Ride Comfort: GT vs GT1/GT2

[mldavis2]

The manual says the transmission fluid needs to be flushed every 60,000 miles for severe driving conditions, just like other cars, (chapter 7, page 14). Driving mountain passes is considered "severe", and that's what I enjoy doing with my cars. Once I do the 1,500 mile service, I'll be hitting the slopes.

Yes, you may be right. I read that for what it said "automatic transaxle" fluid. A transaxle to me is the front AWD transaxle, not the entire rear wheel drive transmission. I will try to clarify that with the service department. I'm also waiting on Kia tech to clarify the fuel recommended for the 3.3T since it says two different things for octane depending on which publication of the manual you have.

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

Yes, you may be right. I read that for what it said "automatic transaxle" fluid. A transaxle to me is the front AWD transaxle, not the entire rear wheel drive transmission. I will try to clarify that with the service department. I'm also waiting on Kia tech to clarify the fuel recommended for the 3.3T since it says two different things for octane depending on which publication of the manual you have.

My understanding is "automatic transaxle fluid" and "automatic transmission fluid" are the same thing, like "hood" and "bonnet". In terms of fuel, the Kia spec sheet (US) says "premium recommended". Every car sold in the US must be able to function at least temporarily on 87, but in the case of the Stinger, it appears the engine is able to adapt to both. That's quite unusual, or at least it used to be. I'm running premium, as recommended, but it's nice to know you don't have to. For example, when I need to get gas in a podunk town, where everyone drives a truck, the 87 is going to get a lot more use than the "premium", and I'd probably just opt for the 87 in such a situation. Also, I have come across middle-of-nowhere stations that only have 87, so that's a nice trick up it's sleeve. Outside of such situations, though, it will be premium for my Stinger.

 

[StingerGT68]

I drive a base GT and don't find the ride to be very harsh at all. It's on the 18s" with all-season tires. Compared to my 3-series with run-flats, it's like floating! lol

As for the adaptive suspension, are you really sure the base GT doesn't have it? Pretty sure that's one of my options when I switch to Custom mode. Maybe I'm wrong, though. Either way, the car feels totally different in Sport vs Comfort.

 

[Ucinn]

Yea, the GT1 doesn't have the adaptive suspension but I find the GT suspension to be a perfect mix of firmness and comfort. It's firm enough to feel the road, yet comfortable enough that a decent size bump won't rattle your brain. It's like right in between the Sorento and Mustang.

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

I drive a base GT and don't find the ride to be very harsh at all. It's on the 18s" with all-season tires. Compared to my 3-series with run-flats, it's like floating! lol

As for the adaptive suspension, are you really sure the base GT doesn't have it? Pretty sure that's one of my options when I switch to Custom mode. Maybe I'm wrong, though. Either way, the car feels totally different in Sport vs Comfort.

Yes, the GT does not have an adaptive suspension, only the GT1 and GT2. My GT has the 19" wheels (I wanted the 18's, but didn't want the 130MPH unchangeable limit on my car). I find the ride pleasant. It would be nice to have it firmer, for more sporty situations. The adaptive suspension on the GT1 and GT2 are apparently softer than the GT even when set to "sport". That's perhaps why Kia gave AMCI a GT to test against the BMW's and Porsches and not a GT1/GT2. My Saab was WAY more firm than the GT, so it feels like floating on air to me as well, and yet some people find even the softer GT1 and GT2 too firm! I have the feeling they haven't spent much time in European sports cars.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

Wondering for those that have a gt1/gt2 what setting are you driving with and are you happy with the daily drive comfort from the adaptive suspension? I have a Panthera Metal GT w/ the safety tech package. Drove the car for roughly 2 weeks and just recently found out that the suspension in the GT is not adjustable. Was told by the sales rep that the base GT does have different modes to select and I assumed that includes the suspension. Only found out after I noticed that switching from comfort to sport I did not feel much difference with the suspension and when I went to the custom setting I realized there is no setting for the suspension. After living with the car for about 2 weeks, I found the ride quality to be a bit harsh. I had several cars previously - Golf GTI Mk 6, S4 B8.5, Lexus GS base and the Stinger GT feels the most harsh. Reminds me alittle of the GTI, but I think the GTI is more forgiving, or maybe I was just younger then. Now with 2 kids and family, I think I prefer a better dampened car for daily commute. I live in Los Angeles with pretty poor road condition so that may have made things worst. Contemplating of even trading in the GT at some point and getting the GT1 if the comfort mode in the GT1/GT2 is softer than the current GT set up. Will probably have to get a test drive later but I think usually it's hard to get a feel until you have the car for some time. I only test drove the GT during the dealer visit.

I’m sorry for your bad luck and just one reason why it’s so important to do thorough research before a big purchase.

I knew I preferred a smooth ride, but did want the availability to change modes so I never tried the base GT. However I can say there is a significant difference between Sport and Comfort modes on the GT2. I generally use Comfort mode especially when passengers are with me and I repeatedly get praised on the smooth ride. One person compared it to their 750i and another to their LS460! I was surprised as both of those are top end luxury cars so I’m thrilled to be in such great company.

Either way I hope you find a solution and believe just switching to 50+ profile tires would help significantly.

 

[mldavis2]

And possibly the adaptive suspension was tuned for the lower sidewall 19" tires so has a bit more softness to compensate for the lower flex than the 18" tires.

 

[terrylharris]

Wondering for those that have a gt1/gt2 what setting are you driving with and are you happy with the daily drive comfort from the adaptive suspension? I have a Panthera Metal GT w/ the safety tech package. Drove the car for roughly 2 weeks and just recently found out that the suspension in the GT is not adjustable. Was told by the sales rep that the base GT does have different modes to select and I assumed that includes the suspension. Only found out after I noticed that switching from comfort to sport I did not feel much difference with the suspension and when I went to the custom setting I realized there is no setting for the suspension. After living with the car for about 2 weeks, I found the ride quality to be a bit harsh. I had several cars previously - Golf GTI Mk 6, S4 B8.5, Lexus GS base and the Stinger GT feels the most harsh. Reminds me alittle of the GTI, but I think the GTI is more forgiving, or maybe I was just younger then. Now with 2 kids and family, I think I prefer a better dampened car for daily commute. I live in Los Angeles with pretty poor road condition so that may have made things worst. Contemplating of even trading in the GT at some point and getting the GT1 if the comfort mode in the GT1/GT2 is softer than the current GT set up. Will probably have to get a test drive later but I think usually it's hard to get a feel until you have the car for some time. I only test drove the GT during the dealer visit.

I just bought a GT. Ride was rough so I checked the tire pressures. I had 53 front and 54 rear from the dealership. I brought them down to 37 and 38 and the ride is much better. Much better than my Mazdaspeed3.

 

[StingerGT68]

I just bought a GT. Ride was rough so I checked the tire pressures. I had 53 front and 54 rear from the dealership. I brought them down to 37 and 38 and the ride is much better. Much better than my Mazdaspeed3.

Wow, that's insane from the dealership.

 

[Thang]

I just bought a GT. Ride was rough so I checked the tire pressures. I had 53 front and 54 rear from the dealership. I brought them down to 37 and 38 and the ride is much better. Much better than my Mazdaspeed3.

Similar story here. My tire pressure from dealership was at 58 PSI all around. Lowered them to SPEC based on driver door panel sticker.

 

[Ucinn]

I knew pretty much everything about the models and differences and options available. I'm sure I knew more about this car than anybody at the dealership did. On a car, you must do diligent homework before looking at the car to make sure you are getting what you want.

 

[mldavis2]

Those cars with over-inflated tires were NOT properly PDI'd by the dealership. Tires are always aired to over 50# for shipment. During PDI, the techs are supposed to follow a checklist on a tablet connected to the car's computer and check items off as they are inspected. So either the car was PDI'd by someone not trained on the Stingers, the tech short-cut the PDI, or the dealership just cleaned the car up, pocketed the PDI fee from Kia and made another neat profit. My dealer allowed me to witness the PDI on my Stinger and there is no way they could miss that if they followed the checklist....NO WAY.

 

[davebo]

Those cars with over-inflated tires were NOT properly PDI'd by the dealership. Tires are always aired to over 50# for shipment. During PDI, the techs are supposed to follow a checklist on a tablet connected to the car's computer and check items off as they are inspected. So either the car was PDI'd by someone not trained on the Stingers, the tech short-cut the PDI, or the dealership just cleaned the car up, pocketed the PDI fee from Kia and made another neat profit. My dealer allowed me to witness the PDI on my Stinger and there is no way they could miss that if they followed the checklist....NO WAY.

Out of curiosity, what other things are on the PDI list that we could easily check ourselves in the case of the dealership skipping over it?

 

[mldavis2]

Out of curiosity, what other things are on the PDI list that we could easily check ourselves in the case of the dealership skipping over it?

The technician who did my PDI checked the entire HVAC system, AV system, lights, tires, all fluid levels, topped up what looked like a gallon of windshield wiper fluid, sunroof operation, rear hatch and fuel cover door operation, mirror, steering wheel and seat adjustments, seat heating/cooling, a bunch of sensor checks that the tablet connected to the computer did automatically, a number of things done by computer that I couldn't see on his screen and each of which he had to manually check off as OK, and a few other things I've forgotten. He then took me on a 5 mile road test (starting with 4 miles on the odometer) checking the adaptive cruise control, brake function, gauges, turn signals, transmission shift quality, drive modes, paddle shifters, suspension, steering centering and alignment, HUD, start/stop function, traction control, LKA, blind spot warning, and parking assist sensors. The PDI took over 2 hours. My car was perfect when they handed me the fob and continues to be a month later.

 

[davebo]

Geez, that's good to know. I checked my tire pressure and it was proper so I'm just gonna assume they did the rest of all that.

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

The technician who did my PDI checked the entire HVAC system, AV system, lights, tires, all fluid levels, topped up what looked like a gallon of windshield wiper fluid, sunroof operation, rear hatch and fuel cover door operation, mirror, steering wheel and seat adjustments, seat heating/cooling, a bunch of sensor checks that the tablet connected to the computer did automatically, a number of things done by computer that I couldn't see on his screen and each of which he had to manually check off as OK, and a few other things I've forgotten. He then took me on a 5 mile road test (starting with 4 miles on the odometer) checking the adaptive cruise control, brake function, gauges, turn signals, transmission shift quality, drive modes, paddle shifters, suspension, steering centering and alignment, HUD, start/stop function, traction control, LKA (Lane Keep Assist), blind spot warning, and parking assist sensors. The PDI took over 2 hours. My car was perfect when they handed me the fob and continues to be a month later.

I'll be checking my tire pressure tonight. That's crazy people were getting cars with the tires so over inflated. It makes me wonder about the guy who got the bubble in his tire (luckily Michelin replaced his tire). My car still has various things in it that one would imagine should have have removed with the PDI process you described, such as plastic with yellow dots on it covering various things. Plucking the strands from the steering wheel was obnoxious. Those are the kinds of things I'd imagine a dealer should do. Anyway, I'll write back with the tire pressure after I check it.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

I'll be checking my tire pressure tonight. That's crazy people were getting cars with the tires so over inflated. It makes me wonder about the guy who got the bubble in his tire (luckily Michelin replaced his tire). My car still has various things in it that one would imagine should have have removed with the PDI process you described, such as plastic with yellow dots on it covering various things. Plucking the strands from the steering wheel was obnoxious. Those are the kinds of things I'd imagine a dealer should do. Anyway, I'll write back with the tire pressure after I check it.

Maybe it’s not available on every model, but just check all of them at once using the settings in the dashboard display. Mine has one menu that shows each tires pressure automatically.
Hope this helps and 38-40 is where all mine stay.

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

I checked the tires and...drum roll...they were at 54psi. So, the dealer didn't do that part of the PDI either. Yet another reason to avoid Car Pros Renton. I set all the tires to what the side panel listed (36/38). Holy cow that's a soft ride now. I was looking at how to stiffen the suspension before, but now it's really just floating on a cloud. It has a very "luxocruiser" feel. Perhaps the guy who tested the GT and GT1/2, and found the GT firmer than the others (even when they were set to sport), was in a car that hadn't had its tires deflated to where they were were supposed to be. It's also something every Stinger buyer should check straight away. Eibachs just went from a "maybe" to a "definitely".

 

[17th_Letter]

I checked the tires and...drum roll...they were at 54psi. So, the dealer didn't do that part of the PDI either. Yet another reason to avoid Car Pros Renton. I set all the tires to what the side panel listed (36/38). Holy cow that's a soft ride now. I was looking at how to stiffen the suspension before, but now it's really just floating on a cloud. It has a very "luxocruiser" feel. Perhaps the guy who tested the GT and GT1/2, and found the GT firmer than the others (even when they were set to sport), was in a car that hadn't had its tires deflated to where they were were supposed to be. It's also something every Stinger buyer should check straight away. Eibachs just went from a "maybe" to a "definitely".

nope they all had their tire pressures set correctly. i run my GT at 38/40. i tried the recommended pressure and there was just to much sidewall roll. I'm going to eventually switch these tires out for some good ones, but for now its fine for me.

 

[mldavis2]

nope they all had their tire pressures set correctly. i run my GT at 38/40. i tried the recommended pressure and there was just to much sidewall roll. I'm going to eventually switch these tires out for some good ones, but for now its fine for me.

Usually if you are 4# under the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall, you are OK. I'm watching these tires carefully in case I need to push them up a notch, but for now with lots of long distance highway driving, I'm using factory specs.