New to the Stinger Family

[Stinger305]

Just purchased a Black 2.0 Premium RWD last month for $35k flat. I saved money by skipping that DriveWise/safety package (I would just turn all that beeping off anyway). I figure that's not bad for LA.

I did the usual lowering my PSI from 55 to 36/39 thing. I also considered ceramic coating but I don't know if I can justify the $1k cost. I figure I can get a $50 hand wash/wax 4 times a year, which would be $1k after 5 years. That's the same length the ceramic lasts but I'd still need to pay for waxes and treatments.

About 20 years ago I joined an RX-7 community and found it invaluable for doing a bunch of stuff myself (changing brake pads/shoes, fixing defective wiper switch, changing alternator, etc.). I'm excited to find a new community for Stinger owners, although these days I'm not so do-it-yourself (see above about not wanting to wash the car). I'm gonna change out the front and back badges and take it from there.

Cheers!

 

[Huda]

Welcome to the family, I just joined my self.

 

[mldavis2]

I figure I can get a $50 hand wash/wax 4 times a year, which would be $1k after 5 years. That's the same length the ceramic lasts but I'd still need to pay for waxes and treatments.

As a retired chemist, I'm not sure what "ceramic" coating really is, but if it's only good for a couple of years, then I don't think it's any better than careful hand washing and wax. My 13 year old GTO looks like new still.

 

[Stinger305]

Thanks, Huda. Glad to find a place like this for us to talk shop. I still have yet to see another Stinger besides mine on the road.

@mldavis2 I'm not so sure it's worth the money either (depending how much you have to spare, of course - it's a nice-looking detail). The better coatings are supposed to last 5 years but not sure if I believe that.

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

Welcome aboard! Black is the most difficult to maintain. Keep her clean and shiny and it will look great. I had a black car, ONCE. LOL.

 

[Soca Boy]

Welcome aboard! Black is the most difficult to maintain. Keep her clean and shiny and it will look great. I had a black car, ONCE. LOL.

It’s pain to keep clean but it’s one of the most rewarding colours when it shines. To the OP congrats on your new ride and welcome to the family.

 

[robz32]

Welcome aboard and congatulations!!

Yes, it is worth it, specially when you say you are lazy to wash the car. The coating will not only protect the paint form the UV rays but will also make washing the car much easier. It will also keep it looking brand new with no need to reapply.

 

[1RADKIA]

Black is an absolutely beautiful car - when clean. Ceramic (nano) coating is an additional protective layer for your paint. In a nutshell, most clear coat applications have a hardness factor of 4 (out of 10; 10 being the hardest). Ceramic coating has a hardness factor of 9. It can be applied yourself, and fairly cheaply. My recommendation though, is if your car is new and has pristine to near pristine paint - do it NOW. Any defects in your paint will be sealed in, unless treated before hand. DO some reading/research, and see if you think this is right for you. I recommend YouTube for application how to videos and reading customer reviews on any site selling the product you’re thinking of buying. My car took me about 2 hours to treat (single layer). Feel free to check out pics on my profile page for examples. Enjoy. db

 

[Stinger305]

I owned black cars in Miami but had white since I moved to LA. Now that I'm back to black, I really notice the dust out here. Good thing I keep mine in the garage.

@1RADKIA Your car is effin' beautiful. And that front plate is hilarious. Mine came from the dealer with the frame already bolted on to the bumper... I'll probably just keep that. Anyway, I had no idea ceramic coating was possible as a DIY job. An afternoon on the weekend is worth my time and money for sure. I'll check out YouTube. Thanks!

 

[1RADKIA]

Stringer305: Silky Silver and Aurora Black were my 1st & 2nd color choices to purchase, but they both ONLY came with the red leather interior (for the GT2) and the wife and I just couldn’t bring ourselves to like that. So..... HiChroma Red won out. My ceramic coating was purchased on Amazon and cost me less than $40 delivered. A single small bottle is/was enough to apply 2 coats to the car. I chose to do only one, as my car is garaged, and covered when not in use. My foremost advice if you choose to take the task on is do it in a well lit garage! I can now see a few spots I didn’t buff out due to insufficient lighting. Nothing bad - but something I notice as I am meticulous. My whole reason to do the ceramic coating was to add a layer of protection to the vinyl graphics. Turns out lots of folks are complaining of paint chip issues - which I haven’t experienced.. possibly due to the added protection. Enjoy the new wheels! It will draw a LOT of attention! AND... I appreciate the compliment! I’m pretty happy with my ride. A few little more small changes - and I’ll be finished. db

 

[Stinger GT SS]

G’day & welcome to the forum, enjoy your new ride like we all are...

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

I owned black cars in Miami but had white since I moved to LA. Now that I'm back to black, I really notice the dust out here. Good thing I keep mine in the garage.

@1RADKIA Your car is effin' beautiful. And that front plate is hilarious. Mine came from the dealer with the frame already bolted on to the bumper... I'll probably just keep that. Anyway, I had no idea ceramic coating was possible as a DIY job. An afternoon on the weekend is worth my time and money for sure. I'll check out YouTube. Thanks!

Just to be sure. Los Angeles or Louisiana?

 

[Weareblondi]

welcome to the hive. congratulations on your stinger. i had a penchant for black cars until i moved to florida from new york.

 

[Stinger305]

Just to be sure. Los Angeles or Louisiana?

Los Angeles. Been out here almost 15 years now.

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

Los Angeles. Been out here almost 15 years now.

Great! I’ve been in L.A. since 77. Other than Jenna and her swarm it’s not that organized here. I was confused as LA is Louisiana and you didn’t put a location in your info over on the left.
Hopefully we all can eventually have a big meet up. I’ve only seen one other in the wild. Not counting a dealer LOL.

 

[bumble bee]

Hey welcom to the forums.

 

[Salman]

Welcome through the doors of excitement.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I'm still unique after three months (the one Stinger I said I saw before, I now doubt, because several cars out there make you wonder until you check them out more carefully; and the one "sighting" I had in the first week of driving my Stinger was a very quick pass, making mutual left hand turns, so not "confirmed"). It is also a unique feeling. I've never owned a new car before this one. And certainly never a new model just on the market. My favorite thing to do is roar up freeway on ramps, watching everybody in the mirrors fade to dots. I try and not break past 80 mph before I enter traffic. It's a challenge.

Welcome to the forum, from Utah.

 

[Ucinn]

I'm still unique after three months (the one Stinger I said I saw before, I now doubt, because several cars out there make you wonder until you check them out more carefully; and the one "sighting" I had in the first week of driving my Stinger was a very quick pass, making mutual left hand turns, so not "confirmed"). It is also a unique feeling. I've never owned a new car before this one. And certainly never a new model just on the market. My favorite thing to do is roar up freeway on ramps, watching everybody in the mirrors fade to dots. I try and not break past 80 mph before I enter traffic. It's a challenge.

Welcome to the forum, from Utah.

I like doing that too and it usually works unless you have a tesla behind you, he can stay on your bumper

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

I like doing that too and it usually works unless you have a tesla behind you, he can stay on your bumper

Depending which, he can run you into the ground.