Kia must not want to sell many GT's

[mldavis2]

Yes, definitely... The sun roof requires some space that lowers headroom.

The sunroof does take a little space, but I'm 6'4" and had no trouble. The roof exits outside the car so the space for the panel is minimal. You also have some good seat adjustment space to help. Try it. Worked for me.

 

[Kamauxx]

I'm 6 feet and there's at least 7 inches between my head and the roof (I'm sitting in the car right now).

Someone would have to have a very long torso or a huge head for the roof to be a problem.

 

[Dave Miller]

I watched a review from someone that is either 6'8" or 6'10", I can't remember. But he could fit comfortably in a model with sunroof. Obviously there wasn't much room behind him at that point but he loved how comfortable it was in the driver seat.

 

[RMA]

The only thing I wish my GT has is LSD, might have to find a used one in the near future to have installed. My KIA Tech thinks it should be an easy install overall.

 

[StingerGT68]

Looking at the gear shifter in the GT versus GT2 and I gotta say I'm happier with the one in the GT. I think I just like the shape of it more. Plus, reminds me of my old Mustang

 

[mldavis2]

Looking at the gear shifter in the GT versus GT2 and I gotta say I'm happier with the one in the GT. I think I just like the shape of it more. Plus, reminds me of my old Mustang

Yes, one of the reasons I opted for the GT1 and not the GT2.

 

[jrhodes87]

I would actually love to give shift by wire a try someday, but I don't see it being necessary what so ever.

 

[RMA]

I just want the LSD !!!

 

[MarkyMark]

This may be a dupe, and I apologize if it is. But ...

It looks like Kia has strategically omitted a few key features from the GT that are available on some other trims. Namely -

- Sunroof. You can get it on the Premium, but then it just skips right over the GT and goes on to the GT 1. Can't have one on the GT.
- Navigation. Ditto. Just skips right over the GT.
- Homelink mirror. Ditto again. Now, why this is not available on the GT is beyond me. I guess they don't expect GT owners to keep their cars in garages (?)

Now, I could possibly manage without the Homelink, since I already have a transmitter for my garage door opener I could stick on the visor (although that's tacky), but no way am I going to go without Nav and a Sunroof. And I'm sure Kia knows many others feel the same way, so it seems obvious they are limiting availability in such a way as to direct sales from the GT to the GT 1 or GT 2.

Probably price control, but if they made those things options and charged for them, they could still get their pound of flesh. A grand for the roof and a couple of grand for the Nav would still make the GT $2,500 less than the GT 1. And I don't like paying for things I don't particularly want, so bumping up to the GT 1 to get them is a little vexing.

Just seems a little odd to me. *shrug*

(Oh, and let's not even talk about Kia's strategy across all their lines on paint color.)

Kia clearly went all-in on price controls, simplifying the lineup - greatly - and hopefully simplifying the builds to keep Kia's coveted #1 ranking in JD Powers Initial Quality status.

There isn't much flexibility with their models and right now, as with most cars coming off the line, the highest margin vehicles are on showroom floors today because:
– A. Enthusiasts will buy/lease those models.
– B. Kia can recoup high development costs and tooling faster selling high-margin models.
– C. Economies of scale ramps over time and GT's and base 2.0L's will come along later as a result, as non-enthusiast learn about the car and buy lower-end configured Stingers.

This is why a LOT of GT2 AWD and Premium 2.0L's are out there. Not a lot of 2.0L models and hardly any GT models are available – yt. I speak to the Pacific NW BTW, which may have amongst the highest dealer stock in the nation (and CA).

June/July should see base and GT model availability improve and along with them better lease cash and other incentives.

I'm starting to get quite curious about the 2019's and what Kia will do in terms of option flexibility and if they package any feature/s of the Drive Wise package as standard, or if they lower it's price due to market pressures (many companies now offering what Kia does as standard equipment, or for far less).

If I could get the GT with Blind Spot - good-night-now! That's my car. But as it is, I've gotta pony up for the entire Drive Wise Package.

Of course, if Kia built-in Blind Spot as standard, or just as a single option, then I could likely afford to get AWD also. Suddenly Kia will have pulled another $200 - $300 (whatever they might charge for just Blind Spot) out of me, along with another $200 for AWD. I wouldn't get Drive Wise, thus take away $2,000 for that, taken away from the $2,200 AWD option. Thus the blind spot, plus $200 more for AWD over the Drive Wise package and Kia just made more money off me.

The point being, if Kia can manage to provide a slightly different config for 2019, and/or offer more stand-alone options, they will make more money and give people more choices - spending more money. Win/win.

 

[MarkyMark]

I just want the LSD !!!

Hey man, I know I'm from Oregon and pot is legal here now, but LSD is still not... Ooooh, Limited Slip Differential. Gotcha! ; )

 

[StingerGT68]

Kia clearly went all-in on price controls, simplifying the lineup - greatly - and hopefully simplifying the builds to keep Kia's coveted #1 ranking in JD Powers Initial Quality status.

There isn't much flexibility with their models and right now, as with most cars coming off the line, the highest margin vehicles are on showroom floors today because:
– A. Enthusiasts will buy/lease those models.
– B. Kia can recoup high development costs and tooling faster selling high-margin models.
– C. Economies of scale ramps over time and GT's and base 2.0L's will come along later as a result, as non-enthusiast learn about the car and buy lower-end configured Stingers.

This is why a LOT of GT2 AWD and Premium 2.0L's are out there. Not a lot of 2.0L models and hardly any GT models are available – yt. I speak to the Pacific NW BTW, which may have amongst the highest dealer stock in the nation (and CA).

June/July should see base and GT model availability improve and along with them better lease cash and other incentives.

I'm starting to get quite curious about the 2019's and what Kia will do in terms of option flexibility and if they package any feature/s of the Drive Wise package as standard, or if they lower it's price due to market pressures (many companies now offering what Kia does as standard equipment, or for far less).

If I could get the GT with Blind Spot - good-night-now! That's my car. But as it is, I've gotta pony up for the entire Drive Wise Package.

Of course, if Kia built-in Blind Spot as standard, or just as a single option, then I could likely afford to get AWD also. Suddenly Kia will have pulled another $200 - $300 (whatever they might charge for just Blind Spot) out of me, along with another $200 for AWD. I wouldn't get Drive Wise, thus take away $2,000 for that, taken away from the $2,200 AWD option. Thus the blind spot, plus $200 more for AWD over the Drive Wise package and Kia just made more money off me.

The point being, if Kia can manage to provide a slightly different config for 2019, and/or offer more stand-alone options, they will make more money and give people more choices - spending more money. Win/win.

I didn't think I wanted the Drive Wise on my base GT but I'm actually very happy with the feature set. The adaptive cruise control is great on my daily commute (and really keeps me from speeding too much lol)

 

[MarkyMark]

I didn't think I wanted the Drive Wise on my base GT but I'm actually very happy with the feature set. The adaptive cruise control is great on my daily commute (and really keeps me from speeding too much lol)

@StingerGT68, let me guess Miro Blue?! ; ) It's okay, I'll likely get that color as I like it anyway. Just a LOT of GT Micro Blue's for some reason... That's my guess anyway.

And yes, the adaptive cruise control will probably be good for me. I drive between Portland and Seattle or 5-6 hours out from Portland to Spokane, or over the mountains. Maybe I'm set at 73 in a 70 zone. Fine, until I discover I'm flying into a Class-8 truck going 40, trying to pass the other semi going 37 in the slow lane! Ack!

This happens more than I'd like, and we are human and just start thinking about work, etc... and woah, that vehicle isn't moving, brake!

So yes, that sounds like a great feature for me, even if used in an entire different scenario than yourself. I just don't want to pay $2k for safety, in which some of I think "could/should" be standard now-a-days on a car of this price range... I'd rather spend the money on AWD...

 

[StingerGT68]

@StingerGT68, let me guess Miro Blue?! ; ) It's okay, I'll likely get that color as I like it anyway. Just a LOT of GT Micro Blue's for some reason... That's my guess anyway.

And yes, the adaptive cruise control will probably be good for me. I drive between Portland and Seattle or 5-6 hours out from Portland to Spokane, or over the mountains. Maybe I'm set at 73 in a 70 zone. Fine, until I discover I'm flying into a Class-8 truck going 40, trying to pass the other semi going 37 in the slow lane! Ack!

This happens more than I'd like, and we are human and just start thinking about work, etc... and woah, that vehicle isn't moving, brake!

So yes, that sounds like a great feature for me, even if used in an entire different scenario than yourself. I just don't want to pay $2k for safety, in which some of I think "could/should" be standard now-a-days on a car of this price range... I'd rather spend the money on AWD...

Haha yes micro blue! We have that, red, and black near me. I was going to order Panthera Metal from the factory (and saw Seattle had one at a dealer!) but after seeing the blue in person, I had to have it. Plus, my wife said get something fun lol

 

[Rufus]

Because the LSD only comes on the Sunset Yellow models (or GT2s) which only comes as a GT or GT2 this year.

Unfortunately Kia has always been a company that puts their features together in packages. It helps keep their costs lower and have their cars be more easily mass produced. The Premium model is for the people that are happy with 255 horsepower but still want a premium car. The GT is for the people that care more about the engine than the extra features inside.

Agreed, but it sure is weird looking at local ads and seeing a premium cost more than a GT (depending on options, of course.) Personally, a rwd 2.0 base w/ a Lap3 chip weighing in at less than 3,700 lbs can be a pretty potent reason to skip a base GT...

 

[StingerGT68]

Agreed, but it sure is weird looking at local ads and seeing a premium cost more than a GT (depending on options, of course.) Personally, a rwd 2.0 base w/ a Lap3 chip weighing in at less than 3,700 lbs can be a pretty potent reason to skip a base GT...

The MSRP difference between the Premium and the GT is like $1300. Gotta go for the V6 at that point, in my opinion.

 

[Rufus]

The MSRP difference between the Premium and the GT is like $1300. Gotta go for the V6 at that point, in my opinion.

Agree completely! But around here, some Premium 2.0's are listing at $41k+ which is ridonkulous to me.

A base, unoptioned RWD 2.0 with an Uncle chip can run you maybe a skosh over $33k, assuming MSRP as the purchase price. Add in decent rubber (my factory Bridgestones are getting the heave-ho once finances allow) and you're at $34k...

So now with curb weight at 3,600ish lbs and the 93 octane setting, alluva sudden you have a real fun sleeper that's only about 40 whp away from a stock, $39k+ GT, with 90% of the look, and the fixed suspension ( a plus for me, anyway!).

Please understand I'm not knocking the V6 by ANY means, merely pointing out possibly unconsidered options to a base GT. And of course, max potential power for the 3.3 far outstrips the 2.0. Just another view from the Stinger "hive"

 

[MarkyMark]

Agreed, but it sure is weird looking at local ads and seeing a premium cost more than a GT (depending on options, of course.) Personally, a rwd 2.0 base w/ a Lap3 chip weighing in at less than 3,700 lbs can be a pretty potent reason to skip a base GT...

Yah, not sure what the transmission is meant to handle in torque and horsepower and when in what bands?... What that does over time, I have no idea. Interesting Car and Driver recently tested the 2.0L and it only pulled off 19mpg on average! I asked for clarity on how many miles it had? Under or over 500, but boy that was disconcerting!...

 

[mldavis2]

Interesting Car and Driver recently tested the 2.0L and it only pulled off 19mpg on average!

Remember that these "professional" reviewers are hammering this car in Sport mode most of the time. They (C&D) got 4.4 sec. 0-60 from the GT and you can bet that wasn't just one run. The only highway mileage I've seen posted was around 26 I think it was, which is decent on a new engine and new driver still playing around with the drive modes, acceleration, etc. This car just dares you to keep pushing it and not many people are just highway cruising in Eco mode yet.

 

[ScottE]

This car just dares you to keep pushing it and not many people are just highway cruising in Eco mode yet.

I'll be doing just this next week, with a couple thousand mile road trip. It'll be an unexciting drive since my wife doesn't like it when I drive "fun" ;-). I'll try and post a trip report with mileage.

On the sunroof: I'm 5'11" and with seat nearly all the way down my head is only about 1/2 inch from the roof. It was the same for my optima. How much headroom you have very much depends on how you like your seat position. I would say the sunroof probably eats around 1/2 inch of space.

 

[Mike_TX]

Agreed, but it sure is weird looking at local ads and seeing a premium cost more than a GT (depending on options, of course.) Personally, a rwd 2.0 base w/ a Lap3 chip weighing in at less than 3,700 lbs can be a pretty potent reason to skip a base GT...

Wonder just how much that chip affects everyday driveability? Does it add punch at the expense of low-end torque? And what does it do - bump up the boost, alter the throttle map, etc.?

Anyone have any hands-on experience with a chipped 2.0T?