How many serious buyers do we have

[Chris]

He did add that there will be "great incentives"

You'll have to let us know what those are. I am curious on what incentives they are offering on a car that there is only 3 of one the whole west coast!

 

[Kia Stinger]

That's a good question, because I honestly think the Stinger is a better and more modern car, I just can't configure it with the options/colors I'd like. With the the Stinger if I don't want a sun roof I'm stuck with the base GT model. If I want the Electronic Controlled Suspension then I have to get a GT1 or GT2 along with the sun roof I don't want. With the Fusion Sport they all have the CCD suspension and the sunroof is an option, not mandatory. Also I don't have to pay 50K+ to get ventilated seat.
Now while I have sat in the Stinger, I haven't driven it yet so I maybe its worth the extra 10K and options/colors I don't want.

I have a feeling a test drive will be the deciding factor. The Fusion is pretty nice so I wouldn't be surprised if you went with the Ford. I hope you get a test drive soon. It seems like everyone who drives the car is extremely impressed...

 

[davebo]

Also lacking, the "I was 110% planning to purchase a GT2 before they pissed me off with the de-contenting, so now I'm trying to decide if the rest of the package still holds up."

Yeah I'm in this category. I never cared about the 360 camera or wireless charging, but adding options and colors to the website, then yanking them off, I have no idea what will actually available now, so I can't even guess at a percentage of how likely I am to buy. 6 months ago when I assumed I could get a yellow GT1 for 43k I was 100%.

 

[Mitchell]

I have a feeling a test drive will be the deciding factor. The Fusion is pretty nice so I wouldn't be surprised if you went with the Ford. I hope you get a test drive soon. It seems like everyone who drives the car is extremely impressed...

Yeah, they are both good cars and I'd probably be happy with either one. I think you are right a test drive will really decide it.

 

[eljay]

You'll have to let us know what those are. I am curious on what incentives they are offering on a car that there is only 3 of one the whole west coast!

Yeah, this is getting "interesting," like the ancient curse. I assume they need me in the "hot seat" to confuse me with the entire sales spiel before I get the whole truth. I'm guessing the incentives are probably just "deals" on stuff that's pure profit for the dealer and little use to me, since obviously they don't need to bribe people to buy 3 cars. Do I sound distrusting?

 

[Taimaishoo]

If I can get up early enough. I'm not much of a morning peson, especially on the weekends.

Got a call from my dealership today and they said they should have mine in by the end of the year! My initial thought was that long? Then I realized there's only 1 month left. LOL

 

[Kia Stinger]

Got a call from my dealership today and they said they should have mine in by the end of the year! My initial thought was that long? Then I realized there's only 1 month left. LOL

Imagine they said, "next year"?! You'd have had a heart attack!

 

[German Stinger]

Imagine they said, "next year"?! You'd have had a heart attack!

If you want to have a heart attack I can recommend the Netherlands. Due to different taxes in Europe some dealers import cars from other European countries to Germany. I recently spoke to a dealer who imports Kias from the Netherlands. He told me the complete 2018 quota for the Netherlands is completely sold. If you order now Kia will deliver your Stinger in 2019!

 

[Kia Stinger]

If you want to have a heart attack I can recommend the Netherlands. Due to different taxes in Europe some dealers import cars from other European countries to Germany. I recently spoke to a dealer who imports Kias from the Netherlands. He told me the complete 2018 quota for the Netherlands is completely sold. If you order now Kia will deliver your Stinger in 2019!

Damn. I would just get something else. I could never wait that long!

 

[corradoMR2]

I'm undecided. The badge is unfortunately holding me back. Coming from several years of owning Lexus vehicles.

Will be test driving it later this week when the dealer gets their first one then.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I'm undecided. The badge is unfortunately holding me back. Coming from several years of owning Lexus vehicles.

Will be test driving it later this week when the dealer gets their first one then.

Is it the badge or the brand itself? Because of course, you can swap out the badges for something non-Kia. If it's the brand, there's not much you can do. And I can understand because Lexus ownership has its privileges. Sorry, I had to say it. But it's true. Part of that privilege is never needing to go for service outside of scheduled maintenance.

However, Kia vehicles are pretty reliable themselves. Service isn't the same - but you get what you pay for... I think for the price you'd be very happy with Stinger ownership. And I think Kia will quickly work on getting better customer service for, at the very least, Stinger, Cadenza and K900 customers...

 

[corradoMR2]

Is it the badge or the brand itself? Because of course, you can swap out the badges for something non-Kia. If it's the brand, there's not much you can do. And I can understand because Lexus ownership has its privileges. Sorry, I had to say it. But it's true. Part of that privilege is never needing to go for service outside of scheduled maintenance.

However, Kia vehicles are pretty reliable themselves. Service isn't the same - but you get what you pay for... I think for the price you'd be very happy with Stinger ownership. And I think Kia will quickly work on getting better customer service for, at the very least, Stinger, Cadenza and K900 customers...

Appreciate the reply. Yeah Lexus is tough to beat on reliability but most cars (except most Chrysler products) are getting better and narrowing the gap and Kia is up there now!

It's the Kia brand stigma to be honest that bothers me to trade in my RC F and IS. My wife and kids' reaction were not positive when I told them I'm considering the Stinger. "You're trading in your car for a Kia???" Like most people, little do they know how competitive a car the Stinger is to luxury car equivalents yet all they see is a Kia badge and the econobox reputation it still has today. The K900 although a great luxury car, has not made any dent in the luxury car segment nor elevated Kia's reputation IMO. As such I'm not convinced (yet) the Stinger will elevate the brand. However, being a car enthusiast makes me fully appreciate the Stinger for the product it is and the styling is superb, a mix of Panamera and Maserati. We'll see in a couple days once I see the craftsmanship, tech, and the feeling I get when test driving it.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Appreciate the reply. Yeah Lexus is tough to beat on reliability but most cars (except most Chrysler products) are getting better and narrowing the gap and Kia is up there now!

It's the Kia brand stigma to be honest that bothers me to trade in my RC F and IS. My wife and kids' reaction were not positive when I told them I'm considering the Stinger. "You're trading in your car for a Kia???" Like most people, little do they know how competitive a car the Stinger is to luxury car equivalents yet all they see is a Kia badge and the econobox reputation it still has today. The K900 although a great luxury car, has not made any dent in the luxury car segment nor elevated Kia's reputation IMO. As such I'm not convinced (yet) the Stinger will elevate the brand. However, being a car enthusiast makes me fully appreciate the Stinger for the product it is and the styling is superb, a mix of Panamera and Maserati. We'll see in a couple days once I see the craftsmanship, tech, and the feeling I get when test driving it.

Man, what a shame. People just don't know. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I've owned many Cadillacs and followed the brand for what seems like decades and it took them a LONG, long time to get over that bad stigma they had from the 80s. You don't hear it much anymore but people used to bring up the Cimarron and constantly call Cadillacs "boats". It's a completely different ballgame now and us enthusiasts are aware - but there's even still a fairly small percentage of people who just don't get that the new Cadillac is nothing like the old...

Same goes for Kia. It's going to take a long time. Maybe you just need to SHOW them the Stinger - in person - to get their approval... I bet if they went for a ride in one, they'd start to see the light...

 

[corradoMR2]

Man, what a shame. People just don't know. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I've owned many Cadillacs and followed the brand for what seems like decades and it took them a LONG, long time to get over that bad stigma they had from the 80s. You don't hear it much anymore but people used to bring up the Cimarron and constantly call Cadillacs "boats". It's a completely different ballgame now and us enthusiasts are aware - but there's even still a fairly small percentage of people who just don't get that the new Cadillac is nothing like the old...

Same goes for Kia. It's going to take a long time. Maybe you just need to SHOW them the Stinger - in person - to get their approval... I bet if they went for a ride in one, they'd start to see the light...

True. I'm a strong ambassador for the Lexus brand including moderating a popular Lexus forum so it may be time to shift this to Kia. I need to believe and feel this first. Will keep an open mind...

 

[davebo]

It's funny to hear you say that because I feel like I've been a brand ambassador for Kia for 5 years now, telling anyone who'll listen that my Optima SX has been the best daily driver I've ever owned, reliable, 10 year warranty, great value. I have some complaints about the Microsoft UVO system but not deal-breaking. Since I wouldn't give Kia the time of day before they started turning things around with Peter Schreyer, that's been my only experience, so it made sense to be super excited about the Stinger. After all the shenanigans lately though and jerking me around with the colors I've definitely cooled off a bit.

 

[Kia Stinger]

After all the shenanigans lately though and jerking me around with the colors I've definitely cooled off a bit.

Don't worry. Let them make it up to ya. I think there's enough "in the bank" (5 years) to save your relationship.

 

[BarryLI]

It's funny to hear you say that because I feel like I've been a brand ambassador for Kia for 5 years now, telling anyone who'll listen that my Optima SX has been the best daily driver I've ever owned, reliable, 10 year warranty, great value. I have some complaints about the Microsoft UVO system but not deal-breaking. Since I wouldn't give Kia the time of day before they started turning things around with Peter Schreyer, that's been my only experience, so it made sense to be super excited about the Stinger. After all the shenanigans lately though and jerking me around with the colors I've definitely cooled off a bit.

Me to a T, I loved my 2012 Optima and the looks it garnered, I have zero complaints about my Cadenza and have talked up Kia now for going on 6 years. I have my heart set on a Stinger when my lease ends in 2 months but I'm not happy about, well, what we've been talking about here for what seems forever, let's see how it shakes out. If I can't get it the way I want it the Giulia is slowly coming into my sights.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Me to a T, I loved my 2012 Optima and the looks it garnered, and I have zero complaints about my Cadenza and have talked up Kia now for going on 6 years. I have my heart set on a Stinger when my lease ends in 2 months but I'm not happy about, well, what we've been talking about here for what seems forever, let's see how it shakes out. If I can't get it the way I want it the Giulia is slowly coming into my sights.

I saw one this morning (a Giulia). Very nice. Very rare. I think I'll find seeing the Stinger on the road just as amusing. I'm sure there will be many more Stingers - making the Giulia somewhat more intriguing to many. There are just many more people walking into Kia dealerships than Alfa Romeo...

I think a test drive will make the Stinger more worthy for you...

 

[1991mr2]

I am in the same boat as you. At first I was 100% on board with the GT2 only because I wanted the ventilated seats, 360 deg camera, LSD, HUD, and all the driver assistance features. Now I think I'm out for the first year of Stinger releases. I'm not willing to compromise due to one or several features missing out, only to find it being very possibly included next year. It only makes sense. Unless by some miracle, Kia sees that all this nonsense of decontenting for the the US market is causing so much controversy and somehow makes them options but that is realistically doubtful. What I still don't get is why they don't just follow like the other NA or Europe releases... It's just easier for streamlining, marketing, and manufacturing purposes. Idk I feel like their whole marketing is an entire disaster. Perhaps it's because all of us has been following things very closely and we just know better.

Have to come to Canada we have all the options on our Stingers

 

[BarryLI]

Have to come to Canada we have all the options on our Stingers

E tu, Brutus?