I understand, the underpinnings of the optima is indeed of the sonata LF, but the new optima product launch with that underpinning was close to 2 years later, circa end 2015 to early 2016. Depends on which way to look at it. And the so called new rise sonata is stronger facelift of the sonata LF, akin to what mercedes did to the w204 facelift, not a completely new generation model. New generation models will most likely port in the 8 speeder from the development in genesis and cadenza.

From the fuelly app fuel consumption numbers i look, the numbers don't look really fantastic. Either the drivers like to push ford cars harder or it is really not as good in real life compared to specification. I have no idea how Volvo did their powertrain revamp, but from a realistic point of view, since Volvo had a lump sum of cash injection from Geely, no point wasting the resources to license ford/mazda's IP. Rather, they went big and did a whole lot further. Could be in the blueprint for quite sometime, but hampered by resource constrains to fully develop their ideas to a marketable product.

Nissan is too busy digesting all the buy ups and also management change since Charlos Gohn is in transition to let Nissan have more independence in decision making. They are behind the curve everywhere in the world other than their US truck and SUV markets.

This post has been edited by wkc5657: Jun 22 2017, 01:27 PM

The Camry 2018 will come with NA engine (max 2.5L with a puny output of 206hp) while the 2.4L engine of the 2018 Accord will be replaced with a puny 1.5L turbocharged engine (probably the same unit as Civic). They will match the Optima GT in price but not in power. However this is Honda/Toyota country so expect Malaysians to pay the same for less.

I'm sure there are people who will say a CKD Honda Accord with 1.5L turbo engine (190hp, 243Nm) is a better buy than an Optima GT with 2.0L turbo engine (242hp, 350Nm) for the same price. They are not comparing cars, they are comparing badges.

If new rise Sonata 2018 is to release this year, then new rise Optima will release few months later. Just mere redesign is easy. Looks like Hyundai took wrong move adopting the old fish head design that was dropped few years ago. Fish head design was in the old Elantra 2007 that was later renamed to Avante and it's little brother Accent 2007. New Sonata obviously look like 1. Hope new 2018 Optima doesn't do that.

Which Ford model did you compare to Optima GT? The Ford Fusion (Mondeo) 2.0T? Both are tuned for power, that's why fuel guzzling in which I have pointed out earlier.

Replied to @Ginny88 as well.

Camry 2018 2AR-FSE engine could get 206hp with good fuel consumption is considered really good. Can you point out any similar price car 2.5L that generates 206ps without sacrificing high fuel usage? You get the new Camry, you don't have to worry about intercooler leakage that leads to overheating issue or inefficient turbo assist (power loss) or service the turbo set at interval, clogging, etc.

New Accord 1.5T will sure sell far better than Optima GT mainly because it provided safe long term ownership. New Camry if 2.5L NA engine available could sell well because of cheaper maintenance and best reliability over long term ownership.

Compared to buying Optima GT under lousy failed marketing and management, car not selling well followed by less spare parts being brought in due to just few or almost none on the road. If current distributor dumped this brand and new distributor take over, their SC doesn't cover older models service. Then owners will have no expert technical support. Some more this Optima got so much electronic, you don't expect outside Ah Chong or Ah Meng workshop can fix properly

Why need 2.5L engine when 2.0L turbo can generate significantly more power? If you are not driving like a rally driver the FC for 2.0L turbo engine should not lose to 2.5L NA engine.

2.5L car has poor resale value due to our high road tax for large cc cars. So owner had better keep it for long, long time.

New Accord 1.5L will only have power of 2.0L NA engine. Good for uncles and oldies who don't want to go fast.

Speculation that current distributor will dump Kia brand has no basis. There are also Korean specialist workshops outside if you need them but for most maintenance general mechanics will do. Korean cars like Jap cars don't require specialists but don't expect Ah Chong or Ah Meng workshop to repair your Passat.

Why I get the feeling that the most active in this thread, is a T/H brand salesman?

Not salesman, but rather hardcore supporter.

Whoa...talking technical numbers now.

Yes, the 2AR-FSE engine, damn high power at 206hp, fuh~~~@6600rpm....wow, such a high screamer, playing hard to reach, vtec kah??

And torque at 253nm, no doubt, rather high for NA~~~~@5000rpm....Mazda's skyactiv 2.5, although slightly lower horsepower, licked toyota's torque numbers for 250nm at 3250rpm.

The chances of the water pump failing is higher than intercooler leakage, and temperature control sensors will lower boost pressure when temperatures are beyond normal operating ranges. Only your dear honda is using such a weird maintenance schedule for their turbo engine models. I know BMW also have something similar, but that one another story lar since

Kind of strange that you say Optima so much electronic, because whatever new generation accord camry will get more electronics in it, same same situation lar Some more the 2AR-FSE use electropneumatic cam system, ah chong ah meng also can't touch it, other than asking you change whole set. Further, dual type (direct+port) fuel injectors, well, should be reliable enough, but when rosak (due to our shitty petrol), more cost incurred...

At low end, the 2.5L engine has more torque. Those opted 2.5L Camry or Mazda 6, they get silky smooth engine unlike turbo that gets sudden surge when needed extra torque. Some dislike turbo because it requires more attention on maintenance when old.

Talking about FC, tell me how much is a Camry and Accord 2.4L or mazda 2.5L compared to Mondeo 2.0T or Pug508 1.6T at similar age? The Japanese T, H & M even beat Korean D segments 2.0L in resale value.

New Accord 1.5L has torque of 2.4L or 2.5L strength. It needs the extra strength only to pull it around without feeling lethargic as substitute to 2.4L. It is tuned for FC, not power. I see number of present Accord 2.4L driven by those in 30's also, you call them old? You think so many 20's that rich that they can easily buy D segment? If car price here like America, then sure many young people will buy D segments because they want to ferry parents around comfortably.

Kia was under C&C if not mistaken when it started here. Because it can't sell and making losses, they gave up and withdrawn. A company shareholders won't sell a car that failed to sell whether the fault lies in their own employees or principal.

Japanese cars like Toyota and Honda, they will always have spare parts and technical expertise to solve electronic or any crazy issues. Korean cars when they make high losses that they can't afford to provide good after sales, who is going to fix all the difficult technical problems?

Specs of new Camry 2.5L NA engine not yet announced, where did you get the info Camry 2.5L engine gets peak torque at 5000rpm? There are few Toyota models using 2AR-FSE engine, is that taken from some tuner models aimed at high rev? Mazda 6 is impressive car, that's why I bought it's brother Mazda 3.

Mazda already been using GDI since 2012 in Mazda 6 Skyactiv, I don't see such problem that you mentioned. Instead, I saw Sonata YF stalled at highway near ramp to Danau Desa in 1 evening near 3 or 4pm.

You didn't read my comment properly before replying? Poor sales led to very few to almost no owner on the road. SC gets business also affected, spare parts brought in less or none at all. When seriously lacking funds, could end up hiring unqualified mechanic until not able to fix sophisticated electronic and mechanical parts. This is main point why people avoid Korean cars nowadays.

Toyota and Honda sales so good with SC business so good. You don't even worry about SC no spare parts or no tech expertise to fix the Camry.

This post has been edited by jayraptor: Jun 24 2017, 11:04 PM

Been reading some of your recent posts on Korean cars, Jayraptor... with all due respect, does sound like you have big issue with them... have to respectfully disagree. I had a Honda City from 2004 to 2010... had a number of issues with it before selling it... and cabin quality was crap. Honda once took my car in for service, asked me to collect in the evening, then called me after I got home to apologise... because they actually forgot to service it! Had to send it back next day.

Then bought a Kia Forte in 2010, happy owner for past 7 years, fully serviced at Kia SC... not a complaint about their attitude or work or quality of car. Sold car last month and went for a Cerato. My wife moved from a Kenari to a Hyundai i10... another happy owner...her car is almost 6 years old. Trouble free too. Great after sales service as well.

What is the basis for your claim that people are avoiding Korean cars nowadays? Honda and Toyota had a head start in Malaysia, naturally they're both better entrenched in the market, helped by their worldwide branding. Hyundai and Kia have had missteps, true, but they're here to stay.

My 1.99 sen...

Hey jayraptor, take a look at vehicle sales data for May 2017. Kia and Huyndai aren't doing too badly. Kia sold 1897 and Hyundai sold 1822 passenger cars from Jan to May. They are ahead of Ford, Peugeot, Mitsubishi and Subaru and just a little less than VW in passenger cars. Ford sold a miserable 245 cars in the same period and are now only sustained by their trucking business. Shouldn't you be foretelling disruption of Ford cars dealership instead of Korean cars?

Like it or not Korean cars are here to stay and they aren't doing too badly. Looks like they don't need your "King Strategist" friend at all.



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Put aside taken for preowned sales, registered for own test unit, subsidiary company fleet vehicles, how many brand new were bought by individual private registration by the way? Not many. Hyundai sales mostly from stared. In May, Kia beats Hyundai because they secured 1 fleet vehicles deal for sports event.

Last year, my friend said he mentioned few times Subaru would overtake the 2 Koreans. So how come his prediction so accurate that it really happens now as per screenshot? I believe he even mentioned VW will quick to overtake both Koreans too when the new vento and polo fitted with DSG launched. That time was when Koreans celebrating and claiming their success in beating VW.

Ford only relies on ranger to survive. Its saloon cars sales are abandoned because of useless marketing people, x boleh harap type. So Korean marketing find this a success too? Both Koreans just launched at 3 models each yet sales still poor and only to cover up with own fleet sales.So next 2 months Hyundai will overtake Kia back. Both just play chasing each other? Koreans better pray Toyota and Honda don't come up with Starex rival. A large multipurpose van customisable for people or goods carrier like Starex enjoy commercial vehicle tax rate.

So you said Koreans don't need good Strategist which is why their sales so bad? Last time they were at number 6 & 7 spot just behind Nissan when they received free spoon-feeding from me and my members. We'll see for how long they can sustain. FYI, the spot both Korean brand at now are already bottom just above brands that are already dead in local non+luxury market. Few more months can check again. As per Japanese King Strategist spotters survey these past few weeks, Korean showrooms quiet like no new model being launched at all while neighbouring Japanese brands showroom gets far more customers. Mazda and Toyota haven't release any new models still get numbers of customers and bookings. in overall, Korean brands have actually dropped to more spots further from previous #14/15 to #15/16. You happy with this?

This post has been edited by jayraptor: Jun 25 2017, 02:58 PM


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But current all Japs car already 20k lower value in terms of spec. Hehe.

Subaru giving RM32.5k discount for both XV & Forester for 2016 stock.
Don't you know that?

Lolzzz u all no need to reply in his shitty thread...
He created just for bash
Just let it idle n this thread will move to page 2
Later no one will bother him again anymore

Let's just stick to discussion about Optima GT instead of sidetracking to Korean car market share.

If they really give that much discount on old stock or preowned, at least they still can sell. You refer Shortage that threw more discount than that, you don't see any on the road other than near distributor and its subsidiaries offices.

We look at 2017 cars & SUV sold with 2017 number plate. Subaru, VW, Hyundai, Kia all claimed 300 units a month at least. At areas like malls, office, shops, parks , entertainment outlets, we can still see new Subaru XV, Forrester, VW Vento, Passat, Polo, Jetta there driven by someone ferrying family members, friends or just alone. But then the Korean cars & SUV with 2017 plates, they are rarely seen on the road except near related companies areas. Surveyors only spotted 1 or 2 Korean cars driven by individual hanging out with family members.

Forte when launched in dec'09, in January 2010 there were just few hundred sold that time and we can see them on the road like Subaru today. If there are 300 + 300 both Korean cars combined in the few months in 2017, by right should be more than forte in January 2010 on the road driven by individual owners. Wonder where are the Korean cars driven by individual owners?

This thread is open to everyone to debate, discuss and LYF talk for free. What people posted on negative perception, cons, situations, if Korean marketing failed to debate or solve these issues, then the Koreans are not going to win.

If you're unhappy with people posting facts on current situation in reality world, then why are you here replying those who were posting their comments in the first place? Since you're here, care to explain where are the new Cerato 2017 if you strongly disagree Kia sales beat Hyundai in May 2017 is not from the fleet sales to sports event organiser? Also for Hyundai (excluding Starex), where are the ioniq, Tucson 2017 bought by individual private owner?

Japanese King Strategist team of spotters and surveyors been monitoring Koreans activities since December 2016. Reported that the number of viewers and buyers statistics are far less than the monthly sales. Can you comment on this? Also the cars at SC, the number of 2017 cars sent in by individuals aren't many compared to the monthly sales figures released by AAM, They don't need to service?