Stinger good as a family car or should I stick with an SUV?

[bgstewar]

The way I see it is that people have been using sedans as family haulers for decades. The Stinger is just as big, if not bigger than the previous mid sized, and even full sized sedans. Yes, you'll probably need to remove the cargo cover if you're packing luggage for 4 people but you can make it work. Even then, sometimes you don't even need to fully remove the cargo cover. Just unlatch it from where it connects behind each back seat. Leave the strings connected to the hatch itself. It can still partially cover your luggage/items. It will just rest on top of whatever is poking upwards. I do this pretty often whenever we take family on a big Costco run. No need to remove the cargo cover or store it elsewhere.

This is a great point. I grew up with my parents driving us 3 kids in sedans and we lived to talk about it. The SUV craze made everyone think sedans were garbage, until you drive an SUV and wonder why driving is no longer fun.

 

[Crisis]

I say, yes it’s very well-suited as a family car. It holds 4 people comfortably and still has a decent amount of luggage room.

Additionally, when you fold down the back seat, you have a tremendous cargo volume. Below is a photo of when I helped our daughter move. One of the nice things is the length of item you can put in the back. I once folded down the seats and transported a 6’ high bookcase in the back with the hatch closed.

This is all assuming that you don’t mind using your sport sedan as a pickup truck occasionally.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I say, yes it’s very well-suited as a family car. It holds 4 people comfortably and still has a decent amount of luggage room.

Additionally, when you fold down the back seat, you have a tremendous cargo volume. Below is a photo of when I helped our daughter move. One of the nice things is the length of item you can put in the back. I once folded down the seats and transported a 6’ high bookcase in the back with the hatch closed.

This is all assuming that you don’t mind using your sport sedan as a pickup truck occasionally.

Good grief, your car was filthy. Hopefully you didn't bump any of that cargo against all that mud, or lean into it yourself putting things in and taking things out.

 

[bgstewar]

FWIW I test drove a Ford Edge ST today thinking it might be a good happy medium. It paled in comparison to any Kia I've driven, not only in the quality of materials (Ford felt cheap) but the value just isn't there. For something with 380 lb feet of torque it felt sluggish and disconnected from the road. No one can really match Kia's warranty, and for the money the Stinger is ooooooodles more fun to drive.

 

[Maljey]

FWIW I test drove a Ford Edge ST today thinking it might be a good happy medium. It paled in comparison to any Kia I've driven, not only in the quality of materials (Ford felt cheap) but the value just isn't there. For something with 380 lb feet of torque it felt sluggish and disconnected from the road. No one can really match Kia's warranty, and for the money the Stinger is ooooooodles more fun to drive.

Yeah it's hard to find comparable sedans with liftbacks. You could also look at the VW Areton. It won't be as sporty as the Stinger, but it should be just as comfortable.

If you're willing (or able) to drive a manual transmission then the Civic Type R is a practical, fun car as well.

 

[Crisis]

Good grief, your car was filthy. Hopefully you didn't bump any of that cargo against all that mud, or lean into it yourself putting things in and taking things out.

Yup, it was. Just like almost every car around here in the winter. 2 days of melting followed by 10 days of -30 (repeat for 5 months) tends to make for dirty vehicles.

 

[DoctorStiches]

Thanks - that's very helpful! I've watched so many videos and have convinced myself it's practical, but don't want to make a $56k mistake!

Stinger buy was one of my few not mistakes. Go get one

 

[bgstewar]

Just called my local dealership and he said the Stinger is being discontinued and he can't order one. Anyone else hear this?

 

[ChaneRZ]

Your dealership is dumb.

 

[Dwdrummr1]

Just called my local dealership and he said the Stinger is being discontinued and he can't order one. Anyone else hear this?

I bought one in December and they told me the same. I didnt really believe them.

 

[bgstewar]

I bought one in December and they told me the same. I didnt really believe them.

I've called a few others who say they can order them, so I'm perplexed. Why would Kia refresh a car and discontinue it 2 months later? Makes no sense.

 

[Dwdrummr1]

I've called a few others who say they can order them, so I'm perplexed. Why would Kia refresh a car and discontinue it 2 months later? Makes no sense.

I dont know. When I asked about building one they told me KIA wasnt taking orders, but I think they wanted the quick sale on current lot inventory.

 

[bgstewar]

Alright everyone - there's one that ticks all the boxes that's 400 miles away. Seems like I can't find any dealer not charging $5-$10k over MSRP (this one is $5k over). Is it crazy to consider flying there in the morning, buying it and driving it 7 hours back?? I could buy a BMW for $65k but damn I love this car...

 

[stoopid]

Alright everyone - there's one that ticks all the boxes that's 400 miles away. Seems like I can't find any dealer not charging $5-$10k over MSRP (this one is $5k over). Is it crazy to consider flying there in the morning, buying it and driving it 7 hours back?? I could buy a BMW for $65k but damn I love this car...

Assuming they don't play games or there's some financing related issue. I would never feel comfortable traveling that far for a car, most I ever did was two times 75 miles to a neighboring state just because they had a dealer eager to move vehicles. If I can't drive there/drive home under my own power it aint happening. I feel like I'm surrendering too much negotiating/walkaway power which IMHO is critical when working on pricing for any vehicle, plus the time/cost with getting there to only come away empty handed.

I also wouldn't pay anything over MSRP, but I know that may not be a thing right now. Best of luck.

 

[Maljey]

Alright everyone - there's one that ticks all the boxes that's 400 miles away. Seems like I can't find any dealer not charging $5-$10k over MSRP (this one is $5k over). Is it crazy to consider flying there in the morning, buying it and driving it 7 hours back?? I could buy a BMW for $65k but damn I love this car...

I just bough a GT2 at MSRP less than a month ago (like 3 weeks ago). Even then, it was expensive relative to what Stingers were going for pre-Covid.

I wouldn't pay 5K over, especially for a car that far away. You should be able to find a dealer doing MSRP and have the car shipped to you. You'd still end up paying less than a 5K markup.

 

[bgstewar]

I called 10 dealers today and absolutely everyone is selling >$5k over MSRP except one dealer who said they can't order any Stingers and that they're discontinued. If anyone knows of a dealer not charging over MSRP I'm all ears!

 

[JSolo]

400 miles isn't too bad. I wouldn't fly for 400 miles unless it's dirt cheap + dealing with tsa. That's about a 6 hr drive, so maybe take a hotel room. But.... it would have to be really worth my while or a unicorn to spend 2 days on + fuel/hotel/meals.

 

[Maljey]

I called 10 dealers today and absolutely everyone is selling >$5k over MSRP except one dealer who said they can't order any Stingers and that they're discontinued. If anyone knows of a dealer not charging over MSRP I'm all ears!

Wish I could say. Both of the dealers I worked with (in Pittsburgh, PA) region were charging MSRP but they don't have any GT1/GT2 trims in stock.

I wasn't particular about the car's options or color. I know you had mentioned wanting a Scorpion package, but could you settle for a GT2? Or even a GT1? Do you have any 'must haves?'

You're in NC state--I'd think/hope there are a decent amount of Stingers further north. Here's one on MD, but I dunno if they are selling over MSRP:

2022 Kia Stinger GT2 - Kia dealer in Baltimore Maryland – New and Used Kia dealership Washington Silver Spring Rockville Maryland

Research the 2022 Kia Stinger GT2 at Laurel Kia of Baltimore, MD. View pictures, specs, and pricing on our huge selection of vehicles.

www.laurelkia.com

 

[bgstewar]

Found one for MSRP but they say I can't get it unless I pay $4400 for "ceramic coating and an accessory package" including all-weather mats, window tint and door handle protection. God I hate car dealerships. I appreciate everyone's advice on this thread however!

 

[Devin]

That's not a terrible upcharge, depending on the "Ceramic coating". I was looking at a similiar price to get my new Stinger coated, some PPF and tint at an independent shop.