Stinger vs Lexus GS 350

[SoonerBornATX]

I am currently not a Stinger owner but it's on my short list of cars that I am considering. Recently, I've given serious consideration to a used GS-350 F-Sport.

It may be a stretch to compare these two but they are both V6 RWD cars within a similar price range.

My thoughts:
Looks: Stinger
Infotainment: Stinger
Acceleration: Stinger
Handling: Stinger

Luxury: GS
Reliability: GS
Value: GS

Any former GS-350 shoppers/owners out there that care to share your thoughts?

 

[Ac91]

I just bought a stinger last weekend. I’ve never owned a GS350 but my mom has a f sport she loves it she’s had it for a while with zero issues just regular maintenance. It all depends what you are looking for out of the vehicle the stinger will blow the gs350 out of the water in terms of performance but if you’re looking for something reliable and that holds its value well you can’t beat the GS350 or really any Lexus

 

[OliverNuther]

There’s your answer. The cool kids have got Stingers and their mums drive Lexus’.

 

[Ac91]

Lexus makes some great vehicles honestly but to get anything performance oriented you’re looking at $65k plus for the GS-F or the RC-F

 

[Flameangel]

Like most “ luxury “ cars service and parts will be more expensive on a Lexus and especially when it is out of warranty.

 

[2Slo4u]

I currently own a StingetGT2 and I’ve owned a GS350. I had it for 3 years. It was a great car. Never had any problems with it. However, it took me almost six months to sell it on my own and It sold for well below NADA value. I got a few hundred dollars above what Carmax was going to give me making it THE worst “ROI vehicle” I’ve owned. They are great cars and if you are going to keep it forever, then I think you’ll be fine. However, if you buy and sell cars often, a Lexus GS350 is probably not a car you want to get. That’s my .02 cents

not really related but my wife had an Acura TL Type S at the same time. She used to call the GS350 a “grandpa car.” Whenever we drove around town, our kids would want to take the Acura. Anytime we went on long road trips, everyone wanted to be in the Lexus. I always thought that was interesting...

 

[MisterMac]

Before purchasing a pre-owned 2016 Lexus ES350, which I had for about 5 months before trading it in for my Stinger (which I then traded for a Mercedes S-Class), I looked hard at the GS350F. I hated the joystick (no joy) and mousepad interface in the Lexus branded vehicles.

I think, that if I hadn't cheaped-out in choosing the ES350, and just bought the GS350F - I wouldn't have purchased the Stinger. The GS350 is a mighty fine car. It also looks very good in Black with the red interior. It is more spacious feeling inside and it rides better than the Stinger.

The Stinger wins in looks, initial warranty and 0-60. Kia makes reliable vehicles, but the GS350 is exceptionally reliable, so IMO, the warranty differential between these cars is mute. For the Stinger, you'll be very glad the warranty is long. The Stinger's hatch makes for a ton of space with easy access and did I mention how damn good it looks?

They are both relatively rare on the streets, with the GS350 being rarer.

While I love cars that turn peoples heads, I've come to realize that unless I am driving slowly past a glass building, I never get to see how great my cars look while I am driving. Therefore, its ride, comfort, quietness, reliability and then performance and lastly, appearance, matter the most to me as a driver.

If your budget supports it, check out the preowned MB E-Class and BMW 5 Series.

 

[MerlintheMad]

OP, that's a short list of pros and cons. The one I take exception to is reliability. Kia makes reliable vehicles, that's just a modern fact.

 

[BlueByYouGT]

OP, that's a short list of pros and cons. The one I take exception to is reliability. Kia makes reliable vehicles, that's just a modern fact.

He didn't say the Stinger isn't reliable, he said the Lexus win in the reliability department. In other words, in a comparison between the two one is more reliable than the other. He also said the Stinger wins in the "acceleration" category. That doesn't mean the Lexus doesn't accelerate.

Like most “ luxury “ cars service and parts will be more expensive on a Lexus and especially when it is out of warranty.

Lexus doesn't necessarily fall into that category. A lot of their parts are interchangeable with Toyota parts. And they don't require the same amount of attention as German/British luxury vehicles.

 

[Kgh31386]

I had a GS350 F-sport. Great car with great reliability. I traded it in for a 2019 GT2. I have a 3 year old and space was a must. The front and rear legroom are the same. The Stinger just sold me with the looks, space, tech, performance and of course the new car smell. Do an extended test drive with both. Dealers will usually let you keep a car 24 hours if you do a demo agreement. They cap it at 250 miles or something like that...but see how they feel with a day in the life.

 

[GenesisG70]

Stinger: masculine car, Korean muscle car.
Lexus: car for women and senior citizens.

Period.



By the way the F badge in Lexus stands for extra Feminine hormones.

 

[Helo58]

I am currently not a Stinger owner but it's on my short list of cars that I am considering. Recently, I've given serious consideration to a used GS-350 F-Sport.

It may be a stretch to compare these two but they are both V6 RWD cars within a similar price range.

My thoughts:
Looks: Stinger
Infotainment: Stinger
Acceleration: Stinger
Handling: Stinger

Luxury: GS
Reliability: GS
Value: GS

Any former GS-350 shoppers/owners out there that care to share your thoughts?

I am in the process of getting rid of my Stinger. I can justify it based solely on the dealership experience (maintenance). Many will not agree with this sentiment because they are very pleased with their car and their dealership for a number of reasons. I have been let down by the car and the dealership experience.

I left a Lexus "F" car (not F sport) for the Stinger because my ISF was getting older and I wanted some of the characteristics you mention above. I was looking for a larger sedan (up from the ISF size), RWD, 350+hp, modern electronics/infotainment, and warranty. My first choice was a GS-F, but the cost (new) for that car was ridiculous and the GS-F CPO market wasn't that well populated at the time, so the list got whittled down to the Kia Stinger. I made this choice partly due to two positive Hyundai Genesis ownership experiences. I was very excited about buying and driving the Kia Stinger based on the hype at the time. Then the issues popped up, many of them. To compound the problem, Kia didn't have a fix for them.

Obviously, this is a Stinger forum and one that I have been a proud and participating member of. I am not here to bash or "pile-on" the Stinger, nor will I. I will simply say that my ownership and driving experience with the Kia has come nowhere close to the experience, effort, and car put out by Lexus. It is not even close. I have owned 1 Lexus and 3 Hyundai/Kia vehicles. That should indicate that I have no bias against the Hyundai/Kia brand. I just don't feel that they are where Lexus is currently with overall ownership experience.

If you are interested in Lexus, as others have said, stay away from the mundane offerings (grandpa cars). The F-sport cars are appearance only packages and will be a HUGE letdown compared to the Stinger (unless you add a supercharger and suspension/brake mods). If you should choose to go with Lexus, I strongly encourage you to choose a CPO GS-F. Good examples can be had in the $45k to $50k range with a 6yr/unlimited mile warranty. FWIW, you won't need the warranty in my experience. There are road going supercharged GS-Fs with 800hp for anyone questioning the potential of these cars or dismissing them as old people cars. The first :40 seconds will illustrate (

)

For those who love/like your Stingers, I am glad for you. I wanted to be one of those people too. Had Kia done their part to earn and keep my business, I would still be a fan. However, the OP was asking for input from Lexus owners/shoppers, so that is what I tried to provide.

 

[itguy61]

I am in the process of getting rid of my Stinger. I can justify it based solely on the dealership experience (maintenance). Many will not agree with this sentiment because they are very pleased with their car and their dealership for a number of reasons. I have been let down by the car and the dealership experience.

I left a Lexus "F" car (not F sport) for the Stinger because my ISF was getting older and I wanted some of the characteristics you mention above. I was looking for a larger sedan (up from the ISF size), RWD, 350+hp, modern electronics/infotainment, and warranty. My first choice was a GS-F, but the cost (new) for that car was ridiculous and the GS-F CPO market wasn't that well populated at the time, so the list got whittled down to the Kia Stinger. I made this choice partly due to two positive Hyundai Genesis ownership experiences. I was very excited about buying and driving the Kia Stinger based on the hype at the time. Then the issues popped up, many of them. To compound the problem, Kia didn't have a fix for them.

Obviously, this is a Stinger forum and one that I have been a proud and participating member of. I am not here to bash or "pile-on" the Stinger, nor will I. I will simply say that my ownership and driving experience with the Kia has come nowhere close to the experience, effort, and car put out by Lexus. It is not even close. I have owned 1 Lexus and 3 Hyundai/Kia vehicles. That should indicate that I have no bias against the Hyundai/Kia brand. I just don't feel that they are where Lexus is currently with overall ownership experience.

If you are interested in Lexus, as others have said, stay away from the mundane offerings (grandpa cars). The F-sport cars are appearance only packages and will be a HUGE letdown compared to the Stinger (unless you add a supercharger and suspension/brake mods). If you should choose to go with Lexus, I strongly encourage you to choose a CPO GS-F. Good examples can be had in the $45k to $50k range with a 6yr/unlimited mile warranty. FWIW, you won't need the warranty in my experience. There are road going supercharged GS-Fs with 800hp for anyone questioning the potential of these cars or dismissing them as old people cars. The first :40 seconds will illustrate (

)

For those who love/like your Stingers, I am glad for you. I wanted to be one of those people too. Had Kia done their part to earn and keep my business, I would still be a fan. However, the OP was asking for input from Lexus owners/shoppers, so that is what I tried to provide.

You were snake bit on this for sure!

 

[MisterMac]

I am in the process of getting rid of my Stinger. I can justify it based solely on the dealership experience (maintenance). Many will not agree with this sentiment because they are very pleased with their car and their dealership for a number of reasons. I have been let down by the car and the dealership experience.

I left a Lexus "F" car (not F sport) for the Stinger because my ISF was getting older and I wanted some of the characteristics you mention above. I was looking for a larger sedan (up from the ISF size), RWD, 350+hp, modern electronics/infotainment, and warranty. My first choice was a GS-F, but the cost (new) for that car was ridiculous and the GS-F CPO market wasn't that well populated at the time, so the list got whittled down to the Kia Stinger. I made this choice partly due to two positive Hyundai Genesis ownership experiences. I was very excited about buying and driving the Kia Stinger based on the hype at the time. Then the issues popped up, many of them. To compound the problem, Kia didn't have a fix for them.

Obviously, this is a Stinger forum and one that I have been a proud and participating member of. I am not here to bash or "pile-on" the Stinger, nor will I. I will simply say that my ownership and driving experience with the Kia has come nowhere close to the experience, effort, and car put out by Lexus. It is not even close. I have owned 1 Lexus and 3 Hyundai/Kia vehicles. That should indicate that I have no bias against the Hyundai/Kia brand. I just don't feel that they are where Lexus is currently with overall ownership experience.

If you are interested in Lexus, as others have said, stay away from the mundane offerings (grandpa cars). The F-sport cars are appearance only packages and will be a HUGE letdown compared to the Stinger (unless you add a supercharger and suspension/brake mods). If you should choose to go with Lexus, I strongly encourage you to choose a CPO GS-F. Good examples can be had in the $45k to $50k range with a 6yr/unlimited mile warranty. FWIW, you won't need the warranty in my experience. There are road going supercharged GS-Fs with 800hp for anyone questioning the potential of these cars or dismissing them as old people cars. The first :40 seconds will illustrate (

)

For those who love/like your Stingers, I am glad for you. I wanted to be one of those people too. Had Kia done their part to earn and keep my business, I would still be a fan. However, the OP was asking for input from Lexus owners/shoppers, so that is what I tried to provide.

I wholeheartedly agree. Even with the red carpet service my local Kia GM provided, the service department was horrible and my car was in the shop more in 25,000 miles than any of my other 80 cars.

Of all my Lexus vehicles, only one of them spent time in the shop for other than maintenance. That was a 1996 LS. Within two weeks of going over 50,000 miles, the radar cruise and the rear air suspension went out. Fortunately, even though the warranty was technically expired, Lexus took care of the issues for free.

 

[itguy61]

Comparing Kia reliability/service with Lexus is apples and oranges. Lexus has been tops in reliability for years and they are a luxury brand who has service departments that coddle their customers. Kia has a kind of identity crisis going on now, selling more expensive, nicer vehicles but still having service departments geared for Souls and Rios.

 

[BlueByYouGT]

I wholeheartedly agree. Even with the red carpet service my local Kia GM provided, the service department was horrible and my car was in the shop more in 25,000 miles than any of my other 80 cars.

Of all my Lexus vehicles, only one of them spent time in the shop for other than maintenance. That was a 1996 LS. Within two weeks of going over 50,000 miles, the radar cruise and the rear air suspension went out. Fortunately, even though the warranty was technically expired, Lexus took care of the issues for free.

Lexus had adaptive cruise in the frekkin 90s?!

 

[MisterMac]

Lexus had adaptive cruise in the frekkin 90s?!

Yes, on their flagship LS. It wasn't well refined in my opinion. Damn near killed me once when a car going much slower hopped in front of me on the freeway. He was probably ten car lengths ahead, but that was within range so the Lexus slammed on the brakes. Now, I was going 90, but still!!

 

[Oryan]

Lexus makes good cars..damn good cars. But outside of the RC-F and GS-F none seem remotely interesting.

and let's be real. Above 40k or so, you're not buying what you need, per se, you're buying what you want. So why not get the car you really want?

 

[Flameangel]

Stinger: masculine car, Korean muscle car.
Lexus: car for women and senior citizens.

Period.



By the way the F badge in Lexus stands for extra Feminine hormones.

I must be in the wrong car ....although my work colleges have figured me out and put " Revhead " on my locker next to my name

 

[Helo58]

I wholeheartedly agree. Even with the red carpet service my local Kia GM provided, the service department was horrible and my car was in the shop more in 25,000 miles than any of my other 80 cars.

Of all my Lexus vehicles, only one of them spent time in the shop for other than maintenance. That was a 1996 LS. Within two weeks of going over 50,000 miles, the radar cruise and the rear air suspension went out. Fortunately, even though the warranty was technically expired, Lexus took care of the issues for free.

Glad to hear you say that about Lexus standing behind their warranty. I have witnessed this myself. I knew several people that had 2008 ISFs. This particular year, the dashboards and door panels turned "gummy" and sticky after many years in hot and/or humid climates. In 2019, 11 years later, I know of several people on the forum that had this problem. In most cases, Lexus replaced the dashboards and door panels on these cars out of warranty and free of charge. I can't even get Kia to replace my brake rotors in warranty or perform an open TSB. That speaks volumes if you are listening Kia...