It's a Kia Stinger , Poor man's Audi A7

[DCBStingerGT]

Thought I would share a recent experience from a member of facebooks Kia Stinger Owners Club Australia/NZ, at least he was clever to reply to this badge snob guy, left him speechless.

Here in his own words what happened.

Had a guy in a parking station in Sydney today ask me what my car was.
When I told him it was a Kia Stinger he said, oh, a poor mans Audi A7.
I responded, no. A smart mans ‘Audi’ and at less than half the price, with great performance and much better lines and tail lights.
The smart arse stopped smirking quickly.
Gee I hate snobs.

 

[DNA is Digital]

We drive $50k cars.... not sure that is "poor man's" anything.

 

[Cashie]

We drive $50k cars.... not sure that is "poor man's" anything.

Agree. But sadly the majority of Australian car buyers are badge snobs, I think this and the scurge of SUVs are the only two reason Kia aren't selling the Stinger hand over fist.
The $50k plus price of admission is also a big ask for badge snobs to pay for a "Kia".

 

[DNA is Digital]

Agree. But sadly the majority of Australian car buyers are badge snobs, I think this and the scurge of SUVs are the only two reason Kia aren't selling the Stinger hand over fist.
The $50k plus price of admission is also a big ask for badge snobs to pay for a "Kia".

Maybe I'm an exception but I dont want Kia to sell Stingers hand over fist. In fact, I want them to discontinue after the 2020 MY.

I like having something so unique and "exotic" and I like the prospect of this car eventually having a cult following.

 

[Cashie]

Maybe I'm an exception but I dont want Kia to sell Stingers hand over fist. In fact, I want them to discontinue after the 2020 MY.

I like having something so unique and "exotic" and I like the prospect of this car eventually having a cult following.

I think that would be a travesty, I think this car deserves to live on and evolve over time. I'm going to need to replace it one day with a new one too.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Agree. But sadly the majority of Australian car buyers are badge snobs, I think this and the scurge of SUVs are the only two reason Kia aren't selling the Stinger hand over fist.
The $50k plus price of admission is also a big ask for badge snobs to pay for a "Kia".

I think it’s more the sedan aspect in this day & age, Kia is selling lots of Sorentos & the Carnival is the leader in this class, both over $50k. Last months sales figures puts Kia nationally at number 5 with sales up 21%.
I believe the perception of the Kia badge as being not good is well & truly gone.
Mainstream consumers worldwide are currently in this must have SUV’s & Pickups mindset & manufactures are feeding this appetite to the detriment of the large RWD sedan.

 

[app_master]

I think that would be a travesty, I think this car deserves to live on and evolve over time. I'm going to need to replace it one day with a new one too.

...be an electric one though by then... which actually might be really good!

 

[Cashie]

...be an electric one though by then... which actually might be really good!

For sure.. plug in hybrid even.

 

[Nasscar]

I think it’s more the sedan aspect in this day & age, Kia is selling lots of Sorentos & the Carnival is the leader in this class, both over $50k. Last months sales figures puts Kia nationally at number 5 with sales up 21%.
I believe the perception of the Kia badge as being not good is well & truly gone.
Mainstream consumers worldwide are currently in this must have SUV’s & Pickups mindset & manufactures are feeding this appetite to the detriment of the large RWD sedan.

Yes I agree wholeheartedly. The sedan is a dying breed, even the performance sedan. Just look at the performance SUVs now on the market replacing them. The whole industry has turned around from where it was 10 years ago when the Holden Commodore was one of the biggest selling vehicles in Australia. Just look at the top sellers now. I think there are about 3-4 non SUV/Ute type vehicles in the top 20. Who knows what will happen to the mighty Stinger in the near future.

 

[OliverNuther]

If the guy asking the question has to ask the question then he clearly knows FA about cars and shouldn’t be casting aspersions.

 

[Snatchell]

IMHO - Audi's are nice when brand new. A money pit soon after. Our Stingers seem to be built better and Kia/Hyundai has a much better track record for reliability than Audi. Also Kia/Hyundai warranty is much much better than Audi.
I remember repeatedly spanking an Audi from light to light and he was getting mad. I'd pull away from him, he would catch up just before the next light, then it was spanking time again.
I also think our Stingers have way better lines than the Audi sedans - which honestly all look the same. Just bigger or smaller versions of the same car.

 

[Capecod]

IMHO - Audi's are nice when brand new. A money pit soon after. Our Stingers seem to be built better and Kia/Hyundai has a much better track record for reliability than Audi. Also Kia/Hyundai warranty is much much better than Audi.
I remember repeatedly spanking an Audi from light to light and he was getting mad. I'd pull away from him, he would catch up just before the next light, then it was spanking time again.
I also think our Stingers have way better lines than the Audi sedans - which honestly all look the same. Just bigger or smaller versions of the same car.

 

[P22Tyler]

Yes I agree wholeheartedly. The sedan is a dying breed, even the performance sedan. Just look at the performance SUVs now on the market replacing them. The whole industry has turned around from where it was 10 years ago when the Holden Commodore was one of the biggest selling vehicles in Australia. Just look at the top sellers now. I think there are about 3-4 non SUV/Ute type vehicles in the top 20. Who knows what will happen to the mighty Stinger in the near future.

It's true and I hate it. I don't want an SUV, I want something sporty and fun. They can call them performance SUV's all the want, they're still wallowy and at best fast in a straight line. I like wagons too but we don't get many of those in the US either because they don't sell. I guess I was born into the wrong market.

 

[Nasscar]

It's true and I hate it. I don't want an SUV, I want something sporty and fun. They can call them performance SUV's all the want, they're still wallowy and at best fast in a straight line. I like wagons too but we don't get many of those in the US either because they don't sell. I guess I was born into the wrong market.

At least we have the opportunity to buy a car like the Stinger. For the next generation, they may not be so lucky. It may be all SUVs and electric ones at that.

 

[P22Tyler]

At least we have the opportunity to buy a car like the Stinger. For the next generation, they may not be so lucky. It may be all SUVs and electric ones at that.

This is true...although it seems like the younger generation isn't as interested in driving anyways.

 

[Ruturaj]

Nope, A7 is stupid mans Kia stinger.

I saw a comment in team-bhp forum calling stinger a poor mans Mustang. Lol.

 

[Socalstinga]

I like the "smart man's Audi" comment. I used to be a brand snob, until this car. I have an AMG SUV on a lease, I couldn't imagine having to pay for the maintenance on that SUV. I've had a porsche and an M3, I don't miss the gobs of cash I spent keeping those two in tip top condition. Oil changes were $350+, the front bumper on the porsche was $2500 for pete's sake! The quality of the AMG/Porsche interiors were amazing, but the stinger is quality daily driver that's still fun fast and practical. It just has enough of everything (well, a quality tune would be nice...which we're starting to finally see options on)

 

[westcoastGT]

Porsche , Audi , Bentley , Rolls , Lambo , BMW , Jag , Maseratti , Caddy , Lincoln , etc ........................and possibly Corvette ................all in the SUV game ............didn't someone suggest that Stinger could be a breakway brand capable of a range of vehicle type , including E and SUV ........

Vette Rendering : A well strung powerful SUV can be a very fun drive , my old X6 had 480HP and was a blast..............when it wasn't in the shop!!

 

[Capecod]

I would buy a smallish SUV based on the stinger from KIA in a heartbeat

 

[P22Tyler]

Porsche , Audi , Bentley , Rolls , Lambo , BMW , Jag , Maseratti , Caddy , Lincoln , etc ........................and possibly Corvette ................all in the SUV game ............didn't someone suggest that Stinger could be a breakway brand capable of a range of vehicle type , including E and SUV ........

Vette Rendering : View attachment 35004 A well strung powerful SUV can be a very fun drive , my old X6 had 480HP and was a blast..............when it wasn't in the shop!!

It looks better than the Mustang Mach E, but would still be blasphemous usage of the name IMO.

An SUV can be fast in a straight line, that's not difficult to achieve. But it will never be as much fun in the bends. I'd rather have a wagon, all the practicality of an SUV in a package that is more fun to drive. One of my favorite cars ever was my moms '02 bug eyed Subaru WRX wagon in World Rally Blue. We could fit all the hockey bags and sticks in it, and still have some fun.