I love how the Stinger separates the enthusiasts from the badge snobs =)

[ElChanclo]

I've noticed at track events how many people are genuinely excited to see a stinger and curious about it, and how some folks seem to stick their nose up at it.

And it's totally own-badge agnostic. A guy in a civic would say "too bad it's still a kia", while the 911 guy wanted to see it go faster with proper track tires.

The worst seem to be the Aston Martin folks, but that's only been 2 so far XD

 

[stoopid]

They're not wrong about the Kia badge, but they're ill or mis-informed about the vehicle's "heritage".

 

[ElChanclo]

They're not wrong about the Kia badge, but they're ill or mis-informed about the vehicle's "heritage".

Does the Stinger have any "heritage"? Besides being designed and engineered by Peter Schreyer and Albert Biermann, and presumably tested at the Nurburgring, Kia hasn't done any sports racing or rallying to my knowledge.

 

[stoopid]

Does the Stinger have any "heritage"? Besides being designed and engineered by Peter Schreyer and Albert Biermann, and presumably tested at the Nurburgring, Kia hasn't done any sports racing or rallying to my knowledge.

"Heritage" in quotes. Few cars have actual heritage (many racing brands have been without victories for decades, right?). It's what people perceive as notable that matters anyway. Kia has nothing going for it. The Stinger has good engineers behind it.

 

[Volfy]

The folks I've met at AutoX and track days have all been rather friendly. Most are unfamiliar with Stinger and G70 but express curiosity and are glad to see someone bring something other than the typical Miatas, BRZs, Mustangs, Camaro, Vettes, Porsches, etc.

Granted, I'm not the social kind that talks to every guy that walks by, so yeah, maybe some of them say not so flattering things that I just didn't hear. If so... meh. Doesn't bother me none. Can't control what others think.

Stingers aren't competitive in the typical HPDE events. I'm always very frank about being there just to have fun and improve skills. If I'm really serious about competing, I'd get a different car.

 

[ElChanclo]

Stingers aren't competitive in the typical HPDE events. I'm always very frank about being there just to have fun and improve skills. If I'm really serious about competing, I'd get a different car.

I know it'll never compete with the 911s and Supras, but it's surprisingly track capable (once you get track pads and tires). It feels great to let it loose on open tarmac and stretch its legs once in a while, just to see what it's capable of at the limit. The next best thing is driving it home in comfort!

 

[Volfy]

I know it'll never compete with the 911s and Supras, but it's surprisingly track capable (once you get track pads and tires). It feels great to let it loose on open tarmac and stretch its legs once in a while, just to see what it's capable of at the limit. The next best thing is driving it home in comfort!

For sure. I need a practical and comfy 4 door GT, and Stinger does that fantastically.

As much as I enjoy tracking it, I don't do it often enough to warrant a dedicated bunny. Maybe later when I no longer need 4 doors.

 

[stoopid]

For sure. I need a practical and comfy 4 door GT, and Stinger does that fantastically.

As much as I enjoy tracking it, I don't do it often enough to warrant a dedicated bunny. Maybe later when I no longer need 4 doors.

I'm in the same situation, I can't justify two cars (one for commuting/occasional travel, one as a toy), so the Stinger has to fulfill both needs.

 

[Snicklefritz]

I'm in the same situation, I can't justify two cars (one for commuting/occasional travel, one as a toy), so the Stinger has to fulfill both needs.

was there ever another car that does both better than the Stinger? this is literally the only fun car I have ever had. and at the same time the most practical.

 

[Volfy]

was there ever another car that does both better than the Stinger? this is literally the only fun car I have ever had. and at the same time the most practical.

That's just it. There are other fun cars, but none with the combination of comfort, practicality, unique styling, and value for money.

I've been driving family haulers, like minivans and SUVs for some 15yrs. Just got to a point where I can drop back down to a 4dr car, but I still need to keep a good bit of practicality, so no coupe or sports car just yet.

 

[ElChanclo]

For sure. I need a practical and comfy 4 door GT, and Stinger does that fantastically.

As much as I enjoy tracking it, I don't do it often enough to warrant a dedicated bunny. Maybe later when I no longer need 4 doors.

I do feel a bit guilty putting it through so much punishment3-5 times a year. I Always park it in the shade, leave the hood open, and put 17" fans on the front wheels between sessions to ease the heat soak and keep it happy. Along with 5W40 in the summer.

I'm thinking of skipping July & August as those are the hottest days around here. But I'll never get over burning rubber at the track one weekend and hauling a kayak through logging roads the next.

 

[stoopid]

was there ever another car that does both better than the Stinger? this is literally the only fun car I have ever had. and at the same time the most practical.

I saw your reply minutes after you posted it. I still haven't come up with something better than the Stinger. Maybe one of those performance model Audi wagons? But if talking strictly price point, there might not be anything.

 

[boosted1g]

was there ever another car that does both better than the Stinger? this is literally the only fun car I have ever had. and at the same time the most practical.

Nothing in the same ballpark of price range that's for sure. To be a no compromises upgrade in comfort, style, and performance you would be looking at something like an RS6 or Panamera.

 

[Volfy]

I do feel a bit guilty putting it through so much punishment3-5 times a year. I Always park it in the shade, leave the hood open, and put 17" fans on the front wheels between sessions to ease the heat soak and keep it happy. Along with 5W40 in the summer.

I'm thinking of skipping July & August as those are the hottest days around here. But I'll never get over burning rubber at the track one weekend and hauling a kayak through logging roads the next.

Unless it's a special at a great venue worth braving the heat, the only mid-Summer track events I'd sign up for are track sprints, where you run only 1-lap at a time. The car has plenty of time to cool down in between. Full-on track day's 20-min sessions can beat up the car good. Not impossible to make the Stinger track ready for that sort of duty, but you'd need to prep the car accordingly.

 

[ElChanclo]

Nothing in the same ballpark of price range that's for sure. To be a no compromises upgrade in comfort, style, and performance you would be looking at something like an RS6 or Panamera.

Even then the RS6 is 4960 lbs, that's a deal breaker for me.
Understandably a step up might be more expensive, maybe less reliable, less fuel efficient, but one of my top requirements is weight reduction. Unfortunately cars are only getting heavier and more bloated.

I think the only practical step forward is TWO cars. Something more practical, and something more fun. I'm thinking a PHEV crossover/SUV and a track capable convertible.

 

[stoopid]

I could get away with a Corvette, I rarely have to haul anything ATM, but I don't need that much car for the street/curves.

 

[street heat]

I was considering an S5, but fully loaded would still cost me 10-15k more than a GT2 and I'd STILL feel like I need to mod the exterior. The power is too similar, the sound system is worse, and I feel the stinger looks more aggressive. I'm so glad I went with the stinger.

 

[boosted1g]

Even then the RS6 is 4960 lbs, that's a deal breaker for me.
Understandably a step up might be more expensive, maybe less reliable, less fuel efficient, but one of my top requirements is weight reduction. Unfortunately cars are only getting heavier and more bloated.

I think the only practical step forward is TWO cars. Something more practical, and something more fun. I'm thinking a PHEV crossover/SUV and a track capable convertible.

Didn't realize the curb weight so ridiculous on the rs6. In the 90s, 3k lbs was your average 2+2 coupe, now it's "super light weight" (and you have to spend Porsche money to get something light and over 300hp).

Convertible AND track car seems a lil conflicting too. Either you have a very heavy hardtop or a very noisy soft top plus roll cage.