2018 CPO Premium or Used GT1

[Luche]

Hi Everyone,

I'm in desperate need of a new car. I'm currently driving a 2001 Buick Century that I will be giving to my younger brother. I need help choosing between a couple of options.

2018 CPO Premium - $25k
2018 Used GT1 - $28k

I can only spend $30k max. I would love it if I could keep this car for 10 years. Is it even with considering the used GT1 since it's not CPO? I live in Los Angeles so I'm usually just sitting in traffic. The sunroof is a must so the GT wouldn't work. I will be purchasing in June/July.

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[eflyguy]

There are currently 95 brand new Stingers on Autotrader for less than $30,000.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I cannot advise. But I can say, welcome to the forum.

 

[neurosis05]

I'm in the same boat, I fiqure for about $3k you get 110 more ponies under the hood. Check out you insurance rates, that might be the game changer for you. For me it was only around $100 more every 6 months for the GT1, so thats what I decided on. Test drive both, its a night and day diffrence between power. If horse power isnt that important, but CPO is then go with the premium.

 

[Oryan]

GT1 no questions asked. First, the power. Second, the looks. The 2.0T Stingers certainly look nice, and then a GT pulls up. The differences are subtle but they are noticable. Might be part of why Kia scrapped all of the other 2.0T trims in the US and brought the GT-line over which looks nearly identical to the GT trims but with the base engine.

 

[Luche]

Thanks all! I ended up buying the 2018 Premium on Saturday. As much as I loved driving the GT1 I simply couldn't afford it. Coming from a 2001 Buick it is a significant upgrade. So far everything has been incredible. Here's to hoping Kia keeps making the stinger for years to come, maybe then I can afford the faster one!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Thanks all! I ended up buying the 2018 Premium on Saturday. As much as I loved driving the GT1 I simply couldn't afford it. Coming from a 2001 Buick it is a significant upgrade. So far everything has been incredible. Here's to hoping Kia keeps making the stinger for years to come, maybe then I can afford the faster one!

This too: some people (like above, an example) say that the 2018-19 base and premium Stingers don't look as cool as the GT trims. So, the 2.0L trims for those first two years don't have the "tiger teeth" in the lower grill; or the fake vents in the rear bumper cover (not a minus at all, since the fake vents there and in the hood are one of the most mentioned gripes about the Stinger); or quite as much piano black plastic around the front wheel well scoops. That's about it for visual differences: pretty minor, in my humble opinion. And with those differences gone from 2020 forward, your choice becomes the increasingly rare beast. Rarity has its own kind of appeal; might even become exotic.

Post some pics of your car, so we can see what color you got.

 

[Luche]

I agree! I think I have only seen one stinger on the road in my area, so I love the rarity of it. I had to go with the blue one! I am a bit nervous about the paint quality so we will see how that goes. I have already ordered the stinger badge for the back and can't wait to put it on. I really don't want to add the front license plate to the car. It looks so much better without.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Nice pic! If you don't have one of the rare, actual paint issues, you don't need to worry about paint quality going forward. My car is well over two years old and still looks like new (allowing for road attrition, which, with full PPF up front, is minor).

Don't add the front plate! (unless cops where you live cite for that as a first offense; most places don't)