GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

It's been a while guys and it's been a fun ride. A few weeks ago I traded in my Vibe for a new 2012 Kia Optima SX. It was a sad day but I had my Vibe for almost 10 years and I had a blast with that car. From the Super Meets we had to the great people on the forum and all the mods in between, I couldn't have been happier. Not to mention the friends I made here. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the good times I had here.

I have posted my Momo Winter Pro-S wheels and tires for sale if anyone is interested here: Wheels & Tires
I also have Sylvania Silverstar turn signals for the front lights along with a set or two of Silverstar headlights and foglights. If anyone is intersted in those, let me know.

New car is a 2012 Kia Optima SX in Titanium Silver. It has the premium and tech packages, loaded to the gills with options. 2.0L turbo topping out at 274 HP. I've added a couple things like LED rear turn signals to match the LED tail lights along with LED backup lights and LED license plate lights. Front LED DRLs are going to be added really soon to match the 2013 Kia Optima SXL.

Pic of the new car:

Sweet lookin' ride, congrats!

Congrats! No, the next party is just starting! When I was considering my last car purchase, I really looked at the Hyundai Sonata SE, and the Optima too with the 2.0L. Really nice cars for the money, but I decided on the 10 Vibe GT at half the price since I have two kids in college. Oh, and that should be 274 HP, right? Makes a difference.

Look on the http://www.turbosonata.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; forums for a good place for your new ride. They are kinda like genvibe, while the Optima forum is more like matrixowners, IMO.

Good luck with it!

Yes, should be 274 HP, not 247 HP. Whoops! lol

Makes a big difference!

Yes - there is life after VIBE!

Congratulations on your new car. I hope it gives many years of reliable service

Congrats on your new ride and for being one of the pioneer members here @ GenVibe. Back when you purchased your Vibe, GM had so many models to choose from and the Kia's were total junk and never should have been allowed to enter the USA (just a bit bitter if you can tell) But kudo's to you for getting what you want and they are a much more superior car today than 10 years ago. Keep visiting us every now & then with any updates you may have. Enjoy your new ride

Welcome back....

And stick around around... Even after you have sold your items... Many have...

Nice ride!!!

Have you managed to keep your foot out of it???

Great purchase triton. However, you will have to abide by the rules of genvibe and the covenant agreement you signed back in 2002 which states that you cannot leave our community until you have reached a minimum of 3000 posts. Failure to abide by the rules will result in your gas, water and electricity being cut off until you comply.
Please don't leave; there are so few of us 2002/2003 alumnis left.

I don't think I can ever leave completely. I'm glad to see all the support for the new car.

I plan on still checking in from time to time and seeing what's going on. I will say that if you asked me 10 years ago, or even 3 or 4 years ago if I would own a Kia, I would have said hell no, especially the Optima. But this 3rd generation model is pretty nice. I'm already modding a couple items, but will not go as far as I did with the Vibe.

As far as keeping my foot off of it...well let's just say I only get on it when I really NEED to right now. I'm trying to see how good I can do on average around town gas mileage. So far, it does better than by Vibe GT did and when I do get on it, it is surprisingly fast. I usually run in Eco mode and that turns on and off at the flip of a switch. I've been averaging around 24 mpg and I was getting around 23 mpg with the Vibe. However, a huge bonus was that this car runs on 87 octane. That's a nice change from requiring 91 octane or above in the Vibe.

I'll be around for sure. Maybe I'll post some pics of some of my mods as long as I don't get flamed for it.

Yeah man, absolutely post updates on the Optima

Those things look sick on 20" wheels fyi

I'm beginning to look into new rides myself as well,
but I won't get CRAP fir the Vibe, so I'll hold on to it.

Dude, it breaks my heart whenever one of us trades in their vibe, but man... Great choice! I love that optima!

Just cuz you don't have a vibe anymore, doesn't mean you can't still post here.

Congrats on the new whip!

Triton wrote:I don't think I can ever leave completely. I'm glad to see all the support for the new car.

I plan on still checking in from time to time and seeing what's going on. I will say that if you asked me 10 years ago, or even 3 or 4 years ago if I would own a Kia, I would have said (removed) no, especially the Optima. But this 3rd generation model is pretty nice. I'm already modding a couple items, but will not go as far as I did with the Vibe.

As far as keeping my foot off of it...well let's just say I only get on it when I really NEED to right now. I'm trying to see how good I can do on average around town gas mileage. So far, it does better than by Vibe GT did and when I do get on it, it is surprisingly fast. I usually run in Eco mode and that turns on and off at the flip of a switch. I've been averaging around 24 mpg and I was getting around 23 mpg with the Vibe. However, a huge bonus was that this car runs on 87 octane. That's a nice change from requiring 91 octane or above in the Vibe.

I'll be around for sure. Maybe I'll post some pics of some of my mods as long as I don't get flamed for it.

If the vehicle is brand new with low miles, there has been some debate on how to break in the engine and RUNNING or NOT RUNNING a vehicle equipped in ECO Mode...

I heard there were issues with the gas tanks with early Kia Models (1998-2004)

Congrats. Kia and Hyundai have stepped up their game and the Optima finally looks noticeably different then its Sonata sibling. That Kia "tiger nose" Grill they have been using the last few years. I think you will enjoy it. Can you post pics of the inside? Is the climate controls as ugly looking as the Sonata's(with the reclining man on it)?

I like everything about the Optima except the fake side fender vents. I am not sure why this styling feature is so popular on cars(I think that fender vents only look good on a Buick(the company that popularized this style) ). It kinda reminds me of the fender vents on my folks 2009 Ford Taurus

Here is a internet pic of this car



But that is a minor styling flub. The car looks and drives marvelous and the price, you get so much for so little price wise so it is a fantastic value

Good luck with your new car

journeyforce wrote:Congrats. Kia and Hyundai have stepped up their game and the Optima finally looks noticeably different then its Sonata sibling. That Kia "tiger nose" Grill they have been using the last few years. I think you will enjoy it. Can you post pics of the inside? Is the climate controls as ugly looking as the Sonata's(with the reclining man on it)?

I like everything about the Optima except the fake side fender vents. I am not sure why this styling feature is so popular on cars(I think that fender vents only look good on a Buick(the company that popularized this style) ). It kinda reminds me of the fender vents on my folks 2009 Ford Taurus

Wow, I just looked at the inside of the Sonata and that's ugly. Mine is much better. This isn't an actual picture of mine, but it's exactly like it, navigation and climate controls. Steel pedals, carbon fiber trim.



The side vents are alright looking to me. They look nicer on the Optima than they do on that Ford. I've seen people mod them too to put LED lights in them. It looks ok with the lights, but that's not for me.

Hate to see the Vibe go, but the Optima is pretty nice looking. Enjoy it and be sure to drop in and say hi every so often !