The Passat turbo is RM199K OTR without insurance. With the RM15K discount for Raya promotion it comes to RM184K which is still RM9K more than Optima GT at RM175K OTR without insurance.

But let's say if both cars are sold at the same price why would people buy an Optima instead of a Passat? There are many possible reasons I can think of:

1. A Korean car is generally more reliable than a Continental car.
2. Passat will be more expensive to maintain after warranty with higher cost of spare parts, harder to repair and more expensive labour.
3. 6 speed auto transmission is more reliable than DSG and smoother in low speed traffic.
4. Passat's adaptive dampers are wear and tear items and are damn expensive to replace.
5. Optima GT is CBU from Korea. Passat is CKD in Pekan with our unimpressive assembly quality.
6. Optima has higher resale value. In 3 years expect the Optima to maintain 60% of its value while the Passat will only be worth 40%.
Edit:
7. The DSG is a wear and tear item which will need replacement at some point.
8. VW's mechatronic is another unreliable item with high failure rate. Failure cannot be predicted and when it fails your car is immobilized.

So you want to top up a bit more for a Volvo? That's a very expensive car to maintain.

This post has been edited by kluseng: Jun 19 2017, 08:23 AM

Why everybody must compare with Ioniq HEV+ features? How many cars in our market have those features?


This post has been edited by kluseng: Jun 18 2017, 09:45 PM

If Camry 2.0 turbo reach here it will be priced >rm200K.

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

If your only criteria is fun to drive than of course Passat but the overall ownership experience must take into account maintenance. A Passat is more expensive and troublesome to maintain as DSG, mechatronic, coil packs and adaptive dampers are high failure items. Do you have alternative transport if your car lands in the workshop for weeks?

I'm not saying an Optima is cheap to maintain but it shouldn't be too different from a D-segment Jap car. Any Optima/Sonata owners can give their input?

Thank you for your input.

It's good that we are getting back on track to relevant discussion. Please don't feed the troll any more.

I think for the power the price (rm175k) is worth it but unfortunately price doesn't match brand perception. If Passat 2.0TSI (rm200k) is sold at this price there will be a waiting list.


This post has been edited by kluseng: Jun 30 2017, 11:56 AM

^
This. Or would you rather pay RM200K for a Passat 2.0 where the roof lining comes off as "normal" wear and tear?

The Optima GT is certainly on my shortlist after I pay off my existing car loan. I have no problem with its price and I'm not brand snobbish. Show me another car with equivalent power and torque and better value for money and I'll consider it too. Volvo not considered. It isn't a car you can keep and sleep soundly without warranty. Nor a Passat for that matter.


This post has been edited by kluseng: Jul 1 2017, 11:25 AM

What did I tell you guys about not feeding the troll? It's pointless to argue with him and the thread becomes an endless diatribe about the politics of Korean cars.