Kia Stinger Forum - The Kia Stinger Owners Group

How is this installed

Jason Laliberte said:

How is this installed

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The install for this is pretty straight forward and quick you can tap into the ambient lights or to the door lights. We recommend professional installation with this if you are unsure on the installation process as it does not come with installation instructions.

The Scorpion did not get released until June 1 so only six months how many are there out there?

I am a new member too and also have a 2022 Stinger GT2 Scorpion. Mine is AWD with Ceramic Silver paint. I bought it new in 2021 and currently have 38,195 miles on it. I've been trying to nail down exactly how many Scorpions were made with some difficulty since it's an appearance package and not tied to the VIN. Long story short and with help from AI, the best guesstimate is only 250 were made due to poor sales at the time. The leftover parts were used to make the 2023 Tribute Edition. 125 Scorpions made it to the US and 125 to Canada. Of The 125 to the US, 60-65 were AWD. If anyone has anymore detailed information or stats, I'd love to know it and the source.

AI consistently says that the total was revised down to 250 Scorpions total for the year, and as you say half went to Canada. All were AWD to Canada. Half of the 250 were Ceramic Silver. The other half was split between Black and White. Alcantara interior to Canada, Nappa to US, red and black split 50/50 in each color. So, if you have a red interior white or black exterior, you have one of c. 17 vehicles total made. Pretty rare beast!

But the "source" is a post by an unverified account, so, take it for what it's worth.

I tried to purchase a Tribute back in 2022 the day i ordered my current GT2
I wanted Build No 351, but firstly that wasn't a RHD build and secondly not 1 ever came to OZ, people who put deposits down had them refunded fairly quickly!

Enjoy what you guys have got over there..

GareBear said:

I am a new member too and also have a 2022 Stinger GT2 Scorpion. Mine is AWD with Ceramic Silver paint. I bought it new in 2021 and currently have 38,195 miles on it. I've been trying to nail down exactly how many Scorpions were made with some difficulty since it's an appearance package and not tied to the VIN. Long story short and with help from AI, the best guesstimate is only 250 were made due to poor sales at the time. The leftover parts were used to make the 2023 Tribute Edition. 125 Scorpions made it to the US and 125 to Canada. Of The 125 to the US, 60-65 were AWD. If anyone has anymore detailed information or stats, I'd love to know it and the source.

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Welcome aboard!

Snicklefritz said:

AI consistently says that the total was revised down to 250 Scorpions total for the year, and as you say half went to Canada. All were AWD to Canada. Half of the 250 were Ceramic Silver. The other half was split between Black and White. Alcantara interior to Canada, Nappa to US, red and black split 50/50 in each color. So, if you have a red interior white or black exterior, you have one of c. 17 vehicles total made. Pretty rare beast!

But the "source" is a post by an unverified account, so, take it for what it's worth.

https://stingerforum.org/threads/number-of-kia-stinger-scorpion-edition.28990/

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Topics merged...

It's a 5 layer outdoor cover that is waterproof but also breathes to prevent moisture build up. I live on a wooded lot so get birds, which I love, and their droppings, which I don't love. Also, trees drop things themselves and in reality are "dirty" plants. Don't get me wrong, I'd never trade where I live as I absolutely love being on a wooded lot, but it is a messy place to live.

Another item: I mentioned hail protection. I've read several articles about how hail storms will become more common. We've had three this season already which is odd. I"m working out getting the car indoors now. Issue for me is I have that Fairmont... back to the cover...

I called and the cover will be okay with the spoiler and handles the shark fin antenna so it won't need to be customized. If the spoiler were more than about 10 inches tall, the cover would have to be customized. No idea on cost for that. Cover was $150 with free shipping but it's a "Spring Sale" and no idea how long that will go. Also comes with storage bag and cable/lock. They say cover is normally $300.

Anyway, here's a link if anyone is interested: 2022 Stinger Cover

I'll post pics and opinion on cover when it arrives.

DonM said:

I've read several articles about how hail storms will become more common.

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Oh please, don't go there. This is what "they" are going for:

That made me snort out loud! Thanks for the smile!

DonM said:

For a short time, my Stinger will have to sit outside. Today we're supposed to possibly have a hail storm so it's out there with heavy blankets held on with straps under the car. It got me thinking that maybe I should invest in a car cover for times like this. While researching I also came across this Polaris Ranger accessories page which had some useful protection ideas for outdoor vehicles. My thinking is I could put a heavy set of blankets on the car and then throw the cover over and it would hold the blankets down and protect the sides, etc. I shopped online and only found lots of options. I was wondering if anyone here had found a really nice cover under $500?

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Your blanket-and-cover combo idea is actually smart. Your blanket-and-cover combo idea is actually smart. For a dedicated hail solution, look at the Hail Protector system, which inflates around the car and is built specifically for this. For a quality cover to hold everything down, Covercraft WeatherShield HP is the best under $500 and doubles as a great all-weather cover too.

Mine cost $351

BIG-D said:

Mine cost $351

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What brand is that? Got a link?

I think you probably need a spare ECU, due to it not necessarily being able to flash the VIN / CAL ID? Although not sure if they can detect even that? Where are you planning to buy the EK1 from? No one will ship to CA that I can see..

Have you considered / tried a jb4? Much easier to remove, and at least half the benefits of an ECU tune, IMHO.

I'm coming up on my first smog in about a year (bought car late in the '19 model run) - will need to undo intakes. I'm trying to remember if I need to replace the OEM intercooler? Pretty sure they won't care about my transmission cooler. Also intakes (going back to stock, may stay there).

turboAWD said:

I think you probably need a spare ECU, due to it not necessarily being able to flash the VIN / CAL ID? Although not sure if they can detect even that? Where are you planning to buy the EK1 from? No one will ship to CA that I can see..

Have you considered / tried a jb4? Much easier to remove, and at least half the benefits of an ECU tune, IMHO.

I'm coming up on my first smog in about a year (bought car late in the '19 model run) - will need to undo intakes. I'm trying to remember if I need to replace the OEM intercooler? Pretty sure they won't care about my transmission cooler. Also intakes (going back to stock, may stay there).

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I have family in Oregon that can buy then ship it to me, but was just wondering how it would work with different ECU. Could it just work plug and play? Or does mileage or VIN have to match vehicle for it to work?

Also I already have JB4, I’ve had it since I got the car about 5 years ago and haven’t had any complaints. Just looking for a little more.

xRagee23 said:

I have family in Oregon that can buy then ship it to me, but was just wondering how it would work with different ECU. Could it just work plug and play? Or does mileage or VIN have to match vehicle for it to work?

Also I already have JB4, I’ve had it since I got the car about 5 years ago and haven’t had any complaints. Just looking for a little more.

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Ah, ok.. I've tried to find out, but with the car this close to smog every 2 years, etc, I'm happy with jb4 / E30. This is my "less mods" car, compared to the '05 Legacy GT where I had a stuffed turbo, gutted the UP, one DP cat, valve body (no TCU), etc, etc.. Took several hours to swap for smog and was always a pain. I'm getting older and have less time..

There is so little information out there about all of this and whole bef process. I'll try to help with whatever information I have available to share.

When you get a flash tune for ek1 you are also provided the oem ecu flash tune file. The smog will care more about having your oem primary cats on and no CEL being active. Worst case might need your oem secondaries back on temporarily. Really shouldn't have to reflash stock ecu but you do have that option if needed. Also I would think running a burble tune might negatively affect the results but I am not 100% sure about this. That's why it's good idea IMO to have the oem file, your tune with no burbles and maybe a mild burble tune if you want that.

There has been some changes happening also to the whole bef process where ek1 wants to basically be the online store for all the bef tunes out there. You no longer go to the tuner to get the tune. Honestly not a fan of it as it further just complicates things having to use ek1 currency system to buy a tune.

Right now at least with KJT there are owners having issues with the flashing process where the car can lock up and you will have to reflash the stock ecu. Some owners i know also were having bad timing corrections happening. It's being looked into so for now I would just stay with jb4 alone. No idea about bms or sleepytuned tune files. My tune is perfectly fine as it's from before all these changes. Remains to be seen what will happen. Really would like them to abandon this whole idea. If it aint broke don't fix it is my motto.

Some information below:

Wow, that's even worse (bricking cars). There has been a question in CA about them also checking VIN number and CRC/checksum code, which would fail if you have an aftermarket flash.

I guess they ended up finding out that it was user error but haven't posted any updates yet. Oh well. I did talk to a owner who was doing back to back revisions and that ended up locking his ecu. Like doing at least 6 flashes one after another. Not something I would do lol. Also always need to use a battery tender no matter what.

Well anyways, I would go to a smog place you know and trust

My hinges cleared customs yesterday.

Lambo doors incoming

Clearly, you have no intention of reselling this car. Ha hah.

BIG-D said:

My hinges cleared customs yesterday.

Lambo doors incoming

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Everyday bro... problem is this cost me $74k on day of delivery forget about the other $26k i've spent and every other GT Stinger for sale around here at the moment is advertised between $27k and $40k
With Km's between just 12000 and up to 160000

Not a good look, but if and when I do decide to sell it, it will be between me and the buyer for a mutually agreed amount.

This thing hit the dyno at just 450km's on the clock and is cleaner underneath than most cars are on top no expense has ever been spared.

Won't talk about things I've broken and already replaced, but it's the price you pay when learning or dont trust what you read on the internet and ultimately this is a truly amazing car.

I am hoping to show off with some burnout pic's this week, it's hard to perform such a stunt without getting locked up or your car impounded around here.

We actually set up yesterday with my Michelins fitted to destroy them (I hate these things) and the spot I chose i had my mate all ready for a rolling skid (sun going down behind me) and some static shots and nekminnit 3 cop cars and 2 bikes pulled up just outside the premises we were parked behind and we shit ourselves.

They decided to set up an RBT stop!!

If they had arrived just 2min's later who knows what would have happened ...

Peace

Washed it last night and parked her in the garage... does anybody else periodically go out and just stare at their car?

Or wait till the engine is completely cold just to cold start It back up again

No?

oh ok...

BIG-D said:

does anybody else periodically go out and just stare at their car?

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I do. But it's usually because I "need" to put something in or take something out of the hatch, which seems to happen on an almost daily basis.

Dump pipes incoming...

Chris Erickson said:

Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The Stinger is officially gone, and the mourning period is over. Now that the dust has settled, it's time to ask a question that might get me dragged in the replies.

Was the Stinger really a masterpiece of engineering, or were we all just completely shocked that a brand known for the Rio could build something that went fast and looked cool?

Let's start with the Shock Factor argument. Think back to when it launched. The automotive world collectively lost its mind. But why? If we're being brutally honest, a lot of the hype was heavily fueled by the badge.

If Mercedes, BMW, or Audi made the exact same car - with the exact same weight, the same interior plastics, and the same chassis dynamics - would critics have praised it as a revelation? Or would they have ripped it apart for being a little too heavy and having an interior that didn't quite match up to true luxury standards?

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If BMW, Mercedes, or Audi would have made the Stinger, it would have been about $20k more than the Stinger just for their respective badges...with the same plastics and dynamics.

It works both ways. Kia did something great; they, as a budget brand, made a GT liftback, and priced it the same as their badge. It might not have been that groundbreaking overall in terms of what the EuroGT cars were doing, but the Stinger being 95% of BMW/Audi/Mercedes comparables at 70% of their price, is/was notable. Not just that Kia did it, but did it at the price they did.

Chris Erickson said:

Let's face it. A massive chunk of the love was simply people saying, "Wow, I can't believe Kia built this". The car graded on a curve. When an established luxury brand builds a rear wheel drive sport sedan with a twin turbo V6, it's just another Tuesday. When Kia does it, it's headline news. Did the badge actually protect the car from harsher criticism?

How about the Undeniable Merits? But then you actually drive one. And here's where the haters and the badge snobs get quiet real fast.

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Aren't all cars graded on their respective curves though? Consider some things from an alternate point of view: If we are asking why does Kia get a "pass" on harsher criticism because they are a budget brand selling a GT liftback for the 1st time, then why does BMW/Audi/Mercedes get a pass for selling their GT liftbacks for tens of thousands more? If we want to argue fit and finish, then sure, they Euro GT makes do have some justification for being more expensive, but not that much more expensive.

In my opinion, BMW/Audi/Mercedes charge that much more because they can; badge snobbery if nothing else. That's fine. But I think it has to go both ways, If Kia shouldn't escape harsher criticism for fit/fishish vs. it's euro counterparts, then the aforementioned euro counterparts shouldn't be exempt from critics asking why their are paying so much more for just a badge.

Chris Erickson said:

You can't fake performance. That 3.3 liter V6 didn't just look good on paper - it pinned you back in your seat. And the design? They didn't just build a decent looking car. It was pretty damn impressive. Period.

It offered lots of cargo space thanks to the liftback design, it looked like a million bucks rolling down the highway, and it completely undercut the competition in price. You weren't just buying a budget version of a German car - you were buying a legitimate grand tourer that could eat up highway miles and handle twisty roads without breaking a sweat. It proved that a mainstream brand could punch way above its weight class.

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Exactly. When I was in the market for my Stinger, it checked a lot of boxes and overall might not have been the "best" in any criteria, but it did a lot of stuff well ahead of the competition. Price-wise vs. the Euro GT's? I've already beaten that horse dead. VS a Charger R/T? Better interior, quicker from a dig, handles better, and the hatch. Might not have the V8 sound or have the overall horsepower, and fit and finish is compariable, if not better for the Stinger. I also think it was a step above the closest Accura/Lexus/Infinity offerings in it's class for both price and performance.

Could I deal with a sunroof rattle and a bad dealership experience for all that? Sure--especially since I tend to avoid dealershps.

Chris Erickson said:

So where do we stand? Some critics say it'll be forgotten in ten years as a weird experiment that didn't stick. They argue the interior rattles and the legendary Kia dealership experience held it back from true greatness.

I say they're missing the point entirely. But I want to hear from the people actually driving these cars every day.

Are we guilty of giving the Stinger a free pass just because of the logo on the hood? If BMW released this exact car as a 4 Series, would the automotive world have been as impressed? Or did Kia genuinely build a legend that stands toe to toe with the absolute best from Germany, badge be damned?

Am I wrong? WHY?

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Honestly, I think if anything the Stinger might become a car like the Mitsubishi 3000GT (GTO)/Dodge Stealth.I think that it might end up being glossed over by some people but those who know, know it is/was a gem.

I did mention the rattles before that I think is negligible considering the price of the Stinger and what it is, especially with respect to how much a comparable, hypothetical BMW M4 would cost vs what the stinger cost (I would say 75k minimum for the same car with a BMW logo on it), but I do have to say that I take no one who judges any specific make/model/trim of car by the dealership experience seriously. I think it's disingenious for a few reasons.

For one, dealership experience can vary between dealerships. For two different quasi-indentical cars taken to different dealerships for maintenence (one competent and one not), the one taken to the incompetant dealership will seem worse, even though with competent service, it would have been just as good as the one taken to the competent dealership.

Another reason is not every driver of a given model of car uses dealerships for follow-on maintenence; some avoid dealerships unless they have no other choice. If they have good experiences maintaining their own cars, or having a trusted mechaninc maintain their car, do their voices get drowned out because of Dealer incompetence? Or, should an otherwise solid car's reputation suffer because a Karen or a Kevin is pissed that they aren't chauferred around town when they bring their vehicle in for a long-overdue oil change (hyperbole intended)?

Lastly, since the Stinger is no longer being made, the judgement hereon out will shift towards how robust/easy to fix/repair/maintain/build like all other cars which are no longer being made of any given platform. In 10 years, would anyone who would be buying a Stinger even care that back when the stinger was being produced that Kia didn't cater to the dealership experience? I didn't think so.

Overall I think the Stinger is a solid car that has a lot more going for it than against it, is overlooked by badge snobs, and even though isn't perfect, is groundbreaking for what it was: a GT liftback priced without paying for the badge. So, as a user here posted awhile back (I forgot who, but cred where credit is due to them), exactly what ChatGPT called it when it roasted it: A Kirkland version of an Audi A6.

I can't argue with that.

LordKOTL said:

A Kirkland version of an Audi A6.

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You guys nailed it with the Kirkland Audi comparison, and it's a great point about the value proposition. But let's dig into that. When people buy a Kirkland product, they're buying it because it's cheaper - not because it's the absolute pinnacle of luxury.

Does calling it a Kirkland Audi admit that it's a budget compromise? If you had the exact same money to spend, and the Stinger cost the exact same as an Audi A6, which key are you grabbing? Is it really the superior car, or just the better deal? I want to know if anyone here genuinely thinks it outclasses the Germans without the price discount acting as a crutch.

Snicklefritz said:

The car stands on its own merits. It is gorgeous, iconic even, as a GT high performance car.

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I don't disagree that it's gorgeous. Parked under the lights, it holds its own against anything. But iconic is, I dunno, a heavy word to throw around.

The Mustang is iconic. The 911 is iconic. Do you really think the Stinger will be remembered in the same breath in twenty years? Or is it just a really good looking footnote in Kia's history? What specifically makes the design iconic rather than just a massive leap forward that hit at the right time? Let's talk about what actually makes a car legendary.

BIG-D said:

...this is our 7th Brand NEW KIA and we have never had any unexpected problems with any of them...

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That's awesome that you've had such a rock solid experience with your 7th Kia. But you're clearly a loyalist!

For the average buyer who is used to Japanese or German reliability, does the Stinger hold up? A lot of people online love to claim that German cars fall apart after the warranty ends. Are we pretending the Stinger won't have expensive twin turbo V6 issues as it hits higher mileage? Or is the build quality actually good enough to outlast the competition in the long run?

I think it's a pretty cool car don't get me wrong. I'd been watching it the whole time it existed before it got canceled.

Chris Erickson said:

You guys nailed it with the Kirkland Audi comparison, and it's a great point about the value proposition.

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I had to comment, even after all the posts I read after this quote. This quote is it. No real debate past this. Same relative ingredients for less money. That's the answer. That's all there is to it. As I mentioned earlier, I totaled my 2018 GT2 Stinger in 2023 and looked high and low for anything that had dollar for dollar what the Stinger had for new. In 2023, there was nothing in my opinion. It will end up being a iconic...in the sense that it has/had it all for the price point in comparison. It's just "it"... period. End of story. That's all folks. So yes, that.

What the Stinger has done for me, is this...

1. Before I saw a Stinger (prior to 2021), I’m not sure I would have purchased a Kia, plain and simple. Had a buddy in high school (mid-90s) who had one and it was junk.
2. Because the car had a look/style and performance that I didn’t see in any other vehicles AND I was in the market for a car, I did some research, went out on a limb and bought a 2022 GT1 brand new. Have had a great dealership experience.
3. Issues? It has 40,000 miles on ODO, I’ve had nearly no issues; however the one issue I’ve had was major (engine had to come out) but taken care of under warranty and I had no issues with my dealership or repair work.
4. Do I plan to keep the car? As long as it remains reliable, I will. I like this car. I do have some trepidation regarding reliability and costly repairs. That will determine how long I hold on to this car.
5. It has opened my eyes to Kia as a brand. I would likely purchase another Kia in the future, and am seriously considering purchasing a new Kia Carnival for my wife.
6. What do I think the future view of the Stinger will be? As another poster noted, like the Mitsubishi 3000 or Dodge Stealth. Neat niche cars for that generation. Don’t remember the last time I saw one of those on the road. The Stinger has such great style, I think it will be found attractive by future generations so it might be more desirable than those cars from a collector standpoint. Also, just because of its underdog status (it is a Kia) makes it appealing for some reason.
7. What would I get if I didn’t have the Stinger? Not sure. Maybe a Lexus IS350 F-sport or a used car of some sort, but I’ll always have an affinity for a Stinger. I still get excited when I see another in the wild.

777David said:

What the Stinger has done for me, is this...

1. Before I saw a Stinger (prior to 2021), I’m not sure I would have purchased a Kia, plain and simple. Had a buddy in high school (mid-90s) who had one and it was junk.
2. Because the car had a look/style and performance that I didn’t see in any other vehicles AND I was in the market for a car, I did some research, went out on a limb and bought a 2022 GT1 brand new. Have had a great dealership experience.
3. Issues? It has 40,000 miles on ODO, I’ve had nearly no issues; however the one issue I’ve had was major (engine had to come out) but taken care of under warranty and I had no issues with my dealership or repair work.
4. Do I plan to keep the car? As long as it remains reliable, I will. I like this car. I do have some trepidation regarding reliability and costly repairs. That will determine how long I hold on to this car.
5. It has opened my eyes to Kia as a brand. I would likely purchase another Kia in the future, and am seriously considering purchasing a new Kia Carnival for my wife.
6. What do I think the future view of the Stinger will be? As another poster noted, like the Mitsubishi 3000 or Dodge Stealth. Neat niche cars for that generation. Don’t remember the last time I saw one of those on the road. The Stinger has such great style, I think it will be found attractive by future generations so it might be more desirable than those cars from a collector standpoint. Also, just because of its underdog status (it is a Kia) makes it appealing for some reason.
7. What would I get if I didn’t have the Stinger? Not sure. Maybe a Lexus IS350 F-sport or a used car of some sort, but I’ll always have an affinity for a Stinger. I still get excited when I see another in the wild.

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I must agree on number 7. Not sure about a Lexus or what would replace it. But it is really cool when you seen one in the wild especially when
is well cared for and you have a convo with the owner or just acknowledge each other. Just saw a really rare tribute edition today and that was
pretty cool.

On another note, I really hope that they can figure out their dealership situation. We have been lucky to have a good dealership close
to our location.

Amazing insights everyone! It's clear the passion for this platform runs deep.

ScottM said:

This quote is it. No real debate past this. Same relative ingredients for less money. That's the answer. That's all there is to it.

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You're doubling down on the Kirkland analogy, and honestly, that cost to performance ratio is impossible to argue against. When you look at it strictly as getting the exact same mechanical ingredients for thousands less, it's a win. It's the ultimate reality check for anyone who thinks you need to sport a German badge to have a fast car.

Snicklefritz said:

If it didn't have a hatch I would never have owned a Stinger.

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LordKOTL said:

But, as good at it is as a GT Liftback, the buying public would rather have CUVs or SUVs for some reason.

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You two hit on the tragic irony of the Stinger. It's the best car nobody bought because the entire world went crazy for CUVs. Without that liftback cargo space, it sounds like the car loses its magic formula. If you have to give up the hatch, you end up like @blnewt looking at a Genesis G70, which is a fantastic chassis, but it forces you into a traditional trunk.

777David said:

the one issue I’ve had was major (engine had to come out) but taken care of under warranty
It has opened my eyes to Kia as a brand. I would likely purchase another Kia in the future

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This is wild. Having a major engine out repair at 40,000 miles would make a lot of people run away from a brand forever. The fact that your dealership handled it so well that you're now looking at a Kia Carnival is a testament to how a good service experience changes everything. It really highlights @Alpinesting's point that fixing the dealership lottery is the biggest hurdle for the brand moving forward.

777David said:

What do I think the future view of the Stinger will be?
Neat niche cars for that generation.
The Stinger has such great style, I think it will be found attractive by future generations so it might be more desirable than those cars from a collector standpoint.

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That Mitsubishi 3000GT and Dodge Stealth comparison is spot on. Niche, high tech, and totally unique for their era. But do you guys really think the Stinger will become a true collector car? Future generations might love the style, but are they going to want to deal with aging electronics, complex modern tech, or that sunroof rattle when the cars are twenty years old? Or will the underdog status make people look past all that? Cars aren't as easy to maintain deep into their life like they used to be.

Oh, and @jinthadell, don't total your car to get that manual CT4-V Blackwing! Though that wife approved upgrade path sounds pretty sweet!

Since a lot of you are sitting around 34,000 to 60,000 miles and planning to drive them into the ground, what's the one part or issue that makes you nervous about the long term survival of these cars? Is it the mechanical stuff, or just the thought of dealing with the service department out of warranty?

I don't deal with the dealer while under warranty I sure won't be going there after I have owned this thing for 7yrs.

Dealers are hard work...

The look on their faces when I first turned up with Slotted rotors /Vertini wheels/ Carbon Fibre bonnet and Bootlid and the noise coming out my exhaust said it all they were not happy.

Yeh well... I'm sick of the strut clunking /the sunroof creaking and the hatch rattling constantly in Sport mode!

I just asked them nicely to take a look for me after 2yr's of ownership?

They offered to fix my sunroof no problem and would need the car for 5 days, but would not consider replacing my R/F Strut which they stated had an issue because I had Aftermarket swaybars and Eibach lowered springs.

Fair enough I suppose, but they tried to blame my suspension for the sunroof creak and the hatch rattle as well even though it is a well known issue.

Both I fixed myself thanks to this forum and youtube.

I have fixed so much myself because of this Forum and BMS and K8 StingerStore ❤

I honestly would never have even tuned this thing if I knew beforehand the oil that was going to leak out the exhaust once I changed dump pipes/ exh components and specifically the lack of why?

Or the freakin' drone these v6's are renowned for, or the crap that would build up on my intake valves even though i have dealt with these GDI engines for 15yr's now after fitting a maintenance free catch in the first week of ownership anyway.

But I digress, I have now purchased CPI and a JB4 to control that, so hopefully gunky valves will be a thing of the past?

Although I doubt it... but I will keep you posted when I remove the manifold again in 6 months for a look see.

And a real negative about this brand and I hate bringing it up, but the amount of surface area that never received paint really burns my piss !

Boot area / Underneath / NO gloss finish in engine bays...

Here is some food for thought, I looked at a Genesis last month before I bought my last range of mods for this thing.

Yeh nah not for that price and still no paint applied where I would expect it for this price and who knows how that is going to transpire with rust issues in 5 - 10yr's time?

Peace

Chris Erickson said:

Amazing insights everyone! It's clear the passion for this platform runs deep.


You're doubling down on the Kirkland analogy, and honestly, that cost to performance ratio is impossible to argue against. When you look at it strictly as getting the exact same mechanical ingredients for thousands less, it's a win. It's the ultimate reality check for anyone who thinks you need to sport a German badge to have a fast car.





You two hit on the tragic irony of the Stinger. It's the best car nobody bought because the entire world went crazy for CUVs. Without that liftback cargo space, it sounds like the car loses its magic formula. If you have to give up the hatch, you end up like @blnewt looking at a Genesis G70, which is a fantastic chassis, but it forces you into a traditional trunk.



This is wild. Having a major engine out repair at 40,000 miles would make a lot of people run away from a brand forever. The fact that your dealership handled it so well that you're now looking at a Kia Carnival is a testament to how a good service experience changes everything. It really highlights @Alpinesting's point that fixing the dealership lottery is the biggest hurdle for the brand moving forward.



That Mitsubishi 3000GT and Dodge Stealth comparison is spot on. Niche, high tech, and totally unique for their era. But do you guys really think the Stinger will become a true collector car? Future generations might love the style, but are they going to want to deal with aging electronics, complex modern tech, or that sunroof rattle when the cars are twenty years old? Or will the underdog status make people look past all that? Cars aren't as easy to maintain deep into their life like they used to be.

Oh, and @jinthadell, don't total your car to get that manual CT4-V Blackwing! Though that wife approved upgrade path sounds pretty sweet!

Since a lot of you are sitting around 34,000 to 60,000 miles and planning to drive them into the ground, what's the one part or issue that makes you nervous about the long term survival of these cars? Is it the mechanical stuff, or just the thought of dealing with the service department out of warranty?

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I wouldn’t worry about long term survival, just get an aftermarket warranty. They usually cover everything but basic maintenance. I’ve just hit 156k miles and I’m just getting into the high mileage stuff. Just swapped valve cover gaskets and it wasn’t as bad as you would think. Had to get a little creative on getting a few bolts out, but definitely manageable in your garage. It’s just a lot to remove to get to them and getting them out. High pressure fuel pump has to come out. But overall doable. Difficulty level maybe 3 out of 10. Up next is downstream O2 sensors. IMHO this car isn’t that hard to work on. I mean I’m not digging into internals should shit go south. That’s what my aftermarket warranty is for. But unless it’s a paid recall or absolutely necessary, no one touches my car.

Chris Erickson said:

Since a lot of you are sitting around 34,000 to 60,000 miles and planning to drive them into the ground, what's the one part or issue that makes you nervous about the long term survival of these cars? Is it the mechanical stuff, or just the thought of dealing with the service department out of warranty?

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I am at 35K with the Premium and 83K with the GT1. Since I am a careful driver I expect my struts and shocks to last longer than most. Not looking forward to the GT1 ECS shocks. The Premium will likely never need either struts or shocks because of low miles and my age, ha hah.

Right now we have a mechanic who is tops for non warranty work. He put in the Brembos on the Premium and has worked on the GT1 for some minor stuff. I will trust him with anything that goes wrong electronically, which is my biggest worry. So far, no trouble.

There is the obsolete electronics issue. Ten years old the car may start to have issues with compatibility and modern tech. That is a concern, but future, so, again given my age, I am borrowing trouble to spend any time pondering the possible eventualities.

If I am still around in 2028 - likely - and my GT1 is ten years old and out of warranty, everything will be a hopefully slowly increasing battle to keep the car viable. Maybe there will be work arounds for older cars whose computer tech is now OLD. We can't tell how much "the powers that be" will support older car maintenance or sabotage it through legislation/prohibition, etc.

If I have to I'll give up tech to keep the car running as a performance car that is a luxury ride. Has anyone looked into the feasibility of "gutting" the computer interface, simplifying the electronics, and reducing the Stinger to an "old school" ride? Would it be possible, for instance, to ditch the computers altogether and just rig power windows, brakes, steering, and bare bones drivetrain controls? Maybe that wouldn't even be allowed modification to be street legal. I have no idea. Even if it was the modification would probably be prohibitively expensive.

BY2EX....(good)BY(E) to EX

HDTurbo said:

BY2EX....(good)BY(E) to EX

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Excellent. It cannot mean anything else.

I think the two tanks in the Mustang are nitrous tanks.

Snicklefritz said:

Excellent. It cannot mean anything else.

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At least we usually get the cars.

The funny aspect is the vehicle mismatch with the plate message. Should be on something stealthy, not a grocery getter. Hah.

Plates are cryptic rather than actually funny. But the situation was amusing, having two white on black personalized plates both on pickup trucks in the same frame.
Pic is kind of small, they say W0LVES6 and EAG0RD0 ?

Those are my rim widths too. Offset is 40 front 39 rear. I use the OE tire sizes and could go 255 front 265 or more rear, but no lowering here.

I'll say it again, I'm the 1st Sxth ECU, Will set me up with Nathan for the 1st prototype. Sorry that hurts your feelings. I ran an 11.16 with nothing but bolt ons and a JB. Not as fast as 11.07, but really, bolts ons and a JB... 11.16. You've done great things with you shop car no doubt but nothing worth dropping the mic. When you hit #1, I'll be the first to congratulate you, I will. Don't get comfortable though.

AWDGT2 said:

I'll say it again, I'm the 1st Sxth ECU, Will set me up with Nathan for the 1st prototype. Sorry that hurts your feelings. I ran an 11.16 with nothing but bolt ons and a JB. Not as fast as 11.07, but really, bolts ons and a JB... 11.16. You've done great things with you shop car no doubt but nothing worth dropping the mic. When you hit #1, I'll be the first to congratulate you, I will. Don't get comfortable though.

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Buddy, you have been lied to, lol. Unless you owned a blue Stinger back in 2019

They had a Stinger in for development (ECU) in 2019. If I look at little harder, I bet I can find more details on the IG page, but... this should suffice. You will never, hurt my feelings, LOL!!!

I am not getting comfortable... and, hitting first is not the goal. Setting a standard so high, that everyone just give up... now that is an achievement
Oct 29, 2019 ·

· …We have a 3.3tt Stinger here for ECU tuning development and secondary cat deletes along with finishing intake designs as well. All sorts of fun Thanks for the support, we coulnd’t do it without you! #kia #hyundai #veloster #velosterturbo #velostern #velosternation #elantra #elantrasport #kdm #kdmnation #kdmstance #kdmsociety #kdmracing #kdmlegacy #kdmlife #kdmholic #kdmfamily #kdmalliance #kdmtuning #sxth #sxthelementengineering

Yup, "tuning and development". I got the first finished product, thank you. And you just countered your own argument John These are your words "Out of no where, SXTH suddenly has one of the fastest tunes on the market, and not another single car or dyno from them"
You should make up your mind where and what kind of argument your going to make. First you say they are out of no where, then you make it an effort to prove yourself wrong. wow.....

AWDGT2 said:

Yup, "tuning and development". I got the first finished product, thank you. And you just countered your own argument John These are your words "Out of no where, SXTH suddenly has one of the fastest tunes on the market, and not another single car or dyno from them"
You should make up your mind where and what kind of argument your going to make. First you say they are out of no where, then you make it an effort to prove yourself wrong. wow.....

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Well, what is finished? I know that SXTH was working with LAP3... they had a whole set of tunes ready for the community, that didn't work out for them (not sure why). Well, I did counter my own argument with tune being "out of nowhere", but it is out of nowhere that they deliver an 11.0 second tune? And, its only .1 faster than the piggy back (your words not mine). So, exactly how great is this tune? LOL!!!

The argument I am making, they have been working on at tune since 2019 and you are telling met that you are the only person to get said tune, in 3 years? Or, is it that... you think that they are finished with the tune, and it will not be getting any faster with their tune? Or... is it that Nathan is tuning for them now, and it not LAP3 tunes? Or, is it that NKLABS is now tuning for them, and Nathan is just doing in house calibrations? Wait... didn't they make a post about working with AlphaSpeed also? Hell, I don't know who't tuning for them now... so you are right, I really have no idea if you have a finished tune, of if you have something that has been passed through 4 or 5 different tuners, lol.

Given that I am horrible at making an argument about this, its because I have no idea who is actually tuning their cars

And, to go from 11.1 to 11.0 with a tune vs a piggy back.... yikes. Not even going to touch that, because even piggy back owners will have a hard time paying the $3000 for a tuning solution that comes with a spare ECU, bridge cable tablet and 3 tune revisions Not when you can buy a used piggy back for $400!

I have now created more questions for myself than I have answers, and that rarely happens.

Do not bother responding, because there is very little here for anyone to argue about

I can't help but respond, LOL. So many words and so many questions I can't answer. Here's the deal. Will linked me up with Nathan, I got an ECU sent out, he said it was experimental but worked well on his test car. We went back and forth for a few and I got what I have now after a few track trips. It was understood that this was the first one out to the public and I was a good candidate. It really is that simple.

Bump because... we need this passion

I'm making wholesale changes to this rig and i cannot wait to hit the track in these upcoming weeks #StingersUnite !!