Optima 19 or Passat 17
Discussion
I need a car quite urgently and have narrowed it down to two estates within a 30min drive both serviced by the garages selling them
The first is a late 2019 kia optima 2 1.6 10.5k sports wagon. Mileage 50k. FSH stamped. Premium matching tyres. 2.5 years warranty left
2nd: Passat mid 17 £10.3 2.0 TDI estate 70k. FSH stamped. Generic tyres. 3 months dealer warranty.
I’m quite torn between them primarily because the Passat is rated as a better car generally, has a more powerful engine and will probably hold its value better should I chose to sell it at high mileage in a few years. The Kia will be more a buy a drive it to the end proposition.
I’m leaning towards the Passat as I feel that I’ll probably get the same lifespan out of both of them (on around 20k mileage a year) given the prevalence of the Skoda in the taxi driving community? But I could be completely wrong here, it’s better looking, silver vs a Kia red,. But my brain is saying that the protection offered by Kia is worth it, even if it doesn’t drive as well etc.
FWIW I’d buy a superb estate but where I am they’re the selection is quite a bit more expensive than those mentioned above. Octavia is too thin for my needs e.g 2 car seats and room for someone to squeeze in occasionally.
Any thoughts with someone on the fence between these two?
The first is a late 2019 kia optima 2 1.6 10.5k sports wagon. Mileage 50k. FSH stamped. Premium matching tyres. 2.5 years warranty left
2nd: Passat mid 17 £10.3 2.0 TDI estate 70k. FSH stamped. Generic tyres. 3 months dealer warranty.
I’m quite torn between them primarily because the Passat is rated as a better car generally, has a more powerful engine and will probably hold its value better should I chose to sell it at high mileage in a few years. The Kia will be more a buy a drive it to the end proposition.
I’m leaning towards the Passat as I feel that I’ll probably get the same lifespan out of both of them (on around 20k mileage a year) given the prevalence of the Skoda in the taxi driving community? But I could be completely wrong here, it’s better looking, silver vs a Kia red,. But my brain is saying that the protection offered by Kia is worth it, even if it doesn’t drive as well etc.
FWIW I’d buy a superb estate but where I am they’re the selection is quite a bit more expensive than those mentioned above. Octavia is too thin for my needs e.g 2 car seats and room for someone to squeeze in occasionally.
Any thoughts with someone on the fence between these two?
You have to decide with a car like this whether the market price reflects the car's qualities (relatively unknown, low desirability / recognition amongst others), or has undervalued it.
My neighbour recently asked for my advice when looking at a 2018 Optima estate with the c.240hp petrol engine and GT trim - a rare car it seems. He'd decided to buy it anyway based on the standout spec, price (£13k) and balance of warranty. I couldn't help but be impressed with what you get for your money.
However another neighbour has a 2019 Passat estate in R-Line trim and I still feel it's the better car, though of course it won't have been the same price as the Kia.
My neighbour recently asked for my advice when looking at a 2018 Optima estate with the c.240hp petrol engine and GT trim - a rare car it seems. He'd decided to buy it anyway based on the standout spec, price (£13k) and balance of warranty. I couldn't help but be impressed with what you get for your money.
However another neighbour has a 2019 Passat estate in R-Line trim and I still feel it's the better car, though of course it won't have been the same price as the Kia.
Thanks for the comments. The more I stew the more I’m leaning towards the Kia. It’s the better buy but probably not necessarily the better car tbh Ah well it Kia servicing all in a 20,000 miles a year is around £400 so not much more than going to my local mechanic and I’ll get some peace from the warranty.
I bought a Passat B8 Estate in Jan 2020 to use as University transport and family holidays. Bit hesitant at the time, but totally the perfect car for the job. Diesel, automatic and comfortable. The range is a mindblower after coming from sub 30mpg cars getting 700-800 miles per tank, that you simply don't have to think about refuelling or EV style charging. And the best thing about it is that it isn't a BMW or Merc. It won't shine at the Nurburgring, but that's not the point of it.
It's now on 80k, and I'm going to get one of the last B8.5 diesels to be the next 10 year car.
It's now on 80k, and I'm going to get one of the last B8.5 diesels to be the next 10 year car.
Assuming one of the contenders doesn’t rule itself out because of poor condition or a dodgy dealer I’d go for the VW - they look a quality car and VWs are usually very good for day to day use. Kia’s are decent but the 1.6 in the Optima will be underpowered and other than the warranty is it good enough compared to the Passat? Have you driven both of them?
Don't go with the Kia. The Passat will be the better car - by far.
I currently have an Optima and I really don't like it at all. My partner has a Seat Alhambra (19 reg) and the VW group car is by far superior in every single aspect.
A few of my quibbles:
I currently have an Optima and I really don't like it at all. My partner has a Seat Alhambra (19 reg) and the VW group car is by far superior in every single aspect.
A few of my quibbles:
- Interior quality is awful. The thing rattles and creaks terribly. My old P2 (2002) Volvo that I had previously didn't have a single rattle.
- The 'pleather' on the seats is incredibly thin, and I have ended up with a couple of rips. Never had that in a car before - ever.
- The 1.7 (136hp) engine is really underpowered for pulling a big car around - but I have no idea how the newer 1.6 fares.
- At 50,000 miles I'm having suspension components fail on an almost weekly basis, including a weeping shock
- The flywheel is feeling decidedly near the end of its life (wobbly!) although it's not noisy yet. Don't expect it to be long before I need a clutch / flywheel change. Again - I've never had to do a clutch on a car ever before
- Gear change is just horrible. Nothing wrong with it - loads of comments about how poor it is online - just feels horrible
- Noisy ride over rough surfaces
- You can feel every bump under the car, yet the ride is strangely floaty (in a bad way)
- Unnerving amount of surface rust under the car for a modern - more than all of my previous cars have had at more than twice the age, and certainly more than twice the mileage.
Edited by SebastienClement on Wednesday 1st May 15:31
SebastienClement said:
Don't go with the Kia. The Passat will be the better car - by far.
I currently have an Optima and I really don't like it at all. My partner has a Seat Alhambra (19 reg) and the VW group car is by far superior in every single aspect.
A few of my quibbles:
That’s a pretty comprehensive list of issues tbh. I stuck a reservation deposit down yesterday and while it’s not too late, it probably is. I just hope that a few of the issues you mention have been addressed on the face lifted model. Are the items you mention covered by the warranty?I currently have an Optima and I really don't like it at all. My partner has a Seat Alhambra (19 reg) and the VW group car is by far superior in every single aspect.
A few of my quibbles:
- Interior quality is awful. The thing rattles and creaks terribly. My old P2 (2002) Volvo that I had previously didn't have a single rattle.
- The 'pleather' on the seats is incredibly thin, and I have ended up with a couple of rips. Never had that in a car before - ever.
- The 1.7 (136hp) engine is really underpowered for pulling a big car around - but I have no idea how the newer 1.6 fares.
- At 50,000 miles I'm having suspension components fail on an almost weekly basis, including a weeping shock
- The flywheel is feeling decidedly near the end of its life (wobbly!) although it's not noisy yet. Don't expect it to be long before I need a clutch / flywheel change. Again - I've never had to do a clutch on a car ever before
- Gear change is just horrible. Nothing wrong with it - loads of comments about how poor it is online - just feels horrible
- Noisy ride over rough surfaces
- You can feel every bump under the car, yet the ride is strangely floaty (in a bad way)
- Unnerving amount of surface rust under the car for a modern - more than all of my previous cars have had at more than twice the age, and certainly more than twice the mileage.
Edited by SebastienClement on Wednesday 1st May 15:31
I’m giving test driving the Passat some serious thought though but just can’t wrap my head around paying that sort of money for a car from 2017. The other side of the coin is that is how much the market seems to be valuing them at. I also have a feeling that should I try to shift the Kia in a couple of years I’ll lose more on the Kia than I would on the VW.
I've been looking at Optima's as they look nice in the GT-Line. What I found is that the 1.6/1.7 diesel is practically useless with a car that size. The car is too heavy for that engine and not sure why Kia thought that it would do. I'm sure if they put a bigger engine in it then they'd have sold a decent chunk because they would be much cheaper than the VAG alternatives and better spec'd.
Octavia ticks all of the boxes but it’s just not wide enough, for my soon to be 3 kids. Otherwise I would have snapped one up.
Anyway, the Optima engine light came on when I went to pick it up, dealer wanted me to buy it then take it to KIA haha the neck on him. so back to the drawing board we go. Funny the same thing happened when I test drove a superb a couple of weeks ago. Seems to be a bit of a minefield in the 12k and under budget.
Rang up the Passat which in hindsight was a decent buy and now it’s gone. Haha you couldn’t make it up. Off to look at a sportage tomorrow.
Anyway, the Optima engine light came on when I went to pick it up, dealer wanted me to buy it then take it to KIA haha the neck on him. so back to the drawing board we go. Funny the same thing happened when I test drove a superb a couple of weeks ago. Seems to be a bit of a minefield in the 12k and under budget.
Rang up the Passat which in hindsight was a decent buy and now it’s gone. Haha you couldn’t make it up. Off to look at a sportage tomorrow.
Don't do SUV you'll regret it.
Estate is better in every way haha.
Few alternatives
Vauxhall Insignia
Mazda 6
Peugeot 508
Not sure if any of those will float your boat but might be worth a look. I've noticed that used cars are still highly priced. Basically £10k these days buys you a £6-7k car back in 2019.
Estate is better in every way haha.
Few alternatives
Vauxhall Insignia
Mazda 6
Peugeot 508
Not sure if any of those will float your boat but might be worth a look. I've noticed that used cars are still highly priced. Basically £10k these days buys you a £6-7k car back in 2019.
Whilst that Passat maybe gone there are others out there together with Skoda Superb’s. I’ve had both as hire cars doing vast mileages and been impressed. They go well with the 2.0 TDI engine.
If this is your main car just find one with a full history that has clearly been taken care of.
If this is your main car just find one with a full history that has clearly been taken care of.
I've had a 1.7crdi Optima for nearly 3 years, it's on 100K miles and on original clutch, suspension, pretty much everything.
It's a saloon, super comfortable and well built, whilst not a car to chuck around, it's accelerates well on motorways and the 1.7 doesn't feel slow but doesn't need the right gear changes and use of the rev range to accelerate quickly but then it's not that kind of car. But in return gives a nice MPG.
My readers thread : https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19...
It's a saloon, super comfortable and well built, whilst not a car to chuck around, it's accelerates well on motorways and the 1.7 doesn't feel slow but doesn't need the right gear changes and use of the rev range to accelerate quickly but then it's not that kind of car. But in return gives a nice MPG.
My readers thread : https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19...
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff