Have been stung but have concerns...

[Leftlane]

Looking to get something new by late summer. Thought I was going to get the new Regal GS or go back to an Infinity.... but then I found this sweet car called the Stinger!

I will start by saying if I get the Stinger it needs to be a GT2 because I live in central Florida and want the ventilated/cooled seats. I also prefer to have the HUD.

With that as my Stinger choice, I have been comparing (and exhaustively researched) vs the New Regal GS, Caddy ATS, New Alpha Romeo and INFINITI Q50,60 & 70.
THE STINGER GT2 CHECKS EVERY BOX compared to any of these!
It looks the sexiest and has best warrany. No brainer right??

Here are my concerns after following this owner forum for a few weeks:

* Poor dealership experience with Kia
(I do not have badge or brand issues)

* I have busy schedule and like the idea of getting a loaner car during routine service.

* Concern of later engine issues with a twin turbo vs a NA V6.

** Don’t like what I am reading from owners about paint chipping issues.

** Really concerned about issues on here relating to the Nappa Leather wearing out already. Have seen issues about scuffs on seat bolster and even indents on back seats when folded down. My current car is 6 years old and has no leather problem.

I really want to pull the trigger on a White or Ceramic Silver with red Nappa leather, but I would appreciate any input from those of you who already own the beast!

 

[StingerNYC]

I had a caddy ats 3.6 before the gt2 and I do not miss her. The real caddy dealers were great to deal with for service but I was there much to often. When the warranty ran out I knew she had to go.

The stingergt is much more well rounded. Much larger trunk and back seat and way more comfortable. A 6 hour road trip in the ATS would leave me hurting the next morning. She was a fun car to take on back country roads but not much else.

I too am worried about the leather quality on the stinger but so far so good.

I should be good on the paint as I had xpel installed. Makes me wonder if i should get the other half of the car done though.

 

[StingerGT68]

Well, regarding the dealers, just find a newer Kia dealership. They're much much better in the customer service area and their service department will be much nicer and more modern.

You can usually get a loaner car (I haven't had to yet since my car is so new) but definitely ask the dealer about their policy before you buy.

This engine is (correct me if I'm wrong) the same as the engines powering the Genesis line, including the new G70 due out this summer. They've been building this sucker in mass volume for a while now.

I have definitely had some paint chips on the hood and fender, but I also drive on the highway everyday into and out of Manhattan. I can't say if it's a defect or just normal. My other cars definitely had paint chips but my Stinger seems to be getting them more. Again, I daily drive it on the highway, for what that's worth.

My car does not have the Nappa leather as it's the base GT and I have not seen much wear at all. Nothing I've noticed, at least. Regarding the rear seat indentation, that's definitely real and you need to be mindful of it when folding the rear seats. Just put a cloth or something down over the seat belt bases or just make sure they're tucked away.

I know you're between a Regal and the Stinger so my last two cents: the Stinger blows it away lol Looks, performance, etc... It's no contest.

And the Alfa, be careful...I've heard serious reliability issues with them. After all, they're Alfas

And the Infiniti...well it's supposed to be great but to me, they're a little stale looking. Of course, just my opinion!

Good luck with your purchase!

 

[StingerGT68]

I had a caddy ats 3.6 before the gt2 and I do not miss her. The real caddy dealers were great to deal with for service but I was there much to often. When the warranty ran out I knew she had to go.

The stingergt is much more well rounded. Much larger trunk and back seat and way more comfortable. A 6 hour road trip in the ATS would leave me hurting the next morning. She was a fun car to take on back country roads but not much else.

I too am worried about the leather quality on the stinger but so far so good.

I should be good on the paint as I had xpel installed. Makes me wonder if i should get the other half of the car done though.

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for front half Xpel?

 

[StingerNYC]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for front half Xpel?

1700.

 

[Leftlane]

I had a caddy ats 3.6 before the gt2 and I do not miss her. The real caddy dealers were great to deal with for service but I was there much to often. When the warranty ran out I knew she had to go.

The stingergt is much more well rounded. Much larger trunk and back seat and way more comfortable. A 6 hour road trip in the ATS would leave me hurting the next morning. She was a fun car to take on back country roads but not much else.

I too am worried about the leather quality on the stinger but so far so good.

I should be good on the paint as I had xpel installed. Makes me wonder if i should get the other half of the car done though.

Thanks for the info on ATS.
I was thinking same thing about preventing paint chips, leather is a concern. How many miles do you have so far and how has your dealer service experience been?
Thanks for input

 

[Soca Boy]

If you had a poor dealership experience, maybe try another dealer and read what reviews about them. I always pre-book my service and ask for a loaner, as for the rest any new car you buy you may face having some type of issues with it. The same goes for used cars, I think you still have a low brand image of KIA(just my opinion). You’ll love the Stinger, the only other car on you list is that Alfa, every nice car but, if your worried about problems it shouldn’t be on your list.

 

[Leftlane]

Well, regarding the dealers, just find a newer Kia dealership. They're much much better in the customer service area and their service department will be much nicer and more modern.

You can usually get a loaner car (I haven't had to yet since my car is so new) but definitely ask the dealer about their policy before you buy.

This engine is (correct me if I'm wrong) the same as the engines powering the Genesis line, including the new G70 due out this summer. They've been building this sucker in mass volume for a while now.

I have definitely had some paint chips on the hood and fender, but I also drive on the highway everyday into and out of Manhattan. I can't say if it's a defect or just normal. My other cars definitely had paint chips but my Stinger seems to be getting them more. Again, I daily drive it on the highway, for what that's worth.

My car does not have the Nappa leather as it's the base GT and I have not seen much wear at all. Nothing I've noticed, at least. Regarding the rear seat indentation, that's definitely real and you need to be mindful of it when folding the rear seats. Just put a cloth or something down over the seat belt bases or just make sure they're tucked away.

I know you're between a Regal and the Stinger so my last two cents: the Stinger blows it away lol Looks, performance, etc... It's no contest.

And the Alfa, be careful...I've heard serious reliability issues with them. After all, they're Alfas

And the Infiniti...well it's supposed to be great but to me, they're a little stale looking. Of course, just my opinion!

Good luck with your purchase!

Have to agree with you on the Infinity, seems they have lost their edge and I hear their information system and graphics are really outdated. Good dealer experience, but just no sex appeal. Where I live there are 5 BMW and Lexus at every intersection and they all look alike.
Alpha looks nice and is different, but have heard of the reliability issues.
Appreciate your help!

 

[StingerNYC]

Thanks for the info on ATS.
I was thinking same thing about preventing paint chips, leather is a concern. How many miles do you have so far and how has your dealer service experience been?
Thanks for input

I have yet to need service. Only been a month. The only KIA experience I have was at a dealer 200 miles away from here when I bought it. I will need to do some research soon though. Plenty of them to choose from.

 

[Leftlane]

If you had a poor dealership experience, maybe try another dealer and read what reviews about them. I always pre-book my service and ask for a loaner, as for the rest any new car you buy you may face having some type of issues with it. The same goes for used cars, I think you still have a low brand image of KIA(just my opinion). You’ll love the Stinger, the only other car on you list is that Alfa, every nice car but, if your worried about problems it shouldn’t be on your list.

Thanks
I don’t have any badge envy, but must admit that before the Stinger I would never of thought about a KIA.
GT2 just beats out everything I compare it to.

 

[Leftlane]

1700.

Ouch!
But you are protecting an expensive car.

 

[StingerGT68]

Have to agree with you on the Infinity, seems they have lost their edge and I hear their information system and graphics are really outdated. Good dealer experience, but just no sex appeal. Where I live there are 5 BMW and Lexus at every intersection and they all look alike.
Alpha looks nice and is different, but have heard of the reliability issues.
Appreciate your help!

Yeah, I had a 3 series and they were everywhere. Nice car but loving the Stinger much more.

 

[Soca Boy]

Thanks
I don’t have any badge envy, but must admit that before the Stinger I would never of thought about a KIA.
GT2 just beats out everything I compare it to.

It’s a fun car, am very impressed what they did with it. The GT2 is bad@ss, you’ll get lots of looks and thumps up. Only thing is get the 19” wheels if you go with it so they’ll be no limiter.

 

[Never thought]

I have a GT2, had a Optima before that and a G37 before that. Really wanted the V6 back so got the GT2 and love it. No leather issues at all. I haven’t had paint chips, not sure where you saw that. But my front end is covered by xpel ultra. I live in AZ so all my previous cars were tore up from rocks. Paid $1200 for the full front. Totally worth it. Getting it ceramic coated Friday as well.

 

[Dmchristie1]

I have 5000 miles on my red gt 2 and my wife has 2500 on her yellow one
No paint issues except for a faint badge line where I removed the back Kia badge. Seats are like new so far and I am not small.

 

[mldavis2]

Likewise at 5K miles, black nappa. No problem.

 

[iclicku]

I'm in WA state and we have terrible roads here on I-5. Road debris galore. So yeah I'm already having issues with paint chips. I'll need to get it wrapped soon.

Every car I've had in WA (4 so far in 7 years) has had a cracked windshield that I've had to replace.

 

[Leftlane]

It’s a fun car, am very impressed what they did with it. The GT2 is bad@ss, you’ll get lots of looks and thumps up. Only thing is get the 19” wheels if you go with it so they’ll be no limiter.

Two questions - 1) so the GT2 has the option of 18 or 19 inch? I thought it was 19’s. I prefer RWD but will take AWD.
2) I seen post about tire issues with the 19’s - any thoughts?

 

[StingerNYC]

Yes, GT2 can come with 19s and summer tires or 18s with all seasons and 135 speed limiter.

 

[mldavis2]

Two questions - 1) so the GT2 has the option of 18 or 19 inch? I thought it was 19’s. I prefer RWD but will take AWD.
2) I seen post about tire issues with the 19’s - any thoughts?

The only post I've seen with tire issues (other than the choice) is one car that was lowered and not re-aligned properly. No tire problems I've heard of. Only the speed limitation on the 18" tires.