If you're going to drive it in Comfort mode, then yes, I agree: buy a 2.0T. My GT2's in Sport almost always. It's hard not to leave everyone at the stoplights - and thats when I'm just driving normally.
I'll just say this ...
- Thread starter Mike_TX
- Start date
I would recommend a stinger 2.0 over an optima any day. It's a fine car in 2.0 trim.
3.3TT might not feel that much faster because the stinger is so refined. kinda like the bmw 335xi i drove. fast but isolated. audi s4 was more far entertaining than the bmw.
3.3TT might not feel that much faster because the stinger is so refined. kinda like the bmw 335xi i drove. fast but isolated. audi s4 was more far entertaining than the bmw.
Ty Davis
Active Member
For what I call "normal everyday" driving, the 2.0T seems to spool up faster and has the low-end torque needed for everyday maneuvering on the roads. There is less turbo lag than the 3.3 and it seems more responsive to smaller throttle inputs. In those conditions, the 2.0 seems a little more lively to me.
Maybe if you haven't driven the 2.0 you might ask to drive one next time you're at your dealer. Just for grins, you know, like I did the GT2.
I find the 3.3V6 to be plenty powerful.
But it does have a refined power delivery. It is setup much like my last BMW’S 6-cylinder turbo. It has very linear power delivery. This can dull the sensation of power a bit, especially if you are used to an engine that pulls noticeably different at different speeds, gears, and rpm levels. Like the BMW twin turbo, the Stinger has relatively strong, consistent pull, at most speeds and revs. It’s just the trait of a civilized motor.
Additionally, there is a lot of electronic torque management going on in the lower gears, at lower speeds to enable the car to put down its substantial power down without excess wheelspin drama. This torque management is active even when the Stability/traction control off. This also helps extend the life of the drivetrain and its parts. Kia has a 100k mile warranty to justify. So they are extra careful in metering out the engines available power. They need these parts to last and unleashing nearly 400hp and torque uncontrolled (like an on/off switch) would cause additional stress on the drivetrain rain and associated parts. This applies to all cars, but as power goes up, it becomes more important for the manufacturer to make sure it metered judiciously.
Last but not least, the 3.3 is a thirsty engine. Kia seems to have scaled back the throttle response in Eco and Comfort modes to help boost fuel efficiency and perhaps reduce emissions. The tranny programming also takes this into account.
All that being said, the 3.3V6 feels on par with every other car I’ve driven with similar hp.
The 2.0 puts out less power, so Kia does not have to tame it as much to make it livable, drivable, emissions compliant, or fuel efficient. I’ve not driven the 2.0t, but I suspect that the 3.3 is where it should be in relation to it.
The 3.3 is truly a gem of an engine and the only lag I ever experience is at full throttle from a dead stop. It’s not a lag per se, but more of a softer pull for a brief moment, before ripping through the rev range.
To put say all of this more concisely... The 3.3 is deceptively quick. If you can’t feel the power (varies from person to person) you can surely see it via the speedometer, the tach, and even instrumented acceleration times.
All cars are electronically modulated today. If you want to reduce a bit of the softness and refinement born by that fact, a Sprint Booster our Pedal Commander will work wonders. The car ultimately won’t be any quicker, but those products can remove a lot of softness that manufacturers design in these days.
______________________________
Flameangel
2500 Posts Club!
Your driving style is similar to mine, going from the lights I like to plant it when in sport mode to hear the bimodal kick in, I don't go over the speed limit but get to the speed limit faster than most.
I'm not even trying to do anything like that. LOL I'm serious when I say I'm just driving it normally. I keep telling myself I'm risking looking like an ass-hat leaving everyone behind like that. But I pretty much don't care.Your driving style is similar to mine, going from the lights I like to plant it when in sport mode to hear the bimodal kick in, I don't go over the speed limit but get to the speed limit faster than most.
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
eflyguy
2500 Posts Club!
Mine does that in comfort, leaves most traffic well behind without even trying.
I'm used to riding motorcycles (sport/sport touring, liter-plus motors) and the Stinger is as much fun to drive as they are to ride..
I'm used to riding motorcycles (sport/sport touring, liter-plus motors) and the Stinger is as much fun to drive as they are to ride..
I can tell you that the Stinger GT w/sways and endlinks is a BLAST on the Tail of the Dragon...
eflyguy
2500 Posts Club!
Mine (without suspension upgrades) is as well..
Gargamel
Stinger Enthusiast
But to admit it.. The newest optimas are really good looking!
Lawrence Williams
Stinger Enthusiast
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2018
- Messages
- 559
- Reaction score
- 355
- Points
- 68
Not STINGER good....lol
______________________________
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
Reminds me, I need to look over those pics again!
Mike_TX
Stinger Enthusiast
[Obama voice] Lemme be clear[/Obama voice] Lol.
The 3.3 is a faster, quicker car than the 2.0. There's not even a question about that, and I never suggested it wasn't.
I merely said that when I drove one recently, the difference to me wasn't as dramatic as I expected. Faster, yes, but it didn't rock my world. As for sneering at the 2.0, perhaps sneering was too strong a word. I have gotten the impression some think we have "settled" for the 2.0 because we don't want to spend the money for a GT. Not so in my case ... I did it on purpose.
Guys, we're all Stinger owners. We just have different wants and needs, and fortunately there's two Stingers to fit those needs.
The 3.3 is a faster, quicker car than the 2.0. There's not even a question about that, and I never suggested it wasn't.
I merely said that when I drove one recently, the difference to me wasn't as dramatic as I expected. Faster, yes, but it didn't rock my world. As for sneering at the 2.0, perhaps sneering was too strong a word. I have gotten the impression some think we have "settled" for the 2.0 because we don't want to spend the money for a GT. Not so in my case ... I did it on purpose.
Guys, we're all Stinger owners. We just have different wants and needs, and fortunately there's two Stingers to fit those needs.
Flameangel
2500 Posts Club!
Humm, maybe I should drive more conservatively. In your neck of the woods I obviously look like an " Ass hat " in my neck of the woods I probably seem like a " Rev Head " but should I really care ? the Stinger is fun to drive , I'm not driving it like a granny
Last edited:
Lawrence Williams
Stinger Enthusiast
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2018
- Messages
- 559
- Reaction score
- 355
- Points
- 68
[Obama voice] Lemme be clear[/Obama voice] Lol.
The 3.3 is a faster, quicker car than the 2.0. There's not even a question about that, and I never suggested it wasn't.
I merely said that when I drove one recently, the difference to me wasn't as dramatic as I expected. Faster, yes, but it didn't rock my world. As for sneering at the 2.0, perhaps sneering was too strong a word. I have gotten the impression some think we have "settled" for the 2.0 because we don't want to spend the money for a GT. Not so in my case ... I did it on purpose.
Guys, we're all Stinger owners. We just have different wants and needs, and fortunately there's two Stingers to fit those needs.
Not beating you up but you did state " not driving gt in sport" which is where this car shines..... I personally rarely use it as I get enough satisfaction in custom mode
turboAWD
1000 Posts Club!
What are your custom settings? Mine are sport with softer suspension for driving with family. I don't like the lazy throttle response in comfort.
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
Agreed on all counts. Throttle response is bad enough in Sport mode.
______________________________
MisterMac
1000 Posts Club!
The love the throttle response I have with my tune!
antne
Active Member
Catching up on older posts, "the car defaults to Comfort after each restart, so it is a pain to switch it every time" .
Wut?, it's the little knob between the seats, no worse than disabling stoopid S&G every time you start the car.
Wut?, it's the little knob between the seats, no worse than disabling stoopid S&G every time you start the car.
turboAWD
1000 Posts Club!
S&G has a known fix to permanently disable it (just jam something into the slot - search on here for examples). Mode has no known fix, other than maybe that "install a hundred wires - seriously, we recommend a REALLY GOOD STEREO SHOP, NOT JUST ANY STEREO SHOP" module that I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole until my car was 5+ years old. Not because I think it's a bad module or anything, but messing with THAT MANY factory wires just doesn't seem like a good idea..
