Death of a Dream? What would you settle for?

[jbweb7]

Kia you had me hook line and sinker...
Sadly, I think you just let me off the hook.
Leave now if you don't want to read a long, sad, rant

I want the power, agility and looks of a Mustang. I want the power, agility and practicality of my old GTI hatch. I want the size and awd of a Dodge Charger. I want a bigger Subaru WRX. I want the reliability and cargo space of my 2011 Hyundai Sonota SE. As a bonus I turn 40 and want something a little less rational, but still comfortable and affordable enough to keep the kids college savings accounts. I thought the Stinger would be it, then today happened...

A month ago I priced out a 2.0T, AWD, LED and Sunroof a month ago using Google Translate and a currency calculator on the Korean Kia website. My dream landed at $34,500, which made me super excited. It was a little over my budget, but hell I love this car. However, I am a rational person most of the time and car is really just a huge depreciating asset. Yet, you only live once and I love cars. I really hoped Kia would look at the US market and price the Stinger like a Mustang type halo car. Today I think my dream of a four door, affordable Mustang died in Kia's quest to attract a more well heeled customer.

I combined this link (http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/stinger/2018/documentfile#stinger) and this link (http://www.thecarconnection.com/new...an-will-cost-32795-to-start-v-6-starts-at-40k)

$35,000 gets you a base AWD Stinger

Pros: a 2.0T, 250 horses, AWD and Leather.

Cons: no sunroof, no LED headlights, no mean grill (instead you get a "Black and Chrome" one, likely similar to pic 21 - http://www.caradvice.com.au/585437/2018-kia-stinger-review-2/photos

Sorry Kia, but the cons take away all the wow factor for someone stepping up from a Ford, but not ready for BMW prices. You gapped me!! I don't see the attraction of the base model without the GT grill and headlight character. The "Premium" also mentions the neutered grill. Sure you have better content than a BMW 330i, but so does a loaded Honda Accord. Then add in depreciation and you really aren't competitive with a BMW.

I guess I’ll have to resign myself to buying one of the options below. I just don’t see myself driving my 2011 Sonata another two years and close to 150,000 miles in order to get a Stinger used. It will be a great deal, but I don't want to pay the insurance on the V6 and base grill takes away all the character that makes me willing to go over budget.

Stinger dreamers...if you were on a budget, what would you pick? Competition and their flaws: These are the only cars I see in below $35,000 that even remotely interest me.

Buick Regal Sportback 2018 AWD - $33,900 - could be a contender - would be serious contender if it looked exactly like Europe’s Opel version. Too bad they too softened the grill up, but you get a lot of content for that price including a sunroof.

Ford Fusion(Mondeo) Sport AWD - $33,700 Wife doesn’t like the looks, smallish trunk, lesser warranty. However, the powertrain rocks for a fraction of the GT price.

Ford Fusion (Mondeo) Titanium AWD - $31,000 with incentives - Wife doesn’t like the looks, lesser warranty and feels too rational. However, it drives really similar to 3 series BMW.

Genesis G70 AWD - may have similar pricing issue to Stinger and will be smaller.

Dodge Charger SXT AWD - $37,000, but can be had for $30 to $32,000 - reliability is poor and not the most agile, but man is it mean looking, fairly fast and big.

VW Arteon AWD - ?? - probably way too expensive from what I’m seeing, but the CC played in this range so perhaps they will adjust for US market.

New/Used BMW 330i AWD or GT - around $40,000 / used $30,000 - too expensive new, repairs in rural US very expensive, brand snob perception isn’t ideal in my line of work.

New Mustang - Turbo - $28-33,000 - not very practical for a family and no AWD. Maybe I should buy used Mustang AND a used 4x4 beater for the winter.

Subaru WRX - $31,500 - too small really, but I may need to take a look again since that is the only real negative.

Does anyone else feel like companies have left a huge gap in sporty cars with AWD $30 and $35,000? I can't understand for the life of me why Kia wouldn't put the 2.0T in this price point with a mean grill and LED lights. Ford, Dodge and Buick seem to be the only ones really playing here. I’d hoped for Kia to give direct competition to the Fusion Sport with the 2.0T. However, the initial pricing leaks make me think I’m stuck with the Ford, Dodge or Buick. SAD

 

[admonite]

I would have said Buick Regal Sportback...but I doubt we'll see a version I'm interested in below $35,000 anytime soon. So....that basically leaves the Ford Fusion Sport. Not very good handling, but a really good 2.7 Turbo V6 and I had one spec'd out with Sunroof and loads of options about a month ago with an incredible array of discounts that brought it down to $32,000. Not sure if that's still possible. Maybe next year. However....if the Regal GS ever sees a $4K or more discount I'd lean that way instead. Much nicer interior. The Fusion's interior is a little disappointing after you've been looking at the Stinger. Even the Buick doesn't look as good in pics.....but I haven't seen either the Stinger or Regal in person.

 

[Jumpy]

Yeah man, I too am turned off by the feature deprivation for the 2.0T trims. No LSD (weird how it's reserved for the highest trim), no aluminum pedals and no flat bottom steering wheel, either. As you said, it takes away a huge reason for wanting the Stinger, its excellent styling, both inside and out. The Premium does get the 15 speaker audio system, so that's cool. (Edit: I recall in the survey posted on this forum, an appearance package was mentioned that would give non-GT models the GT styling. So if that's your main concern, that could alleviate it.)

You mentioned having a GTI - that might be my next car. It really combines performance, refinement, and utility in one tight little package - for under $35k. (Or a Golf R for 40.) The new 2018 refresh is updating the technology, too.

 

[ralzod]

Cons: [...] no LED headlights, no mean grill (instead you get a "Black and Chrome" one, likely similar to pic 21 - http://www.caradvice.com.au/585437/2018-kia-stinger-review-2/photos

I'm having trouble seeing what you're talking about. Could you possibly screenshot a comparison of the two different grills?

 

[jbweb7]

 

[ralzod]

Okay, thanks. I definitely see the difference in the headlights, brake intakes, and intercooler grill; not sure I see much, if anything for the main grill (hard to tell what's just lighting/angle).

 

[MichaelJR]

Do any of these comparison cars have 4 doors? This is a big deal as a loser with 2 kids here.

 

[eljay]

I don't know if it helps, but I was passenger in a minor slow speed head-on recently in a Fusion--not the Sport, but the rolling sofa common at rental companies. The front end of the SUV that hit us was obliterated; the Fusion was able to be driven away. I'm sure part of this was due to physics I don't understand, but I'd rent one and feel safe in it; I'd don't know if I'd buy one though.

My heart goes out to you. I'm only still in this because I decided to add some money I unexpectedly inherited to the amount I'd already budgeted. I didn't expect this car to cost more than the total I've spent on all my new cars combined since 1973 (hey, it's only 3 cars), but it will. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure I'd be getting the Regal. I hope to see one this weekend, and if that changes my mind, I'll get back to you.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Would you consider a 2.0T Stinger if you could just install the GT bumper and lights you want after purchase? Because you could. And you could also have that TT V6 power with a simple plug 'n play tune...

 

[jbweb7]

Hey Mike,
All the comparison cars have four doors, with the exception of the used Mustang/AWD beater option. I have kids too, which is why I'm on a budget and in need of something bigger than my old GTI.

As for Admin's option of just buying aftermarket...I doubt that would be cost effective. Let's say I haggle the $35,000 base AWD down to say 33. That only leaves $1500 to replace the grill, lights and rims. I'd gladly pay that for an appearance package, but I don't think Kia is offering it and aftermarket would probably cost way more than that. I love the GT Stinger look, but I can probably have all the content and horsepower I want in the Fusion Sport or Regal, minus the looks which currently isn't on offer anyway. I want a sporty looking car, but I can't see spending $5 to $6,000 more for a car with less content (LED/Sunroof).

 

[jbweb7]

Hey Jumpy, I loved my GTI. If it had AWD in my price range I would deal with the space issues. Sadly it costs $40,000, which if I had I'd be getting a base Stinger GT.

 

[sahoff22]

I bought a loaded Fusion Sport after seeing the lack of rear visibility in the Stinger, and after hearing about the recent pricing speculations, I'm very happy with my decision. Loving the Fusion and you can get one loaded for about the same as the entry level 2.0T Stinger.

 

[Jumpy]

Hey Jumpy, I loved my GTI. If it had AWD in my price range I would deal with the space issues. Sadly it costs $40,000, which if I had I'd be getting a base Stinger GT.

Just to clarify, the Golf R is what costs 40k (not the GTI). I'd definitely choose a Golf R over a base Stinger GT, because the base GT has all the cool features stripped away, while the R is the best version of the Golf with everything you could possibly want. The new 2018 R even gets a Digital Cockpit from Audi cars. Plus, the GTI and R are proven to be excellent cars, while the Stinger is totally unproven.

I can understand wanting a sedan if you need more passenger space, and you've already been driving a GTI for years, so it's time for a changeup.

 

[hej]

I get that you're disappointed with the equipment you're getting at $35k on the Stinger. Truth is most of the other cars on your list are also going to be pretty cut down at $35k. Maybe have a look at a Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Better yet, consider getting something lightly used.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I think this right here is the cold, hard truth. I'd still like to see this car come fully loaded at the originally projected price of under $50k but if it's close, it's still a bargain. I can understand if other brands are giving better lease deals but that just means we'll need to wait a little longer to get what we want. I think we all know Kia will be wheeling and dealing at one point or another.

I get that you're disappointed with the equipment you're getting at $35k on the Stinger. Truth is most of the other cars on your list are also going to be pretty cut down at $35k. Maybe have a look at a Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Better yet, consider getting something lightly used.

 

[ralzod]

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/09/29/all-new-vws-now-have-6-year-72000-mile-warranty/

For those mentioning VWs, this is a pretty impressive warranty announcement. Could even make me re-evaluate the Golf R or (next year) Arteon, if the Stinger doesn't work out for some reason.

@Jumpy @jbweb7

 

[jbweb7]

That is very good news and will make for lots of happy future GTI owners. Might make me reconsider picking up a GolfR used if Kia doesn't bring the 2.0T base prices and appearance packings in line.

 

[Jumpy]

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/09/29/all-new-vws-now-have-6-year-72000-mile-warranty/

For those mentioning VWs, this is a pretty impressive warranty announcement. Could even make me re-evaluate the Golf R or (next year) Arteon, if the Stinger doesn't work out for some reason.

@Jumpy @jbweb7

Niiiice... I was already set on getting a GTI or R, but this pretty much seals the deal.

 

[Armen212]

why not get the stinger or the g70 and put a piggy back tune on it. you will have enough power. bmw out of the question for under 35

 

[Kia Stinger]

why not get the stinger or the g70 and put a piggy back tune on it. you will have enough power. bmw out of the question for under 35

Even the 2.0T Stinger can be FAST with the right upgrades. They already exist...