Greetings from east Tennessee

[Tennessee Sting]

Hi all,

I picked up a 23 ceramic grey gt2 AWD last month. Came from a 2016 Lexus GSF that I owned for the past 4 years. Enjoying the Stinger so far. Great highway car, just came back from Thanksgiving vacation. Car was very comfortable cruising. Haven't really done too much spirited driving as I am still feeling out the cars dynamics. The torque comes on much earlier and stronger than I am used to.

Looking forward to learning more about the car and getting advice from this forum.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Hi all,

I picked up a 23 ceramic grey gt2 AWD last month. Came from a 2016 Lexus GSF that I owned for the past 4 years. Enjoying the Stinger so far. Great highway car, just came back from Thanksgiving vacation. Car was very comfortable cruising. Haven't really done too much spirited driving as I am still feeling out the cars dynamics. The torque comes on much earlier and stronger than I am used to.

Looking forward to learning more about the car and getting advice from this forum.
View attachment 92309View attachment 92311

Welcome aboard! And thank you for signing up. I'm glad you found us. Congratulations on your new Stinger GT! I'm guessing you like the torque improvement - but how does it compare with the rest of the Lexus GS F? I'd love to see a comparison between the two...

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

Welcome to the forum!

The GSF has always caught my eye, how are you liking the switch to the GT?

The turbos on the Stinger definitely help it get up and go quickly as you have noticed.

You are just in time for our CYber Monday Sale, check out our site for the lowest prices on parts for the whole year.

Feel free to reach out to us at any time if you have any questions!​

 

[Tennessee Sting]

I can give you my opinion between the two.

I have put around 1k miles on the stinger with 500 of those being a trip to Indiana. Compared to 30k miles on the GSF over 4 years. I have a lot more seat time on the GSF. Also the GSF had 117k miles on it when I purchased it and 145k when i sold it. Like I said above I haven't really done too much spirited driving yet in the Stinger.

But here goes: 26~27k mile 2023 Stinger GT2 vs 117~145k 2016 GSF

Ride Quality--Stinger. The Stinger in either Comfort or Sport has a better ride. No question. My GSF was a 2016 and did not have adaptive dampers (available in 2017+). Stiffest riding Lexus I have owned (Prior SC400, GS350 F sport) The ride was good on smooth roads, but on bad roads not so much.

Handling--GSF. From the little bit of spirited driving I have done, the stinger does not feel as composed as the GSF. The stinger is not bad at all. But I had much more confidence pushing the GSF through the mountains I drive. I'll try again when the weather is more appropriate. Although I do prefer the steering feel of the Stinger.

Braking--GSF. Kia has good brakes, but Brembo 6 piston front and 4 piston rear with massive rotors, no contest.

Powertrain--TIE. This is Stock vs Stock. Both make similar Torque, but the GSF makes 100 more HP and has a wider powerband. I'm new to the TT V6, This thing is very punchy down low to 5500rpm, I love it! Off the line to 60 I'd say the Stinger wins 95% of the time. The GSF would come round the Stinger after that. The GSF has very long legs (7200 rpm) and that can a problem. To really ring it out you will be doing some serious speed. Around town the Stinger is more fun. (Fuel economy, if you care about that sort of thing, slightly better in the GSF)

Exterior Styling--TIE. This is subjective I love the looks of both.

Interior Styling -- TIE. Again, subjective both are great. However the GSF has better materials. nearly 10 years and 145k miles and the interior leather was pretty much mint. The Stinger is already showing wear on the leather at 27k miles. This could be from the previous owner not taking care of it or not caring about ingress and egress of the vehicle. Its not terrible but I notice it.

Technology-- Stinger. Lexus has always been late to the game with tech. All of the safety features (BSM, FCW, LCA, SA etc.) were there on the GSF but the Stinger does it better (7 years newer). And don't get me started on the mouse stick-- joypad thing to control infotainment in the GSF. The bright spot for the GSF here is the Mark Levinson sound system. To me it sounds better than the Harmon Kardon in the Stinger. Adding Poweramp EQ to AA in the Stinger helps, but the GSF sounds better.

Aftermarket and Modability-- Stinger. No contest here. So many choices I've seen in a month. GSF is just too rare.

Overall Quality--GSF. Of course I have to say GSF here. 10 years old and 145k miles and still going. The car is so reliable and well built. Not a rattle in the GSF at its age. I can only hope I get the same reliability out of the Stinger. Already had to fix the hatch rattle and wrap the window trim in the Stinger.


The GSF is a better drivers car. The Stinger is a better daily drivers car. Remember I'm comparing an 80k msrp to a 54k msrp. Price for smiles the Stinger wins so far.

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

Tennessee Sting​

That was a really great and informative breakdown and I am not surprised by the results. The Stinger offers a lot for its price range but the GSF also seems like it slides in at a great bargain at its own pricerange. Its not every day where you see someone call their previous car more rare than a Stinger and I think that is pretty cool! I daily my Stinger and I am so thankful for aftermarket support on this vehicle and the daily driving benefits this car provides at an affordable and comfortable price point for me. It would be cool to see these two cars do a lap on a track to compare them, with a couple suspension mods, the Stinger becomes a lot more of a trusted platform through the corners.

 

[Snicklefritz]

I can give you my opinion between the two.

I have put around 1k miles on the stinger with 500 of those being a trip to Indiana. Compared to 30k miles on the GSF over 4 years. I have a lot more seat time on the GSF. Also the GSF had 117k miles on it when I purchased it and 145k when i sold it. Like I said above I haven't really done too much spirited driving yet in the Stinger.

But here goes: 26~27k mile 2023 Stinger GT2 vs 117~145k 2016 GSF

Ride Quality--Stinger. The Stinger in either Comfort or Sport has a better ride. No question. My GSF was a 2016 and did not have adaptive dampers (available in 2017+). Stiffest riding Lexus I have owned (Prior SC400, GS350 F sport) The ride was good on smooth roads, but on bad roads not so much.

Handling--GSF. From the little bit of spirited driving I have done, the stinger does not feel as composed as the GSF. The stinger is not bad at all. But I had much more confidence pushing the GSF through the mountains I drive. I'll try again when the weather is more appropriate. Although I do prefer the steering feel of the Stinger.

Braking--GSF. Kia has good brakes, but Brembo 6 piston front and 4 piston rear with massive rotors, no contest.

Powertrain--TIE. This is Stock vs Stock. Both make similar Torque, but the GSF makes 100 more HP and has a wider powerband. I'm new to the TT V6, This thing is very punchy down low to 5500rpm, I love it! Off the line to 60 I'd say the Stinger wins 95% of the time. The GSF would come round the Stinger after that. The GSF has very long legs (7200 rpm) and that can a problem. To really ring it out you will be doing some serious speed. Around town the Stinger is more fun. (Fuel economy, if you care about that sort of thing, slightly better in the GSF)

Exterior Styling--TIE. This is subjective I love the looks of both.

Interior Styling -- TIE. Again, subjective both are great. However the GSF has better materials. nearly 10 years and 145k miles and the interior leather was pretty much mint. The Stinger is already showing wear on the leather at 27k miles. This could be from the previous owner not taking care of it or not caring about ingress and egress of the vehicle. Its not terrible but I notice it.

Technology-- Stinger. Lexus has always been late to the game with tech. All of the safety features (BSM, FCW, LCA, SA etc.) were there on the GSF but the Stinger does it better (7 years newer). And don't get me started on the mouse stick-- joypad thing to control infotainment in the GSF. The bright spot for the GSF here is the Mark Levinson sound system. To me it sounds better than the Harmon Kardon in the Stinger. Adding Poweramp EQ to AA in the Stinger helps, but the GSF sounds better.

Aftermarket and Modability-- Stinger. No contest here. So many choices I've seen in a month. GSF is just too rare.

Overall Quality--GSF. Of course I have to say GSF here. 10 years old and 145k miles and still going. The car is so reliable and well built. Not a rattle in the GSF at its age. I can only hope I get the same reliability out of the Stinger. Already had to fix the hatch rattle and wrap the window trim in the Stinger.


The GSF is a better drivers car. The Stinger is a better daily drivers car. Remember I'm comparing an 80k msrp to a 54k msrp. Price for smiles the Stinger wins so far.

I really enjoyed that.

One area you didn't cover is practicality. The Stinger's hatch is the single feature that made me buy the car. Everything else was attractive, price, styling, performance, even materials and workmanship at the price point, but a trunk would have made me say no.

Styling. The Lexus grille is what made me invent the phrase, "age of the grille" to describe the tendency in front design on sedans over the past most of twenty years. Here's a pic I snagged off the internet a few years ago illustrating the same sentiment with the BMW front end grille creep. Ha hah.

 

[Tennessee Sting]

Tennessee Sting​

That was a really great and informative breakdown and I am not surprised by the results. The Stinger offers a lot for its price range but the GSF also seems like it slides in at a great bargain at its own pricerange. Its not every day where you see someone call their previous car more rare than a Stinger and I think that is pretty cool! I daily my Stinger and I am so thankful for aftermarket support on this vehicle and the daily driving benefits this car provides at an affordable and comfortable price point for me. It would be cool to see these two cars do a lap on a track to compare them, with a couple suspension mods, the Stinger becomes a lot more of a trusted platform through the corners.

There were 2348 GSFs identified for the US production from 2016 to 2020. Of those 269 were the Ultrasonic Blue Mica. And of those 36 had the red interior. So 1 of 36. A very rare car indeed. I'd like to find some production numbers for the Stingers, but haven't found too much info.

 

[Tennessee Sting]

I really enjoyed that.

One area you didn't cover is practicality. The Stinger's hatch is the single feature that made me buy the car. Everything else was attractive, price, styling, performance, even materials and workmanship at the price point, but a trunk would have made me say no.

Styling. The Lexus grille is what made me invent the phrase, "age of the grille" to describe the tendency in front design on sedans over the past most of twenty years. Here's a pic I snagged off the internet a few years ago illustrating the same sentiment with the BMW front end grille creep. Ha hah.
View attachment 92318

The GSF is pretty practical. The truck was quite spacious. But with the back seats folded down in the Stinger has it beat.

 

[Snicklefritz]

There were 2348 GSFs identified for the US production from 2016 to 2020. Of those 269 were the Ultrasonic Blue Mica. And of those 36 had the red interior. So 1 of 36. A very rare car indeed. I'd like to find some production numbers for the Stingers, but haven't found too much info.

Kia Stinger - Wikipedia is a good overview. Nobody knows what the production numbers are except KIA and they never shared.
I do remember that 400 "Limited" Sunset Yellow were available in the US in 2018.
2019 the Limited was the GTS, with around 400 having D-AWD, the rest of the 800 available being RWD. The color was Federation Orange.
2020 the GTS continued in Indigo color. I think there were 800 total, but I might be doubling that. Federation Orange was available on some GT2 trims that year.
2021, Scorpion edition with a deck lid spoiler came out, supposedly, originally, a few per month. Then KIA changed the production run in the US to either 400 or 800 total, I don't remember which. Also in 2021, I think or maybe 2022, a special "Touring" edition was available, but other than special wheels and some cosmetic do-dads I don't know it had. Of course, 2022 was the year of the new KIA logo and the refresh changes to the headlights and taillights.
And finally in 2023 the "Tribute" edition with 400 in the US. One lives two streets west of me, in Matte Silver, no. 566.

By the way, in the handling department. I wonder if your sways are stock? If you put aftermarket sways on the handling is improved dramatically, including steering feedback.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I can give you my opinion between the two.

I have put around 1k miles on the stinger with 500 of those being a trip to Indiana. Compared to 30k miles on the GSF over 4 years. I have a lot more seat time on the GSF. Also the GSF had 117k miles on it when I purchased it and 145k when i sold it. Like I said above I haven't really done too much spirited driving yet in the Stinger.

But here goes: 26~27k mile 2023 Stinger GT2 vs 117~145k 2016 GSF

Ride Quality--Stinger. The Stinger in either Comfort or Sport has a better ride. No question. My GSF was a 2016 and did not have adaptive dampers (available in 2017+). Stiffest riding Lexus I have owned (Prior SC400, GS350 F sport) The ride was good on smooth roads, but on bad roads not so much.

Handling--GSF. From the little bit of spirited driving I have done, the stinger does not feel as composed as the GSF. The stinger is not bad at all. But I had much more confidence pushing the GSF through the mountains I drive. I'll try again when the weather is more appropriate. Although I do prefer the steering feel of the Stinger.

Braking--GSF. Kia has good brakes, but Brembo 6 piston front and 4 piston rear with massive rotors, no contest.

Powertrain--TIE. This is Stock vs Stock. Both make similar Torque, but the GSF makes 100 more HP and has a wider powerband. I'm new to the TT V6, This thing is very punchy down low to 5500rpm, I love it! Off the line to 60 I'd say the Stinger wins 95% of the time. The GSF would come round the Stinger after that. The GSF has very long legs (7200 rpm) and that can a problem. To really ring it out you will be doing some serious speed. Around town the Stinger is more fun. (Fuel economy, if you care about that sort of thing, slightly better in the GSF)

Exterior Styling--TIE. This is subjective I love the looks of both.

Interior Styling -- TIE. Again, subjective both are great. However the GSF has better materials. nearly 10 years and 145k miles and the interior leather was pretty much mint. The Stinger is already showing wear on the leather at 27k miles. This could be from the previous owner not taking care of it or not caring about ingress and egress of the vehicle. Its not terrible but I notice it.

Technology-- Stinger. Lexus has always been late to the game with tech. All of the safety features (BSM, FCW, LCA, SA etc.) were there on the GSF but the Stinger does it better (7 years newer). And don't get me started on the mouse stick-- joypad thing to control infotainment in the GSF. The bright spot for the GSF here is the Mark Levinson sound system. To me it sounds better than the Harmon Kardon in the Stinger. Adding Poweramp EQ to AA in the Stinger helps, but the GSF sounds better.

Aftermarket and Modability-- Stinger. No contest here. So many choices I've seen in a month. GSF is just too rare.

Overall Quality--GSF. Of course I have to say GSF here. 10 years old and 145k miles and still going. The car is so reliable and well built. Not a rattle in the GSF at its age. I can only hope I get the same reliability out of the Stinger. Already had to fix the hatch rattle and wrap the window trim in the Stinger.


The GSF is a better drivers car. The Stinger is a better daily drivers car. Remember I'm comparing an 80k msrp to a 54k msrp. Price for smiles the Stinger wins so far.

Thank you for this comparison. I love reading things and I gather many others do as well. That hatch rattle probably existed from day one. There's a fairly long discussion here on the fix. Quality generally does go to Lexus - though not quite as much anymore. Both the Lexus and the Kia are great cars - and I still find it impressive how quickly Kia has leveled the playing field in the automotive industry - especially considering the price point...