Debadging...why?

[app_master]

I've personally heard this and read around the traps. But if you buy this and plan to debadge, why? Are you ashamed it is a KIA? I understand that sometimes it is "styling" thing for a cleaner look, but that seems a little pointless to me. I'd be the complete opposite, I'd be proud to drive it. In fact I would expect the dealer to throw in a Kia or Stinger cap or t-shirt or keyring or all those things when I buy it, so I can flaunt it even more. Comments...

 

[hej]

Not the least bit ashamed, but I think the badges are a bit of an eyesore. They're just not aesthetically pleasing. The one on the trunk might be able to stay, I don't know. The AWD badge also would definitely need to go.

 

[Spaghetti Sandwich]

I've personally heard this and read around the traps. But if you buy this and plan to debadge, why? Are you ashamed it is a KIA? I understand that sometimes it is "styling" thing for a cleaner look, but that seems a little pointless to me. I'd be the complete opposite, I'd be proud to drive it. In fact I would expect the dealer to throw in a Kia or Stinger cap or t-shirt or keyring or all those things when I buy it, so I can flaunt it even more. Comments...

I totally understand where youre coming from. Its cool and amazing that Kia has made such an impressive car and I do want to flaunt the fact that its a Kia. However, like hej says below, the badge in the U.S. is an effing eyesore.

Not the least bit ashamed, but I think the badges are a bit of an eyesore. They're just not aesthetically pleasing. The one on the trunk might be able to stay, I don't know. The AWD badge also would definitely need to go.

I noticed that K5 Optima Store signed up:
https://stingerforum.org/members/k5-optima-store.27/

Im buying these badges when I get my Stinger GT:
https://www.k5optimastore.com/collections/kia-3-0-k-emblem-sets/products/kemblems

Thats the OEM Kia logo in South Korea.

 

[Spaghetti Sandwich]

Oh so I cant really vote because theres no option to REPLACE your Kia badge. I wont technically be debadging my Stinger.

 

[Bamm1]

Oh so I cant really vote because theres no option to REPLACE your Kia badge. I wont technically be debadging my Stinger.

Same here. Likely to replace. I am digging the "Black Edition":

https://www.k5optimastore.com/colle...s/3-0-k-logo-black-edition?variant=1170280920

Here is the story of the KIA vs stylized K badge if anyone is interested:

http://thenewswheel.com/behind-badge-kias-korean-logo-so-much-cooler/

 

[app_master]

Extra poll option added for you guys. I love how cars can be very personal and emotive. And how forums debate and discuss these. I dont mind the K badge, bit Lexus like. Still not for me. But each to their own.

 

[Jenny Wang]

I wasn't planning on changing anything but I really like the cool K badge. It looks more serious than the "KIA" letters. I don't know. Something about it. But I really like it. I'll probably be buying one as well.

 

[hej]

So, I already voted, but while I don't know that I'd actually through the trouble of replacing the badge, i do know I'd be much less inclined to remove the stylized K badge if the car came with that instead.

 

[Brian Keenan]

So, I already voted, but while I don't know that I'd actually through the trouble of replacing the badge, i do know I'd be much less inclined to remove the stylized K badge if the car came with that instead.

Exactly! And I think you said the magic word (sort of): STYLE. The other badge has style. Pizazz. There's nothing wrong with the KIA badge but there's nothing special about it while the Stinger is a special car deserving of special badging. That's my take on it. Yes, I'll probably replace my badge with the new version.

 

[Bamm1]

I agree. I just think Kia dropped the ball with their brand badging here in US. Ford went the same route but at least they use a distinct/unique font and background color for their badges.

I am not going to debadge so no one knows what I am driving.
I also not going to replace the badges with say emblems from a Porsche and pretend it's a Panamera.

 

[ballistic]

i voted swap but i'm not 100% convinced i'll do it yet. i'd like to see the reaction of people when they see the car with the regular kia badge. i like rooting for the underdog.