Anyone Cross-shop a...

[Kamauxx]

Did anyone cross shop an Audi A6 3.0 vs the Stinger?

If so, your thoughts?

 

[SKStinger]

Yeah I did as well as an A7. Size wise the A6 is what I was looking for as it has lots of rear seat legroom. More than the A7 actually. Performance isn’t as good as the Stinger and for me the value isn’t there when comparing the two. A new A6 is $20,000+ more than the top trim Stinger and it’s just not worth that.

I did look at CPO A6s and 7s as well but kept coming back to whether it was worth it to spend the same money a new Stinger costs to buy a used Audi.

What I do like about the Audi’s are styling both exterior and interior and fit and finish are still well above Kia’s standards. Also the paint options and quality of the Audi’s are numerous and exceptional.

 

[Waynerm002]

I did check one out to compare it to the A5 Sportback. The A6 was the car I wanted before I got my BMW 5 series back in the day. I figured the A5 would be close in size to the A6 or at least a bit bigger than the A4 inside but once I saw it in person, I figured it wasn't as nice looking as the A5 and of course the Stinger trumped both in power, performance and price. The new one looks awesome though.

 

[Socalstinga]

Momentarily checked out a new A5 sportback, but the price to get the options/engine I wanted were a bit too high. Also didn't like the exterior styling. I did give serious consideration to A7/S7 CPOs, but 2.5 years old 24k miles was still in the $60k-$65k range. Still a bargain considering what the comparable new model would've cost. Maintenance would've been on the high side and I needed a DD that wasn't going to cost an arm and a leg to keep running well.

10k miles in and the Stinger still feels as solid as day 1, so no regrets...

 

[Kamauxx]

Thanks for the insights. I've mostly been looking at new 2018s since the 2019s should be pushing the prices down a bit.

Just looking at pictures I fell in love with the Nougat trim and the real wood with the grains exposed. I haven't actually checked one out in person yet to experience the fit and finish of the interior.

As for performance in stock form it's about as fast as a Stinger to 60 but slightly slower through the quarter mile. There's quite a bit of tuning support for the A6 though so it should be relatively easy to add a hundred hp. Then I ask myself is it even worth it, since I rarely drive above the speed limit?

With all of this bouncing around in my head I got in my Stinger this morning and noticed my seat is separating at one of the seams. So now the longevity of the interior is a possible concern.

 

[JP's_Stinger]

With all of this bouncing around in my head I got in my Stinger this morning and noticed my seat is separating at one of the seams. So now the longevity of the interior is a possible concern.

Are you serious? Did you accidently scratched it with a key or a sharp object or did it just start separating on it's own, not even a year in?? You're right, if it happened by itself, it's definitely cause for concern...I mean, my '07 Audi A4's seats were in perfect condition when I sold it, 3 weeks ago (11+ years in!)

 

[Kamauxx]

Are you serious? Did you accidently scratched it with a key or a sharp object or did it just start separating on it's own, not even a year in?? You're right, if it happened by itself, it's definitely cause for concern...I mean, my '07 Audi A4's seats were in perfect condition when I sold it, 3 weeks ago (11+ years in!)

It's on the left side where the bolster meets the butt part. I rarely keep anything in my pocket and certainly nothing sharp. It isn't bad (yet) but it's definitely something I'll have to keep an eye on.

 

[Socalstinga]

@Kamauxx for the price of what you'd be paying for the A6, it might still be cheaper to get the front seats re-upholstered! lol....

But you're right, there is a ton of tuning support for Audi. Audi's are also very "de-tuned", so a lot of potential to unlock. Stepping to an audi is more for the interior fit/finish/quality - on par with my AMG benz - just gorgeous.

Side note: Everyone talks about leather this and that, my AMG I opted for the "vinyl" substitute instead of leather, and it's way better looks and toughness wise. If I have to redo my Stinger seats, I'm going vinyl..

 

[Waynerm002]

Let KIA know so they can replace it. They are always improving things when issues come up. I recall them changing the seat design and replacing covers for folks that reported issues on the Optima back in 2011-2013. That's the kind of thing that should last and 1 year isn't a good record for this occurring.

 

[Kamauxx]

@Kamauxx for the price of what you'd be paying for the A6, it might still be cheaper to get the front seats re-upholstered! lol....

But you're right, there is a ton of tuning support for Audi. Audi's are also very "de-tuned", so a lot of potential to unlock. Stepping to an audi is more for the interior fit/finish/quality - on par with my AMG benz - just gorgeous.

Side note: Everyone talks about leather this and that, my AMG I opted for the "vinyl" substitute instead of leather, and it's way better looks and toughness wise. If I have to redo my Stinger seats, I'm going vinyl..

Everything you're saying is right. It all makes sense. From a logical point of view there's no reason to leave a Stinger for a A6 3.0. On paper the Stinger does everything the A6 does in a slightly smaller and much cheaper package. BUT I'm an emotional buyer and there's just something about them that tickles my fancy.

 

[Kamauxx]

Let KIA know so they can replace it. They are always improving things when issues come up. I recall them changing the seat design and replacing covers for folks that reported issues on the Optima back in 2011-2013. That's the kind of thing that should last and 1 year isn't a good record for this occurring.

I'm going to show it to them the next time I visit the dealership.

 

[Socalstinga]

@Kamauxx I hear you. it literally came down to the A7 and M3 (I'm biased to beemers what can I say). I couldn't justify the price of the A7 (including maintenance), the M3 wouldn't be practical for my DD use (really expensive to maintain!). But I know the feeling, I get all swept up when I see either of those 2 cars.

I don't know what it is, but I can't shake that notion in my own head that I drive a KIA. When I'm in the car or just looking at the Stinger, I forget it's a KIA (not that I've ever had a KIA before). I just saw the new upcoming 3 series and the engine is wow, and the dimensions actually got a little bigger. Had some moments this wkd about parting out the Stinger and selling it back. But again, the styling is nothing like the Stinger. Hard not to like this Stinger, a lot....

 

[CaliSting]

One thing that Audi has is much more luxurious interior with lots of interior options. The stinger interior to me is cheap plastic feeling. I dont like fact we cant get leather covered dash and that fake stitching in Kia plastic dash is so cheesy. I would have liked being able to order my stinger with all leather interior and choice of inserts. Audi is a little more solid feeling to me and has better ergo than Stinger for bigger drivers like me. Stinger is really painful for me to get into.

I cross shopped them. I liked stinger as it wasnt something you see everyday in SF Bay Area. Sea of Audiss here. But I do miss that more solid higher quality interior for sure. I dont really use the acceleration of Stinger that much so not sure Id miss the slightly lower performance.

 

[Waynerm002]

I gave up BMW to come to KIA years ago as I found them to be more European in their design and how they drove. Over the years they have gotten better and now have a true European Sporty driving feel. I really don't use the Stinger to it's fullest and the few times I put it in Sport mode, it just blows me away with how quick it leave traffic behind. The space is adequate and I certainly like the feeling of driving something that not many people have. In a few years, KIA will get things right with this vehicle and make it a much better car, for what cars are going for these days, I don't see the value in what the Germans are charging for similar products that cost a ton to maintain. For now, it's KIA for me.

 

[SKStinger]

Everything you're saying is right. It all makes sense. From a logical point of view there's no reason to leave a Stinger for a A6 3.0. On paper the Stinger does everything the A6 does in a slightly smaller and much cheaper package. BUT I'm an emotional buyer and there's just something about them that tickles my fancy.

Audi also has Nardo grey. Being a Ceramic Silver owner I’m sure you’ll like it. One of my favourite Audi colours and looks sporty on the A6/A7.

 

[Socalstinga]

@Kamauxx I saw an RS5 sportback on the fwy last night so I looked it up again and was starting to get that "impulse" lol....But then i thought, get a proper ecu tune on the stinger and it should be just as fast, if not faster.

 

[Kamauxx]

@Kamauxx I saw an RS5 sportback on the fwy last night so I looked it up again and was starting to get that "impulse" lol....But then i thought, get a proper ecu tune on the stinger and it should be just as fast, if not faster.

I just went to the dealership to check out a car they were SUPPOSED to have. Then I learned it's actually located at a partnering dealership 45 minutes on the opposite side of the city.

While there I was tempted to drive a S6. But then I thought what's the point....just a cock tease.

If I get a A6 3.0 I'll avoid any run ins with Stingers until I get it tuned.

 

[Socalstinga]

I just went to the dealership to check out a car they were SUPPOSED to have. Then I learned it's actually located at a partnering dealership 45 minutes on the opposite side of the city.

While there I was tempted to drive a S6. But then I thought what's the point....just a cock tease.

If I get a A6 3.0 I'll avoid any run ins with Stingers until I get it tuned.

Would you keep the Stinger or trade it in? I was doing the math last night if I were to trade in the Stinger for the RS5 and the numbers weren't appealing.

 

[Kamauxx]

Would you keep the Stinger or trade it in? I was doing the math last night if I were to trade in the Stinger for the RS5 and the numbers weren't appealing.

I'd trade it in. Luckily I owe just about the same as the trade-in value. Plus I have a few things I could sell after demodding it.

I wish the 5s didn't come with 2+2 seating. There's no way my wife would go for that.

 

[Socalstinga]

@Kamauxx I'll be curious to see what gripes about the car are on audi forums....