Feature disparity (from Interesting Discoveries Thread)

[ScottM]

I do know that if you think the Stinger launch in the USA was anything close to "successful" and not plagued with boneheaded decisions that disappointed the vast majority of dealers and potential customers, then you know less about marketing and product launches than some others on this board.

Enlighten us on this.

I'm one person who bought the Stinger without worrying about many of the options you mentioned. I went to test drive it, saw what was available, and I got what I wanted. <This is one person who was going to buy a Charger and decided "Damn, that Stinger is awesome...I must have!" Would I have wanted some of the options you mentioned...sure, but it didn't stop me from buying the car. Maybe in Canada it's different? I'm sure you know more about that than I do. The one thing I do know, for sure, is that KIA did what it did and "maybe" (see what I did there) it cost sales short term (as you're saying). The Stinger will be fine and will sell for years to come. Quote me on that and if I'm wrong, I'll move to Canad... buy a "I love Canada" bumper sticker.

 

[ScottM]

Imagine if @Marc Collins lived in the USA and didn't have the ability to get the options he listed?! Oh the rage....ohhhh, the rage!!

 

[StungBlueGT2]

Exactly this. Nobody is making you buy a Stinger. If you don't like the features it has in your market, go buy another car that does, it's as simple as that. Kia, like any company, is going to do what they choose, and that's OK. Meanwhile, I'll be cruising around in my Stinger happy as a clam...

I third that comment... This just looks like another example of negative attitudes and opinions ruining a good thread. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but why feel the need to take over a thread just to spread personal disappointment.

Most Stinger owners do not share the narrow minded opinion that Kia doesnt care for their customers, or deliberately left features out for no good reason. Kia's "bean counters" are experts in their field and made decisions based on tons of research(surveys, test groups, common regional features, etc.) All that knowledge tied into laws of supply & demand and presto, Kia actually made a brand new GT car unique to each region which in turn made 99% of local customers happy enough to buy one.

Now I'm not saying I wouldnt have liked the 360 camera, just like some Canadians wished they got Americas more aggressive exhaust. But like others stated above, if the 1st gen didnt have the features you wanted you could have just wait for the 2nd gen, or got a different car...

IMHO its illogical to get the first version of anything, especially an amazing car like the Stinger, and then complain that you expected or were entitled to more. Take responsibility for your own decisions instead of blaming Kia or other owners that dont share your opinions.

This "entitlement" and constant complaining from some younger generations is out of control. Wake up and get with the real world instead of trying to bring everyone else down to your disappointed level.

Now can we please just move on and get this thread back on track instead of debating personal opinions. In case anyone forgot this thread is called "interesting discoveries", not "poor me I didnt get XYZ"...

 

[Ivansito]

I third that comment... This just looks like another example of negative attitudes and opinions ruining a good thread. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but why feel the need to take over a thread just to spread personal disappointment.

Most Stinger owners do not share the narrow minded opinion that Kia doesnt care for their customers, or deliberately left features out for no good reason. Kia's "bean counters" are experts in their field and made decisions based on tons of research(surveys, test groups, common regional features, etc.) All that knowledge tied into laws of supply & demand and presto, Kia actually made a brand new GT car unique to each region which in turn made 99% of local customers happy enough to buy one.

Now I'm not saying I wouldnt have liked the 360 camera, just like some Canadians wished they got Americas more aggressive exhaust. But like others stated above, if the 1st gen didnt have the features you wanted you could have just wait for the 2nd gen, or got a different car...

IMHO its illogical to get the first version of anything, especially an amazing car like the Stinger, and then complain that you expected or were entitled to more. Take responsibility for your own decisions instead of blaming Kia or other owners that dont share your opinions.

This "entitlement" and constant complaining from some younger generations is out of control. Wake up and get with the real world instead of trying to bring everyone else down to your disappointed level.

Now can we please just move on and get this thread back on track instead of debating personal opinions. In case anyone forgot this thread is called "interesting discoveries", not "poor me I didnt get XYZ"...

Let me help.

I discovered that the Stinger GT was the Mustang GT daddy. Spank Spank who's your daddy??!!

 

[Marc Collins]

Exactly this. Nobody is making you buy a Stinger. If you don't like the features it has in your market, go buy another car that does, it's as simple as that. Kia, like any company, is going to do what they choose, and that's OK. Meanwhile, I'll be cruising around in my Stinger happy as a clam...

Agreed, and precisely why the cars that were properly equipped and priced (e.g. Canada) were mostly sold out before they got to the dealers. Opposite of experience in USA.

 

[Marc Collins]

The backbone of Marketing is literally facts and data. But please tell me more about how you are smarter than me and have “facts” related to the number of cars supplied to a region as proof that the US market is a failure because they didn’t include a 360 camera.

I’m done attempting to discuss this.

See if you can provide a link to one marketing study from any industry anywhere in the world that is based on facts. There is lots of data, but no facts. Only opinions. Just like political polling or many other types of research that involve data, but not hard science.

 

[Marc Collins]

I third that comment... This just looks like another example of negative attitudes and opinions ruining a good thread. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but why feel the need to take over a thread just to spread personal disappointment.

Most Stinger owners do not share the narrow minded opinion that Kia doesnt care for their customers, or deliberately left features out for no good reason. Kia's "bean counters" are experts in their field and made decisions based on tons of research(surveys, test groups, common regional features, etc.) All that knowledge tied into laws of supply & demand and presto, Kia actually made a brand new GT car unique to each region which in turn made 99% of local customers happy enough to buy one.

Now I'm not saying I wouldnt have liked the 360 camera, just like some Canadians wished they got Americas more aggressive exhaust. But like others stated above, if the 1st gen didnt have the features you wanted you could have just wait for the 2nd gen, or got a different car...

IMHO its illogical to get the first version of anything, especially an amazing car like the Stinger, and then complain that you expected or were entitled to more. Take responsibility for your own decisions instead of blaming Kia or other owners that dont share your opinions.

This "entitlement" and constant complaining from some younger generations is out of control. Wake up and get with the real world instead of trying to bring everyone else down to your disappointed level.

Now can we please just move on and get this thread back on track instead of debating personal opinions. In case anyone forgot this thread is called "interesting discoveries", not "poor me I didnt get XYZ"...

You think the USA and Canadian cars have different exhaust? Any evidence of this?

 

[Ivansito]

 

[Marc Collins]

I third that comment... This just looks like another example of negative attitudes and opinions ruining a good thread. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but why feel the need to take over a thread just to spread personal disappointment.

Most Stinger owners do not share the narrow minded opinion that Kia doesnt care for their customers, or deliberately left features out for no good reason. Kia's "bean counters" are experts in their field and made decisions based on tons of research(surveys, test groups, common regional features, etc.) All that knowledge tied into laws of supply & demand and presto, Kia actually made a brand new GT car unique to each region which in turn made 99% of local customers happy enough to buy one.

Now I'm not saying I wouldnt have liked the 360 camera, just like some Canadians wished they got Americas more aggressive exhaust. But like others stated above, if the 1st gen didnt have the features you wanted you could have just wait for the 2nd gen, or got a different car...

IMHO its illogical to get the first version of anything, especially an amazing car like the Stinger, and then complain that you expected or were entitled to more. Take responsibility for your own decisions instead of blaming Kia or other owners that dont share your opinions.

This "entitlement" and constant complaining from some younger generations is out of control. Wake up and get with the real world instead of trying to bring everyone else down to your disappointed level.

Now can we please just move on and get this thread back on track instead of debating personal opinions. In case anyone forgot this thread is called "interesting discoveries", not "poor me I didnt get XYZ"...

Yes, please rename this thread to only Discoveries Good.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

Due to the remodeling of my house garage, I had to park my Stinger on the street for 6 hours. I placed the windshield heat shield and open the car windows a little. When I went to work, about 3:00 PM, the ambient temperature was at 43°C (109.4°F), I got in the car, the cabin was hot obviously, then opened the lens compartement and then I took the sunglasses which were very hot to the touch as well as the walls of the compartment and the sunroof cover (I hate the sunroof, useless were I live).

Conclusion and a strong sugestion to KIA: You have to install from factory a thermal insulation in the entire roof of the car....is a must thing to do......and offer the d@mn sunroof like an option.

Or just get tint!Lol. I'm partially kidding, but I live in SFL and its easily 90+ with 100% humidity, however my car barley gets more than warm with 15% tint. I know its not exactly the same temp, but unless somethings wrong with your insulation a good dark tint will prevent the interior from getting hot.

(I hate the sunroof, useless were I live)

What?!? Please explain... No wait NM, wrong place for that discussion and this thread shouldn't be used to debate opinions.

and offer the d@mn sunroof like an option.

It is an option, it just happens to be included on the "optional" GT1 & GT2. It probably will be a stand alone option in the future, but sure Kia tried to limit customization on the initial Gen 1 launch, due to profit/losses. But I agree, and it would have been nice if they offered some items(like grey Nappa leather) as options instead of only available on the upgraded GT2. But beggars cant be choosers and I'm thrilled with my Stinger just the way she is!

 

[SEA Stinger]

Here is where your argument breaks down to me. Something you don’t agree with or don’t understand does not equal a bad business decision on KIAs part. Your argument is that more people decided not to buy a Stinger because they saw the Korean version of the Stinger but couldn’t get that specific car than people who were able to see the car in person before they were available then came back to buy one? There is no factual evidence to support that. Did you buy a Stinger after seeing the Korean version?

You are painting this as a black-and-white situation: if a consumer doesn't like something about a product, they should just stop complaining and buy a different product. That's too narrow a view.

Did I buy a Stinger? Yes.

Would I have rather bought a GT-Line version in Deep Chroma Blue? Yes.

Are those two statements in conflict with each other? No. The Stinger is a great car, and I am very happy with mine. That does not mean it couldn't be even better.

Is one of the benefits of this forum that it provides an opportunity for current and prospective Stinger owners to share their opinions and ideas about how the Stinger could be improved? Yes.

Is it helpful to belittle such comments by describing them as uninformed and unwelcome, and then accuse the OP of getting butt-hurt when you passively-aggressively slam them? No.

Where have I talked down to someone?

​

I would also offer that a little self-awareness is a good thing. That goes beyond the substance of what we say, to how we say it and how we are heard: “People forget what you say, but they remember how you made them feel” - influencePEOPLE
The reason I jumped into this thread in the first place is that your responses to @Marc Collins' valid comments came across as condescending and dismissive. Maybe you didn't intend that, but have you considered how they would be received?

The world revolves around more than facts and data. The Stinger is the kind of car that evokes excitement and passion. If I only cared about practicalities, I would have bought a used Accord or a Prius instead of a Stinger.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

You think the USA and Canadian cars have different exhaust? Any evidence of this?

This is a great example of "selective hearing", or I guess we could say "selective reading". If that's really the only line you pull from my reply, then you prove my point that your just trying to instigate and bring others down to your lever. But I'll reply simply to educate...

I apologize, I meant to say "Europe", but yes this was confirmed by Albert Biermann himself, "Biermann told us that the US will get a market-specific exhaust, and it's louder than what Europe will get. He said that the US has less restrictive exhaust sound regulations, allowing up to 80 decibels."The Kia Stinger GT won't get a manual, but the US does get a louder exhaust, but I believe this applies to Canada and other non-USA markets. Australia got the quieter stock exhaust too, but they also got the bimodal version as an option. I think someone on here compared the US version to Canada's and they were different too, but not 100% on that.

Either way, the point of the one sentence you commented on, was that every market got slightly different features which was a measured & educated decision by Kia. Not because of "boneheaded" Kia marketers, or "that most people are willing to ignore it or not care is exactly how and why KIA screwed over the US customers in the first place." like you stated.

 

[ScottM]

I just discovered that even when people get what they want, they complain. And I discovered that people like to type out paraphrased questions to themselves and then answer themselves. I make jokes, not good ones, but they are what I've got until my next gen.

Today is a great day!! I shall be driving my Stinger home in a little while, enjoying the awesomeness that is my Stinger (only my opinion and not up for debate). < If you hadn't discovered something new today, now you did....

 

[Marc Collins]

This is a great example of "selective hearing", or I guess we could say "selective reading". If that's really the only line you pull from my reply, then you prove my point that your just trying to instigate and bring others down to your lever. But I'll reply simply to educate...

I apologize, I meant to say "Europe", but yes this was confirmed by Albert Biermann himself, "Biermann told us that the US will get a market-specific exhaust, and it's louder than what Europe will get. He said that the US has less restrictive exhaust sound regulations, allowing up to 80 decibels."The Kia Stinger GT won't get a manual, but the US does get a louder exhaust, but I believe this applies to Canada and other non-USA markets. Australia got the quieter stock exhaust too, but they also got the bimodal version as an option. I think someone on here compared the US version to Canada's and they were different too, but not 100% on that.

Either way, the point of the one sentence you commented on, was that every market got slightly different features which was a measured & educated decision by Kia. Not because of "boneheaded" Kia marketers, or "that most people are willing to ignore it or not care is exactly how and why KIA screwed over the US customers in the first place." like you stated.

I was well aware of the different exhaust for Europe, but was wondering what evidence there was for Canada
getting it when the rest of our cars are usually mechanically identical (due to common regulations), save for options.

I chose not to reply to the rest of your post for my own reasons, which apparently is not acceptable to you.

Thanks for confirming it was a mis-type. Unless evidence is presented otherwise, the Canadian and US cars have the same slightly louder exhaust.

 

[SEA Stinger]

If someone wants to constructively post their impressions about various good - and bad (improvable) - aspects of the Stinger, that's totally acceptable to me. That's actually how the scope of this thread was defined.

If anyone else doesn't want to read those posts, they don't have to.

 

[Kazz]

I'm having a lot of trouble finding any real news in this thread about overlooked/unknown features of this vehicle over the din from the junior-high girls debate team.

Can we get this thread on-topic, and keep it there by moving the whining debate to another thread please?

Thank you.

 

[SEA Stinger]

I'm having a lot of trouble finding any real news in this thread about overlooked/unknown features of this vehicle over the din from the junior-high girls debate team.

Can we get this thread on-topic, and keep it there by moving the whining debate to another thread please?

Thank you.

In my book, the whining started when @Marc Collins original post was slammed. That said, I do agree it's time to move on - preferably with less name-calling.

 

[Kazz]

I don't give two squats about who started what. Take it outta here.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

I'm having a lot of trouble finding any real news in this thread about overlooked/unknown features of this vehicle over the din from the junior-high girls debate team.
Can we get this thread on-topic, and keep it there by moving the whining debate to another thread please?

Thank you.

Took the words right out of my mouth and what I've said multiple times in multiple different threads... Start your own thread if you want to spread negativity by whining & complaining, but please dont continue to ruin good threads by going off topic.

Again this thread is supposed to be about "interesting discoveries" related to "overlooked/unknown features", not debating opinions. I just hope your words have more weight than mine so we can move on...

 

[eflyguy]

PM me if there's something that needs to be moved/copied back to the original thread.

On a related note, you want to feel cheated? Go look at the interior pic with the airbags under Safety (Kia USA site) - shows the covered cupholders!!!!! That's it, I'm starting a class action! lol....