About to take the plunge..push me or hold me back

[Hemz]

I've owned too many cars to count over the last 25 years. 7 new in the last 14 months alone, and some low mileage collectors. What I said about the Stinger is all true, I didn't say porches dont depreciate, I simply said the kia will drop like a rock within the first 5 minutes you own it. My 392 Charger was not a supercar either, but had all the gauges in the uConnect infotainment that you could customize onscreen. Had an old 94' chevy 1500 with 250,000 miles on it that rattled less over rough roads than the kia does. I'm not a Kia hater, I own a Stinger and also used to own a Sedona, and Genesis. Infotainment is a long reach, even the OP agreed, and it's in the line of sight sitting on top of a dash instead of integrated into it. Who wants to have to remember to push a start/stop button every time you get in the car, and it can scare you for a second if you forget you have it. No one said the Cayman isnt a cramped cockpit, so is a miata, but I'm not comparing it to a Cayman, just most 4 door saloons. If you consider the Stinger luxury, good for you. I consider it above cheap. Maybe the k900 or G90 I would consider luxury. A 750li, or E55 AMG would be luxury, A GS or GC Lexus, maybe a even a Lincoln continental. I remember people trying to compare the crystler 300 to a rolls Royce phantom when it came on the scene around 05'. Its funny to me when people do things like that. As far as warranties go, Fidelity/JM&A, credit unions, insurance companies, and auto manufacturers, all have extended warranties to choose from that are complete wrap around bumper to bumper 10-12 year, 100,000-120,000 miles of you want for between $1400-$1700. Becareful of what products you use on leather as it will lift the color off, especially if you use too much or too often. Kias leather is not the only leather that has this problem, just seems it happens faster.

Look, this is a great car to be had brand new as a GT2 for $38,000. Would I spend any more on it, no. I'm not trying to talk anyone out of buying the Stinger. It's a nice car, but way too hyped up. Marketed very well. Im just not gonna be that person that says go get it now, right now. There are other choices out there that are just as good if not better depending on what matters to that individual for the same price or less. If fun, handling is the main factor, I would consider a Civic Si Type R due to absolutely great handling, decently quick, manual, and $34,000msrp. And now they can be had for 34k new. They also will hold there value extremely well, and maybe even become a highly sought after car in years to come as they only make type R's for a couple years, then they go away. If muscle is what you want with lots of room and good resale value, check out the Charger 392 Scat Pack...and those are just 4 doors. Oh, and while not as fast, it's still fun to drive, and fit, finish, and even more refined cabin with more room is the new Mazda 6 grand touring reserve or signature series. They come with a turbo 4 and Mazda moves off there MSRP very well when negotiating. If you were to say what's more luxurious between a Mazda 6 GT reserve and a Stinger GT2, I would say mazda (not that I consider either luxury). Mazda has better cabin as far as design, fit, finish, materials, sound deadening, better seats, ergonomics, ect.
While these are my opinions, I bet most non biased car reviewers/enthusists would agree and some might say there are quite a few facts in there as well.

I actually think stingers in Aus hold their value really well.
One year old stingers are only 5-10k less than brand new stingers and they have 5-10,000kms on the odo.

 

[Cj1]

I actually think stingers in Aus hold their value really well.
One year old stingers are only 5-10k less than brand new stingers and they have 5-10,000kms on the odo.

Retail to retail sure...not trade in.
No private seller will get retail...you have overhead, reconditioning, certification, ect.
Most will not even sell privately, they will trade. That's where you lose. Top trim GT2 trade value from dealer is around $35-$36k actual cash value with 1000 miles on the odometer in excellent condition.

 

[Hemz]

Retail to retail sure...not trade in.

Why would you trade in when for a bit of extra work you can go retail and have a much better deal?

 

[Cj1]

A private seller can not sell his car for retail. Explained in my edit above.

 

[Hemz]

A private seller can not sell his car for retail. Explained in my edit above.

Oh fair call....I don't know enough about it haha.
I guess best way is to get a job where company pays for your car.excuse my half asleep replies....I had a shoulder op yesterday and am drifting in and out on pain meds so may or may not be making sense lmao....

 

[Cj1]

Take care of yourself, hope the shoulder heals well. Injuries and hoping surgeries fix the pain and injury sucks going through. Wish you a quick recovery!

 

[Hemz]

Take care of yourself, hope the shoulder heals well. Injuries and hoping surgeries fix the pain and injury sucks going through. Wish you a quick recovery!

Cheers mate....just super keen to get my stinger. As long as it's got enough range of movement to pilot one then happy days .Hehe

 

[Cj1]

I'm sure you will love it. It's cool to see someone who is steadfast and committed to a car. Says they are passionate about it, and that alone is the reason to take the plunge! You might just be sitting in it and around it for hours after you get it, maybe meded up or a beer in hand. Hehe. Once the shoulder heals, the car will provide plenty of rehab for your shoulder by washing and waxing it!

If I would have known you were passionate about the Stinger I would have never tried playing devils advocate in the first place. Lol. Thought you were just testing the waters and unsure. Stay cooler than the other side of the pillow brother!

 

[Hemz]

I'm sure you will love it. It's cool to see someone who is steadfast and committed to a car. Says they are passionate about it, and that alone is the reason to take the plunge! You might just be sitting in it and around it for hours after you get it, maybe meded up or a beer in hand. Hehe. Once the shoulder heals, the car will provide plenty of rehab for your shoulder by washing and waxing it!

If I would have known you were passionate about the Stinger I would have never tried playing devils advocate in the first place. Lol. Thought you were just testing the waters and unsure. Stay cooler than the other side of the pillow brother!

Haha I'm not the original poster of this thread.
I actually got an amazing dealer...I got the brand new car price with all options including Bi-modal exhaust and rebadging for RRP not including on roads but I got it including on roads in my quote.
I'm just whoring out to the other threads and making convo/discussion. I love doing my research.

 

[Hemz]

Also not as much shoulder therapy in waxing haha
I think I'm gonna get Opticoat pro+ on exterior including wheels and windows plus tint and internal protection for $1790AUD with 7 year warranty.

 

[Ruturaj]

I've owned too many cars to count over the last 25 years. 7 new in the last 14 months alone, and some low mileage collectors. What I said about the Stinger is all true, I didn't say porches dont depreciate, I simply said the kia will drop like a rock within the first 5 minutes you own it. My 392 Charger was not a supercar either, but had all the gauges in the uConnect infotainment that you could customize onscreen. Had an old 94' chevy 1500 with 250,000 miles on it that rattled less over rough roads than the kia does. I'm not a Kia hater, I own a Stinger and also used to own a Sedona, and Genesis. Infotainment is a long reach, even the OP agreed, and it's in the line of sight sitting on top of a dash instead of integrated into it. Who wants to have to remember to push a start/stop button every time you get in the car, and it can scare you for a second if you forget you have it. No one said the Cayman isnt a cramped cockpit, so is a miata, but I'm not comparing it to a Cayman, just most 4 door saloons. If you consider the Stinger luxury, good for you. I consider it above cheap. Maybe the k900 or G90 I would consider luxury. A 750li, or E55 AMG would be luxury, A GS or GC Lexus, maybe a even a Lincoln continental. I remember people trying to compare the crystler 300 to a rolls Royce phantom when it came on the scene around 05'. Its funny to me when people do things like that. As far as warranties go, Fidelity/JM&A, credit unions, insurance companies, and auto manufacturers, all have extended warranties to choose from that are complete wrap around bumper to bumper 10-12 year, 100,000-120,000 miles of you want for between $1400-$1700. Becareful of what products you use on leather as it will lift the color off, especially if you use too much or too often. Kias leather is not the only leather that has this problem, just seems it happens faster.

Look, this is a great car to be had brand new as a GT2 for $38,000. Would I spend any more on it, no. I'm not trying to talk anyone out of buying the Stinger. It's a nice car, but way too hyped up. Marketed very well. Im just not gonna be that person that says go get it now, right now. There are other choices out there that are just as good if not better depending on what matters to that individual for the same price or less. If fun, handling is the main factor, I would consider a Civic Si Type R (while mildly ugly kid racerish) due to absolutely great handling, decently quick, manual, and $34,000msrp. And now they can be had for 34k new. They also will hold there value extremely well, and maybe even become a highly sought after car in years to come as they only make type R's for a couple years, then they go away. If muscle is what you want with lots of room and good resale value, check out the Charger 392 Scat Pack...and those are just 4 doors. Oh, and while not as fast, it's still fun to drive, and fit, finish, and even more refined cabin with more room is the new Mazda 6 grand touring reserve or signature series. They come with a turbo 4 and Mazda moves off there MSRP very well when negotiating. If you were to say what's more luxurious between a Mazda 6 GT reserve and a Stinger GT2, I would say mazda (not that I consider either luxury). Mazda has better cabin as far as design, fit, finish, materials, sound deadening, better seats, ergonomics, ect.
Something else that is funny. Not one person can agree to anything I have said, just defensive and hard core kia bias. If you dont believe me about the paint, the leather, or other issues such as you use your phone for a bluetooth call and when you hang up all the audio gets diverted to the back. Sucks you have to go into the infotainment that is a reach while driving and distracting and go to setup, audio, and hit the re- center speakers button. Also squeaks and rattles. From forum people to long term reviewers you will see these issues.

While these are my opinions, I bet most non biased car reviewers/enthusists would agree and some might say there are quite a few facts in there as well.
Im not saying it's not worth it to some to live with the issues if they love their car. I do not love any car, I love making the deal, discounts, holdbacks, incentives/rebates, and rolling as much equity as I can into every new car purchase when I trade in the last one. I like to buy a brand new car that some paid over MSRP for, and get it almost $20,000 under before taxes, title, tag, dealer fees, ect.
Paid $38,400 for my brand new GT2 out the door, after all taxes and fees, owe $15,200 from trade equity coming into play. When I started out years ago, I had no trade equity, it's from doing smart deals over and over that I've built it up.

I agree that stinger is not

best handling car, I liked WRX more (4-door, mild depreciation, manual transmission).
nice quiet car, I liked Lexus GS, GS-F and Hyundai Genesis more (I was considering used so high depreciation is good here)
space, practicality, I considered 2019 Acura RDX here

Finally I ended up stinger as it does everything (not as good as any of these but) good enough for me. I paid around 44k (2019 AWD GT2 White MSRP 54000) 18.5% lower than MSRP, now it would depreciate to say 50% after 3 years then I lost around 31.5% of MSRP. And I think that's a pretty good number.

Extended warranty from third parties like insurance and credit union sucks as they often have conditions and deductible.

I got 2019 to avoid paint, rattles and other first model year issues. I do assume it still won't be prefect being second model year, but again good enough.

 

[Lawrence Williams]

I've owned too many cars to count over the last 25 years. 7 new in the last 14 months alone, and some low mileage collectors. What I said about the Stinger is all true, I didn't say porches dont depreciate, I simply said the kia will drop like a rock within the first 5 minutes you own it. My 392 Charger was not a supercar either, but had all the gauges in the uConnect infotainment that you could customize onscreen. Had an old 94' chevy 1500 with 250,000 miles on it that rattled less over rough roads than the kia does. I'm not a Kia hater, I own a Stinger and also used to own a Sedona, and Genesis. Infotainment is a long reach, even the OP agreed, and it's in the line of sight sitting on top of a dash instead of integrated into it. Who wants to have to remember to push a start/stop button every time you get in the car, and it can scare you for a second if you forget you have it. No one said the Cayman isnt a cramped cockpit, so is a miata, but I'm not comparing it to a Cayman, just most 4 door saloons. If you consider the Stinger luxury, good for you. I consider it above cheap. Maybe the k900 or G90 I would consider luxury. A 750li, or E55 AMG would be luxury, A GS or GC Lexus, maybe a even a Lincoln continental. I remember people trying to compare the crystler 300 to a rolls Royce phantom when it came on the scene around 05'. Its funny to me when people do things like that. As far as warranties go, Fidelity/JM&A, credit unions, insurance companies, and auto manufacturers, all have extended warranties to choose from that are complete wrap around bumper to bumper 10-12 year, 100,000-120,000 miles of you want for between $1400-$1700. Becareful of what products you use on leather as it will lift the color off, especially if you use too much or too often. Kias leather is not the only leather that has this problem, just seems it happens faster.

Look, this is a great car to be had brand new as a GT2 for $38,000. Would I spend any more on it, no. I'm not trying to talk anyone out of buying the Stinger. It's a nice car, but way too hyped up. Marketed very well. Im just not gonna be that person that says go get it now, right now. There are other choices out there that are just as good if not better depending on what matters to that individual for the same price or less. If fun, handling is the main factor, I would consider a Civic Si Type R (while mildly ugly kid racerish) due to absolutely great handling, decently quick, manual, and $34,000msrp. And now they can be had for 34k new. They also will hold there value extremely well, and maybe even become a highly sought after car in years to come as they only make type R's for a couple years, then they go away. If muscle is what you want with lots of room and good resale value, check out the Charger 392 Scat Pack...and those are just 4 doors. Oh, and while not as fast, it's still fun to drive, and fit, finish, and even more refined cabin with more room is the new Mazda 6 grand touring reserve or signature series. They come with a turbo 4 and Mazda moves off there MSRP very well when negotiating. If you were to say what's more luxurious between a Mazda 6 GT reserve and a Stinger GT2, I would say mazda (not that I consider either luxury). Mazda has better cabin as far as design, fit, finish, materials, sound deadening, better seats, ergonomics, ect.
Something else that is funny. Not one person can agree to anything I have said, just defensive and hard core kia bias. If you dont believe me about the paint, the leather, or other issues such as you use your phone for a bluetooth call and when you hang up all the audio gets diverted to the back. Sucks you have to go into the infotainment that is a reach while driving and distracting and go to setup, audio, and hit the re- center speakers button. Also squeaks and rattles. From forum people to long term reviewers you will see these issues.

While these are my opinions, I bet most non biased car reviewers/enthusists would agree and some might say there are quite a few facts in there as well.
Im not saying it's not worth it to some to live with the issues if they love their car. I do not love any car, I love making the deal, discounts, holdbacks, incentives/rebates, and rolling as much equity as I can into every new car purchase when I trade in the last one. I like to buy a brand new car that some paid over MSRP for, and get it almost $20,000 under before taxes, title, tag, dealer fees, ect.
Paid $38,400 for my brand new GT2 out the door, after all taxes and fees, owe $15,200 from trade equity coming into play. When I started out years ago, I had no trade equity, it's from doing smart deals over and over that I've built it up.

Great that you've owned tons of cars and can offer more insight than most....HOWEVER to call the Stinger cheap or insinuate that it should be priced inline with a loaded Optima is pretty far fetched....that's my opinion

 

[MerlintheMad]

Something else that is funny. Not one person can agree to anything I have said, just defensive and hard core kia bias. If you dont believe me about the paint, the leather, or other issues such as you use your phone for a bluetooth call and when you hang up all the audio gets diverted to the back. Sucks you have to go into the infotainment that is a reach while driving and distracting and go to setup, audio, and hit the re- center speakers button. Also squeaks and rattles. From forum people to long term reviewers you will see these issues.

I've never owned a KIA before. I've never bought a new car before (the universe is balanced between us ). And if my sound system did that, and my car made noises, and the paint was failing, and the interior was going to crap, etc. and etc. and etc., I would not be a "fan" of my car: what there might be left to love would be how it drives, which is top priority to be sure, but not a loving trait in a vacuum.

MY18 GT1 Silky Silver, is as close to a perfect car as you will ever see: and it had better be for the money. If it disappointed in any of the above, I'd be pissed and try my best to eradicate the annoyance/disappointment: and if I could not, then I would ditch the car. And likely as not I'd go back to driving "junkers", the sadder but wiser fool.

Some Stingers have flaws, and some partake of all of them, "Lemons" I believe they are styled. All makes and models have them. Stinger lemons are exceedingly few in number. This forum would be laden with complaints if the reverse were the truth. The reason why the reviews don't mention any flaws to speak of is because the reviewed cars don't have them.

I'm not saying it's not worth it to some to live with the issues if they love their car. I do not love any car, I love making the deal, discounts, holdbacks, incentives/rebates, and rolling as much equity as I can into every new car purchase when I trade in the last one. I like to buy a brand new car that some paid over MSRP for, and get it almost $20,000 under before taxes, title, tag, dealer fees, ect.
Paid $38,400 for my brand new GT2 out the door, after all taxes and fees, owe $15,200 from trade equity coming into play. When I started out years ago, I had no trade equity, it's from doing smart deals over and over that I've built it up.

Obviously you are very good at the "art of the deal" where cars are concerned, and that is your first love and joy. You're not really talking from the same point of view as any of the Stinger enthusiasts; you're not so much a car enthusiast as a new car enthusiast; the conquest; the win; and after basking in the afterglow of victory and possession, you're off to your next confrontation and conquest. This is cool, it's a hobby, and we all need hobbies.

But don't create a list of criticisms about THIS particular car and expect enthusiasts who are enjoying a better quality experience than you are to agree with you.

As I said already, my particular car doesn't manifest any of the flaws or failings or shortcomings on your list; and your subjective comparisons, to the yooge array of your previous rides, do not compute to someone like me who has recently "graduated" from a lifetime of econoboxes and junkers to my first brand new vehicle.

 

[Cj1]

Great that you've owned tons of cars and can offer more insight than most....HOWEVER to call the Stinger cheap or insinuate that it should be priced inline with a loaded Optima is pretty far fetched....that's my opinion

I didn't call it cheap, I said it is in a category above cheap, but not luxury like the other cars I listed. You have disposable car category, then cheap, then somewhere between like middle class, then class leading...luxury. dont twist my words up. And , I actually think the Optima is underrated actually. And if an Optima is priced around $35,000 before taxes, title, tags, dealer fees...than the stinger is priced at that price point. After all fees, I paid $38,400 out the door for my new 2018 GT2.

 

[NS_Stinger]

I haven't read any of the other posts in this thread but I'll give you my experience coming from a 2005 Acura TSX (manual, with a-spec package) and a 2012 Acura TL (rear sway bar upgrade and spring upgrade) as my last two cars. I've never been as excited at the end of the day to drive a car home from work like I have been with this car. It's truly a remarkable car from the drivers seat, it mixes luxury, looks, power, comfort and practicality so well.

I know resale is a huge debate on here so here's my take on it. If you lease the car who cares, if you finance the car and won't trade it for 5+ years who cares. If resale is that big of a concern for you than new cars aren't your thing and whatever you look at should be between 1-2 years old.

I had the dreaded hatch noise that I've solved with the washer trick but beyond that the car has been very reliable and trouble-free for me. I don't have creaks or rattles everywhere like some people have complained about and the car feels very solid to me. Sure some materials could be better quality but I can nitpick that with any car at this price point. The dealership experience between KIA and Acura are light years apart, I really miss that part of the experience but when you're only going to be in for 1-2 visits a year like me it's not that big of a deal.

Not sure if any of that is helpful.

Edit: Just wanted to clarify that, the few times ive been to my KIA dealer for service the actual people and service has been great. Its just the experience that's lacking when compared to my Acura dealership. For example, at Acura you drive right into the garage where they meet you and take your car like a valet, versus just parking outside at KIA and walking to the service desk. Acura has free drinks in an upscale waiting room versus a crusty sofa at KIA with zero privacy from the showroom. The shuttle at Acura is organized for you while at KIA you have to call and track someone down to pick you up, stuff like that.

 

[Waynerm002]

Let me add my little bit of info on this. The 2018 GT2 which is over a year on the market already will have some depreciation, which is expected. First year depreciation is huge on all cars. The issues you mentioned are true for the 2018 models (so far) however, not common to all 2018 Stingers. I got my car (2018 GT2 AWD) at the end of August for @$41K+ with some good discounts, got in an accident and wrecked it, the car was valued at $43K+ when it was totaled. Picked up a 2019 GT2 AWD 2 weeks ago for @44K. At the price you got for your car, being a new, never registered vehicle over a year old, that is quite good. Some folks will end up buying a used version for more than that.

Anyone looking at getting a 2018 will most likely have some of those niggling issues. Is the car worth the price they are selling it for, based on other similar vehicles? Most certainly. Are their depreciation much less than the Stinger? No. The Audi A5 and BMW 430 both use 4 cylinder engines and costs more than a V6 Stinger and have similar depreciation. The argument that because it is a KIA the value drops like a rock is false as every new car will drop in value once you drive off the lot with it.

 

[Lawrence Williams]

I didn't call it cheap, I said it is in a category above cheap, but not luxury like the other cars I listed. You have disposable car category, then cheap, then somewhere between like middle class, then class leading...luxury. dont twist my words up. And , I actually think the Optima is underrated actually. And if an Optima is priced around $35,000 before taxes, title, tags, dealer fees...than the stinger is priced at that price point. After all fees, I paid $38,400 out the door for my new 2018 GT2.

Not twisting.....and you did say in your mind this car is roughly 38k worth of car....matter of opinion.....not sure of your point being here as you don't sound much like an enthusiast....be that as it may, enjoy your vehicles

 

[GenesisG70]

See its a car that has all the options and toys that an loaded Audi S5 has which would cost you nearly 80,000 USD, I got my GT2 for 42,000 USD out of the dealer plus free tint, life long car wash and oil changes. Cheers and whatever you choose enjoy your car and good luck!

 

[MerlintheMad]

life long car wash

Cool, as long as it is a good one. Dealer must stand by it, or else that would be stupid.

 

[Cj1]

Not twisting.....and you did say in your mind this car is roughly 38k worth of car....matter of opinion.....not sure of your point being here as you don't sound much like an enthusiast....be that as it may, enjoy your vehicles

If some can walk into a dealer and get it for $35-38k, than that is what they are worth. Cant be any more true than that. If people can get one for 38, than how is it worth more? (Besides to the individual not real world). And I am an enthusiast of cars otherwise I wouldn't have owned as many as I have over the last 20 plus years. How can you say I'm not, cause you're butt hurt that I can be honest and unbiased about cars and I've pointed out some faults of the Stinger that are in fact based in truth. I own a stinger and it's a good car for the price I paid for it, never said I didn't like it, just said there are others out there and im not gonna play the immature bs my current car is the best biased crap. Sounds like if you owned any vehicle and belonged to that forum, that car would be the best ever. I've just owned enough to know not to get involved in all the hype. I've liked many of my cars, some more than others. It has helped me learn about cars, their strengths and faults without having to trust some paid for review.
I was here to play devils advocate and give a different view than everyone elses, and it turns into coming after me because I point out some truths to help someone decide by being an individual instead of going along with the groupthink. I'm on this forum because it's good info, because of aftermarket parts availability, for ammo in case there is a warranty issue, for conversation without being crucified for having a different opinion, and because I like the Stinger. It's a good car, I just know there are others out there, but it sounds like Stinger owners cant admit to anything but there cars being the best and faultless, instead of being true enthusiasts and liking other cars and providing other opinions and options that are positive and at least slightly unbiased.