Kia! Why not manual on stinger?!!!

[washguy]

Old is whenever your knees hurt often enough that you don't want to futz with a heavy clutch. After a life of wakeboard and snowboard jumps I hit old around age 37.

old is when You have had both knees replaced.....lol.... Wash

 

[Stinger GT SS]

How old is old? I’m 54 and still drive the manual and it’s fun.

Wait till you hit 55 it’s all downhill...lol, you’ll wish you had an auto....

 

[AV8R]

Old is whenever your knees hurt often enough that you don't want to futz with a heavy clutch. After a life of wakeboard and snowboard jumps I hit old around age 37.

You poor thing, when are you going into the old people’s home? Lol
56 cancer survivor ...not old yet!

 

[AV8R]

They used to say youre only as old as the woman you feel. In my case thats 7 months since I bought the Stinger! Lol

 

[LeoDragon]

Wait till you hit 55 it’s all downhill...lol, you’ll wish you had an auto....

Well I hope not.. lol Well I do have an auto, it's my GT2. So I do have the luxury of not shifting gears once in a while... I do enjoy driving the other 2 manuals as well though.

 

[CaliSting]

Wait till you hit 55 it’s all downhill...lol, you’ll wish you had an auto....

You guys are pathetic. Here is a 90 year old who rows gears in a race car. I know 80 year olds who drive Subaru BRZ sports cars too. Know 86 year old woman who drives and races a Lotus Elise . Americans are getting soft.

 

[AV8R]

You guys are pathetic. Here is a 90 year old who rows gears in a race car. I know 80 year olds who drive Subaru BRZ sports cars too. Know 86 year old woman who drives and races a Lotus Elise . Americans are getting soft.

Yeh but a bet they are single! Lol

 

[RVance]

You guys are pathetic. Here is a 90 year old who rows gears in a race car. I know 80 year olds who drive Subaru BRZ sports cars too. Know 86 year old woman who drives and races a Lotus Elise . Americans are getting soft.

I've been driving a heavy-clutched Mustang GT since 1987 (currently an '89) as my only car until this year when I bought the Stinger GT2 AWD. I'm 66. I wouldn't want an auto in the Fox because 1st and 2nd gear are so much fun, but it's great in the Stinger. I make a lot of trips to Oregon from Crescent City, CA along H 199- about 80 miles, which follows the windy Smith River for 50 of those miles. Not having to concentrate on shifting makes flogging that crazy road (Google Map it) a real blast. I really pushed it on my last trip and I was amazed at how the Stinger handled. Lots of 25 mph hairpins, esses, and off camber shit. The front end never pushed and the AWD (or its associated weight, lol) was awesome in the twisties. This is a very dangerous road. Lots of fatalities and wrecks every year. Been driving it almost 40 years and now it's so much more fun in this car. Nothing to be ashamed about with a good slush box and a good motor. funny, the steering on both cars is around 2.2 lock to lock. Nice and quick. Needless to say, when I'm in L.A./ Orange County, San Diego County on I-5 I don't miss the stick at all.

 

[WildBill]

I had a manual until six months ago.

Merlin, Most people here are comparing manuals in performance cars. Not mini-vans
I could see the desire to not drive a manual after years of that

 

[MerlintheMad]

Merlin, Most people here are comparing manuals in performance cars. Not mini-vans
I could see the desire to not drive a manual after years of that

I thought the main thrust of the discussion was a sore clutch leg. If anything a Voyager with a clutch is like driving a small truck; i.e. more pressure and throw required to press the clutch. It was the single feature that endeared the van. And I drove it like a "performance car". RPMs were in the maximum torque area of 3K all, the, time. Destiny took pity on me, and, after my years of devotion to a feckless project (parts were increasingly difficult to get in any sort of timely fashion), gave me the Stinger. You guys are the beneficiaries of MY destiny.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

2019 Genesis G70 will be sold with a six-speed manual transmission

Because the Stinger is a true GT sports car competing with Audi S7 & Porsche Panamera. Bottom line, we don’t have a manual for the same reason they don’t.

The G70 has one because it’s competing with compact BMW 1-3s, Audi 3-4s, etc...

 

[CaliSting]

Because the Stinger is a true GT sports car competing with Audi S7 & Porsche Panamera. Bottom line, we don’t have a manual for the same reason they don’t.

The G70 has one because it’s competing with compact BMW 1-3s, Audi 3-4s, etc...

I don’t think in any way tha Stinger competes for A7 or Panamera buyers. Don’t think you will find many A7 or Panamera buyers considering Stinger. Those are executive GT cars larger and marketed as more luxurious than our smaller relatively bare bones Stinger GT. Stinger despite some marketing claims is more of a sport GT sedan. Not a true grand touring machine of today. Much more in line with A5 and 4 series or even 5 series BMW all offer manuals. Just saying we tend to inflate our sport GT cars into some kind of luxurious true GT. It’s just not a big luxurious GT despite all marketing claims . G80 is more of an A7 alternative.

Want to see some true GT cars. This list is much more accurate and I agree 911 is a GT car. They are much more luxurious and equipped for grand touring than our econo based Stingers. We won’t find hard cheap plastics , thin carpets, pleather, cheap econo car knobs or handles in any of these true GT cars. Tell you what if Kia were to offer a sub $50k Stinger R with 400 hp V8 and manual trans with real suspension and little more aggressive styling enthusiast line would be out the door. No one would be saying oh it’s not meant to be a sports sedan.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

I don’t think in any way tha Stinger competes for A7 or Panamera buyers. Don’t think you will find many A7 or Panamera buyers considering Stinger. Those are executive GT cars larger and marketed as more luxurious than our smaller relatively bare bones Stinger GT. Stinger despite some marketing claims is more of a sport GT sedan. Not a true grand touring machine of today. Much more in line with A5 and 4 series or even 5 series BMW all offer manuals. Just saying we tend to inflate our sport GT cars into some kind of luxurious true GT. It’s just not a big luxurious GT despite all marketing claims . G80 is more of an A7 alternative.

Want to see some true GT cars. This list is much more accurate and I agree 911 is a GT car. They are much more luxurious and equipped for grand touring than our econo based Stingers. We won’t find hard cheap plastics , thin carpets, pleather, cheap econo car knobs or handles in any of these true GT cars. Tell you what if Kia were to offer a sub $50k Stinger R with 400 hp V8 and manual trans with real suspension and little more aggressive styling enthusiast line would be out the door. No one would be saying oh it’s not meant to be a sports sedan.

Respectfully disagree and a few reasons why.

The only reason a GT2 wouldn’t typically compete with an S7 is because of the Kia’s badge. If they debuted the GT2 under Maserati or Alfa, it would easily be cross shopped with Audi’s, BMWs and Porsche’s. Also the Stinger has already made such an impact on Kia’s image I know people are now shopping Kia that wouldn’t have before. Many people on here already admitted switching from those brands & cars.

I’m not sure what Stinger you have, but my GT2 is far from bare bones. With adjustable suspension, smart cruise, semi-autonomous driving, HUD, 15speaker 720w HK audio, ventilated Nappa Leather seats, etc. it’s 90% of my friends S7 in almost every way. He even said it himself!

The interiors are very similar and they have almost all the same features.

The Stinger is also much closer in size/space/specs to the S7, 640 & Panamera than the smaller cars you listed.

Stinger wheelbase=114.4
S7 wheelbase=114.8
Stinger cargo capacity=23.3
S7 cargo capacity = 24.5
Stinger F/R legroom=42.6/36.4
S7 F/R legroom = 41.3/37
365HP Stinger 0-60=4.7
450HP S7 0-60 = 4.5

So without trying to inflate or exaggerate anything, our Stingers are truly a luxury GT sports car that can compete with the best GTs Germany has to offer.

 

[phxgt]

Cali, if they made a R Stinger as you suggest the journalists would drool and be effusive in their praise. And lines would form to "see" the vehicle. But they would not be lining up to purchase the car.
Too many badge snobs and manual sales are dead.

 

[CaliSting]

Respectfully disagree and a few reasons why.

The only reason a GT2 wouldn’t typically compete with an S7 is because of the Kia’s badge. If they debuted the GT2 under Maserati or Alfa, it would easily be cross shopped with Audi’s, BMWs and Porsche’s. Also the Stinger has already made such an impact on Kia’s image I know people are now shopping Kia that wouldn’t have before. Many people on here already admitted switching from those brands & cars.

I’m not sure what Stinger you have, but my GT2 is far from bare bones. With smart cruise, semi-autonomous driving, HUD, 15speaker 720w HK audio, ventilated Nappa Leather seats, etc. it’s 90% of my friends S7 in almost every way. He even said it himself!View attachment 12869
View attachment 12870 View attachment 12871
The interiors are very similar and they have almost all the same features.

The Stinger is also much closer in size/space/specs to the S7, 640 & Panamera than the smaller cars you listed.

Stinger wheelbase=114.4
S7 wheelbase=114.8
Stinger cargo capacity=23.3
S7 cargo capacity = 24.5
Stinger F/R legroom=42.6/36.4
S7 F/R legroom = 41.3/37
365HP Stinger 0-60=4.7
450HP S7 0-60 = 4.5

So without trying to inflate or exaggerate anything, our Stingers are truly a luxury GT sports car that can compete with the best GTs Germany has to offer.

Think some may be are fooling themselves. My Fully loaded GT2 Stingers interior barely competes with entry level Audi let alone A7. I spent a lot of time in an entry level Panamera and to think Stingers interior is anywhere close to that car s a bit of a dream. Feels more like a nice Honda or Nissan. Have you spent time in nicely appointed A7? To think Stinger comes anywhere close is sort of laughable. Don’t get me wrong Kia does great job but interior isn’t anything like a well appointed Porsche or Audi. Hell my entry level $60k boxster sinterior makes my top end “luxurious” GT2 Stinger interior look like an econobox. I have say I’d have a hard time saying my Stingers interior is luxurious. It’s clean and functional for sure. It goes far beyond badge snobbery. Although I may be marked as a badge snob since I’m a Porsche guy. “ Looking like” and having quality like German car are two separate things. If you were to put a euro badge on the Stinger first complaints would be this car has interior like a Kia!

 

[StungBlueGT2]

Think some may be are fooling themselves. My Fully loaded GT2 Stingers interior barely competes with entry level Audi let alone A7. I spent a lot of time in an entry level Panamera and to think Stingers interior is anywhere close to that car s a bit of a dream. Feels more like a nice Honda or Nissan. Have you spent time in nicely appointed A7? To think Stinger comes anywhere close is sort of laughable. Don’t get me wrong Kia does great job but interior isn’t anything like a well appointed Porsche or Audi. Hell my entry level $60k boxster sinterior makes my top end “luxurious” GT2 Stinger interior look like an econobox. I have say I’d have a hard time saying my Stingers interior is luxurious. It’s clean and functional for sure. It goes far beyond badge snobbery. Although I may be marked as a badge snob since I’m a Porsche guy. “ Looking like” and having quality like German car are two separate things. If you were to put a euro badge on the Stinger first complaints would be this car has interior like a Kia!

Not sure why being a Stinger owner, but you sound like a lot of the negative trolls that just hate on our cars.

I’m far from fooling myself and personally compared to S5/S7, 440/640GranCoupes, CTS Vsport’s, etc. before deciding on the GT2 for $15k-20k less. I’ve also spent a lot of time in and driven my friends even nicer S7 many times. He’s driven mine too. We both agree the Audi is top notch, but also agree my interior & car overall is very similar and at worst 80% as nice for half the price.

It’s so far from a Honda or Nissan I feel like we’re describing completely different cars. But to each their own and sorry your GT2 is so disappointing you feel the need to downplay it’s impressive quality.

 

[CaliSting]

Not sure why being a Stinger owner, but you sound like a lot of the negative trolls that just hate on our cars.

I’m far from fooling myself and personally compared to S5/S7, 440/640GranCoupes, CTS Vsport’s, etc. before deciding on the GT2 for $15k-20k less. I’ve also spent a lot of time in and driven my friends even nicer S7 many times. He’s driven mine too. We both agree the Audi is top notch, but also agree my interior & car overall is very similar and at worst 80% as nice for half the price.

It’s so far from a Honda or Nissan I feel like we’re describing completely different cars. But to each their own and sorry your GT2 is so disappointing you feel the need to downplay it’s impressive quality.

Think you misunderstand . I see car being great for $45k car. Excellent design , great execution, solid engineering from Kia. Nothing against it . However my $22k Honda Civic had equal or better quality in some places . And I just can’t say it’s equal to any European sedan I have driven in terms of interior quality . Not sure that’s trolling just being honest.

 

[RVance]

I can see good points from both camps. The Stinger may only be 8/10ths in the interior compared to the Germans, and this is also the opinion of most automotive writers. But...the Stinger interior has better design if not quite as good materials, IMO- and the exterior, too. The contrasting aluminum, red leather, and black details are very nice. The infotainment unit gets raves as the best in the industry. I can't go ANYWHERE without people stopping me and asking what it is. Or they know what it is and want my impressions. The consensus of the automotive press is the Stinger kicks the 3 series BMW's ass all day long, for much less $$ when comparably equipped. That was the gold standard for many years. One writer commented, "It's nice to close the door and feel a solid thunk like the German cars...used to."

CaliSting gets a pass on the criticisms with me. After all, he owns a premium German brand and still bought a Stinger

 

[StungBlueGT2]

Think you misunderstand . I see car being great for $45k car. Excellent design , great execution, solid engineering from Kia. Nothing against it . However my $22k Honda Civic had equal or better quality in some places . And I just can’t say it’s equal to any European sedan I have driven in terms of interior quality . Not sure that’s trolling just being honest.

Gotcha and guess just agree to disagree.

I do understand and agree in all those things too, but even for a $60k+ vehicle. I would agree with you that a Honda Civic would be equal to Kia’s interiors 10 years ago, but not lately and especially not in my Optima SXL & Stinger GT2. I honestly feel that my GT2 is very similar to a S7 and undoubtedly closer to it than a Civic.

You may not be intentionally trolling, but IMO comparing my GT2 to a Civic just hurts every bone in my body.Lol ok that’s going overboard but you get my point.

So again respectfully agree to disagree and Go Team Stinger!

 

[phxgt]

Think some may be are fooling themselves. My Fully loaded GT2 Stingers interior barely competes with entry level Audi let alone A7. I spent a lot of time in an entry level Panamera and to think Stingers interior is anywhere close to that car s a bit of a dream. Feels more like a nice Honda or Nissan. Have you spent time in nicely appointed A7? To think Stinger comes anywhere close is sort of laughable. Don’t get me wrong Kia does great job but interior isn’t anything like a well appointed Porsche or Audi. Hell my entry level $60k boxster sinterior makes my top end “luxurious” GT2 Stinger interior look like an econobox. I have say I’d have a hard time saying my Stingers interior is luxurious. It’s clean and functional for sure. It goes far beyond badge snobbery. Although I may be marked as a badge snob since I’m a Porsche guy. “ Looking like” and having quality like German car are two separate things. If you were to put a euro badge on the Stinger first complaints would be this car has interior like a Kia!

That extra $10k at minimum in your comparisons can make a nice interior. Your Boxster is $10k more than my gt2. The Panamera is at least $39k more. A "nicely appointed" A7 is $15-20k more.

So yeah, you're right.