Looking to join Stinger Owners

[dasaint]

Howdy, all! I've been browsing the forums here and finally decided to register and make my first post. I am looking at purchasing a Stinger within the next few months (I am in no rush). Ideally, will need AWD and prefer the 6cylinder version as I typically keep my cars for a long time and need AWD for the midwest snow. Most likely, the Stinger will probably be my last gas engine car that I purchase. I plan to take care of it (just like my other vehicles) so it will last me at least 8-10 years. Basically, a used GT (or GT1) is what I am browsing and am hoping I will find a good deal/price. Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Welcome. I "waited" three days after my test drive (exactly three years ago today). Have you taken a test drive? Don't, if you plan on waiting months. Hah.

 

[dasaint]

Welcome. I "waited" three days after my test drive (exactly three years ago today). Have you taken a test drive? Don't, if you plan on waiting months. Hah.

I did and also drove the 4cylinder version. Of course, fell in love with the GT. Both drove great. On a side note - I did not drive the K5 as it did catch my eye. For now, Stinger is on my list and I may consider the 4 cylinder if I can't get a good deal on the GT (or GT1).

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

If you drove both the 4-cyl and the 6-cyl and enjoyed both of them equally, and you don't need the added horsepower of the 6-cyl, then go with the 4-cyl Stinger. Also, if you are looking at used GT/GT1 Stingers, then you can probably swing (with good negotiation) a new 4-cyl Stinger... whether that's a 2.0L or a 2.5L Stinger...

If you're not looking for performance, want to keep this car at least a decade, and are after longevity then a new 2.0L or 2.5L makes more sense than a used 3.3L Stinger.

Also, and perhaps I'm a bit of a loon, but in my experience having a set of winter tires for the snow/ice months and a set of summer (or all-season tires) for the warmer months (in other words tires being essential) is more important than drivetrain. I've driven with winter tires on my E36 (rwd) and it did better in the snow than my WRX (awd) that had all-season tires the first season I had the car.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Welcome btw!

 

[dasaint]

If you drove both the 4-cyl and the 6-cyl and enjoyed both of them equally, and you don't need the added horsepower of the 6-cyl, then go with the 4-cyl Stinger. Also, if you are looking at used GT/GT1 Stingers, then you can probably swing (with good negotiation) a new 4-cyl Stinger... whether that's a 2.0L or a 2.5L Stinger...

If you're not looking for performance, want to keep this car at least a decade, and are after longevity then a new 2.0L or 2.5L makes more sense than a used 3.3L Stinger.

Also, and perhaps I'm a bit of a loon, but in my experience having a set of winter tires for the snow/ice months and a set of summer (or all-season tires) for the warmer months (in other words tires being essential) is more important than drivetrain. I've driven with winter tires on my E36 (rwd) and it did better in the snow than my WRX (awd) that had all-season tires the first season I had the car.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Welcome btw!

I appreciate your thoughts and sharing your experience. I had multiple RWD (e30, e36, e46, etc.) and enjoyed all of them. I had winter tires and it does help with having sand bags / dumbbells in the trunk (memories). LOL. Fast forward, being older (and now with a family), personally, I don't want another RWD in a midwest winter. Can you expand on why a 2.0/2.5 would have a longer longevity compared to a 3.3?

 

[RedCal]

Welcome to the hive!

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

I appreciate your thoughts and sharing your experience. I had multiple RWD (e30, e36, e46, etc.) and enjoyed all of them. I had winter tires and it does help with having sand bags / dumbbells in the trunk (memories). LOL. Fast forward, being older (and now with a family), personally, I don't want another RWD in a midwest winter. Can you expand on why a 2.0/2.5 would have a longer longevity compared to a 3.3?

No problemo amigo!

Glad to see a fellow BMW enthusiast!

LOL yeah I know all about the extra weight in the rear... nerve-wrecking hearing something move or fly lmfao!

I wouldn't say the 2.0/2.5 would have longer longevity (I don't know - perhaps those engines are even less high strung than the 3.3 therefore will be better for longevity and reliability? - I could be wrong) but what I meant to say was if you're purchasing a used GT/GT1 then you will have a shorter warranty than if you purchase a new 2.0/2.5 Stinger. The reason I bring that up is right now there are probably a good amount of deals going on for the 2.0L since the 2.5L is phasing them out.

Again, if performance is not a big thing, then a 2.0L-AWD can probably be picked up new within your parameters set via budget and will have a very nice warranty from the factory included for free with that purchase.

Plus, the 2.0L is going to be more fuel-efficient than the 3.3L and cheaper to insure while having lower maintenance cost.

 

[stoopid]

... Most likely, the Stinger will probably be my last gas engine car that I purchase.

I said that it seems like forever ago, and I've had several cars since. Electrification of millions of vehicles is rather complex and requires a huge infrastructure, as we're all learning.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I said that it seems like forever ago, and I've had several cars since. Electrification of millions of vehicles is rather complex and requires a huge infrastructure, as we're all learning.

I expect ICE vehicles for quite some time. There will be a lengthy overlap as the EV infrastructure slowly gains coverage. But hinging on all of this is tech: I don't really see batteries cooperating fast and efficiently enough to compensate for the loss of convenience; as well as being ecologically undesirable in their own right; the mining and disposal aspects to name two. Unless "green" can be shown to be dramatically superior to the petroleum industry, there really isn't an altruistic need for EV. If you like them then you're a bit weird, in my humble opinion. Hah. If we're forced into EVs then oh, well. But I expect to be dead and gone long before you younger drivers will face that denouement.

 

[stoopid]

I thoroughly discussed this topic in another thread, don't feel like reposting all of it (starting at post #19 below).

What do you think about this?

 

[MerlintheMad]

I thoroughly discussed this topic in another thread, don't feel like reposting all of it (starting at post #19 below).

What do you think about this?

See, this is what I am talking about: I never saw that thread in the first place.

 

[stoopid]

See, this is what I am talking about: I never saw that thread in the first place.

Sorry, I wasn't implying you should have. Just can't see having the same lengthy discussion numerous times so I linked to it instead.

 

[dasaint]

No problemo amigo!

Glad to see a fellow BMW enthusiast!

LOL yeah I know all about the extra weight in the rear... nerve-wrecking hearing something move or fly lmfao!

I wouldn't say the 2.0/2.5 would have longer longevity (I don't know - perhaps those engines are even less high strung than the 3.3 therefore will be better for longevity and reliability? - I could be wrong) but what I meant to say was if you're purchasing a used GT/GT1 then you will have a shorter warranty than if you purchase a new 2.0/2.5 Stinger. The reason I bring that up is right now there are probably a good amount of deals going on for the 2.0L since the 2.5L is phasing them out.

Again, if performance is not a big thing, then a 2.0L-AWD can probably be picked up new within your parameters set via budget and will have a very nice warranty from the factory included for free with that purchase.

Plus, the 2.0L is going to be more fuel-efficient than the 3.3L and cheaper to insure while having lower maintenance cost.

I see where you are coming from. All good. Definitely there are ups/downs between owning the 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder Stingers. You are right about the $$ where the 4 banger would be more cost-effective. There is one part of me that wants the extra ponies for the open/rural roads. LOL.

 

[dasaint]

I said that it seems like forever ago, and I've had several cars since. Electrification of millions of vehicles is rather complex and requires a huge infrastructure, as we're all learning.

Personally, I definitely want an EV. Right now, I am not ready (reason why I want a Stinger and joined the Stinger forums) for one as I think there are still needed improvements (e.g, battery). I figure it is just a matter of time.

 

[stoopid]

I see where you are coming from. All good. Definitely there are ups/downs between owning the 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder Stingers. You are right about the $$ where the 4 banger would be more cost-effective. There is one part of me that wants the extra ponies for the open/rural roads. LOL.

The new 2.5T Stinger closes that gap, at 300hp would be a credible fun vehicle. The 3.3TT is the primary reason I ended up with the car though, I probably wouldn't be tempted by the 2.5T because it would have been comparable to the vehicle I was trading in. But for someone taking what are often incremental steps up in cars with each purchase (like I have in the past decade), the 2.5T would be a nice fit. For someone wanting raw performance, I still don't think it rivals the 3.3TT.

 

[StingerJefferson]

Other thing to note: new cars get the 10 year/100k mile warranty; used cars will get a 5 year/50k mile warranty. If you’re balancing the cost savings of the smaller engine, that might be worthwhile.

I have the 3.3 AWD, and I have different summer/winter tires. Summers are on lightweight rims and smaller; winters are on the stock rims (which are effing boat anchors). I really debated the expense of this setup and it was all worth it this last winter. New baby, far more snow than expected, all the other crap this last year and some days it felt like the only thing in my life with a grip was my tires.

But the summers go on in about two weeks and can’t weight (see what I did there?).

 

[Ulikefishsticks]

You can get a CPO Stinger that will retain the factory 10year/100k warranty. My stinger was a used with 7000 miles and came with the factory warranty. I am also really really weird with cars. If I don't have every option the car has then I will have this dread that I will be regret it in the future. I would definitely go for the 3.3 GT. The car has enough power to be fun for sure. The 2.5L 4Cyl would probably be a nice middle ground but you will have to wait a few months to snag some fresh trade ins. My car just passed 42069 miles(forgot to snap picture) and it's running strong.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Yeah get a 3.3L then that is CPO so you can have the really long warranty...

Happy huntin' n' shoppin' friend!

 

[dasaint]

The other day, went to take a visit at a Kia dealership and test drove the K5. The K5 looks very nice in person and has nice lines to the body. Once you sit inside, things change. It was a disappointment. The interior was all plastic, standard options are lacking, and just felt cheap. The drive mirrored how I felt sitting inside... just not good. The Stinger is becoming a much clearer choice, for me. The real debate is which trim and engine. Hmm....

 

[MerlintheMad]

The other day, went to take a visit at a Kia dealership and test drove the K5. The K5 looks very nice in person and has nice lines to the body. Once you sit inside, things change. It was a disappointment. The interior was all plastic, standard options are lacking, and just felt cheap. The drive mirrored how I felt sitting inside... just not good. The Stinger is becoming a much clearer choice, for me. The real debate is which trim and engine. Hmm....

Wait to test a 2.5L, then you'll know if you need that additional 68 HP.