I’m planning to get a car and want to save as much money as possible, so I’ve decided to go with a used one. I’m leaning toward an older Optima (around 2010-2014). I’ll be buying from a dealership since I’m not familiar with all the paperwork involved, and having some kind of warranty would be nice.
This will be my first car, and I’d like to know what I should keep an eye on. A lot of the ones I’ve seen have anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000 miles. Is it even worth buying a car with that much mileage? I’d like it to last at least ten years, and I’m ready to maintain it properly, but I don’t know what issues might come up with a car that has been driven so much.
What are the major red flags I should look for when buying a used car? Any advice for buying a car in general would also be appreciated.
A car with over 100,000 miles, especially a Hyundai or Kia, is not a good idea! I wouldn’t get one with that kind of mileage. Also, cars with key starts before 2020 are too easy to steal because of a well-known issue.
@Drew
That’s a pretty harsh take. If a car has been well taken care of, it can still be reliable even with high mileage. Not everyone can afford a new car. Keep that in mind.
Check if the engine is still under warranty and if all recalls have been addressed. Test it on the highway to see if the steering locks up. That happened to me, and it cost over $1,000 to fix once the warranty expired.
Kia and Hyundai have a history of engine problems, and the models you’re looking at are included in a lawsuit for catastrophic engine failure. These cars can start on fire unexpectedly, use up too much oil, and have many other issues. Models from 2010-2014 have 28 recalls, 53 investigations, and thousands of complaints. Look up any car you’re considering on NHTSA.gov to see the details.
Also, cars from those years with key starts are targeted by thieves due to a design flaw. Some insurance companies won’t even cover them, and others raise rates significantly. Instead of a fix, you might just get a free steering wheel lock. My advice? Stay away from these cars. They’re not worth the trouble or expense.
@Bayley
Reading this is so discouraging. I recently got a Kia, and now I’m wondering if I made a huge mistake. Where I live, everyone says good things about them, but this forum is making me second-guess my decision. Should I be worried?
I got a 2023 Kia Sorento. It’s the EX trim with a V6 3.5L engine and AWD.
I don’t know much about the newer models. The engine problems mostly affected cars from 2011-2021. During those years, Kia and Hyundai kept using engines with known design flaws. Your car is likely too new to have those issues, but you should still keep an eye on any recalls or complaints about your specific model.