New 2021 GT1 AWD in the garage

[Montanaman]

I was looking strongly at the 2021 Genesis G70 and didn't want to wait for the 2022 and really don't love the new styling especially the headlights so after seeing a few You Tube reviews on the Stinger I went and test drove one and was blown away. The car is all the reviewers say it is and more. I think it is a much more interesting and unique design than the G70 and the hatchback and longer wheelbase sold me. I got the Ceramic silver and it makes it even more unique looking. I love the look of this car inside and out. The power is phenomenal and the handling with the AWD is stellar and I have not even pushed it hard yet. I did get the rear to step out on an empty round-about so the power is definitely going to the rear under hard acceleration. I'm not going to "drift" the car or even auto cross it so I wanted the AWD for maximum traction and if I ever hit rain or snow.

I'm an older guy so I don't see doing a lot of mod's to it and its a lease so I don't want to be putting items on and off the car when I turn it in ( if I turn it in) . I do think the exhaust could be a bit louder but this is a GT cruiser as much as it is a hooligan car so I'm ok with the quietness of this on the road. It growls enough when your foot is in it for me. I would like to replace or cover the KIA badge on the front but don't want to pull the original one off. Other than that I am going to get a clear bra on the front end and call it a day and enjoy it.

 

[Nasscar]

Welcome and congrats Montanaman. Great intro. You can buy skins that can go over the Kia badge.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I put the "K" skins on my KIA badges well over two years ago and they still look good. When I'm pretty sure that the fun factor (messing with people) is over, I'll pull the "K"s off and go with the KIA badges again.

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

Hey Montanaman,

Welcome to the Stinger Forum and congrats on your new Kia!

You got some serious talent with that photograph of the new car.

Feel free to reach out if you are ever looking for any aftermarket parts and have questions, need suggestions, or if you would like a discount on your order.

All the best,
Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store​

 

[ChaneRZ]

Nice car!

 

[General_Vodka]

Ceramic gang is the way. Want a different badge? Get the skins (sticker) or just peel it off and replace it. Or just make it flush and fill in the holes like I did.

 

[Montanaman]

Well this car is all it is cracked up to be that is for sure. I took it out for a 200 mile romp through some mountain twisties here in Arizona today and it did not disappoint. The handling and power is so good it's hard to believe. I've been fortunate to have some great sports cars in my 60 years and my last one was a C7 Corvette manual but I think I'm going to have even more fun with this car. Yes it's a little heavy in the corners and a bit more exhaust sound would be good but other than that it's perfect.

I tried to keep it off the redline as I only had a hundred miles on it when the road got empty and the turns started but that was tough. There is so much right about this car. Even though the transmission is not a dual clutch the quickness of the shifts is excellent and for once I have paddle shifters that not only work well but are half the fun. There is a slight bit of lag off the line but very slight and then the eye's are back in the sockets as the G's come on quick. Speaking of G force I pushed it through a couple of hairpins and glanced down to see .05 a few times. Yes it is a bit tail happy but the AWD is incredible and keeps the ass end where it belongs. I could easily see the RWD version switching ends if one is not careful. For the extra 2k I'm glad I got the AWD as this system is obviously rear drive biased. I never feel like there is any front wheel action or torque steer. Most of the power is going to the rear end which is awesome.

As many reviewers say the rear end can feel a bit loose even with AWD and my guess is because of the very long wheel base. It's a much bigger feeling car than I thought it would be. I've driven the new Supra and this Stinger feels so much bigger in every way and that's a good thing in my book as how much of real world driving is done at 8or 9/10ths? Not much. This car is sneaky fast and I saw triple digits a few times and didn't even realize it. Time for a new radar detector.

Anyway very happy so far. If this ends up being a reliable car than it's a home run for me. It's shocking that the sales are so weak but that's ok as even in a city as big as Phoenix I now have a car that is not in every super market parking lot.

Good work KIA. There was rumors that they were going to discontinue this car last year but that appears to be more fake news. If they do than maybe these become collectable one day. Who knows.

 

[bearstinger]

Time for a new radar detector.

One of the first things we bought!

Welcome! Love the twisty mountain roads of AZ, lived there over 40 years. And the big flat straight roads. Moved back here after my first hubby passed and met new hubby in a chat room. LOL

 

[MerlintheMad]

This car is sneaky fast and I saw triple digits a few times and didn't even realize it.

Twenty miles an hour faster than it feels. After nearly three years, I still look down absently at the speedometer and find that I've inched up to over 80 MPH, sometimes well into the 90s and it feels like 70.