Discussion of Stinger paint quality (Was - Paint Chip Issue)

[scharn]

Jason, in response to your comment regarding BMW, they too have had issues with vehicle recalls and production problems. But my point is the Stinger is a game changer for this Korean company. To have a "major production flaw" from the get go, only reinforces what the car buying public fears, meaning that the quality of the product is not on the same playing field as the well established German car makers. If I'm willing to take a leap of faith and jump into a Kia, I want the security of knowing that my vehicle will stand the test of time and have a good resale value on the back end. So the question I'm asking is should I buy now and hope Kia works thru the problem or should I wait a few years until they become more of a player?

At one point in time that was a risk for all car manufacturers trying to get into new markets (I would say a constant one). I felt bad for 2015 golf r and audi s3 owners who had a very high failure rate of their turbos... new model year but they'd been in that market for years (focus RS had several issues including ford putting the wrong parts on the car!)... its a roll of the dice with any car you purchase PERIOD. We all weigh our priorities differently when it comes to choosing a car, which is why we have so many options. I was buying a kia stinger knowing full well there could be issues and I was prepared to accept the risk for what I believed was tremendous value I was getting in this car. I felt safe enough that if anything came up i'd have kia's warranty, and their natural desire to see owners of their premium car be taken car of.

That being said, I completely understand why many people would not be ready to take that risk. It is a personal choice. If the audi, bmw, suburu, mercedes, etc badge makes someone feel more at ease; who am i to say they're wrong.

The key takeaway is in this game of cars, you dissect anything you will find issues. The real question is can you make yourself feel comfortable with the risks...

 

[ScottM]

It seems lately there are people on this forum who are wanting to be "convinced" to buy, or are going to "wait it out", or buy something that is "...well established". Here's what I say all of those folks do, buy anything...just not a KIA Stinger. Not because I don't love my KIA Stinger...I do. I'd buy it again and again and again. I just don't want you owning a KIA Stinger, please no. Just buy something else, we don't need you or want you.

 

[Ivansito]

It seems lately there are people on this forum who are wanting to be "convinced" to buy, or are going to "wait it out", or buy something that is "...well established". Here's what I say all of those folks do, buy anything...just not a KIA Stinger. Not because I don't love my KIA Stinger...I do. I'd buy it again and again and again. I just don't want you owning a KIA Stinger, please no. Just buy something else, we don't need you or want you.

Don't mind him. He's our special(wink wink) member. Go back to your special room little Scotty.

 

[MicroBlue]

It seems lately there are people on this forum who are wanting to be "convinced" to buy, or are going to "wait it out", or buy something that is "...well established". Here's what I say all of those folks do, buy anything...just not a KIA Stinger. Not because I don't love my KIA Stinger...I do. I'd buy it again and again and again. I just don't want you owning a KIA Stinger, please no. Just buy something else, we don't need you or want you.

I kind of agree with you lol. When I read about th Stinger in fall of 2017 I was excited about the car. We had really enjoyed our Hyundai Santa Fe and I assumed Kia would have a similar build quality, and excluding he paint it has.

I would check in at the Kia store every few weeks waiting to see a Stinger and after I saw one I was beyond excited. After my test drive I was sold. I get market research and comparing cars, however if you need convinced to test drive the car are you really considering it.

It’s 2018, Kia and Hyundai are producing some fantastic cars. The Hyundai/Genesis/Kia line are very impressive. If you want to be convinced to drive th car, look at the performance, the price, and test drive it if you can afford the payment. Test drive the car, that should be enough convincing.

 

[ScottM]

Don't mind him. He's our special(wink wink) member. Go back to your special room little Scotty.

By special room, do you mean the cockpit of my Stinger? Yeah, that's my special room and you "needing convincing'ers", "wait it out'ers", and "...well established'ers" are not invited!!

 

[somedudedontknowwhoheis]

Just got back from my trip to the dealer by my work. First time I had been to this dealership, nice people.

The paint guy, who only comes in once a week and was supposed to be there today, according to the gal I made the appointment with last week, wasn't there. However after I explained they just needed to take some pictures the service tech who was there started taking them for me. She had the same problems taking photos as I did, the black (though I'm sure it happens to an extent with all of them) is such a mirror that focusing on the spots is tough.

Anyways, she had taken only a few pictures when a Kia USA rep walked out and introduced himself to me. He just happened to be there that day. He gave me his information, took my case number and vin, and he took his own pictures. Said the next time I speak to Kia on the phone to mention that he saw the car. Neither him nor the service gal took photos of every spot I pointed out despite my instance, but I think the rep got the idea anyways. He was aware of the yellow/blue cars and said if the Stingers were having quality issues that they wanted to be on top of them.

Glad I finally had a bit of luck in all of this. I'll probably be calling the CS line tonight to let them know.

 

[KiaofMuncie]

Sounds like you stopped in on the right day!

 

[Bisky]

Seriously?? Read any 'German' forum and you'll see 10x the amount of screwups and ignored problems from these a**holes and guess what? Idiots KEEP ON BUYING THEM.......... I guess they like the fact that they can waste money on a car that isn't worth what you would get from recycling it for metal after the warranty expires.... You can shove your 'standards' with that argument as it holds no merit whatsoever. Ever wonder why there are so many used ones for sale? Nobody wants to suffer the repair bills after the blow up at 60-70k miles.

Either buy the car, or don't, but don't step in here trying to bash a car we bought, and Kia will fix. There's not 1 dam manufacturer in the WORLD today that can mass produce a car with 0 issues. Things will always happen, and it's how the manufacturer responds that makes or breaks them. Kia has not let us down, and I doubt they will.

Whoa cowboy, slow down. Think you're missing my point. I've owned Audi's with oil issues and BMW with vanos out of whack and several other brands that have problems. So let's act as adults here, after all, forums are for sharing information both good and bad. Nothing personal mind you. I'm not here to "bash" Kia, just expressing my concern. Kia and the media are comparing this car to the BMW and Audi's with performance and style. I very much want to purchase this automobile but worry about all of the comments new owners are experiencing. $50k and monthly payments of 700 to 900 a month is not chicken feed is it? And I hope Kia corrects the problem for their new owners, having done so then I have little problem dropping 50k. It's not an issue that will be resolved in a month or so. I read where a customer down under says Kia will $20k to repaint his car, if so then they are stepping up to the plate. My lease on my E350 is up in February so hopefully this issue is a mute point. Love the white with red interior!

 

[Bisky]

Oh my sweet Jesus. What just happened here? I believe everything can be said with the same accuracy and intent while still maintaining civility.

How about this....
May I suggest in the face of this adversity, that we patiently wait for a decision by KIA Motors who at the present time seem to be moving to a potential solution. Lets not get ahead of ourselves for the sake of not ruining or tainting our experience with this amazing car.

hows that?

Well said

 

[Socalstinga]

Whoa cowboy, slow down. Think you're missing my point. I've owned Audi's with oil issues and BMW with vanos out of whack and several other brands that have problems. So let's act as adults here, after all, forums are for sharing information both good and bad. Nothing personal mind you. I'm not here to "bash" Kia, just expressing my concern. Kia and the media are comparing this car to the BMW and Audi's with performance and style. I very much want to purchase this automobile but worry about all of the comments new owners are experiencing. $50k and monthly payments of 700 to 900 a month is not chicken feed is it? And I hope Kia corrects the problem for their new owners, having done so then I have little problem dropping 50k. It's not an issue that will be resolved in a month or so. I read where a customer down under says Kia will $20k to repaint his car, if so then they are stepping up to the plate. My lease on my E350 is up in February so hopefully this issue is a mute point. Love the white with red interior!

I'm very surprised you would go from an E350 to a Kia. Performance and style, hands down KIA. But I have a GLE AMG package and the fit and finish is a level above my Stinger. My GT1 is quality interior, but it's not my benz. And the MB paint, I just love! that's what a clearcoat is supposed to be like!

 

[jwhollan]

Kinda of late to this conversation here, but I've also had several chips in my paint over the last few months. 2 in the hood, one in the passenger front door, one near the hatch lid, one in a fender and several on the front bumper (those are likely from pebbles I'd guess). I bought a touch up pen about a month after getting my Stinger and have been doing my best to touch them up as I find them. Is that going to cause issues if I try and open a case on this issue?

You can still clearly see the area's that I touched up, but they dont look nearly as bad as they did when you could see the grey/metal underneath. Should I still call/take pictures?

 

[StingerGT68]

I spoke with Kia customer service regarding my case number and they are agreeing to pay to have the hood and front fenders repainted.

Kinda of late to this conversation here, but I've also had several chips in my paint over the last few months. 2 in the hood, one in the passenger front door, one near the hatch lid, one in a fender and several on the front bumper (those are likely from pebbles I'd guess). I bought a touch up pen about a month after getting my Stinger and have been doing my best to touch them up as I find them. Is that going to cause issues if I try and open a case on this issue?

You can still clearly see the area's that I touched up, but they dont look nearly as bad as they did when you could see the grey/metal underneath. Should I still call/take pictures?

Yes, still call. Kia will take care of you.

 

[KiaofMuncie]

Kinda of late to this conversation here, but I've also had several chips in my paint over the last few months. 2 in the hood, one in the passenger front door, one near the hatch lid, one in a fender and several on the front bumper (those are likely from pebbles I'd guess). I bought a touch up pen about a month after getting my Stinger and have been doing my best to touch them up as I find them. Is that going to cause issues if I try and open a case on this issue?

You can still clearly see the area's that I touched up, but they dont look nearly as bad as they did when you could see the grey/metal underneath. Should I still call/take pictures?

I will be in Cincinnati on Thursday.

 

[somedudedontknowwhoheis]

Kinda of late to this conversation here, but I've also had several chips in my paint over the last few months. 2 in the hood, one in the passenger front door, one near the hatch lid, one in a fender and several on the front bumper (those are likely from pebbles I'd guess). I bought a touch up pen about a month after getting my Stinger and have been doing my best to touch them up as I find them. Is that going to cause issues if I try and open a case on this issue?

You can still clearly see the area's that I touched up, but they dont look nearly as bad as they did when you could see the grey/metal underneath. Should I still call/take pictures?

That's been the Catch-22 for some of us. I've been touching mine up and I had a paint protector put on. I was "fortunate" to have more show up last week that I didn't cover, so they took a look at those today. They did not take pictures of the spots I had covered up despite me pointing them out, hopefully the pictures I had before they were touched up will be enough. Not sure if I'll be reimbursed for the paint protection. Do you have any pictures before touch up?

@StingerGT68 was yours a blue Stinger? So they think it only needs to be repainted on the hood and fenders?

 

[Ucinn]

What brings you to my neck of the woods?

 

[KiaofMuncie]

What brings you to my neck of the woods?

Dave Matthews Band / Riverbend

 

[Ucinn]

Nice, enjoy.. should be a great night for it.

 

[MicroBlue]

That's been the Catch-22 for some of us. I've been touching mine up and I had a paint protector put on. I was "fortunate" to have more show up last week that I didn't cover, so they took a look at those today. They did not take pictures of the spots I had covered up despite me pointing them out, hopefully the pictures I had before they were touched up will be enough. Not sure if I'll be reimbursed for the paint protection. Do you have any pictures before touch up?

@StingerGT68 was yours a blue Stinger? So they think it only needs to be repainted on the hood and fenders?

I have similar concerns as the company that did my ppf put a blue base coat on the chips before the wrapped the car. I have since developed a spot on the hood that is to metal/primer. I had the ppf installed before the paint chipping really became understood and elevated to Kia.

 

[StingerGT68]

That's been the Catch-22 for some of us. I've been touching mine up and I had a paint protector put on. I was "fortunate" to have more show up last week that I didn't cover, so they took a look at those today. They did not take pictures of the spots I had covered up despite me pointing them out, hopefully the pictures I had before they were touched up will be enough. Not sure if I'll be reimbursed for the paint protection. Do you have any pictures before touch up?

@StingerGT68 was yours a blue Stinger? So they think it only needs to be repainted on the hood and fenders?

Yes, mine is blue. I think it's more-so, they will be willing to fix whatever is damaged and in my case it's the hood and fenders. If anything happens down the road, those will be fixed, too.

 

[Bisky]

I'm very surprised you would go from an E350 to a Kia. Performance and style, hands down KIA. But I have a GLE AMG package and the fit and finish is a level above my Stinger. My GT1 is quality interior, but it's not my benz. And the MB paint, I just love! that's what a clearcoat is supposed to be like!

Also tested the GLE last week along with the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia! I thought the Giulia handled fantastic. Here again new vehicle, new plant in North America and new car buyers are saying they should have waited a year to get out the bugs. The GLE fit and finish is impeccable but looking for a little more excitement. AMG and my wife would divorce me then I'd be sleeping in it. Brings me back to the Kia Stinger or possibly the Genesis G70. Both cars are well equipped and stylish for less money. Plus hate spending over $200 for A service and almost $300 for B service. Final decision will ultimately rest on whether Kia resolves it issues and who has the best deal at the time. Anxious to test the new Genesis G70 when available. Meeting with salesman this week to drive a fully loaded Stinger.