Blind Kia Hate?

[Paul32]

Well, the lease deal makes it somewhat of a wash. If I finance the car over 60 months or lease it and buy it out cash at the end of 36 months, I am paying almost the exact same thing. That allows me to determine if I like the car and want to keep it, or hate it and want to get rid of it. Truthfully, I think the residuals on this car are so extreme that in 3 years from now, anyone who leased this year will be able to buy it out and trade it in for more. I have absolutely no evidence of that, but I'd rather "test" it for 3 years with the option to buy it out for the same price than commit to it for 5+.

Your logic on buying it out at the end of the lease and trading it in for equity has some flaws in it. If you buy it out, you will pay sales tax on the $25k price (just an example) about $1.5k. Don't think your going to get a dealer to pay more than $26.5 after three years. If you lease and turn it in, you will save the $1.5 sales tax in most states.

 

[Steeler84]

Your logic on buying it out at the end of the lease and trading it in for equity has some flaws in it. If you buy it out, you will pay sales tax on the $25k price (just an example) about $1.5k. Don't think your going to get a dealer to pay more than $26.5 after three years. If you lease and turn it in, you will save the $1.5 sales tax in most states.

Yes, my apologies, that's what I meant. Assuming the car IS worth more, I can buy it out cash+tax+fees and try and trade it in. However, I may love the car and want to keep it, or hate the car and want to trade it in. The price difference between financing right now and leasing + purchasing for cash at the end is negligible, so I would rather have that "insurance" policy.

 

[gilthanis1]

I had a few people tell me I was nuts to pay that price for the Stinger, but I didn't care. Especially after my 1st test drive. People that only worry about a badge don't have a clue what the car is, and most likely, only know a badge and nothing else. I have had more compliments, questions, and people taking pictures in this car than anything else I've ever driven or owned. It's just nuts the looks and compliments people give, and the best one is still the "Thats a KIA?!" when they really look at it close.

Take a plunge and get the car, you wont regret it one bit. I still have a big toothy smile like a kid on Christmas morning every time I get behind the wheel. Every single person who said don't do it did a dam quick 180 the 1st time they took a ride, and had a shit eating grin or a face of terror when I put my foot in it.

11/10 would go through everything I had to in order to get this car again. Never have I had any hint of regret with buying this car, and it's the 1st time Ive ever been able to say that.

 

[Wan El Guapo]

IMO if we buy a Stinger and as owners we are brand reps. Leave the Kia badge on and display it proudly. Mod your cars and make the luxury car drivers envious with the Stingers' awesome looks and superb performance. This will only help our cause and resale values. At my work, lots of car guys my age (almost 40) are constantly asking me about the car. Sometimes I catch them staring at it in the parking lot and it makes my day.

 

[Paul32]

IMO if we buy a Stinger and as owners we are brand reps. Leave the Kia badge on and display it proudly. Mod your cars and make the luxury car drivers envious with the Stingers' awesome looks and superb performance. This will only help our cause and resale values. At my work, lots of car guys my age (almost 40) are constantly asking me about the car. Sometimes I catch them staring at it in the parking lot and it makes my day.

I agree, I've had 4 Kia's and have been 100% happy with all since 2013. If someone looks down their nose or makes negative comments about a KIA, but never owned one, they are not credible.

 

[Angel]

IMO if we buy a Stinger and as owners we are brand reps. Leave the Kia badge on and display it proudly. Mod your cars and make the luxury car drivers envious with the Stingers' awesome looks and superb performance. This will only help our cause and resale values. At my work, lots of car guys my age (almost 40) are constantly asking me about the car. Sometimes I catch them staring at it in the parking lot and it makes my day.

Agree wear that Kia badge proudly !!!! Dammit am a proud rice cooker owners I put Stinger against anything and lose proudly. I roll my windows and blast my music. I put my custom vanity plate GOT RICE. People will always hate on KIA because of the past history and being cheap and even thou thats not the case for the stinger because its not cheap. Let the haters hate thats what they do !!!!!

 

[Never thought]

Mercedes? BMW? Nope. Winners in J. D. Power quality survey will surprise you

 

[Angel]

Mercedes? BMW? Nope. Winners in J. D. Power quality survey will surprise you

DAWN RIGHT !!!! RICE COOKER FOR THE WIN TELL THOSE GERMAN AND AMERICANS TO EAT THAT RICE ???? THAT MUST HURT THOSE KIA HATERS

 

[1RADKIA]

Steeler: one more quick comment.... Keep in mind you’re actually leasing/owning what would have been a $70k vehicle should it have been adorned with the badges of those comparable vehicles. The Stinger has German design/engineering in it’s blood, yet Korean built and warranted. Therefore, the car cost us much less, will likely be more reliable, and we won’t have to sacrifice our first born to pay for repairs WHEN they are needed. Good luck on your decision. db

 

[Angel]

Steeler: one more quick comment.... Keep in mind you’re actually leasing/owning what would have been a $70k vehicle should it have been adorned with the badges of those comparable vehicles. The Stinger has German design/engineering in it’s blood, yet Korean built and warranted. Therefore, the car cost us much less, will likely be more reliable, and we won’t have to sacrifice our first born to pay for repairs WHEN they are needed. Good luck on your decision. db

I agree the Koreans copy and pasted other German and Japanese cars...The rear of an Audi A7, BMW side, A BMW/Infinity front ... i agree if this had an audi badge 70-80k easy...I strongly beleleive that Kia now is more realible than any german car ........and cheaper maintance cost lol

 

[Waynerm002]

I think you are forgetting the Chief designer, Peter Schreyer, worked at Audi for years before coming to Hyundai/KIA. His designs will resemble European cars as he is European. That’s not copying, his style has been brought to the Korean brands and folks are taking notice. What you see in the design is typical European styling and not Asian. It’s one of the reasons folks not in the know will think a Korean designer is copying other brands.

The ride and handling is done by another European, from BMW, Albert Biermann, so if it feels similar, one can understand that it was all due to his skills as a chassis engineer. Once more people figures this out, they too will want one. The reliability and quality of their cars are proving to the world they can build quality, reliable vehicles that look great and drive well. Can’t wait to see what else they bring to market!

 

[Weareblondi]

in this day, there isn't a purely clean design anywhere, ex. hockmeister kink. i remember buying an s60R volvo and was enthralled with the styling, thinking it was beautiful and fresh looking. until someone pointed out that the design had been around since the 80's on honda accords. grrrrr!!!!!!!!! enjoy the car for what it is, a homerun first shot from kia that is putting everyone on notice that they don't make boring or crappy cars anymore. that they have the chops to hire some of the most talented people and let them loose on design. if the car flops, don't care, i like my car.

 

[Angel]

I think you are forgetting the Chief designer, Peter Schreyer, worked at Audi for years before coming to Hyundai/KIA. His designs will resemble European cars as he is European. That’s not copying, his style has been brought to the Korean brands and folks are taking notice. What you see in the design is typical European styling and not Asian. It’s one of the reasons folks not in the know will think a Korean designer is copying other brands.

The ride and handling is done by another European, from BMW, Albert Biermann, so if it feels similar, one can understand that it was all due to his skills as a chassis engineer. Once more people figures this out, they too will want one. The reliability and quality of their cars are proving to the world they can build quality, reliable vehicles that look great and drive well. Can’t wait to see what else they bring to market!

You sir are the man very well explained I am not such a good writer as you but I agree with you 100%... I just did not have the intellect to explain it as well as you did lol but i agree i dont mean copying but the better work is influence....

 

[YEH]

Hey everyone,

Considering leasing a Kia Stinger GT2 and was wondering if any of you have experienced the same thing as I currently am. While this will certainly sound stupid, literally everyone I know is yelling "DON'T GET A KIA!" in my ear, without ever seeing the car in person, and it's making me question my decision. Generally, I kind of let this stuff slide, but in the back of my head, paying $24,564 over the course of 36 months on a lease with 15k miles had me questioning myself in the first place. Coming from an Audi, you definitely have some pride that you "drive an Audi", but at this point in my life, I couldn't care less about that

Trying to block this out of my head, but I've had at least 10 people go out of their way to tell me not to do this, with a few others that say it's a great car for $450 a month (unattainable IMO). Would love to hear from some current owners.

Be a trail-blazer and trend-setter and not one of the flock and a follower.

And besides, most people aren't auto-enthusiasts (who would respect your choice) and are pretty ignorant about autos.

After all, most people think Bose is high-end audio (due to their eponymous marketing) when the typical audiophile think Bose is crap, or at least way overpriced for what you get.

It depends how much you value the prestige or image of a badge. I live in a super wealthy area w bmws, benz,maserati,land rovers. I can tell you some folks are just snobby w brands. W kia logo on mine, people dismiss. W it debadged, they think it's an exotic Maserati. Some people also need brands or possessions to feel worth. They want to project an image of power and wealth so they'd rather get a low powered/equipped base bmw or benz for same price.

A stinger is more unique than bmw benz... will get more stares since it's a great looking car. Every friend I let drive the stinger former BMW guys r blown away. They r skeptical but then speechless after driving the stinger as the steering response is top notch. Springs r on softer side in the rear but it's a gt car not a track car.

Agreed - a Stinger would turn more heads (aside from its sheetmetal) simply b/c its rarer.

An S Class is a dime-a-dozen, as are Panameras (not to mention all the lux CUVs/SUVs such as Range Rovers, the GLS and Cayenne) and even Maseratis are pretty common-place.

 

[YEH]

I agree the Koreans copy and pasted other German and Japanese cars...The rear of an Audi A7, BMW side, A BMW/Infinity front ... i agree if this had an audi badge 70-80k easy...I strongly beleleive that Kia now is more realible than any german car ........and cheaper maintance cost lol

Huh?

If anything the rear would be Maserati (Gregory Guillaume, the designer of the production version, stated that the Maserati Ghibli was an inspiration); btw, Audi followed Hyundai in adopting the hexagonal shaped grille.

Doesn't have a BMW-side; most resembles the prior gen Optima.

And the front-end doesn't look much like BMW or Infiniti.

So a Frenchman designed the production version and a German, Peter Schreyer, penned the original concept.

in this day, there isn't a purely clean design anywhere, ex. hockmeister kink.

The Hofmeister kink has been used on everything from GM models to Toyota, Honda, VW, Subaru, etc.

And BMW didn't originate that design element; they just popularized it.

 

[Paul32]

Huh?

If anything the rear would be Maserati (Gregory Guillaume, the designer of the production version, stated that the Maserati Ghibli was an inspiration); btw, Audi followed Hyundai in adopting the hexagonal shaped grille.

Doesn't have a BMW-side; most resembles the prior gen Optima.

And the front-end doesn't look much like BMW or Infiniti.

So a Frenchman designed the production version and a German, Peter Schreyer, penned the original concept.




The Hofmeister kink has been used on everything from GM models to Toyota, Honda, VW, Subaru, etc.

And BMW didn't originate that design element; they just popularized it.

Who cares, I bought into the total package. And, my previous experience with KIA/Hyundai has me going back for more. Yes and I have owned BMW's, Infiniti's, Acura's, Cady's, Z's, Vet's etc. and the Stinger is as good or better as anything I have owned in the past.

 

[bugaboo90]

Net: EVERY Car enthusiast I have ran into has either given me a huge smile and a thumbs up or actually gone out of their way to come up to me to chat about the car/walk around it, etc.
My buddies -- "Man, can't believe you bought a kia... you are a wanna be".. My response.. "yep, if you got extra $15k -$20k for a badge, go grab an audi you wan't regret it, I rather keep my 15k-20k for other stuff"

 

[Ron]

I've owned Ferrari, Porsche, Renault, Audi, V,W, Mercedes, Genesis and now my Stinger.
I really like my GT2AWD !
Really.

 

[gilthanis1]

enjoy the car for what it is, a homerun first shot from kia that is putting everyone on notice that they don't make boring or crappy cars anymore. that they have the chops to hire some of the most talented people and let them loose on design. if the car flops, don't care, i like my car.

Totally hit the nail on the head here. Especially that I don't give a dam what someone else thinks b/c they aren't making the car payment and getting the utter bliss to drive it every day. I've not had 1 single negative thing said about the car after people rode in it. Still couldn't believe it was a Kia and had a couple at work think I was BSing them until they did some research on it.

Look at the new Aston-Martin and BMW M850..........Notice a resemblance? You could change headlights and tailights and they would all look identical.

How's the old saying go? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The main visual comment I get is that everyone likes the timeless clean look and flow of the car. It's not outrageous but it's a subtle beauty and look that will last long after the car has left production.

 

[MerlintheMad]

The Stinger promo book (published by Autoweek) is what sold me. Getting a new car was practically the furthest thing from my mind. I'm too conservative. When I got to the Nurburgring chapter my attitude was slapped awake silly. WTH!? Nurburgring, are you kidding me?! (My favorite old school F-1 track, hands down.) Then I really started to take notice of what has gone into this car. It impressed me that Biermann and Schreyer could be hired away from Europe to work with and for S. Koreans. I mean come ON! The implications started to look complex and subtle. I had never been interested in KIA (killed in action). But for years I had not been hearing anything negative about them (I am not a car guy, btw). Now suddenly here was a KIA in my face. Months passed and the idea grew from a kernel into a full-blown desire to really check this car out. Taking long, sweeping road trips at speed whenever I wanted to started to fill my imagination. The test drive did in the last vestiges of reluctance. And three days later I was driving my own Silky Silver.

Two months later, I bought out the lease (to save over $4K). If I want to, I can sell the car myself: I think that over $4K is a good "wage" for the hassle of selling a car! And now I have unlimited miles. That alone is a big plus over leasing, imho. Originally I was leasing because who knows what "they" will come up with during the next three years? I wanted to be freed up to lease brand new then. I still can - and buy out the new lease immediately, not wait for two months: now that I know the advantages of buyout.

I've always respected the "name brands". But the Stinger has all of them by the balls. It is appropriately named: it is stinging the competition on every level, design, development, quality to price ratio, and now (almost) reputation.