is not ideal
2018 Kia Optima EX, about 115,000 miles. Mock-up clears the steering and firewall, but getting the transmission output lined up perfectly would require moving…
LongMilesEnthusiast229Community StarterDec 6, 20252018 Kia Optima EXCentral Jersey33 replies0 helpful
2018 Kia Optima — brake fluid is old but still looks clean
Fluid looks clear in the reservoir but has been in the car for several years. Would you change based on time/moisture rather than appearance? Mostly looking fo…
2018 Kia Optima — coolant is old by age but mileage is low
2018 Kia Optima EX, about 119,500 miles. The vehicle has relatively few miles but the coolant is several years old. I am trying to prioritize maintenance by ac…
2018 Kia Optima — footwell gets wet only after heavy rain
The car stays dry in normal rain but after a long storm one front footwell gets damp. Door seal looks okay. What drain/seam tests would you do before tearing t…