Kia Stinger - Australia discussions (pre-release)

[Benjamin]

That's the hurdle they will have to overcome. For some people the idea of a 60k Kia is too hard to stomach.

For me personally I see a fully featured V6TT that looks great, apparently drives well and has a 7 year warranty. Ok it doesn't come with a premium Euro badge - I can live with that.

I was prepared to stomach $60K but now we are talking $65K

I havent cancelled my preorder yet as I will wait for the test drive but its most likely going to be

I preordered a few months ago, Red 3.3GT with black interior

 

[Vroom-Vroom]

I was prepared to stomach $60K but now we are talking $65K

I havent cancelled my preorder yet as I will wait for the test drive but its most likely going to be

I preordered a few months ago, Red 3.3GT with black interior

Fair enough - you have to draw the line somewhere.

 

[Benjamin]

Fair enough - you have to draw the line somewhere.

Its more the expectation that was set in the all the online publications of $55K + ORC

KIA should have said something back then but didn't because they knew the price would be higher and didn't want to kill the hype, they look bad now

How do you change you country to Australia? Can't find an option for it

 

[Marco-Oz]

Frankly, feeling pretty gutted.
Whether it's worth $65K + we have been mislead.
From day one, "around $52K" for the GT and now $60K WTF?
People were still putting deposits down over the last few weeks with the dealerships quoting them "around $55K"
I'm going to wait until I hear the 'official' price on road from my dealer before I officially cancel my order but at that price I'm out, on principle alone, can't express how disappointed I am.
Start looking at a second hand Euro or even HSV.
BTW if I cancel my order I'll have some awesome license plates to sell if any one is interested.

 

[Paul]

I am with most here. Actually feel pretty gutted and basically my expectation of price was set by Kia's own media release - I feel misled. I think Kia are being short sited and are trying to maximise price based on the hype. But it appears it 'may' backfire with many saying that are going to cancel their pre-order. Hopefully that will send a message and maybe they might offer pre-orders a discount. The dealer rang me today and indicated that it would be about $67K On road without the upgrade exhaust- so circa $70k (for a kia). I've indicated that if the dealer can;t get me back down to around $60K then I'll will confirm cancellation.

For that money - a second hand euro would represent better value proposition for me.

Also you have to consider this is the first of this model - it will have issues (just about all first of runs do - even BMWs and Mercs) - so we are paying to be Kia's Beta testers .

 

[Clarence]

Yep, disappointing.

However, at least Kia has stayed true to its motto. " power to surprise"

I too shall be withdrawing my pre order. For what it's worth, I reckon a lot of the dealerships will have been left stunned as we have.

 

[Dave]

I'm getting a new car regardless of the fact that it probably won't be the Stinger. The more I read (and hear) the SSV Redline is looking better, especially at 57k drive away

 

[Skyguy]

Yea it's super expensive given what we were thinking, but what are the alternatives other than an SSV. I can't think of anything that has the performance, luxury, size and looks that is even close in price. You'd have to step up to the euros.

Any suggestions as to other like for like options instead of the stinger?

 

[Vroom-Vroom]

Yea it's super expensive given what we were thinking, but what are the alternatives other than an SSV. I can't think of anything that has the performance, luxury, size and looks that is even close in price. You'd have to step up to the euros.

Any suggestions as to other like for like options instead of the stinger?

Looking at Carsales the choices for mid 60s include

2011 Audi S5 Sportback
2014 BMW 435i GC

 

[Skyguy]

That's not apples for apples though mate. They are used cars. Compare new with new.

 

[Vroom-Vroom]

That's not apples for apples though mate. They are used cars. Compare new with new.

Yes that was my point

 

[Skyguy]

Good point then!

 

[app_master]

Im reluctantly now with most here. I'll now be waiting the open market when hype and supply normalises and when all models are released and available. If it is truly worth it then I'll revisit purchasing the stinger then. Hopefully closer to the prices they originally spruiked from the get go ... or not. But with these prices they'll need to prove it now to get the money they are asking for ... And yes I may well be eating my word later as I hand over my money for it. But so be it, I'll be truly convinced by then, no doubt.

 

[Sting]

DISSAPPOINTED to say the least!!
FRUSTRATED , ANNOYED, PISSED OFF and Good luck to KIA!

Yup they "STUNG" us and with the POWER to SURPRISE!

ok, I drawing up a letter to KIA AUSTRALIA and going to drop off the letter to them Hand delivered (not far from where I live) and copies to to various car Mags.. and to my dealer.
Will also give them the 2 Stinger based forum sites so that they can read what we are saying (if the do care).
Personally, the Hype that the Stinger has received has upped the price, but then again, in OZ, i don't think they really care when everyone was talking about a replacement/substitute for the Holden & Ford.
Rest of the world they are looking at competing with the BMs, Merc, Audi, Lexus and others and it is for these people that the stinger really is an alternative choice. Not for the OZ market for Holden & Ford people.

If you can buy any of the top! cars, then you have an alternate choice in KIA STINGER.
I'll be blunt, Holden & Ford affordable in OZ, but KIA is looking/targeting at the people who might be interested in buying BMs, Merc, Audi, Lexus and others... why cos they can afford it.

I rather pay what I was expecting within reason or buy some other small car , VW GTI, Subaru or something else. Fun car for me on weekends and long trips.... but not what Kia wants for a STINGER.

So I gather most here are thinking of cancelling the pre-order (KIA thinks they released the price to appease us, but heck, WTF!
I am interested to know how many are willing to say, put pen to paper and say, sign a letter especially the ones here in OZ who have put a deposit and want to pullout.
Few have mentioned we could have been their ambassaders, Marketeers, and so on....
Imagine if even half of the pre-orders were cancelled, and why are the prices not the website yet?

Please luv to hear from you all interested in and maybe app_master could assist in assisting.

STUNG like bee! and they certainly stood by their Tag Line. POWER to SURPRISE and @#$# us up!

 

[Sting]

Kia Australia and along with various Motor Mags, have been building the hype that the STINGER is an alternative choice for Holden & Ford Replacements!!!!!
Rest of the world BM, MER, AUDI, LEXUS and so on..
Seriously, they are going to be selling (STINGER GT - TO SPEC) like hot cakes probably there, it's affordable.

The prices to compare here with the HOLDEN or COMMODORE, hmmmmmm.

 

[app_master]

^^^ happy to help Sting, PM me any details you wish...

But I am trying to remain realistic also, with the hype and our disappointment, we all need to be careful in our judgement at this time. If we are prepared to take a step back and let it all settle things should become clearer. I am certainly not an advocate of being overly critical towards. These are relatively new waters for Kia Australia and they will certainly find buyers even at these prices, plenty probably. But I guess for us more enthusiast early prospectors we may have been naive to think we were as important to them (seller) as the car (product) was going to be to us. Somewhere in our own frustrations we need to understanding this their business so market positioning, brand perception, and hopefully a quality product will remain higher agender items for them.

It still may be the car for me (and you), time will tell...PS I have officially cancelled my preorder in writing today.

 

[Skyguy]

DISSAPPOINTED to say the least!!
FRUSTRATED , ANNOYED, PISSED OFF and Good luck to KIA!

Yup they "STUNG" us and with the POWER to SURPRISE!

ok, I drawing up a letter to KIA AUSTRALIA and going to drop off the letter to them Hand delivered (not far from where I live) and copies to to various car Mags.. and to my dealer.
Will also give them the 2 Stinger based forum sites so that they can read what we are saying (if the do care).
Personally, the Hype that the Stinger has received has upped the price, but then again, in OZ, i don't think they really care when everyone was talking about a replacement/substitute for the Holden & Ford.
Rest of the world they are looking at competing with the BMs, Merc, Audi, Lexus and others and it is for these people that the stinger really is an alternative choice. Not for the OZ market for Holden & Ford people.

If you can buy any of the top! cars, then you have an alternate choice in KIA STINGER.
I'll be blunt, Holden & Ford affordable in OZ, but KIA is looking/targeting at the people who might be interested in buying BMs, Merc, Audi, Lexus and others... why cos they can afford it.

I rather pay what I was expecting within reason or buy some other small car , VW GTI, Subaru or something else. Fun car for me on weekends and long trips.... but not what Kia wants for a STINGER.

So I gather most here are thinking of cancelling the pre-order (KIA thinks they released the price to appease us, but heck, WTF!
I am interested to know how many are willing to say, put pen to paper and say, sign a letter especially the ones here in OZ who have put a deposit and want to pullout.
Few have mentioned we could have been their ambassaders, Marketeers, and so on....
Imagine if even half of the pre-orders were cancelled, and why are the prices not the website yet?

Please luv to hear from you all interested in and maybe app_master could assist in assisting.

STUNG like bee! and they certainly stood by their Tag Line. POWER to SURPRISE and @#$# us up!

What's the point of the letter bud? So they know you are disappointed or are you hoping that they will say sorry and cut you a massive deal because you went to the trouble of writing a letter?

To be honest it won't make any difference. They have released their pricing as part of their strategy and that's that. They have to give it a good 6 months before revisiting it, if it's not working.

Chur

 

[Vroom-Vroom]

Kia Australia and along with various Motor Mags, have been building the hype that the STINGER is an alternative choice for Holden & Ford Replacements!!!!!
Rest of the world BM, MER, AUDI, LEXUS and so on..
Seriously, they are going to be selling (STINGER GT - TO SPEC) like hot cakes probably there, it's affordable.

The prices to compare here with the HOLDEN or COMMODORE, hmmmmmm.

Please help me out here - I'm trying to follow your logic.

You're saying the Stinger is going to sell like hot cakes in the rest of the world because it's affordable there? Even though it's price in the rest of the world is close to the 440i, S4?

But in Australia it won't sell because it's not affordable? Even though it has a 40k+ price advantage over the 440i, S4??

Sorry don't agree.

I'm a bit surprised by the general toys being thrown out of prams here.

Australia doesn't exist in a bubble. It didn't take much effort to see where this was being pitched overseas. Kia Australia wasn't ever going to get some special deal that would enable them to land a full spec V6 GT for the price of a base Commodore SS.

Our price lines up ok with the Korean price, the expected UK price (40k GBP = 66k AUD). Yes it will be cheaper in the US but literally all cars are.

Line it up against another non premium car like the Skoda 206 Sportline. Once fully optioned to match the Stinger they are 61k drive away. That's on a platform shared by millions of cars with a 206 kw 4 cylinder. I don't think it is unreasonable for the Stinger, on a platform share only with a future Genesis and a 270kw TT v6, to be a few thousand more.

 

[Skyguy]

Good comment. The Australian market is insignificant compared to kias global plans. And whilst it is more than we were hoping/expecting, I personally still feel that it represents good value.

 

[Kyle wilkat]

Im with skyguy on this . Its still the best value for a brand new car. Also why have some of you not considered the low spec v6 3.3? You will still get the looks and the go . Might be an option?