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Who is considering purchasing a KIA for the first time because of the Stinger?

Who is considering purchasing a KIA for the first time because of the Stinger?

  • I am

    Votes: 113 85.0%
  • Not me

    Votes: 2 1.5%
  • I'm currently a KIA owner

    Votes: 18 13.5%

  • Total voters
    133

Sloopy

New Member
Messages
7
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0
State
NY
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United States
What I Drive
2014 Avalon XLE
#81
Technology in these cars has sure put a pinch on the aftermarket repair guys that's for sure. The dealers have big advantages now-a-days in the repair business. Which begs an obvious question: Which is more expensive to replace, a BMW water pump or a Kia's?...
Last year, I test drove a Mercedes and liked it very much. Then I sat down with the salesman and asked him to call the parts department and tell me how much a new headlight assembly would cost if I wanted to buy it and install it myself. He got on the phone and his face hit the floor. If I recall correctly, it was between $3000 and $4000 for one headlight assembly. Needless to say, I did not buy a Mercedes.

Are Kia parts reasonably priced? I have yet to visit the dealer because I made an anonymous call to their service department and asked if a loaner vehicle would be available if I needed service. I got a lot of 'Ums" and "Ahs" but they said they would accommodate me based on the fact that I want to buy a $52000 car.

This was about two months ago and ever since, I have been getting phone calls and emails from Kia dealers, loan companies, etc. I don't know how they did it because I dialed *67 before I called the dealer.

My SPAM folder overflows... Pisses me off.
 

Sloopy

New Member
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7
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0
State
NY
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United States
What I Drive
2014 Avalon XLE
#82
I will be another that never considered a KIA brand vehicle, but will switch to the car company due to the Stinger. Until I discovered the Stinger on a car website in December, I had no idea about it, nor had I known how well Kia was now doing in initial quality with JD Power & Associates (#1).

Now, the thread's question does not ask why the Stinger is causing us to get into a Kia, just if it is, but it certainly begs the question...

I am one of those that is driving a mid-size sedan ? 2014 Mazda6. I typically hold onto my cars around 5.5 - 6 years at a time, and while I've eek'd out nice/average sedans, never paying over $25,200 for a car, suddenly the Stinger changed my game.

I drive about 24k miles a year due to my job. Since I often have customers or managers with me, I want something that is decently comfortable and can haul customers out to lunch, etc... I also like a sporty look, that isn't tacky, handles in a way that makes me feel connected to the road, but needs to be comfortable enough for 2-6 hours of driving at a time.

When I noticed the Stinger the look seemed pretty fantastic (because it's design is, well, fantastic). When I discovered it also started at $31,900 and was well equipped for that price, I figured I could get the car under $30k! Another one of my rules, never spend more than $30k for a car that turns to dust faster than just about anything you can "invest" in. Rapidly depreciating assets, not good!

I test drove a Premium 2.0L and was thoroughly impressed. Versus my 185hp Mazda6, despite it's weight, it was still WAY peppier, and the handling was more savvy. The interior may be on-par with current Mazda6's, but it's head and shoulders over my 2014 model and the seats are fantastic. It's a fairly large car but doesn't come across as such. Mazda makes their full-size sedan feel like my old pocket toy Ford Probe, so well done Mazda. But Kia manages to pull that of with the Stinger, while its weight also lets you know it's extremely solid and well planted.

In short, I was sold on the 2.0L. Plenty of car for me.

Then in early January I stopped by a Kia dealership to take another look. The manger suggest I take out the GT just for fun. I decided, even though I wouldn't buy it, I'd like to see the difference in the engines and power just for fun sake. The 2.0L is certainly peppy, but the 3.3L V6 GT is like a Taco Bell burrito vs a Chipotle Burrito. Both burrito's, burritos, but really, no comparison. The 19" rims, the Brembo's, and discovering the GT has a lot more in the way of features compared to the base 2.0L intrigued me greatly.

Boom! I shifted from thinking about getting a base 2.0L under $30k (this coming fall/winter timeframe), to a GT. Sheesh!...

What Kia has done is delivered a car that didn't lose focus. What do I mean by that? Put another way, let's take a quick look at the Buick Regal Sportback (is it EVER showing up? Nice job GM...). When it does arrive, I believe I'll be left with the same impression GM has always left me with: Low-grade leather, hard plastics, lame nobs, and the feeling of a company trying to scrape and skimp, because GM believes it can get away with it, but they are actually fooling no one. Well, at least not me... It'll drive so, so, be quite quiet and feel like a vehicle built on a Malibu frame. The Regal gets it's own skin and interior, it has some tweaks, yet the design is watered down, trying to satisfy a lot of people that buy mid-size sedans. In short, the new Regal Sportback will be just another GM Buick product. I'll get a nice rebate, it'll be well affordable and bore me to pieces. I'd rather get newer Mazda6 at that point.

Kia's Stinger is the exact opposite of the Buick Regal. That's what I mean by "focus" from Kia. The frame is going to be the Hyundai G70 and Kia Stinger - that's it. It isn't the Insigna, The Malibu, the Buick Regal Sportback and other variants world-wide trying to be a dozen things do hundreds of thousands of different people. The Stinger is designed to deliver true luxury sport performance. The Stinger did not compromise the drive by dulling down the suspension or tweaking the drive-train to get better gas mileage because commuters and family folk don't need 0-60mph in 4.7, but want Accord range per tank. Kia could have toned down the sculptured sheet metal, or, or, or... That's the great thing about the Stinger, Kia clearly did NOT compromise.

What Kia built is not unlike an Apple product, in that they built something they (Kia engineers) would want to buy. "How can someone not want this car? Because I want this car!" Albert and Gregory might say. The passion put into the car is clear, and middle-management - hands in the cookie jar - were kept at bay. It didn't get formulaic and screwed up. The Stinger stayed true.

And THAT is what I really find inspiring about the Stinger. Focused. Didn't deviate and get watered down. It stayed true, and for that Kia should be so proud and learn from. Will it sell? I should think so. But even if it meets only a niche of buyers, we might just be the most satisfied owners in the market.
I love this narrative as a prospective GT2 buyer (Next Spring)
I am going from a 268Horse 2014 Avalon to a 355horse engine. From 6.9 to 5.0 secs?

I love hearing from actual owners, not from shills.
 
Messages
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State
AL
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#83
365 ho, 376 lb-tq.

Kia claimed 0 to 60 time in 4.7 seconds.

I honestly believe it's a little faster than that, real world. That's based on my butt dyno, not measured with instruments.

Phenomenal upgrade!

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 
Messages
262
Reactions
38
State
OR
Country
United States
What I Drive
2014 Mazda6 Touring ? Soul Red
#84
365 ho, 376 lb-tq.

Kia claimed 0 to 60 time in 4.7 seconds.

I honestly believe it's a little faster than that, real world. That's based on my butt dyno, not measured with instruments.

Phenomenal upgrade!

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
From all the testing and videos out there, it appears the RWD in Launch Control mode is going to be faster than AWD, just barely so... The Michelin Summer tires will also increase the speed, vs the all-seasons on some vehicles. And of course, weather and driver also key factors... In short, 4.7 seems the going reality overall, but you can achieve less or higher times depending...
 

Sloopy

New Member
Messages
7
Reactions
0
State
NY
Country
United States
What I Drive
2014 Avalon XLE
#85
I noticed your black Stinger. Does it have black leather interior? If so, I hope it is without red stitching. I am waiting until Spring '19 to sell my '14 Avalon and jump into the Stinger. Can't wait.
 

WildBill

New Member
Messages
18
Reactions
8
State
NY
Country
United States
What I Drive
Stinger GT2
#86
Not would you consider, but did you buy.
Never would have given Kia a second glance if not for the Stinger.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

JAYP

Member
Messages
107
Reactions
26
State
TX
Country
United States
#87
In August 2018 we owned 3 cars. A 1995 Honda VTEC with 205,000 miles, 5 speed. 1999 Mecury Cougar V6, 5 speed with 210,000 miles. 2008 1/2 Mazdaspeed 3 GT with 80,000 miles. All were running well but we were looking for a replacement when one of the cars can't be repaired or dies. Then August 26, 2017 Harvy hit and found all 3 cars in our garage. We were looking at a Civic type R not out in September 2017. The Stinger was not out yet. So we bought a Nissan Maxima Platinum that my wife loves. Then in April 2018 after rebuilding our house and paying the IRS, I drove a Stinger GT2 and loved it. I leased it to buy it. When my wife drove it she said " The Maxima is yours I want the Stinger....

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
Messages
262
Reactions
38
State
OR
Country
United States
What I Drive
2014 Mazda6 Touring ? Soul Red
#88
In August 2018 we owned 3 cars. A 1995 Honda VTEC with 205,000 miles, 5 speed. 1999 Mecury Cougar V6, 5 speed with 210,000 miles. 2008 1/2 Mazdaspeed 3 GT with 80,000 miles. All were running well but we were looking for a replacement when one of the cars can't be repaired or dies. Then August 26, 2017 Harvy hit and found all 3 cars in our garage. We were looking at a Civic type R not out in September 2017. The Stinger was not out yet. So we bought a Nissan Maxima Platinum that my wife loves. Then in April 2018 after rebuilding our house and paying the IRS, I drove a Stinger GT2 and loved it. I leased it to buy it. When my wife drove it she said " The Maxima is yours I want the Stinger....

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Congrats!!!

I have a 2014 Mazda6, 105k miles on it. Running "perfectly" until the engineer light came on. Catalytic Converter issue. Software update, and back on the road running well - I think. If the engine light and Caytalitic code comes up again, no SW update can fix, the CC is toast. That will NOT be cheap, and take my $10k value Mazda 6 and push it even lower still...

All to say, hope to be joining you soon this fall!
 
Messages
27
Reactions
15
State
MI
Country
United States
What I Drive
2018 KIA Stinger GT2 AWD
#89
I had experience with Kia but?
We bought a Kia Sorento for my wife in 2004 ? the old body style (the car, not the wife!). It was a top-of-the-line AWD EX. My wife loved it. I was not a big fan. It was under-powered and generally sluggish, although it was fantastic in the snow (we live in MI). Replaced it in 2009 with a similar vehicle. These we both ?value proposition? vehicles. She wasn?t worried about the badge, and Kia gave you a LOT for the money vs. competitive vehicles. We put 220k on the 1st one, and still driving the 2nd one at 190k. They were quite dependable, and had generally positive ownership experience. I started researching new cars late last year to replace my 2008 Altima coupe (3.5 V6 SE). I wanted to move up to at-least an entry-level luxury brand, e.g., Audi A5 Sportback, Infiniti Q50, etc. Of course, I wasn?t even thinking about Kia in this segment. Then I started reading/watching reviews and saw all the excitement around the Stinger. Took a GT for a test drive in early Spring, and I was blown away. (Took the wife out for a test drive of the GT2 on the same day that we drove a Q50 3.0 V6 turbo. There was no comparison. With my wife behind the wheel of the Stinger, we hit a freeway on-ramp, I toggled to Sport and told her to giver ?er the beans. She had a smile from ear-to-ear. She thoroughly loved it. That was that.) Picked up my new GT2 in early May. Again, even with a generally positive prior experience with Kia?s, I would not have considered buying another one until the Stinger.
 
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AL
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United States
#90
I had experience with Kia but?
We bought a Kia Sorento for my wife in 2004 ? the old body style (the car, not the wife!). It was a top-of-the-line AWD EX. My wife loved it. I was not a big fan. It was under-powered and generally sluggish, although it was fantastic in the snow (we live in MI). Replaced it in 2009 with a similar vehicle. These we both ?value proposition? vehicles. She wasn?t worried about the badge, and Kia gave you a LOT for the money vs. competitive vehicles. We put 220k on the 1st one, and still driving the 2nd one at 190k. They were quite dependable, and had generally positive ownership experience. I started researching new cars late last year to replace my 2008 Altima coupe (3.5 V6 SE). I wanted to move up to at-least an entry-level luxury brand, e.g., Audi A5 Sportback, Infiniti Q50, etc. Of course, I wasn?t even thinking about Kia in this segment. Then I started reading/watching reviews and saw all the excitement around the Stinger. Took a GT for a test drive in early Spring, and I was blown away. (Took the wife out for a test drive of the GT2 on the same day that we drove a Q50 3.0 V6 turbo. There was no comparison. With my wife behind the wheel of the Stinger, we hit a freeway on-ramp, I toggled to Sport and told her to giver ?er the beans. She had a smile from ear-to-ear. She thoroughly loved it. That was that.) Picked up my new GT2 in early May. Again, even with a generally positive prior experience with Kia?s, I would not have considered buying another one until the Stinger.
Audi isn't what I would consider "entry level" luxury. They are very much a tier 1 luxury brand, because of that you will pay alot for it. I loved my Audi A5, but by 100k+miles, it was costing me 4 to 6k a year just to maintain. A lot of usage of aluminum parts. Just be away of that before you mistake Audi for "entry level." Their pricing very much is not entry level...

I quoted out a 2018 Q50 sport 3.0T last week... The dealer took 10k off MSRP for me. If that's your bag, you may want to take a look at it.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 
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#91
Audi isn't what I would consider "entry level" luxury. They are very much a tier 1 luxury brand, because of that you will pay alot for it. I loved my Audi A5, but by 100k+miles, it was costing me 4 to 6k a year just to maintain. A lot of usage of aluminum parts. Just be away of that before you mistake Audi for "entry level." Their pricing very much is not entry level...

I quoted out a 2018 Q50 sport 3.0T last week... The dealer took 10k off MSRP for me. If that's your bag, you may want to take a look at it.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
A5 with the 2.0t? Oil consumption issues?

I just sold my 2009 A5 with the 3.2 and had 0 issues with it. Was a rock solid car.

My first Kia will be the Stinger. I was really impressed with it.


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#92
A5 with the 2.0t? Oil consumption issues?

I just sold my 2009 A5 with the 3.2 and had 0 issues with it. Was a rock solid car.

My first Kia will be the Stinger. I was really impressed with it.


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My A5 was an 09 with the 3.2 and manual, S-Line.

There were no issues with the car besides replacing consumables. It was high mileage and needed an incredible amount of maintenance.

Great, reliable car otherwise.

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#93
My A5 was an 09 with the 3.2 and manual, S-Line.

There were no issues with the car besides replacing consumables. It was high mileage and needed an incredible amount of maintenance.

Great, reliable car otherwise.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Nice! We have similar taste in cars! Mine was an Sline but with the tiptronic. Sold it with 118,000 Kms. I didn?t find the maintenance too bad but did a lot myself like brake pads and rotors for example. I also found it helpful to source my own aftermarket parts and get the dealer to install. Much cheaper than paying the Audi/VW luxury tax!




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#94
Sweet, that's an awesome looking car. Mine was Monza silver as well.

Honestly, it was my favorite car, but by 140k miles, I was replacing major components such as control arms and bent wheels. It was getting pricey... Timing chain was going to come due soon as well.

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#95
Thanks. I Totally get it. I wanted to move mine before I had to start replacing suspension and engine components. Sounds like I made a good decision!

I do miss that car and I agree, it was my favourite car as well.

Can?t wait for my Stinger to arrive though so I can start modifying it!


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#96
Yeah man, dodged a bullet.

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Messages
262
Reactions
38
State
OR
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What I Drive
2014 Mazda6 Touring ? Soul Red
#97
Audi isn't what I would consider "entry level" luxury. They are very much a tier 1 luxury brand, because of that you will pay alot for it. I loved my Audi A5, but by 100k+miles, it was costing me 4 to 6k a year just to maintain. A lot of usage of aluminum parts. Just be away of that before you mistake Audi for "entry level." Their pricing very much is not entry level...

I quoted out a 2018 Q50 sport 3.0T last week... The dealer took 10k off MSRP for me. If that's your bag, you may want to take a look at it.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
... on a similar note, a friend of mine (let's call him "Craig" to protect the innocent), purchased a 3yr old Audi Quattro w/30k miles on it. Did the research, checked it all out, had it inspected, etc... Paid $30k for it.

3 years later he dumped about $6,500 into it in repairs and sold it for $9,500. He said "I'm never doing THAT again!" meaning buying a top level luxury car that has all the associated luxury level costs that go with it. Performance does not mean reliability at all. It means performance.

Simple math being what it is, in 3 years he spent $27,000 on used Audi that found and abused his wallet, constantly. Another way to look at it is $750 a month. Ouch!!!

NOTE: He's been driving an ancient golf-cart-comparable Prius for about 8 years now. I suppose he's trying to recoup those losses still. LOL!
 
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#98
... on a similar note, a friend of mine (let's call him "Craig" to protect the innocent), purchased a 3yr old Audi Quattro w/30k miles on it. Did the research, checked it all out, had it inspected, etc... Paid $30k for it.

3 years later he dumped about $6,500 into it in repairs and sold it for $9,500. He said "I'm never doing THAT again!" meaning buying a top level luxury car that has all the associated luxury level costs that go with it. Performance does not mean reliability at all. It means performance.

Simple math being what it is, in 3 years he spent $27,000 on used Audi that found and abused his wallet, constantly. Another way to look at it is $750 a month. Ouch!!!

NOTE: He's been driving an ancient golf-cart-comparable Prius for about 8 years now. I suppose he's trying to recoup those losses still. LOL!
It's very true... If you have deep enough pockets, Audi's are some of the best cars to own. My car drove and handled beautifully, but there were so many things I had not considered cost wise. That is of course, my fault.

I hope to one day in an S5 sportback, but first I'm saving money and getting promotions cause it is an expensive car to own. A good, reliable one in the long term, just expensive to replace consumables.

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Messages
262
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38
State
OR
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What I Drive
2014 Mazda6 Touring ? Soul Red
#99
It's very true... If you have deep enough pockets, Audi's are some of the best cars to own. My car drove and handled beautifully, but there were so many things I had not considered cost wise. That is of course, my fault.

I hope to one day in an S5 sportback, but first I'm saving money and getting promotions cause it is an expensive car to own. A good, reliable one in the long term, just expensive to replace consumables.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
At our local - annual - auto show in Portland, OR, I checked out the S5 Spotback also. It's a nice car, but it seemed a bit dark on the interior, and a bit tight or closed in overall. I didn't feel like there was any extra room anywhere vs the Stinger. That may be an illusion, I don't know, but sitting in the Stinger, front or back, I didn't have that feeling I did in the Audi. Again, maybe just dark materials, tinted sun roof, all black interior, etc... not sure, but the Stinger felt a bit more roomy comfortable to me. This has NOTHING to say in terms of the S5 performance however, which I can only assume is fantastic.

NOTE: I'm 6'1"
 
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At our local - annual - auto show in Portland, OR, I checked out the S5 Spotback also. It's a nice car, but it seemed a bit dark on the interior, and a bit tight or closed in overall. I didn't feel like there was any extra room anywhere vs the Stinger. That may be an illusion, I don't know, but sitting in the Stinger, front or back, I didn't have that feeling I did in the Audi. Again, maybe just dark materials, tinted sun roof, all black interior, etc... not sure, but the Stinger felt a bit more roomy comfortable to me. This has NOTHING to say in terms of the S5 performance however, which I can only assume is fantastic.

NOTE: I'm 6'1"
The sportback is physically smaller than the stinger... I believe the stinger is closer in size to the A7. Also, the performance of the S5 is all too real. A definite must drive.

I am 6'5" and the stinger is slightly tight for me. Definitely a huge distance just for me to sit in. I love the Stinger enough that I overlooked all of that, however. Still, if I had enough money, I would have gone with the S5, that's a no brainer for me.

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