@Jumpy I look at it from the perspective of reputation: there are vehicles that are nice to drive, but not well put together and names like Fiat, Chrysler (today's!), Alfa Romeo come to mind. The Germans also used to build cars of better quality. Car & Driver mentions a sticker price of $52Kfor a well equipped Giulia. There is a lot of hype because it's a classic brand, so everybody is interested, but there are no Alfa dealerships. Other than some auto journalist who were provided with free passages to Italy or God knows where, not many have driven that car. So all we know is what we read.
As I said, Alfa Romeo used to be a great brand, and they did certainly build attractive and sophisticated cars. In Italy. They did not seem to hold up that well north of the Alps. The only time I was riding in an Alfa Romeo was 1975/76 in Frankfurt with a collegue, who had just bought it used, and already complained about an oil leak. I tell you, it was not nearly as impressive as the rides that I took on a regular basis in Zurich with a Doctor who owned an Aston Martin DB5. We were sailing on Lake Zurich and I was his crew. That was also the time James Bond Goldfinger was shown in the theaters. Now that was a car. 4 liter 6 cyl, close to 300hp then. Set the suspension on the dash. Gas tank access from either side.
Aston Martin is still building cars. Yesterday, at my surgeon's office, I saw this car. Now that is a car i like. Gullwings, look where the door
handles are located: close to the floor. The profile of the car is gorgeous. But I digress.
Bottomline, we all want the car we fall in love with, and then damn the torpedos, even if it's in the garage more than any other. And there is always a way to explain it away. Originally, I wanted to replace my F150, but then I hear the problems on the new F150 with the doors not fitting, the seats being uncomfortable, the cargo box with a floor that is separate from the surround (you would think it to be a pan) and a bunch of other things that I may accept on a $15K vehicle but not on a $65K one. So scratch that. Next SUVs. Yes I like sitting high in my truck but I wanted it now quiet. SUVs are not as quiet as one might think. It's the box shape that causes droning and seem to amplify other noises. It was a Highlander. Too bad. Not for $60K. I don't even know about the Stinger. Have not driven one. I hope I will not be disappointed.
We all have to make our own experiences. We fall in love with certain things. If it a car, you like the way it drives, the price, and the shop for servicing (the closer the better), go ahead, after proper research. Or wait a year, and see what the fallout is.
Reality is, no matter what car we drive, we won't drive it Nurburgring style most days of the year. All this zoom, zoom, open road or rugged country, als this stuff we see in car commercials: no regular driver will experience it on an ongoing basis or ever do any of the things advertised. After all, there is a cop waiting down the road, and you really take you $60K vehicle off road, into the desert, where there is no cell reception, and you never changed a tire in your life?
In reality, what we need is comfort, quietness, power to get you out of jam in a hurry and have all the technology to avoid accidents. I don't understand why seats are so seldom mentioned, but the steering, the feel of the road all the time. If I am on the interstate for 8-10 hours, I better have great seats. I see very few manufacturers make a point drawing your attention to it. Because, like Ford, they are sub-par and should be ashamed to sell these with their cars. It's like a good stereo receiver with mediocre speakers.
You got to do your research to know where you spend your money. Since I intend to keep that or any other vehicle for a long time, resale value is not something I worry a lot about. But if someone is changing his or her vehicle habitually every 3-4 years, it may get costly with a Kia car.
We also have all our loyalties, imprinted when small or later added as we gain experience. We tend to disregard certain makes and prefer others. You have to use your brain and know what you want. I think a Mazda might be more satisfactory than a Alfa Romeo. Just gut feeling.
I was attracted by the Stinger's profile, more so than the "Tiger nose". I also liked some pictures of the 2018 Camry, particularly in red.
You and I and all others here are dealing with information only without having touched or sat in the actual product. Never mind driven it.
I made a list of the possible candidates, together with pictures, compared essential data and measurements, gathered information, looked at videos, looked at the cousins of the candidates, history, Wiki, let it go through your mind, sleep on it and and let subconsciousness decide.
Good luck with your choice(s).
Here is an interesting article:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul.../?src=nl&mag=pop&list=nl_pnl_news&date=080317
