Doug is selling the Stinger

[SKStinger]

I can't imagine dumping the Stinger because of the brand name, and jumping from that into a Land Rover, which has about the same reliability as Chrysler, or heck, early-to-mid '80s Jaguar and Lotus. I look at Land Rovers and my reaction is "SUCKER!" because their reliability is total crap.

Also.. he isn't wrong about the Stinger. Unless you live in Korea, a 2021 Stinger may as well be a 2018 Stinger. Kia have stagnated since they released the car, while addressing none of the complaints that potential buyers have made about it. I'm still in a holding pattern, torn between several options:

1. Jumping into an S4 Prestige (and hating that I can't get the high end seats both ventilated and heated)
2. Jumping into a BMW 3 series now that they support Android Auto
3. Continuing to wait for the Stinger refresh to hit the states, where it may or may not be gimped with dealbreakers... again
4. Continue to keep the crapbox Saab going and just dump my liquid cash into the market (which honestly is the most fiscally responsible thing to do) and saying "f--- the crapbox US-market Stinger"

Do you own a Stinger now? As Doug said in his review, a lightly used one would be really good value for the $ and something to consider in your options.

 

[Kamauxx]

1. Jumping into an S4 Prestige (and hating that I can't get the high end seats both ventilated and heated)

Ha, QFT. I chose the quilted/alcantara heated seats over the plain Jane ventilated seats on my S5. That shouldn't even be a decision customers are forced to make.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

Do you own a Stinger now? As Doug said in his review, a lightly used one would be really good value for the $ and something to consider in your options.

No.
I'm not buying the current one, where I can't get UVO Link, wireless Android Auto, or rear LSD with AWD in the GT2. It's a half-baked, very broken sports sedan which is darn near perfect in other markets but with the features held back in the US market... it's a turd. I'll buy one if they get the refresh right, although at this point I am losing interest.

 

[ChaneRZ]

I can't stand his reviews. He is annoying. I prefer Redline, Alex Auto, Raiti's Rides, and Straightpipes.

 

[SKStinger]

No.
I'm not buying the current one, where I can't get UVO Link, wireless Android Auto, or rear LSD (Limited Slip Differential) with AWD in the GT2. It's a half-baked, very broken sports sedan which is darn near perfect in other markets but with the features held back in the US market... it's a turd. I'll buy one if they get the refresh right, although at this point I am losing interest.

You're so close to Canada. Have you considered importing one? The 2020/21 GT Limited is AWD and has a LSD as well as UVO link. Wireless AA is pretty rare with any auto-maker right now. I have the wireless Carplay dongle and it works great but not sure if there is a AA version.

 

[SKStinger]

I can't stand his reviews. He is annoying. I prefer Redline, Alex Auto, Raiti's Rides, and Straightpipes.

I'm with you. I have to disperse his reviews with other's or it gets nauseating listening to his overly emphatic rhetoric. Of those you listed I enjoy Straightpipes and Redline. Not a fan of the other two. I do like Throttle House but more for the humour than anything else.

 

[GenesisG70]

I can't stand his high pitch feminine voice.

 

[Snowwhite]

I am not a huge Doug fan. His reviews were better in print (Jalopnik) than spoken. He spends his time on minute details, then glosses over the important things (he had the stinger for a year and he couldn’t be bothered to remember It has 365hp?)

but the deal breaker for me is when he said “I didn’t even know it had AWD until it was delivered.” If he’s as obsessed with details as he says, that seems like an important one to check BEFORE you sign.

Otherwise the review is pretty accurate compared to my experience, although I’m not sure I’d say the stock handling is the same as the Germans without some adjustments like springs and sways. I also don’t mind the tech because I’m busy driving. It has nav and satellite radio, and a summary screen with both at the same time. That’s all I need. Would a 12” screen be nice? Sure. But at what price?

the GT1/2 is also one of the few ways to get red ventilated seats, this much power, and RWD or rear-biased AWD under $80k. Audi won’t do it. BMW you have to get a M, a 7, or an 8. Benz it has to be an AMG.

 

[Lord3Putt]

I can't stand his high pitch feminine voice.

You have got some issues, man.

 

[ChaneRZ]

THISssssssssssss

 

[P22Tyler]

I am not a huge Doug fan. His reviews were better in print (Jalopnik) than spoken. He spends his time on minute details, then glosses over the important things (he had the stinger for a year and he couldn’t be bothered to remember It has 365hp?)

but the deal breaker for me is when he said “I didn’t even know it had AWD until it was delivered.” If he’s as obsessed with details as he says, that seems like an important one to check BEFORE you sign.

Otherwise the review is pretty accurate compared to my experience, although I’m not sure I’d say the stock handling is the same as the Germans without some adjustments like springs and sways. I also don’t mind the tech because I’m busy driving. It has nav and satellite radio, and a summary screen with both at the same time. That’s all I need. Would a 12” screen be nice? Sure. But at what price?

the GT1/2 is also one of the few ways to get red ventilated seats, this much power, and RWD or rear-biased AWD under $80k. Audi won’t do it. BMW you have to get a M, a 7, or an 8. Benz it has to be an AMG.

I'm not sure after all this time that he knows the car has some, somewhat autonomous driving features either. He's never mentioned them, ever.

 

[Jayphil]

I'm not sure after all this time that he knows the car has some, somewhat autonomous driving features either. He's never mentioned them, ever.

In fact radar cruise control with stop and go trafic was one of his criteria for selecting the Stinger, he just have not mention it again in this wrap up.

I believe we will more be able to reference the Stinger as semi highway self driving after the facelift since it is expected to get highway driving assistant and lane follow assist. I would not call the current lane keep assist and radar cruise self driving they are just unconnected reactive safety driving aids.

Highway assistant bridge the smart cruise, lane follow assist and GPS data to proactively keep you in the lane and at safe speed (considering speed limit changes and curves).

 

[TheBusch]

I guess I just don't care about state-of-the-art tech that much since the better-optioned vehicles come with major trade-offs. I can't think of a better sportback in the category.

 

[Jayphil]

I guess I just don't care about state-of-the-art tech that much since the better-optioned vehicles come with major trade-offs. I can't think of a better sportback in the category.

Agree. Whe you compare option list and feature on pager I believe the Stinger have often more to offer vs the German. But in the detail each option / feature are in general less advanced well implemented in the Stinger. Still they are usable like the GPS, Camera etc. But GPS 8" is just ok, camera quality is just etc.

But I agree with you this is not a big problem as long as the Stinger driving dynamics and GT characteristics are competitive!

 

[DoctorStiches]

He cracks himself up.

I guess he's more of a high tech guy and that's why he kept bringing up 2017 tech not being up to speed in 2020. I still feel like I'm driving a plane without wings (haven't even updated my NAV yet, heh).

Same same

 

[DoctorStiches]

Lets just agree we got stingers for a reason. Not for fame or fortune.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Interesting observations of Doug DeMuro and his opinions. As for not knowing AWD before signing, neither did I. (I'm Doug, too, just not that Doug.) I find his "delivery" very watchable, but doubt I'd be a fan or subscribe. I only listened to him these two or three times because he makes videos about my car.

 

[sting me]

Ngl Doug sold me on the Stinger with his first review. Or at least convinced me to go test drive one. I wasn't even in the market for a new car, I just got the bug!

So I guess, thanks Doug?

 

[Silvermanor]

I watch his videos but hes got weird obsessions with infotainment systems. Hes not a real car guy.

 

[SKStinger]

I watch his videos but hes got weird obsessions with infotainment systems. Hes not a real car guy.

Exactly. He spent a good 2 minutes talking about how the Stinger's 3 year old tech is not up to today's standard. No shit. But true car enthusiasts could give a F.