*sigh* I guess I'm out

[Abirud]

Thanks for not beating me up too bad ... I know how internet enthusiast forums are. lol.

As to why I don't want the GT, it's partly the cost factor. I can afford it, but I just don't want to spend that kind of money right now. But it's mostly because I don't want 19" wheels (ride penalty), summer rubber (It does actually get cold in North Texas), nor staggered wheels (which seem to me to be an unnecessary complication and make 4-wheel rotation impossible). But in addition, that extra performance of the 3.3 is something I'd rarely get to use much in real life.

I may be over-analytical, but there were several other things I didn't mention that I didn't particularly like. But berating the car wasn't my objective.

As much as anything, I guess I was looking for something fresh and new. The Stinger has basically the same technology as my 2-year-old Optima, the controls are the same, the performance (of the 2.0) is the same, the feel is basically the same, and while the sheetmetal is new, I have to look twice at passing cars to distinguish a Stinger from an Optima.

I have no bad words for Stinger enthusiasts. You guys and girls love your Stingers, and I'm glad you do. It just somehow fails to stir ME.

Like the lady above said, different horses for different courses.

I love how over-analytical you are! If you can’t ever enjoy the 3.3, then I guess there’s no reason for you to own a stinger GT. I think most of us would agree we didn’t buy a stinger for the technology perks such as a certain camera. I feel fine spending the extra money because I still feel like I’m getting value for money. If it had a BMW logo on it, it would cost a whole lot more. As soon as I test drove one, I knew he was The One.

 

[Abirud]

Oh oops! I should have read down the comments before I replied. Welcome back!

 

[MerlintheMad]

but when you're making repeated runs on a road with 318 curves in 11 miles with oncoming traffic, you'd better be on top of your game every second.

That sounds exactly like the Tail of the Dragon. Am I right? I want to do that!

 

[Flameangel]

Seems quite a few think the optima and stinger look a lot alike, but I just cant see it. The Optima is good looking, the Stinger is gorgeous and sexy. When I first saw the optima I was like that's nice looking (And it still is) but when I saw the Stinger I was hooked hard and fast. It probably helps that the first time I saw the Stinger it was in person from 3 feet away.

I've parked my car next to optimas a few times, I just cant see a big resemblance.

I have read that some people think the Cerato sedans are more similar to Optima's and have named them " baby Optima's"

 

[Flameangel]

The great thing about cars is each person has a choice to make it their own.....either stock or modified. Personally, while I like the current “cheap” gas, it won’t be this cheap forever. The 2.0 Premium on premium is enough. Also wonder how many owners of Optimas get asked the question.....”wow, what is that?” or get a “thumbs up” from other drivers. Nuff said. The hatchback space is a real seller. The other night I had to pass one of many slow left lane drivers. Looked down and realized I was going 98mph. Don’t need the V6. This car has more tech than any I’ve ever had the privilege to own......not all fine-tuned maybe to their best....but still very nice. The seats are soooo comfy and the handling more than good enough for daily driving. To my friend in Texas....make the choice that is right for YOU and nobody else, well, maybe except for the wife.

As a current Optima owner, when we purchased it nearly 6 years ago from new, there weren't many around and we got the first model. Since then the turbo one has come out and they have done a few changes.Quite a few people did second look at it and one man approached and asked how it handled. He liked it but his wife didn't like it being so low riding and preferred the Sportage, no doubt , the wife probably won. A gentleman the other evening actually complimented me on it and said " it's a beautiful car, and I am a car enthusiast " it probably helped that it had just been washed and was nice and shiny. There appears to be a lot more Optima's around now, I frequently see a couple when I am out. Although I like my Optima a lot, I have loved the look of the Stinger from day one and when I happen to see one I always find myself exclaiming " ohh Stinger " and giving it an admiring glance. No other car has the same effect on me .( I rule out the exotics, like Ferraris etc because they are dream cars, not a reality for me )

 

[Waynerm002]

Wow, what a difference 23 hours make.

Congrats!

It's been a year or so since Mike has been talking about this. Started on the Optima forums and then here later. Good to know he finally got one, it's been a long time coming.

 

[Ozstung]

Well done guys! i thought we'd lost him there for awhile but what excellent skills shown to talk him down from that scary place. Normality has been restored.

I admit when I walked thru those doors I wasn't looking for a GT but it was the most sensible thing to do, I have all the bells and whistles and a year later no regrets.

 

[TwiceStung]

As a current Optima owner, when we purchased it nearly 6 years ago from new, there weren't many around and we got the first model. Since then the turbo one has come out and they have done a few changes.Quite a few people did second look at it and one man approached and asked how it handled. He liked it but his wife didn't like it being so low riding and preferred the Sportage, no doubt , the wife probably won. A gentleman the other evening actually complimented me on it and said " it's a beautiful car, and I am a car enthusiast " it probably helped that it had just been washed and was nice and shiny. There appears to be a lot more Optima's around now, I frequently see a couple when I am out. Although I like my Optima a lot, I have loved the look of the Stinger from day one and when I happen to see one I always find myself exclaiming " ohh Stinger " and giving it an admiring glance. No other car has the same effect on me .( I rule out the exotics, like Ferraris etc because they are dream cars, not a reality for me )

Agree with all you said Flameangel. Kia has definitely gone in the right direction in terms of styling. Guess I’m now hoping the 2.0 engine doesn’t go the way of my Ex-Santa Fe, current Sonata and current Sportage.

 

[Kamauxx]

It's been a year or so since Mike has been talking about this. Started on the Optima forums and then here later. Good to know he finally got one, it's been a long time coming.

Oh I know. I've talked to him on the Optima forums. His car was almost twins with mine.

 

[Mike_TX]

What was your out the door price, if you don't mind sharing (after all this drama)?

I leased. I was halfway through the 36-month lease on the Optima, and traded for exactly the same monthly lease payment, with zero down. (I had some negative equity, so the exact payment amount isn't relevant). What is relevant is that I went from a 2017 Optima to a 2019 Stinger comparably equipped for no change.

I look at it this way - I merely extended my current lease by 18 months, but got to move up 2 model years and a whole model level. That was too enticing to turn down.

 

[eflyguy]

That sounds exactly like the Tail of the Dragon. Am I right? I want to do that!

I typically go a couple of times a year on motorcycles, but a few months ago, a good friend from high school was the US. Hadn't seen each other in over 30 years. At dinner, talked about her having been a rider in the past, I mentioned the Dragon, she had no idea it was so close to Atlanta. This is before I had the Stinger but my daughter has the Challenger, and was actually away on a trip, it was sitting at her house.

So to cut the end, I borrowed her car and we spent about 14hrs and drove around 500 miles through the mountains of North GA, NC and TN. We ran the Dragon up and back, got close to the end, and she said this is one reason why she never had a helmet communicator, her friends would hear her screaming like a little girl. I said - want to do it again? She was so excited - can we? can we? So we did.

Took a lot of life out of those tires that day...

 

[Waynerm002]

I leased. I was halfway through the 36-month lease on the Optima, and traded for exactly the same monthly lease payment, with zero down. (I had some negative equity, so the exact payment amount isn't relevant). What is relevant is that I went from a 2017 Optima to a 2019 Stinger comparably equipped for no change.

I look at it this way - I merely extended my current lease by 18 months, but got to move up 2 model years and a whole model level. That was too enticing to turn down.

Photos or it didn’t happen! LOL!! Now you gotta report back to the Optima forums that you jumped ship.

 

[Mike_TX]

It's been a year or so since Mike has been talking about this. Started on the Optima forums and then here later. Good to know he finally got one, it's been a long time coming.

You know, Wayne, the 2018 Premium wasn't very compelling, given that it lacked so many basic features (ventilated seats, LED headlights, smart cruise control, lane departure, forward collision mitigation, rear cross traffic, blind spot, phone charger, etc., etc.). So I basically couldn't get excited.

But when those things showed up on the 2019, the car got interesting again, and I started taking a second look.

I totally understand you guys who have the GT's. I've had several cars with over 350hp, and one with 420, so I hear you. I'm getting a little older, though, and I live in an area that's getting more congested all the time, so all that grunt just sits there under the hood and mocks you. lol.

I have a 2018 Premium loaner with 400 miles on it until after Christmas, since they still need to PDI the new one and tint the windows. I've been putting it through the paces, and the 2.0-liter will put you in the back seat if you push it hard. Not like the 3.3, I know, but plenty of rush for me.

I'll freely admit the Stinger has been something of a struggle for me. I had the itch, but nothing out there was scratching it. I kept coming back, though, and finally took the plunge.

 

[Mike_TX]

Photos or it didn’t happen! LOL!! Now you gotta report back to the Optima forums that you jumped ship.

Haha. I can give you a photo of the 2018 loaner I have, but I won't be able to get my actual car until next Wednesday. They thought it was PDI'ed, but it wasn't, so they just tossed me the 2018 they had and said see you after Christmas. Best time of the year to buy, but not to get things done. Here i am at the insurance agent's office.

 

[Mike_TX]

BTW, and not to go OT, the car came with a spoiler attached. If it were a little lip spoiler, I'd be fine with it, but it's bigger. Flush with the hatch lid, but it sticks out enough to be obvious ... kind of a micro-whale tail. Apparently the other dealer installed it, and they tell me it's about a $400 accessory. But me no likey.

I told them to take it off, and I'm hoping it was just attached with double-sided tape and not screws. Anyone seen one of those? (Sorry, I didn't take a picture of it.)

 

[MerlintheMad]

SCREWS?! That would be a moron trick (no offense intended, but seriously, if anyone screwed a spoiler on ... WHY!?).

 

[Kamauxx]

BTW, and not to go OT, the car came with a spoiler attached. If it were a little lip spoiler, I'd be fine with it, but it's bigger. Flush with the hatch lid, but it sticks out enough to be obvious ... kind of a micro-whale tail. Apparently the other dealer installed it, and they tell me it's about a $400 accessory. But me no likey.

I told them to take it off, and I'm hoping it was just attached with double-sided tape and not screws. Anyone seen one of those? (Sorry, I didn't take a picture of it.)

Sounds like an M&S spoiler. There's two versions. One goes vertical one goes horizontal.. You may have the horizontal version.

 

[ScottE]

Mike, I'm glad you came to a decision, regardless of which one it was...

 

[Waynerm002]

Now you can enjoy what those of us have been experiencing now.

 

[TwiceStung]

You know, Wayne, the 2018 Premium wasn't very compelling, given that it lacked so many basic features (ventilated seats, LED headlights, smart cruise control, lane departure, forward collision mitigation, rear cross traffic, blind spot, phone charger, etc., etc.). So I basically couldn't get excited.

But when those things showed up on the 2019, the car got interesting again, and I started taking a second look.

I totally understand you guys who have the GT's. I've had several cars with over 350hp, and one with 420, so I hear you. I'm getting a little older, though, and I live in an area that's getting more congested all the time, so all that grunt just sits there under the hood and mocks you. lol.

I have a 2018 Premium loaner with 400 miles on it until after Christmas, since they still need to PDI the new one and tint the windows. I've been putting it through the paces, and the 2.0-liter will put you in the back seat if you push it hard. Not like the 3.3, I know, but plenty of rush for me.

I'll freely admit the Stinger has been something of a struggle for me. I had the itch, but nothing out there was scratching it. I kept coming back, though, and finally took the plunge.

I would have gone for the 2019 Premium as well but the deals on the outgoing 2018 were too good. Once again, many congrats on your new ride.