 I looked at every car out there.  I liked the Optima right away.  After I first drove it, I knew it was the car I wanted.  I am very picky with my cars, and have a couple of styling gripes (why is the roofline so much higher in front than in back!?) but overall it's an unassuming car I don't have to be embarassed to be seen in.  Fit and finish are superb.  The only thing that feels cheap are the interior door handles.  The car is unbelievably quiet, which makes it a pleasure for leisurely driving.  Mileage had proven to be amazing for such a large car.  On that note, it is VERY roomy and for thousands less than a Civic LX I just feel like I got more car for the money.