180 degrees? Our K5 is such a gentle whale, how could you?

But one annoying thing bout the "leg brake" is that, it's hard to gauge how much brake you have engaged. If not enough force, you'll have to disengage it and redo again. Bad for mid night tofu delivery trips.

Gregy, I beg to differ. This is how I've tested it - I had the car stopped right before the hill top (45 degree incline). The brakes was floored completely. Next, I slowly removed my foot from the brakes and the car just remained immobilized. I can't really recall but it was definitely more than 2 sec.

Perhaps, someone can volunteer to time it out when they take the Optima out for a spin?

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Added on March 1, 2012, 6:24 pmSeriously, you think this kinda BS is bad?

It was about 6 yrs ago, I went to the Toyota Service Center @ Jln 222 to get an opinion on some weird noise eminating from the front while driving at a certain speed. The Customer Service dude took the car out for a spin, chat with his colleagues and came back to me in 30 mins.

He gave me a staight face and told me that there is a serious problem with my engine, then spice it up with some tech BS and told me that the only way to figure it out was to take the engine apart and dignose it. He said that it wil cost RM4000+ and the best part was, he told me that he can't guarantee that the problem will be fixed! Now that fella is really Full of it!

Got a second opinion from another mechanic, change one of the tyres and bingo! Problem solved

The moral lof the story is, don't simply trust any sales folks at the drop of the hat.

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Added on March 1, 2012, 6:30 pmGentle whale? LOL.

When the 'Leg' Brake is fully depressed, it doesn't get in the way but if it is released it's a different story. Depending on the length of your leg, you may need to postion it an awkward angle to press it down again. In my case, my knee was almost parallel to my waist level.

Since we're in this HSA topic, appreciate if you can test this out on your new baby and give us some feedback. I believe everyone here would like to know how long can the car remain stationary at an incline.

To truly test it, you may need to floor the brakes.

Much appreciated

This post has been edited by serendipity168: Mar 1 2012, 06:37 PM

I believe the car will remain immobilized UP TO 10secs or until you step on the accelerator.

This post has been edited by Eclipse80: Mar 1 2012, 09:50 PM

wow our forte sifu came-in... lost contact in forte thread since end 2010...
must driving K5 now...

Hmmm, I think you're right, though I can't find any reference to exactly how long it will stay like that without any driver input on the throttle.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/kia-veng...ewed-16616.html

merc have the same technology.. but it holds the brakes until u press the acceleration pedal..

lets say u r in an underground carpark.. and u r jam at the slope Q-ing to get out of it.. if u r in the k5, u will need 2 keep ur leg on the brake, or handbrake or watsoever to keep the car stay on the slope.
and if it works like the merc. u can just press the brake pedal (in certain way, hard 2 explain), activate the system, and the car will stay on the slope for whatever time u stay on the slope..

just sharing. don shoot

hi, just got my car yesterday, just to confirm, is it no alarm system installed in this car? salesman said no alarm but with immobilizer..

This is quite a surprise! With all those high-tech bells n whistles thrown into the car, it doesn't come equip with a basic alarm system?

Saw a white K5 at a body repair shop near LRT AMPANG today, I think it had a minor front end accident..

most overseas car dun come with alarm, got central locking and immob only. want the siren thing have to fix ownself..

ya my mistake actually, didnt read the spec in d price list properly, alarm is not included, anyone here install 3rd party alarm?? will it void warranty?

Bro,

Sportage also only have immobilizer....
Naza-approved alarm and glass-sensor installation will cost you another RM1k...
Check with your SA whether Naza already have approved alarm for K5 or not...

Guys, i managed to get a 2nd test drive today. Im more impressed now. Here is my take on the car:

Acceleration & pickup

I had 4 adults in the car including the salesman. Managed to get a straight clear road and floored the pedal. The acceleration was sluggish for the first 2 secs and then the power kicked in. I must say its very much comparable to the Teana with its Xtronic unlike what i mentioned earlier. The engine has got a certain vroom to it more like a rumbling tiger when the RPM passes the 2000 mark. Some might love it but i think it didnt sound too refined for my taste. The Teana and Camry were a tad more refined. But the power was there and the pickup was really impressive despite its heavier weight. I would think the harshness of the engine will improve over time since i was the 1st to test this car when it arrived yesterday.

Handling & Road Grip

I chose a deserted roundabout and did about 7 rounds at about 80kmph with the full load of passengers. I must say i am quite impressed with its cornering ability and road grip. There was only marginal body roll (much better than the Camry at lower speeds). The 18 inch tyres and probably traction control really kept the car stable. Not sure if 80kmph was fast enough for a roundabout but its certainly the fastest ive been on one. Its a small roundabout so turns would have been sharper.

Brakes

The brakes are quite good and stopping power was quite evident. I even tried cornering braking while taking the roundabout and the stopping power was really good. I hit about 110kmph before i came up to a traffic light and slammed the brakes (not enough to engage the ABS though). It surely has a confident feel.

NVH & Wind Noise

As mentioned earlier, i hit 110kmph and tried different scenarios with the sunroof just to gauge the NVH of the sunroof. I tried with the ceiling panel open but with the glass closed and also with both closed. The effect was the same. Virtually no wind noise even at high speeds. Not sure if it will hold up at around 140-150kmph though. Didnt feel any windo noise coming from the doors or windows as well which mean the door seals are quite good. Hope they last though. But during hard acceleration, the engine could be heard and it does sound a bit harsh. But once you reach cruising speed, the engine is virtually silent.

The whole test drive lasted about 1 hour (longest ive been). I must say im more impressed now. Im almost certain to get the Optima K5 now. Have started asking around to get the best deals. Best i got so far was a RM700 rebate.

Bro, thanks for the detailed write up.
Can you also share where did you managed to secured the test drive?

Thanks

me no forte sifu ler... gregy is, that chap knows much more than I do. me noob.

Still hanging on my old Cera.... just had my 30000km service, changed spark plugs and now feels a little bit smoother in acceleration. No money to change cars now, not for the next few years.

Dad recently got the Optima though... gonna test drive it when I go back for holidays.

1 hour?

I can imagine the look on the sales guy's face when he couldn't clinch the deal after that 60mins joyride

cybermaster98 bro,

go to sungai wang, there is some sales guy there ...was told if u get from him he will give rm 1000 cheaper n free gps ...
he told me he have couple of units in hand ...
so give a try

i will go for a test drive tomorrow if time permit ...will go to naza hopefully there r 1 unit for test drive

OT - All is not good with the new 2012 Civic. It is already being bashed big time and the latest design probably won't last the next couple of years, wait a minute, the article states before the end of 2012. Buyer beware........

Hard to believe how this design got approved for production

After reading the article below, I believe hiring Peter Schreyer is Kia's best strategic move ever!

After Civic bruising, Honda fights for its Soul

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/02/...E82100M20120302

This post has been edited by serendipity168: Mar 3 2012, 12:10 AM

Sg Wang?
Sg Wang got Kia meh?

I took a drive down to Ipoh.

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Added on March 3, 2012, 7:39 amNo la. He's fine. I already told him well in advance that i intend to really test the car. Chances to test drive arent many so i have to make the most of it. Plus i had other pals with me who also tested (1 of them is a drifter).

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Added on March 3, 2012, 7:41 amDo you have a contact for this guy? Is it 2012 models? I heard some dealers are still having 2011 stock and offering some discounts.

This post has been edited by cybermaster98: Mar 3 2012, 07:41 AM