New 2022 GT2 - Scorpion Owner

[Docked Wages]

Last night I brought home my new white GT2 with the Scorpion package. The dealer was 167 miles from home and my wife who was the biggest KIA skeptic drove it back. Her daily driver is a 2SS LS3/M6 Convertible Camaro with mods and tune delivering 480 RWHP. After 2.5 hours in the car she loves it. Now that I've got her calmed down and stopped her from lipping off about the car I can go on to enjoying it without the noise from her. She was very surprised at how this car performs right out of the box. At 80MPH average speed she was very happy on the freeway with the way the car performed as a Touring Sedan.

So what are my impressions? Well, my daily driver is a CTS V Wagon (Cadzilla) with Mods so I also have a high bar set when it comes to performance. However, once we coverd 155 miles, got to my shop and dropped off the Caddy I got into the driver seat of the Stinger for the rest of the ride home which is about 10 miles. After spending 150 Miles in the Caddy at 80MPH, right away I said the Stinger is much more civilized than the old V2 Caddy. The ride is much quieter on the same road surface and the acceleration 0-30 is comparable. The Caddy will kill it once the tires hook but again it has a lot more horsepower. But.....Overall the Stinger is a much better GT car than the V2 Wagon.

We did line the cars up and at 80 the Caddy does pull away but that's expected because there's a 200+ HP difference. Street light to street light the Stinger would hold it's own. The torque is there down low and I'm assuming the trans is geared low in the 1-2 so it's no slouch off the light. Overall I'm very happy with the car as is.

This is heresy. Me saying anything nice about a KIA is a huge change because I grew up in Detroit where I spent 23 years as a program director in charge of prototype and concept car builds. I've been a part of some of the most interesting vehicles Detroit had to offer but nothing they offer now compares at this price point. I grew up in a Ford house and I'm already out of my parents will (retired UAW) so I don't have to deal with that noise but there will be some screaming in their house when they find out there's a KIA in my driveway.

Overall, the two biggest KIA skeptics are very impressed with this car!

First mods are debadge the nose then a set of spacers, ceramic tint, ceramic coat, 1" drop springs and the factory mud guards to reduce stone pecks on the rockers. Next maybe JB4 and Meth since where I live in Florida the closest E85 is 48 miles away and not reliable.

Regarding the springs, I still want the soft ride (I'm 54) since it's my new daily and we will be using it for long weekend trips so comfort is the first consideration but I still need to close the fender to tire gap. I'll be reading every spring review here to aid in my decision.

I'll get pics with the Stinger and the V2 Wagon up tomorrow since I've got burgers to cook today.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Last night I brought home my new white GT2 with the Scorpion package. The dealer was 167 miles from home and my wife who was the biggest KIA skeptic drove it back. Her daily driver is a 2SS LS3/M6 Convertible Camaro with mods and tune delivering 480 RWHP. After 2.5 hours in the car she loves it. Now that I've got her calmed down and stopped her from lipping off about the car I can go on to enjoying it without the noise from her. She was very surprised at how this car performs right out of the box. At 80MPH average speed she was very happy on the freeway with the way the car performed as a Touring Sedan.

We did line the cars up and at 80 the Caddy does pull away but that's expected because there's a 200+ HP difference. Street light to street light the Stinger would hold it's own. The torque is there down low and I'm assuming the trans is geared low in the 1-2 so it's no slouch off the light. Overall I'm very happy with the car as is.

So what are my impressions? Well, my daily driver is a CTS V Wagon with Mods so I also have a high bar set when it comes to performance. However, once we coverd 155 miles, got to my shop and dropped off the Caddy I got into the driver seat of the Stinger for the rest of the ride home which is about 10 miles. After spending 150 Miles in the Caddy at 80MPH, right away I said the Stinger is much more civilized than the old V2 Caddy. The ride is much quieter on the same road surface and the acceleration 0-30 is comparable. The Caddy will kill it once the tires hook but again it has a lot more horsepower. But.....Overall the Stinger is a much better GT car than the V2 Wagon.

This is heresy. Me saying anything nice about a KIA is a huge change because I grew up in Detroit where I spent 23 years as a program director in charge of prototype and concept car builds. I've been a part of some of the most interesting vehicles Detroit had to offer but nothing they offer now compares at this price point. I grew up in a Ford house and I'm already out of my parents will (retired UAW) so I don't have to deal with that noise but there will be some screaming in their house when they find out there's a KIA in my driveway.

Overall, the two biggest KIA skeptics are very impressed with this car!

First mods are debadge the nose then a set of spacers, ceramic tint, ceramic coat, 1" drop springs and the factory mud guards to reduce stone pecks on the rockers. Next maybe JB4 and Meth since where I live in Florida the closest E85 is 48 miles away and not reliable.

Regarding the springs, I still want the soft ride (I'm 54) since it's my new daily and we will be using it for long weekend trips so comfort is the first consideration but I still need to close the fender to tire gap. I'll be reading every spring review here to aid in my decision.

I'll get pics with the Stinger and the V2 Wagon up tomorrow since I've got burgers to cook today.

Welcome aboard! And thank you for signing up. Congratulations on your brand new Stinger! I’m glad you found us. It sounds like you’re a serious automobile enthusiast. It’s nice to hear you like the Stinger as much as you do. Kia can make a competitor to any vehicle these days. They simply bring to market what their customer base will purchase.

 

[YEH]

This is heresy. Me saying anything nice about a KIA is a huge change because I grew up in Detroit where I spent 23 years as a program director in charge of prototype and concept car builds. I've been a part of some of the most interesting vehicles Detroit had to offer but nothing they offer now compares at this price point. I grew up in a Ford house and I'm already out of my parents will (retired UAW) so I don't have to deal with that noise but there will be some screaming in their house when they find out there's a KIA in my driveway.

Were your Ford parents that upset that you and your spouse were a GM household? Lol

And congrats on the newest addition! (Always liked the CTS-V wagon more than the sedan.)

 

[StingertimeNC]

Good stuff. Ark GT-F springs drop about an inch, car looks much better and still drives nice. In fact I do a lot of driving in Custom Mode, with steering and throttle set to sport and suspension set to comfort. Eibach Sway bars are fantastic too! Enjoy the new ride.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Interesting story/post. Everyone has to please themselves, but I think the Stinger is low enough and the wheel gap looks fine: it's a GT, not a contestant in a car show.

 

[RM7]

V-wagon is still one of my dream-cars.

 

[trooperducky]

With 19s i think a 1in drop is perfect. With 20s id go storm springs which if i remember are .8 front and .6 rear.

 

[Docked Wages]

Were your Ford parents that upset that you and your spouse were a GM household? Lol

And congrats on the newest addition! (Always liked the CTS-V wagon more than the sedan.)

Yep. Anything non Ford is a problem. We also have 2 Fords but I'm still out of the will.

 

[Docked Wages]

Interesting story/post. Everyone has to please themselves, but I think the Stinger is low enough and the wheel gap looks fine: it's a GT, not a contestant in a car show.

I'm a product of my environment. Every concept car I ever worked on was lower (trucks were taller) and every wheel/tire set was pushed farther out than the final production vehicle ended up with. Production versions get the tires tucked to reduce stone pecks on the side of the car and ride height is set to clear driveway approaches and parking blocks. Living in Florida on perfectly flat paved roads neither is a concern for me. I've already checked the car to the parking blocks at my shop and with a 1" drop it still clears. If I do a chin spoiler to balance the black from the rear facia that's a different story.

Not going for the slammed look (I'm an old guy) but long and low is pleasing to my eye. Plus I already have one lifted vehicle in the driveway.

 

[Docked Wages]

With 19s i think a 1in drop is perfect. With 20s id go storm springs which if i remember are .8 front and .6 rear.

Agreed. I did consider 20's with larger OD tires and no drop springs but my wife would scream if I spent money on a set of wheels/tires right after buying the car. Plus I already have the 20 MM spacers.

 

[Maljey]

Awesome OP. Congrats on the purchase! Did you ever consider the current generation CT4-V and CT5-V (not the Blackwings). They occupy the same general price range of the Stinger. Was curious since you already have a CTS V Wagon.

The CT4-V was on my short list but is/was a super rare car in this region, especially with RWD.

Of course I ended up getting an AWD Stinger but I viewed the Stinger as a true GT car that's kinda sporty. Plus the added utility is a huge bonus. Super good jack of all trades car.

 

[RedCal]

Welcome to the hive!

 

[Docked Wages]

Awesome OP. Congrats on the purchase! Did you ever consider the current generation CT4-V and CT5-V (not the Blackwings). They occupy the same general price range of the Stinger. Was curious since you already have a CTS V Wagon.

The CT4-V was on my short list but is/was a super rare car in this region, especially with RWD.

Of course I ended up getting an AWD Stinger but I viewed the Stinger as a true GT car that's kinda sporty. Plus the added utility is a huge bonus. Super good jack of all trades car.

Yes, I did drive both the CT4-V and CT5-V and the stop for me was the exterior styling was too bland. Nothing beautiful about those cars and they just look like any other car out there to me. Not far enough away from looking like a Camry....

I really considered going backward to an ATS-V but the interior was so dated I just couldn't do it.

The stinger pushed all of the buttons for me and then with the 10/100K warranty considered I just couldn't find anything else that compared in the sub $50K range.

 

[Docked Wages]

Here's a pic of the Stinger with its older brother. What's rare is two of my vehicles are clean at the same time. Summertime here in Florida means a strong chance of a quick rain shower at 3 PM everyday. That combined with nearly constant pollen and every kind of bug makes it difficult to keep them spotless. I'll enjoy not daily driving a black car for a while.

This pic is with the 20MM spacers. Tomorrow it gets Xpel Ceramic Tint and then we wait for the lowering springs ordered yesterday.

 

[Maljey]

Yes, I did drive both the CT4-V and CT5-V and the stop for me was the exterior styling was too bland. Nothing beautiful about those cars and they just look like any other car out there to me. Not far enough away from looking like a Camry....

I really considered going backward to an ATS-V but the interior was so dated I just couldn't do it.

The stinger pushed all of the buttons for me and then with the 10/100K warranty considered I just couldn't find anything else that compared in the sub $50K range.

I am ok with styling of CT4 and CT5, with exception of the tail lights on the 4. They just look out of place and droopy.

Agreed on Stinger warranty. Going to be keeping mine stock to take advantage of it. The only exception being a possible aftermarket exhaust and sway bars. Even though I primarily consider it a GT car I really wish the exhaust was louder, even with the active values on the 2022.

Any impressions on the Stingers handling vs your CTS wagon?

 

[Docked Wages]

So far only driven it on the freeway. It is much more quiet and smoother than the V Wagon. Acceleration from a stop is very good. No disappointments with the Stinger so far.

Just about every road in Florida is straight and flat so handling to me is secondary.

I have a Dragy so I might get them out on the same morning and do a back to back 0-60 comparison in the future.

 

[ScorpionStinger]

Congrats from a new to the paatay 2022 GT2 Scorpion Edition Ceramic Silver owner. Love it thus far. Coming out of two lease cycles of a 2015 and 2018 Ford Taurus SHOS. The Stinger stock form pulls a heck of a lot harder than the SHO in stock form per my butt dyno. Very pleased so far with the Stinger. Enjoy and love the Caddy Vagons...nice stable you have!