New owner

[JHolding]

Hi all. I figured I'd post an intro.

I purchased a 2023 Chroma Red GT2 less than 2 weeks ago... Just finally hit the 500 mile mark, so time to start enjoying it.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Howdy officially. You have another 100 miles to go before Kia's recommended "break in" period is done. Mine was reached on my first road trip c. half a month into ownership, and I celebrated with a nice long fast pass of a couple of 18 wheelers and interspersed cars: got up to 135 MPH. The easiest way to keep the RPMs between 2K and 4K as recommended during break in is to keep it in Sport mode and use the paddle shifters.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Hi all. I figured I'd post an intro.

I purchased a 2023 Chroma Red GT2 less than 2 weeks ago... Just finally hit the 500 mile mark, so time to start enjoying it.

Welcome aboard! And thank you for signing up. Congratulations on your brand new Stinger! What did the Stinger replace for you? I’m glad you found us.

 

[RedCal]

Welcome to the hive and great colour choice

 

[JHolding]

Stinger replaced A 2021 STI. Bit of a story..

I bought the 2017 2LT Z51 7 speed manual Stingray new in 2017. I owned it for 4 years before I got sick of the quality of the Vette. It had under 20k miles, and was showing interior wear and year like a car with 4 times the mileage.... I got a bit upset and decided to start shopping.

I found a dealer that had a 2021 STI limited in the color I wanted, and I've always liked those. Had a ton of equity in the Vette, and thanks to COVID and the used car market, I got over blue book in trade. The STI was listed at sticker, so I traded.

The STI was fun, but they are gutless and difficult to drive without abusing the hell out of the clutch... I drove it for a year and half, and decided I wanted something different. Always liked the Stinger. I started searching and saw that the Kia dealer has 2 GT2's in stock.

They also are a Subaru dealer, which was a coincidence I didn't know about into I arrived... The Stingers we're priced at MSRP plus a $3k dealer installed package (ceramic tint, ceramic paint coating and interior protectant)... I was okay with that, I know I could do it all cheaper, but I could live with it.

The kicker.... They gave me more than I paid for the STI.

And.... Here I am. Lol

Enjoy my cars, Aussie style. I'm not sure why it is flipping the pics upside down, using my phone on this site..

The STI was unmodified aside from Thule crossbars, aero deflector and bike carrier.

The Vette: Z06 grill, AWE Track edition catback exhaust. Extreme Online Store ZR1 style front splitter, side skirts and Z06 stage 3 ready spoiler with wicker bill. EOS rear diffusers. I'll have to dig to find pictures of those mods, if anyone is interested.

 

[RedCal]

Yellow, Blue, and Red, apparently you like primary colours

 

[JHolding]

More pics of the Vette.

Haha... I just like what catches my eye.

When I was Vette shopping, I was there to look at a similarly equipped blue one..... The yellow had me distracted, and that's what I left with. Lol

 

[JHolding]

All of the Vette mods were installed by myself, including the 3M black vinyl "stinger" on the hood.

I've had some experience with applying vinyl, and blacking out the roof on the Stinger will be my first upgrade. I have a roll of Vvivid ultra gloss piano black sitting in the garage, waiting on me.

My B7 Audi S4 cab was black, but I wrapped the entire car in satin blue metallic. Not a professional, I've just always been a car guy that loves DIY.

Pics of the B7.

 

[RedCal]

If you are looking for Stinger mods, front and rear sway bars are a great upgrade

Edit

And you probably want to change the pads on all four corners for some aftermarket ones

 

[JHolding]

If you are looking for Stinger mods, front and rear sway bars are a great upgrade

Edit

And you probably want to change the pads on all four corners for some aftermarket ones

How bad is the brake dust on the stock pads? That was always a pet peeve of mine from both the Vette and the STI Brembos.

I've read up on the brake shudder issue. So if I experience it, pads are on the top of the list.

Also looking at the BMS kit (intakes, JB4, plugs, AOS). But for now, I'm just going to enjoy it for a few months.

 

[RedCal]

How bad is the brake dust on the stock pads? That was always a pet peeve of mine from both the Vette and the STI Brembos.

I've read up on the brake shudder issue. So if I experience it, pads are on the top of the list.

Also looking at the BMS kit (intakes, JB4, plugs, AOS). But for now, I'm just going to enjoy it for a few months.

It's not so much the dust but the shudder... I've ceramic coated my wheels and they are much easier to keep clean as a result. I've done a full brake upgrade with DBA rotors and EBC redstuff up front

 

[Peter@K8StingerStore]

Hi all. I figured I'd post an intro.

I purchased a 2023 Chroma Red GT2 less than 2 weeks ago... Just finally hit the 500 mile mark, so time to start enjoying it.

Hey JHolding!

Firstly, Congrats on your new 23' Stinger GT2! I bet you're loving the luxury of the interior and performance of the powerplant!

If you're looking into any OEM or Aftermarket Mods, we have everything you'd ever need at www.K8StingerStore.com!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if you would like a discount on your order!

Enjoy the new ride!

Peter @ K8 Stinger Store​

 

[alexia.x]

Hi all. I figured I'd post an intro.

I purchased a 2023 Chroma Red GT2 less than 2 weeks ago... Just finally hit the 500 mile mark, so time to start enjoying it.

Congrats & welcome to the hive! Hi Chroma red is definitely the best color out there IMO, especially with a nice ceramic coat

 

[GenesisG70]

Stinger replaced A 2021 STI. Bit of a story..

I bought the 2017 2LT Z51 7 speed manual Stingray new in 2017. I owned it for 4 years before I got sick of the quality of the Vette. It had under 20k miles, and was showing interior wear and year like a car with 4 times the mileage.... I got a bit upset and decided to start shopping.

I found a dealer that had a 2021 STI limited in the color I wanted, and I've always liked those. Had a ton of equity in the Vette, and thanks to COVID and the used car market, I got over blue book in trade. The STI was listed at sticker, so I traded.

The STI was fun, but they are gutless and difficult to drive without abusing the hell out of the clutch... I drove it for a year and half, and decided I wanted something different. Always liked the Stinger. I started searching and saw that the Kia dealer has 2 GT2's in stock.

They also are a Subaru dealer, which was a coincidence I didn't know about into I arrived... The Stingers we're priced at MSRP plus a $3k dealer installed package (ceramic tint, ceramic paint coating and interior protectant)... I was okay with that, I know I could do it all cheaper, but I could live with it.

The kicker.... They gave me more than I paid for the STI.

And.... Here I am. Lol

Enjoy my cars, Aussie style. I'm not sure why it is flipping the pics upside down, using my phone on this site..

The STI was unmodified aside from Thule crossbars, aero deflector and bike carrier.

The Vette: Z06 grill, AWE Track edition catback exhaust. Extreme Online Store ZR1 style front splitter, side skirts and Z06 stage 3 ready spoiler with wicker bill. EOS rear diffusers. I'll have to dig to find pictures of those mods, if anyone is interested.

Can you tell me where you bought that equipment to keep your cars upside down? I am really interested cuz I could do my engine oil changes without going under the car...

 

[LordKOTL]

Welcome! Love the color for obvious reasons.

 

[JHolding]

Can you tell me where you bought that equipment to keep your cars upside down? I am really interested cuz I could do my engine oil changes without going under the car...

lol.

I wish I knew. Something about the web interface and my Galaxy S22 Ultra. None of the pic's were upside down on my phone. haha

Actually. I think it's something embedded in the pic, and the fact I'm a lefty. I will never conform to your right handed ways.