2018 Stinger 2.0T AWD vs. New AWD Buick Regals

[exodus]

The Buick Regal Sportback is indeed competition. It may not be the same category of car per se, but the people looking at the Stinger are considering the Regal. Everyone isn't a car guy. Some people just want a sedan that isn't boring.

They are both midsized hatchbacks, and there aren't many cars in that category here in the US. Go back a few years and the choices were really sparse.

As a golfer I have wanted a midsized hatch for a long time.

 

[STNGRNV]

They are both midsized hatchbacks, and there aren't many cars in that category here in the US. Go back a few years and the choices were really sparse.

As a golfer I have wanted a midsized hatch for a long time.

That sweet hatchback will make lugging clubs easier. I woul enjoy that.

 

[ralzod]

They are both midsized hatchbacks, and there aren't many cars in that category here in the US. Go back a few years and the choices were really sparse.

I completely agree with this. Wagons have all but died off, and hatches are limited to the small car segment (plus, they rarely have any cargo depth without the seats down). The sporty differences between the GS and the GT aren't as significant to me as the packages as a whole (performance, technology, utility, price). Given the $8K USD price difference, the GS is still in the running for me, even if it lacks some of the features I liked in the Stinger.

 

[CoconutRob]

I want to purchase a car with a hatch. GS and the Stinger Gt2 are my top 2 choices. The only way I will buy the stinger is GT2 RWD form, with that aggressive look I wouldn't want it any other way not to mention optioned out. I also like the GS (both versatile) with AWD and less power but I' sure it will be enough for me. I would like to see the GS 0 to 60 5 or just under as the chief marketing guy says. I am still leaning towards the kia but the color/interior options, price and a few other things keep me from being locked in. Color is same problem with the GS. Ready to test drive both.
I submitted online to my local dealers for a test drive for a GT. They both replied trying to get me to drive the 2.0. Not impressed with the sales staff at all.

 

[MarkyMark]

I want to purchase a car with a hatch. GS and the Stinger Gt2 are my top 2 choices. The only way I will buy the stinger is GT2 RWD form, with that aggressive look I wouldn't want it any other way not to mention optioned out. I also like the GS (both versatile) with AWD and less power but I' sure it will be enough for me. I would like to see the GS 0 to 60 5 or just under as the chief marketing guy says. I am still leaning towards the kia but the color/interior options, price and a few other things keep me from being locked in. Color is same problem with the GS. Ready to test drive both.
I submitted online to my local dealers for a test drive for a GT. They both replied trying to get me to drive the 2.0. Not impressed with the sales staff at all.

I'm almost ALWAYS a less government, more liberty type of guy. That said, can we PLEASE break down and eliminate all laws that do NOT allow car dealers to sell cars direct! I can go buy an iPhone from Apple, why can't I go to KIA store and buy a Stinger - from KIA direct?! Instead, I need to go to some middle-man dealer, go through their negotiating sleaze/my pain, only to give them my hard-earned money for that! Ugh... Okay, I feel much better now. ; )

 

[ballistic]

I'm almost ALWAYS a less government, more liberty type of guy. That said, can we PLEASE break down and eliminate all laws that do NOT allow car dealers to sell cars direct! I can go buy an iPhone from Apple, why can't I go to KIA store and buy a Stinger - from KIA direct?! Instead, I need to go to some middle-man dealer, go through their negotiating sleaze/my pain, only to give them my hard-earned money for that! Ugh... Okay, I feel much better now. ; )

on one hand i feel bad to agree with you because salespeople need their jobs but on the other hand the experiences are sometimes so bad that i wish i could just buy direct. but there are a few really good salespeople. i think we even have a few here.

 

[MarkyMark]

on one hand i feel bad to agree with you because salespeople need their jobs but on the other hand the experiences are sometimes so bad that i wish i could just buy direct. but there are a few really good salespeople. i think we even have a few here.

If KIA, FORD, etc... go out and are able to start putting in their own direct Car Dealerships, jobs are just shifted, not lost. In fact, this delivers new competition to the market place, which protected car dealers will either change and compete or fold, watching their best sales guys to to the direct company - and I have NO DOUBT those sales folks, accountants, etc... will be treated to a whole new level of professionalism vs at their local family-owned, handed down, dealer. And the end result is the consumer ends up with more choices.

Apple is a pretty decent example. They have stores, or I can get an iPhone at Best Buy, or via my carrier, or online. My choice. The point is I have choices, and some have sales, some don't. But what experience do I want? What experience do I want? Right now in the car industry, the only player I can go have the experience I enjoy is walking into a Tesla store. More please!...

Love how KIA is putting in Stinger showrooms in high-end malls across the country. I hope this continues and it starts moving the needle to sell direct! Thanks ballistic.

 

[Kia Stinger]

If KIA, FORD, etc... go out and are able to start putting in their own direct Car Dealerships, jobs are just shifted, not lost. In fact, this delivers new competition to the market place, which protected car dealers will either change and compete or fold, watching their best sales guys to to the direct company - and I have NO DOUBT those sales folks, accountants, etc... will be treated to a whole new level of professionalism vs at their local family-owned, handed down, dealer. And the end result is the consumer ends up with more choices.

Apple is a pretty decent example. They have stores, or I can get an iPhone at Best Buy, or via my carrier, or online. My choice. The point is I have choices, and some have sales, some don't. But what experience do I want? What experience do I want? Right now in the car industry, the only player I can go have the experience I enjoy is walking into a Tesla store. More please!...

Love how KIA is putting in Stinger showrooms in high-end malls across the country. I hope this continues and it starts moving the needle to sell direct! Thanks ballistic.

You make some good points here. I wonder if our salesmen will read this and comment on the idea(s). It kinda sounds like a win/win to me. Tell me more about these Stinger showrooms in high-end malls. Stinger "salons" if I'm not mistaken...

Yes, I found some information here: http://www.thedrive.com/sheetmetal/...to-teach-people-about-its-new-performance-car
and here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...ted-vehicle-in-company-history-300566526.html

 

[ralzod]

Regal Sportback 4-cyl reviews are starting to roll out...

(includes bicycle-in-hatch test at 2:20, and interviews with a GM rep)

 

[exodus]

I'm almost ALWAYS a less government, more liberty type of guy. That said, can we PLEASE break down and eliminate all laws that do NOT allow car dealers to sell cars direct! I can go buy an iPhone from Apple, why can't I go to KIA store and buy a Stinger - from KIA direct?! Instead, I need to go to some middle-man dealer, go through their negotiating sleaze/my pain, only to give them my hard-earned money for that! Ugh... Okay, I feel much better now. ; )

I worked at a car dealership a looooong time ago. We used to whore cars out at very low prices all the time (a lot of dealers in a small area) so one day I asked a manager how they actually make money. He pointed to the service center. If people buy the car at the dealer they are more likely to service it there.

Finance is another profit center. After the long process of negotiating with the sales staff you are already softened up for the finance guys to work you over lol.

 

[exodus]

You make some good points here. I wonder if our salesmen will read this and comment on the idea(s). It kinda sounds like a win/win to me. Tell me more about these Stinger showrooms in high-end malls. Stinger "salons" if I'm not mistaken...

Yes, I found some information here: http://www.thedrive.com/sheetmetal/...to-teach-people-about-its-new-performance-car
and here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...ted-vehicle-in-company-history-300566526.html

I went to the Stinger "salon" in Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, MD a few days ago. Basically the car was just sitting there locked with nobody around. There were other cars similarly parked in the walkways nearby. I thought I would at least be able to sit in it. Nope

 

[Kia Stinger]

I worked at a car dealership a looooong time ago. We used to whore cars out at very low prices all the time (a lot of dealers in a small area) so one day I asked a manager how they actually make money. He pointed to the service center. If people buy the car at the dealer they are more likely to service it there.

Finance is another profit center. After the long process of negotiating with the sales staff you are already softened up for the finance guys to work you over lol.

Yes, it's service that's most profitable to dealerships. And sales is only half the battle. When I bought my most recent car I got 2% off for financing by walking out.

 

[ralzod]

I went to the Stinger "salon" in Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, MD a few days ago. Basically the car was just sitting there locked with nobody around. There were other cars similarly parked in the walkways nearby. I thought I would at least be able to sit in it. Nope

You probably went when they weren't staffed. Someone else went to the same salon, met with people, and discussed future test drive options...
https://stingerforum.org/threads/20...splays-full-listing-usa.694/page-11#post-9718

 

[MarkyMark]

I worked at a car dealership a looooong time ago. We used to whore cars out at very low prices all the time (a lot of dealers in a small area) so one day I asked a manager how they actually make money. He pointed to the service center. If people buy the car at the dealer they are more likely to service it there.

Finance is another profit center. After the long process of negotiating with the sales staff you are already softened up for the finance guys to work you over lol.

Yes, the service center is a big deal. It is what gives dealers large profits. But the factories also give all sorts of great deals to dealers to move vehicles. For some, it's a monthly or quarterly sales number kickback. And most all cars have the 1% - 3% holdback number which I'd wager 90% of all consumers no jack squat about.

Of course leases (AKA Fleeces), are also a huge money maker now-a-days for dealers, and it churns cars over more quickly for selling a 2 or 3 year old car and making a nice chunk on the lease (consumers really don't understand leases that well), and building in nice margin on the leaseback for resale. That used car market is another nice area of picking up some nice coin for the dealers also.

Lastly, there are those consumers that dealers like to prey on. Locally, one dealer sold a guy with Alzheimers – 8 cars!... until the son came over to his Dad's place and saw he had 8 new cards in his lawn and driveway! And to be politically incorrect for a moment, but rather calling out - what is - the fact that single women and elderly are often prey'd upon by dealers as nice margin targets. Buyer beware I suppose.

Anywho - back to the Stinger - thought it was a great car. I can easily get into the base model, but just want a few extras, such as blind spot monitoring. I'm not willing to sport another $7k to get just that (as I don't want a sunroof, etc...).

No one seems to know if you can order a few extra features, or if KIA will ship a few extra features to dealers, without them being in the simplified packages. Anyone know?...

 

[westcoastGT]

......................but a fully loaded Stinger GT is still $25,000 less than a similarly optioned BMW 440 GC , and I think that's the real opportunity . They're shooting higher , IMHO I think the Stingers are under priced , my $ .02.

This was in the Canadian context .................

 

[ralzod]

Brief, but a good preview (with more bike-in-boot views!)...

 

[MarkyMark]

I

Brief, but a good preview (with more bike-in-boot views!)...

I'm going to go check it out today. From everything I've read and viewed, it WAS going to be my next car. That is, until the Stinger came along... I have test driven that bad boy (just the 2.0L no-less!), and it's a very well focused and delivered car all around for the money. Wow. It suddenly makes the Regal - IMO grant you - look a bit bloated and dated. But I'll give first-hand feedback later today. The fact it does not have drive modes is a big bummer, and the dash? Well, the interior of the Stinger looks hands down to be better, higher grade materials, but again, I'll check it out today and report back. Thx!

 

[Kia Stinger]

I

I'm going to go check it out today. From everything I've read and viewed, it WAS going to be my next car. That is, until the Stinger came along... I have test driven that bad boy (just the 2.0L no-less!), and it's a very well focused and delivered car all around for the money. Wow. It suddenly makes the Regal - IMO grant you - look a bit bloated and dated. But I'll give first-hand feedback later today. The fact it does not have drive modes is a big bummer, and the dash? Well, the interior of the Stinger looks hands down to be better, higher grade materials, but again, I'll check it out today and report back. Thx!

The Regal GS won't turn heads like the Stinger GT does. But that's not really what Buick is about anyway. Looking forward to hearing your review...

 

[CoconutRob]

I think the GS will have drive modes, I am not even comparing the regal 2,0

 

[corradoMR2]

I'd take many other cars, Accord Sport , Camry XSE to name a couple, over the new bland Regal GS.
Previous gen Regal had a macho stance and appearance. The new one does not.