Just put down a booking fee, I'm sure they will oblige 

Btw, word is the next batch of K5's coming in 2012 are still 2011 models.

Can anyone verify this? 

What i heard is that the 2012 batch is already on its way to Malaysia. Expected to arrive end month or early March.

Since there is so much hype about this new gen Optima K5, thought should pay Kia showroom a visit and have a close up view of this car.....

This afternoon went to a Kia showroom, as usual...no test drive unit..... great!

Had spent some time to do a walk around and sat inside K5 for a while, well, can't deny the fact that it is really a good looking, gorgeous sedan...., externally. The interior design is modern and 'canggih' looking. The specs are really impressive, no other new car with similar pricing able to match or even come close.

However, the biggest problem with this car is.... the interior quality.... a car that cost almost RM 144K should not have this kind of interior finishing. There are a few obvious deficits:
1. The panel parts gaping are not consistent at certain places,
2. The unit that available there, the HU eject button doesn't recoil after you press on it, in fact, the rest of the buttons on the facia also give a vague tactile feel.
3. The glove box door lid need to give a hard push before it can be closed, with a very harsh sound, and a gap.
( both 2 , 3 problem were attributed to repeated pressing by customer, told by the SA.... my god, means if you buy the car, don't press the buttons or open the glovebox too many times.... and the car probably only displayed there less than a month???)
4. Both rear doors open and shut with a hollow sound. 

no chance to test the electronics and engine running condition.... so this is still a question mark.

So..... no offense to Kia K5 lovers /fans here.... personally I think the interior quality and finishing of T/N/H brand D-segment car still better. Yes, they may look mature..., boring..., even described as ugly.... only uncles and aunties... those who knows nothing about car will buy.... rite?). For me, buying a car is not only the exterior, but you are buying the whole package offered by the manufacturer, from the moment you step into the showroom, buying the car, receive the car, driving experience, services and maintenance, second hand value etc....

I sincerely hope that this is probably a lemon car, and the rest of the K5 would be better. 

Just my 2 cents....

so when you getting yours? 

Not yet la. Im still analysing various cars. Will make my decision by end March. Im only targetting the WWR plate which should come by May/June 2012. Current plate in KL is WWH 6065.

Not yet la. Im still analysing various cars. Will make my decision by end March. Im only targetting the WWR plate which should come by May/June 2012. Current plate in KL is WWH 6065.

why dun target WWW? 

Since the topic of plate number has been touched, does anyone know how fast are the plate numbers being issued for KL? For example, WWH to WWJ (1 week? 2 weeks?)

I saw WWG on road. Havent bump into WWH yet. Honestly, looks like its ridiculously fast! Its Like 4-5 alphabets in 1 month! Yes?

Cybermaster is certainly, a man with a plan! Thanks for sharing some of your observations.

Well some people might think that your may be fickle minded or the time you take to make a choice may be a bit excessive but I believe your meticulous search for your new car will pay off handsomely 

As to why you would choose WWR, I guess only time will tell. In time do let us know

Sounds like the K5 is the front runner in your search so far, do share with us the other cars that are in your sights at this point and a mini comparison between them will be much appreciated.

I am keen of the 3 series but lately, I find my interests waning not sure if this has to do with the K5 

Keep up the good work 

Just some dimensions of the Optima, Camry, Teana & Accord for comparison (all 2.0L models):

Overall length: 4845, 4826, 4850, 4950
Wheel base: 2795, 2775, 2775, 2800
Height: 1455, 1470, 1480, 1475
Thread (front): 1591, 1575, 1560, 1590
Thread (rear): 1591, 1565, 1565, 1590
Kerb weight: 1520, 1510, 1455, 1480
HP: 163, 146, 134, 154
Torque: 198, 190, 190, 189

The extra weight for the Optima is due to the 18 inch rims. But seems like in terms of power output, the Optima is still the best among the 4.

Just some dimensions of the Optima, Camry, Teana & Accord for comparison (all 2.0L models):

Overall length: 4845, 4826, 4850, 4950
Wheel base: 2795, 2775, 2775, 2800
Height: 1455, 1470, 1480, 1475
Thread (front): 1591, 1575, 1560, 1590
Thread (rear): 1591, 1565, 1565, 1590
Kerb weight: 1520, 1510, 1455, 1480
HP: [b]163, 146, 134, 154
Torque: 198, 190, 190, 189[/B]

The extra weight for the Optima is due to the 18 inch rims. But seems like in terms of power output, the Optima is still the best among the 4.

Hmmm, according to this http://www.autozine.org/Archive/Kia/new/K5.html the kerb weight of the 2.4 GDI version is only 1,470kg, so how can the 2.0MPI be heavier than that, and closer to the weight of the 2.0 Turbo?

better test the optima on the road, it maybe similar to sonata for the powertrain (engine/GB) .. one thing i can tell you that I have driven the sonata several days and outstation (not those short test drive sessions) and it's no where as accelerative than my lower powered 2L teana which is 19in equipped. but the sonata does have well insulated feel so I guess optima will be the same also..

Well i could be mistaken. But i cant find the figures for the 2.0L MPI anywhere. Can you search?

Not easy. Most places I look they talk about the 2.4 GDI

I guess for a large sedan like this the clear option would be the 200PS engine

I have tested the Optima and found it to be sluggish during initial acceleration. But surprising that you found the Sonata sluggish as well. The Sonata has the same engine as the Optima but the Sonata's kerb weight is only 1404kg. A good 80kg lighter than the Optima probably due to its 17inch rims.

Can somebody find out the 0-100kmph figures for the 2.0L Sonata and Teana? The Optima does the sprint in 10.9 secs.