The Other Side of “It’s a KIA”?

[JVsGT]

I was buying my Powerball tickets at a local 7-11 last Saturday. The place was pretty busy so I parked on the far side of the parking lot. As I was picking my numbers at the Lotto kiosk, a lady came in going on an on about that "Kia Stinger" in the parking lot. She asked the cashier if it was his since it was parked on the side of the store instead of up front. He said no and looked puzzled as to what she was talking about. She implored him to come to the window and look at the car (she said it looks like a Jag). She actually talked two other customers into looking outside at that "really nice" car. The entire time, I just had a smile on my face. Never spoke up and said it was mine. I doubt many other cars get this kind of attention .... especially those under $50k.

 

[Never thought]

I had a 2013 Optima SX that when it was new got a couple of people commenting about its looks. But NOTHING like the Stinger.

 

[John Lumsden]

Having read or watched countless reviews and responses to the Stinger, there’s the “debate” about the worthiness of the Stinger (a KIA!) vs. other established luxury sports models, e.g., Audi A/S5, BMW 3 or 4 series, Merc C class, Infiniti Q50 Sport, etc. I considered all of those other cars. The first thing that attracted me to the Stinger was the overall excellence of the car. A secondary, but important factor for me, was the OPPOSITE of the “prestige factor” of the luxury brands. That is, in my “circle”, if I drove up in my new BMer or Mercedes the reaction might-well be ”Well, la de da! Look at Mister Fancy Pants. What, are you MADE out of money!”

I heard similar sentiments from, in fact, the salesman where I purchased. He said that the only other Stingers they had sold at the point (May) was to small businessmen who drove to or with their customers. They could afford a luxury brand, but did want not their customers thinking: “Geez, he’s driving a (BMW/Mercedes/Audi)! He must be charging me too much!”

Along with this, I enjoy the “subversive” aspect of owning this car. “What IS that?? Wow!” It’s just so much more “different” and “cool” than those others! And I have a feeling that a lot of the luxury-brand owners who really know about the Stinger think: “Man, maybe I should have bought THAT car!”

Your thoughts?

Absolutely! This was exactly my thoughts on the subject. I love the affect that people are like "what is that?" and then when you floor it people are blown away

 

[edgarciadesign]

A performance sedan with a 10 year warranty. End of story.

 

[Wilzer]

There are those that if a tractor had a Lexus or Mercedes or BMW badge, would be happy

 

[eljay]

There are those that if a tractor had a Lexus or Mercedes or BMW badge, would be happy

Why, when they could have a Lambo?

OK, we've gotten off track(tor), so back on topic!

 

[Pnbnationsbest]

VERY few people know that Lamborghini started off as a farm equipment company.

 

[SteveCo]

Why, when they could have a Lambo?

That's a great looking tractor - looks like somebody did a nice restoration.

 

[falanger]

So they got the looks right, they gave it an incredible V6 that responds well to mods, and they gave it plenty of features for the dollar; that's well and good, but everything else about it reminds me why people say "it's just a Kia".....

Stuff like shady sales and finance people that are used to pedaling Fortes to people with less than perfect credit; a "premium support line" that's absolutely useless; a finance company that seems to only hire the most incompetent employees they can find; service departments that ignore you for 20 minutes when you show up, and can't seem to fix anything right or handle anything more challenging than oil changes.

I'm pretty disgruntled at this point and will definitely be moving on later this year. Owning this car is like being married to Angelina or Halle; sure she's a looker and turns heads but there's gotta be more positives to keep you in the relationship for the long haul...

 

[Lawrence Williams]

So they got the looks right, they gave it an incredible V6 that responds well to mods, and they gave it plenty of features for the dollar; that's well and good, but everything else about it reminds me why people say "it's just a Kia".....

Stuff like shady sales and finance people that are used to pedaling Fortes to people with less than perfect credit; a "premium support line" that's absolutely useless; a finance company that seems to only hire the most incompetent employees they can find; service departments that ignore you for 20 minutes when you show up, and can't seem to fix anything right or handle anything more challenging than oil changes.

I'm pretty disgruntled at this point and will definitely be moving on later this year. Owning this car is like being married to Angelina or Halle; sure she's a looker and turns heads but there's gotta be more positives to keep you in the relationship for the long haul...

I get the dealership experience but anything about the ride/whip/stinger that's upsetting you so?

 

[westcoastGT]

So they got the looks right, they gave it an incredible V6 that responds well to mods, and they gave it plenty of features for the dollar; that's well and good, but everything else about it reminds me why people say "it's just a Kia".....

Stuff like shady sales and finance people that are used to pedaling Fortes to people with less than perfect credit; a "premium support line" that's absolutely useless; a finance company that seems to only hire the most incompetent employees they can find; service departments that ignore you for 20 minutes when you show up, and can't seem to fix anything right or handle anything more challenging than oil changes.

I'm pretty disgruntled at this point and will definitely be moving on later this year. Owning this car is like being married to Angelina or Halle; sure she's a looker and turns heads but there's gotta be more positives to keep you in the relationship for the long haul...

Go buy a BMW and absorb the wonderful service , cosy dealers , knowledgeable sales staff , then get ready to have an intimate relationship with the Service dept !( I did for 12 yrs over 9 cars ) I'll stay on this side of the equation ! they'll get the dealer issues sorted .............

 

[Jacques]

So they got the looks right, they gave it an incredible V6 that responds well to mods, and they gave it plenty of features for the dollar; that's well and good, but everything else about it reminds me why people say "it's just a Kia".....

Stuff like shady sales and finance people that are used to pedaling Fortes to people with less than perfect credit; a "premium support line" that's absolutely useless; a finance company that seems to only hire the most incompetent employees they can find; service departments that ignore you for 20 minutes when you show up, and can't seem to fix anything right or handle anything more challenging than oil changes.

I'm pretty disgruntled at this point and will definitely be moving on later this year. Owning this car is like being married to Angelina or Halle; sure she's a looker and turns heads but there's gotta be more positives to keep you in the relationship for the long haul...

The Kia dealership experience has had a reputation that leaves alot to be desired for sure, but I feel, at least in my area, they are improving here and there. Other things such as financing, if you can, switch. I went with a 3rd party, I had no desire to use Kia's financing. With service, I typically wrench most regular maintenance items (oil changes, brakes, fluid changes, etc.) and part swapping/upgrades, and I usually go to a local garage that I'm comfortable with to do any other repairs. So that leaves TSB's, recalls and the like for them to take care of things. One of the dealerships I took my Optima to pampered me pretty well when I had my a/c unit replaced (in-warranty). Mind you, I was in a more affluent area of town, but I think your mileage may vary...in my case, it was a really good experience. Like anything else, check around and find out what other dealerships have good all-around service.

 

[Peeso33]

Stuff like shady sales and finance people

Stealerships are the same every where, regardless of brand. Once in a while, you can find a good service writer or department that won't try and rip you off every visit, but it might take a few tries.

 

[Pnbnationsbest]

So my dealer is a Kia/Genesis/Subaru store. My Stinger is the 3rd car in 3 years that I've gotten from them, and I've had 0 issues or concerns. I just did my 3k mile service with them, and the service writer wouldn't even let the porter move my car. He drove my car himself to the tech's bay and drove it back to the service Sally port when the tech finished. He said that he didn't even want them to take my car thru their auto washer because my car is fairly low.

 

[MerlintheMad]

@falanger you sound like @forzanerazzurri 's twin.

 

[falanger]

I get the dealership experience but anything about the ride/whip/stinger that's upsetting you so?

Besides the 15 mpg/190 mile full tank range, the rattling roof/trunk that multiple dealers deemed "unfixable" and "normal", the fading stereo that they refuse to replace despite the tsb, the front brake that squeals like a stuck pig that's also called "normal" or the peeling/wrinkled/misaligned leather seats? Nah, it's perfect otherwise.

I don't want to be one of those forum trolls so I'll keep my disdain to myself going forward. It's a cool car other than the issues and lack of support I've run into and I wanted to keep it for a long time. Maybe next generation....

 

[John Lumsden]

Besides the 15 mpg/190 mile full tank range, the rattling roof/trunk that multiple dealers deemed "unfixable" and "normal", the fading stereo that they refuse to replace despite the tsb, the front brake that squeals like a stuck pig that's also called "normal" or the peeling/wrinkled/misaligned leather seats? Nah, it's perfect otherwise.

I don't want to be one of those forum trolls so I'll keep my disdain to myself going forward. It's a cool car other than the issues and lack of support I've run into and I wanted to keep it for a long time. Maybe next generation....

Stop being such a hater falanger. If you want the best if the best service and a car that lives up to your high standards than go and get a high end vehicle that cost a ton and has the reputation. The Stinger is an A+ for the sticker price. Every car on the market is going to have negatives, especially the small ones you are pointing out.

 

[AV8R]

Settle guys take it to a pm if needed.

 

[Ozstung]

Settle guys take it to a pm if needed.

What's ScoMo going to do?

 

[AV8R]

What's ScoMo going to do?

For our international viewers scomo is short for Scott Morrison the past prime minister.