LexFather

So I'm pumping gas and I see this older gentleman eyeing the car. Now stock that happens but now modded with the Vossen CV3s (Shameless plug) well people love the wheels and the combination......

So I think nothing of it...and he decides to speak

"That is a beautiful ride you have there, love the wheels"

-Thank you sir, appreciate it

"I always loved Lexus, I'm a car guy, they make some really good looking cars"

-Thank you sir, I agree, I like the styling

"This was really crazy though and you might not believe me but I was at a store and I was staring at this car like I was looking at yours and thought that was another great looking Lexus. I then get closer and I was shocked it was a Kia. I mean a Kia? I confused it was a Lexus!

-Sir douse yourself with premium gas, light a match and go kill yourself (okay that didn't happen)
-Yeah they have turned it around

"You probably think I'm crazy but seriously, I kept looking and it was a really nice looking car and looked like a Lexus. It was a good looking Kia"

-Yes, they hired the ex Audi designer, he's doing a good job

"Oh, yeah I like Audi's too but never thought I'd confuse a Kia with a Lexus. You have a great day, love your car"

-Thank you sir, have a great day too


Now this brings up two things to me.

One IMO Lexus vehicles always were seen as stylish to the general public. On the internet/blogs/mags though, they seem to like to think all Lexus vehicles look like ES 250s or something. Most people I have spoken to think Lexus are great looking, stylish cars.

The other point is Kia has really done a great job (I assume it is the Optima). I do fine the Optima to maybe be best looking in class with the 18" wheels (looks horrid with the base wheels like the new Camry just posted here). If the general public thinks its looks like a Lexus, that is a great thing.

Corey140

I had the Optima as a rental car. Not bad at all. The roofline is kind of low but its ok. I wondered how the turbo model drives though.

Interesting cause I saw you earlier rolling on the top end in the rain on the Perimeter...Nice fogs in the rain!

LexFather

Coolbeans...picked up CL moderator bitkahuna and we did dinner Thanks for the compliments!

84Cressida

The internet fanboys who trash Lexus at every chance represent a huge minority. The general public that do end up talking to me about cars always have positive things to say about Toyota and Lexus, even during the recall hysteria that most didn't even pay attention to.

TEXASMAJOR

iTrader: (2)

Those Vossens really set your GS off in a really good way....I'm jelly.

T0ked

iTrader: (2)

Well, I do like the styling of the Optima, but nothing of it reminds me of any Lexus.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

so did you find a nice sturdy desk afterwards?

Och

iTrader: (3)

Haha, Haiyondie fanboys trolling Mike at a gas station

Joey-E

iTrader: (1)

And the guy calls himself a car guy?

kikcaffine

iTrader: (3)

Yeah I can see how that hybrid looks exactly like that kia, what with 4 wheels and all.

TriniGS

iTrader: (2)

Hmmmm, the kia does not resembles a Lexus but it is a sharp looking car. I'll probably consider buying it or the Hyundai Sonata if they were made by a more reliable brand.

LexFather

I don't think he meant it looked exactly like a GS. It seems he thought the Kia was a Lexus, any Lexus, which shocked him. Most of us agree the Optima is a sharp looking vehicle for a volume bland family market vehicle.

VIPG35

iTrader: (6)

Kia has more potential than before lol

mmarshall

No arguements with the Optima, Mike. If you remember my CL review a few months ago, I was extremely impressed with the one I drove (an LX automatic), even without the turbo power. The only things I didn't care for were the lack of an interior wood-tone trim option and a ride that was a little more stiff than I'd like....but those are not deal-breakers, and this is one jewel of a sedan for the reasonable-price Kia asks for it. The Turbo models (other than the top-line SX turbo) can also be ordered with the standard suspension, without the additional stiffness......a policy I like, and something you don't see much of today.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...ia-optima.html