New here and for unfortunate reason

[deadStinger]

Hello all,

I had owned my 2019 Ceramic Gray w/ Red interior since fall 2018. I drove it out of the showroom floor with 13 miles on the Odometer.

Coming from an Optima, this was insane. I was in love and had a 200 mile drive home thru 2 mountain passes. It was absolutely glorious, despite the limits of the recommended engine break in (something like 3k-6k RPM for x miles I think?).

Driving to the dealer was horrid given I was driving a POS box truck with my Optima in tow on a big ass trailer. 2k miles after my warranty ended, my transmission went and kia wouldn't budge. I loved the Optima, but wanted more and the Stinger delivered.

Friends scoffed at me for buying a new kia for used BMW prices. I ignored them and loved every second of owning, modding, and driving my Stinger. And for at least 6 months, it was the only 2019 Ceramic Gray Stinger in the state.

I digress. Anyhow, this January my strut tower was damaged and my insurance totalled it. Literally was heartbroken. Was the only car out of 15+ vehicles I've bought brand new. I intended to keep it indefinitely, I loved it that much.

Unfortunately, my stay here on this forum will be brief, given I need to sell some parts and my new toy will no longer carry a Kia badge. I've been in a kia for 10 years between the Optima and Stinger, so I feel somewhat treacherous for choosing another platform for my next vehicle.

 

[Thomby]

Shame to hear, but glad you enjoyed it. Did you ask about the buyout price to see if it's worth getting it repaired and keeping it?

 

[Snicklefritz]

hi bye? why would a strut tower total an entire car??? how did this happen?

 

[deadStinger]

Shame to hear, but glad you enjoyed it. Did you ask about the buyout price to see if it's worth getting it repaired and keeping it?

I thought about it a lot. But unless the repair was done perfectly, I wouldn't be happy. And I'd question the integrity of the vehicle moving forward, which really took the wind out of my sails. The amount of labor for dropping the engine and removing the dash was crazy. (Not something I could take on myself.)

Insurance taking 3 months to decide what they were going to do also had an impact on my decision to not buy out and repair. They kept telling me it was going to be repaired up until they finally decided to scrap it. I think on a Monday I had a voicemail stating they were going to repair it and Thursday that week I got a call that there final decision was to scrap.

 

[Thomby]

Still probably worth inquiring about the buyout value. Drivetrain and other parts alone may be worth it. I've seen a post or two asking for engines or transmissions, so just a thought.

 

[Snicklefritz]

I think on a Monday I had a voicemail stating they were going to repair it and Thursday that week I got a call that there final decision was to scrap.

that sounds suspiciously like someone up the chain wants your car.

 

[deadStinger]

Something is up with my mobile so not sure if you all will see this. Overall very fishy, but 2 months without a car let's the mind run wild.

 

[PaperbackStar]

I'm sorry to hear that, what are you thinking about for your next car?

 

[deadStinger]

I'm sorry to hear that, what are you thinking about for your next car?

Thanks, its been sad. But sometimes tragedy yields new opportunities

It's gonna sound insane, but I'm getting what is essentially my dream car. I'm getting an R35 GTR. The R34 was my true dream car, but I'm happy with my decision.

I'm at a point in life that it's feasible and pulled the trigger. Won't get it until July though.