Considering a Stinger GT1 or GT2

[Blueangel]

@Blueangel - Were there changes from 2020 to 2021 that I haven't found detail on yet?

No but I have the GT not the GT2

 

[TheAnser]

Have a silly question, why is the shift stalk different on the GT1 and GT2 and will the GT2 'knob' work in a GT1? Seems minimal but I really like the look of the GT2 better...

 

[MerlintheMad]

Have a silly question, why is the shift stalk different on the GT1 and GT2 and will the GT2 'knob' work in a GT1? Seems minimal but I really like the look of the GT2 better...

The original concept of the Stinger was to add design cues that are retro to the Gran Turismo concept of the '60s and '70s. The "T" shifter was a common and popular item back then. The three round AC vents in the dash are another retro design. A number of owners of the "T" shifter have replaced it with a variety of other shifters, including ones from other Kia models and the G70, as I recall: I'm not positively remembering a GT2 shifter being swapped over. But I'm pretty sure that I read a little while back of a GT2 owner liking the "T" better and putting one in.

 

[TheAnser]

The original concept of the Stinger was to add design cues that are retro to the Gran Turismo concept of the '60s and '70s. The "T" shifter was a common and popular item back then. The three round AC vents in the dash are another retro design. A number of owners of the "T" shifter have replaced it with a variety of other shifters, including ones from other Kia models and the G70, as I recall: I'm not positively remembering a GT2 shifter being swapped over. But I'm pretty sure that I read a little while back of a GT2 owner liking the "T" better and putting one in.

Thank you sir! I will say that I was pleasantly surprised with how clean/put together the interior is in person as opposed to how it looks in photographs.

 

[StingertimeNC]

GT2 shifter is shift by wire, the GT1 is a traditional shifter. They are not compatible. but lot's of folks have changed the shift knob on the GT/GT1 for something sleeker. I do agree the GT2 has a nice upscale looking shifter though. if I had a Gt1, I would definitely change it.

 

[JSolo]

Coming from a proper gear box, shift by wire does not compute. Much prefer the T shifter.

 

[Transmetal]

I have a 2020 base awd gt. Personally, if I had to do it over again I'd definitely get a gt1 at the very least. The base gt saves you some money but the 7" screen they put in there is hideous. Also the base car does not have nav. I remedied that and swapped in the 8" screen and nav into my car. Was about $500 total buying used parts from eBay.

The 9 speaker stereo imo is not adequate enough. If I'm streaming my YouTube playlist I can literally turn the music all the way up. That should not happen. I shouldn't be able to turn it up all the way and think, " this could stand to be even louder." That's mostly when I'm driving on the freeway that I listen to music that loud. I'm sure the 15 speaker system would be more my style. Obviously speakers can be upgraded though. I would love a sunroof and probably wouldn't care about the noise as I'd just turn up the music louder. One thing to note about the T style shifter in the gt/gt1 it can be slid over for "manual mode" which is paddle shifting. I've heard complaints that the shifter in the gt2 kicks you out of manual mode.

 

[socalvn]

premium fuel minimum 91 octane gas mileage other than that have fun

 

[DonD]

i had 4 Subarus, and each one was worse than the last - they are the Chryslers of Japanese cars.

i guess you'll have to decide between GT1 and GT2 features.

i'm in SW PA, and since 2002 have always had an AWD performance car that i'll put snow tires on for winter. i decided a while back that i prefer having one car to do it all vs dealing with a garage queen AND a winter beater.

also, as said above, you might want to wait a month or two ....

Since this is a Stinger forum, guess I won't get flamed too badly for remarks about Subarus.

Yeah, they get decent mileage and if you're in an area where snow and sleet are routine, the AWD is great.

Somehow, they've created the myth that they are super reliable cars. All I've read in various car magazines is that they've had their share of significant mechanical issues.

And AWD is of dubious value in hot climates. Don

 

[Ohiocruiser]

Somehow, they've created the myth that they are super reliable cars. All I've read in various car magazines is that they've had their share of significant mechanical issues.

My cousin, who is a mechanic, replaces subaru engines on the regular basis.

 

[bfglitch]

I will never buy a Subaru again after getting a 2014 Crosstrek (for my ex). Went through front drive shafts every 30-40k miles because the CV joints would start popping (common complaint for it). All 4 wheel bearings had to be replaced every 60k miles. AC compressor crapped out at least once. Torque converter had to be replaced. I hated that thing. The ONLY positive for the car was that it did great in the snow.

 

[JSolo]

^^Why do you figure these parts failed so often?

 

[stoopid]

I will never buy a Subaru again after getting a 2014 Crosstrek (for my ex). Went through front drive shafts every 30-40k miles because the CV joints would start popping (common complaint for it). All 4 wheel bearings had to be replaced every 60k miles. AC compressor crapped out at least once. Torque converter had to be replaced. I hated that thing. The ONLY positive for the car was that it did great in the snow.

We had an issue with the CVT failing in our similar year Impreza, don't remember the exact issue but was still under warranty (almost near the end though). They're good in the snow... and that's about it. Not any more reliable, and not even really very fuel efficient (another myth assumed maybe because tree huggers drive them). Base model Subarus are also really slow, the engines are of the 'just barely adequate' class for cars their size. Only the turbo and prior V6 models could move with anything resembling gusto. The WRX was a great strategy for them, as the dummies buying the other models all thought they were buying into a 'sporty' class car when in reality 95% of the Subarus sold are/were soccer mom cars used to get to trailheads on dirt roads.

 

[Landshark]

Since this is a Stinger forum, guess I won't get flamed too badly for remarks about Subarus.

Yeah, they get decent mileage and if you're in an area where snow and sleet are routine, the AWD is great.

Somehow, they've created the myth that they are super reliable cars. All I've read in various car magazines is that they've had their share of significant mechanical issues.

And AWD is of dubious value in hot climates. Don

its not a myth ... they WERE reliable and cheap, but havent been for a LONG time. they have to be given credit, though, because they still manage to keep that image of reliability alive, and resale value is good.

my wife's gently driven, completely stock Forester XT's engine shit the bed at 71k (i've had POS beater GM cars last longer) ... and that was my last Subaru.

 

[JSolo]

^^Our accord ('15 ~20K miles at the time) suffered rear bearing failure at ~6 years into ownership. Sounded like an airplane going down the road. Extended warranty covered both. That was the extent of failure. Cvt seems relatively robust on that car.

 

[bfglitch]

^^Why do you figure these parts failed so often?

The drive shafts I'm guessing is just a crappy design. At first I thought it was how she drove but when I looked it up there were loads of complaints about the impreza and the crosstrek of that year drive shafts failing in a very short period of time. Even when I brought it in and spoke with the mechanic doing the work he admitted he saw those two A LOT for drive shaft replacement.

The wheel bearings I'm guessing had something to do with the massive amounts of driving in snowy/salt covered roads and not properly washing the undercarriage/etc every so often. But I'm not really sure that would do it.

AC compressor was most likely due to the fact that she ran it constantly when she drove regardless of temp outside. Also the tech said he had to replace quite a few of them under warranty.

The torque converter I totally blame on the fact that she did a horrible job staying on top of tire rotations. I kept telling her we needed to rotate the tires but she was never around long enough for me to get it done during the day time. I'm honestly amazed Subaru replaced it under warranty considering at the time the front/rear tire wear was way off. That's one thing I will give that specific dealership credit for.

 

[TheAnser]

The drive shafts I'm guessing is just a crappy design. At first I thought it was how she drove but when I looked it up there were loads of complaints about the impreza and the crosstrek of that year drive shafts failing in a very short period of time. Even when I brought it in and spoke with the mechanic doing the work he admitted he saw those two A LOT for drive shaft replacement.

The wheel bearings I'm guessing had something to do with the massive amounts of driving in snowy/salt covered roads and not properly washing the undercarriage/etc every so often. But I'm not really sure that would do it.

AC compressor was most likely due to the fact that she ran it constantly when she drove regardless of temp outside. Also the tech said he had to replace quite a few of them under warranty.

The torque converter I totally blame on the fact that she did a horrible job staying on top of tire rotations. I kept telling her we needed to rotate the tires but she was never around long enough for me to get it done during the day time. I'm honestly amazed Subaru replaced it under warranty considering at the time the front/rear tire wear was way off. That's one thing I will give that specific dealership credit for.

I'm fortunate, between my wife and I we have had 3 WRXs, 3 Foresters, 2 Legacys, 2 Outbacks, and an Ascent (5 total with turbo engines) and the only major issue we ever faced was I popped the EJ25 in my 2013 WRX (well the shop did where I took it for a tune as they put a heavier than called for weight of oil in the motor prior to tune). We collectively have probably north of 700,000 miles accumulated in Subarus, so, our experience has been overwhelmingly reliable.

I'm just not drawn to their line-up anymore when you have Kia with the Stinger, Audi S4/S5, BMW 340/440i, etc.

 

[Landshark]

I'm fortunate, between my wife and I we have had 3 WRXs, 3 Foresters, 2 Legacys, 2 Outbacks, and an Ascent (5 total with turbo engines) and the only major issue we ever faced was I popped the EJ25 in my 2013 WRX (well the shop did where I took it for a tune as they put a heavier than called for weight of oil in the motor prior to tune). We collectively have probably north of 700,000 miles accumulated in Subarus, so, our experience has been overwhelmingly reliable.

I'm just not drawn to their line-up anymore when you have Kia with the Stinger, Audi S4/S5, BMW 340/440i, etc.

i had a NA 3.3L flat 6 (SVX), and three turbos (WRX, Legacy GT, Forester XT). the SVX was good, but the turbo Subes had a bunch of issues - 2 were bought brand new, and 1 was low mileage used from a Subaru dealer. build quality was pretty crappy, too.

 

[Transmetal]

I've said this before on here, I cross shopped a 2020 WRX when I was in the market for a Stinger. Premium model was 33k. The interior felt just as cheap as my 2007 grand prix, besides the WRX having a couple screens. Interior definitely wasn't what I was expecting for 33 grand, hell nah. Those cars are literally a dime a dozen where I live. It's not a bad looking car (the previous gen) and I could fit in it good. Glad I went with the Stinger though, paid 36k so a tad bit more than what the WRX was going for.

 

[Landshark]

I've said this before on here, I cross shopped a 2020 WRX when I was in the market for a Stinger. Premium model was 33k. The interior felt just as cheap as my 2007 grand prix, besides the WRX having a couple screens. Interior definitely wasn't what I was expecting for 33 grand, hell nah. Those cars are literally a dime a dozen where I live. It's not a bad looking car (the previous gen) and I could fit in it good. Glad I went with the Stinger though, paid 36k so a tad bit more than what the WRX was going for.

new top trim WRX is like $42k ... and butt-ugly