I brought home a 2012 SV with Premium and Tech package. I'd wanted a Maxima for YEARS but had resolved myself to buying an Altima for price. I really wasn't wowed by the Altima (having not drove the new Max yet). I started to look around and saw all the good things about the Kia Optima.

I used to sell Optimas so i thought I'd take a look and ... DAMN... that is one fine car. I really, really, really, was about to get the Turbo 2.0 (274 hp and 34 mpg highway). It also has all the toys and panoramic sunroof. It even looks like they stole some of the design cues from the Max. Plus the warranty was much better. But I just couldn't do it. If I was gonna drop 30 on an Optima, I had to drop 35 on a Max. I knew I'd regret it every day. Even thought that Optima is one SWEET car.

So, I ended up going with a Java Metallic with light interior. I was set on Dark Slate with charcoal interior but since the charcoal was nearly black, I fell in love with the different look of the Java.

It's at the glass place getting the windows tinted right now. (Man, I don't want to go two days with the windows up!)

So of course, I will have pics soon but for now, I'm worried. I just assumed I'ddo 35% all the way around. I am not crazy about super dark tint. BUt he told me a lot of folks do 20 on the back and back side windows and 35 on the front. I was afraid of the inconsistency, and I can already barely see at night. Plus, this Max has that pull up shade in the back anyway.

So, I went with 35 all the way around and am already second guessing myself. What do you guys think??

Oh- LOVE the car already by the way, just drove it to Missouri and am close to 1000 miles.

Dom

Thanks to all of you that helped me diagnose all those old probs on the 96! In five or ten years, I'll be back to asking those kinds of questions!!!

 

I like having the same level tint all around. The different opacity levels kinda irks me. Plus, how much light hits you through the back? It's also a bit safer at night.

Also, nice color choice. I wanted Java, but my dealer had none.

 

Congrats on the new ride man! I have 30% all-around and love it just right IMO. wish i could do the windshield a little too but cant here

 

congrats

 

I'm in Lenexa..I have a 12 SV in silver with 20% all the way around..looks better all uniform but it is tough to see sometimes at night..i wish i would of done 35% now, but its not unbearable..just my .02

 

Congrats on your new car purchased. I think you made the right decision. And you also made the right decision with going 35% all around. Any less than 35% you are taking chances on getting a ticket.

 

Picked it up with the 35 and it looks sharp. Need to wash it tomorrow and I'll get those pics up!

Thanks!

Dom

 

Congrats! I got 35 all around on my crimson black '10 SV. I don't regret it especially since the wife drive the car sometimes.

 

Lets see how it turned out!

 

Congrats!!! I have 20% all around on my 2011 super black.

 

Congrats on the purchase. Can't wait to see pics of the car. 35% around is good. I recommend that to anyone who asks me about tint. On my '09 I had 35% all around and loved it. I have 35% on my '11 every where except the rear window. They did 20% on that just because they said it would look better with the panoramic roof. I can't really notice that much a difference in that and the rest of my car though.

 

Congrats!!! Let's see some pics!!

I purchased a 2012 Kia Optima EX w/ Tech & Prem (for the wife), along with an extended warranty to make it a full bumper to bumper for 10 years. So far I have been very pleased with it! It is a very nice luxurious vehicle with a very nice warranty.

However, I also purchased a '09 Nissan Maxima for myself, and I love it as well. The Maxima is a different class vehicle altogether. It is much more powerful, the suspension is far more responsive and enjoyable to drive. It is a true luxury car without the luxury nameplate. Every time I drive the Maxima it puts a real smile on my face.

The bluetooth system & reverse camera system on the '09 Maxima is far superior compared to the '12 Optima (so obviously the Optima cheaped out on some of the electronic components compared to the Maxima). Only thing is the short warranty which could result in more maintenance costs after warranty with the Maxima.

That said, the sticker was $27k on our Optima, vs $36k ~ 38k for the Maxima (new), so it was an easy choice to buy the Optima over the '12 Maxima. The $9k - $11k difference is a big difference, so I ended up buying a used Maxima for myself to enjoy.

I think you made the right choice to buy the Maxima, as it is definitely a step up over the very impressive Optima.

Regarding the window tint, I live in Arizona, so 35% is kind of light. I prefer 20% in all honesty, but it is not legal for front windows. It might be okay for Missouri though.

 

I have the black on black and I went with 35%. It is just about right. I wish my place would have had 30% but they didn't. Im in the KC area as well. 20% with the black car and black interior might have drawn some cops. as 35% is the legal limit here in Kansas.

I too don't like the different tint levels. I like it to be one darkness. Just my opinion. 35% is perfect at night and fantastic during the day. They both cut out like 99+% of UV heat so its a win either way

 

Wow, illegal for front windows in Arizona? As hot as it gets there, I would have never guessed that. I could see the windshield, but man...

 

Yes it does suck. But some of my neighbors have 20%, or even 5% for the front windows, and generally don't get hassled too badly. It gets dang hot here so I think we should be able to go as dark as we want.