Stinger Cross Shopping/Test Drive Thread

[lostnspace]

I just test drove the new 2018 Acura TLX V6 A-Spec and at $46000, I am impressed. On a whim I texted my BMW salesman (who doesn't keep their sales person on speed dial lol) to ask about the end of lease of my m235 and he informed me he had gone over to Acura and that he could get me a great deal on TLX. So went to the Chevy Chase (Maryland) Acura dealer for test drive. If anyone is interested in the 2017 TLX with the silver beak, go for it...they are likely going to give $6-9K discounts to get these off the lots!!! However, I am tech guy and Car Play is a must in my next vehicle. Most dealers do not have 2018's and my salesman, told me he can't even consider selling my a 2018 TLX until June 1st...they just happened to get three 2018's two weeks early.

What I like about the A-Spec:

• blacked out grille and lower fascia
• black rear spoiler
• blacked out rear diffuser
• gunmetal gray, 19-inch wheels
• SH-AWD is actually pretty awesome
• lane assist/keep is spot on (the car was taking curves at highway speeds)
• dual screens are great (car play/nav on one screen and functions on another)
• Sports mode is FUN
• The jewel led lights look great

What I do not like about the Acura:

• steering is soft compared to my m235 (expected)
• A-Spec (the better looking car) doesn't get these options (they're reserved for the Advanced Option build):
  • surround-view camera
  • remote engine starting
  • heated steering wheel
  • heated rear seats
  • power folding mirrors
• 290 horsepower on a car that ways quite a bit...just isn't that inspiring (though the car is fairly quick).

The new capacitive touch screen is really responsive, there's no haptic feedback but input is accurate. Having the iDrive for the past three years, I think I prefer non-touch screen input now. The new diamond grill is such a huge improvement, it makes the car look a bit more sporty/aggressive. I am a little perturbed that some the options that I would like on the car, aren't available on the trim level I want. My salesman is great so there was no pressure for me to walk away with a car today. He knows that I love tech, but did offer me a great deal on the outgoing 2017 model. I also told him about the Stinger and showed him pictures and he was like WHAT? He seemed genuinely surprised about the car. I wasn't considering the TLX....but for the price and its offering..I am now intrigued. This made me even more eager to test the Stinger.

I also plan to test drive the hella expensive Audi S5 Sportback in the coming months so I can make a better informed decision on the Stinger.

 

[hej]

I will second the SH-AWD awesomeness. For being an unbalanced, FWD based layout, it has an impressive amount of grip.

 

[lostnspace]

I will second the SH-AWD awesomeness. For being an unbalanced, FWD based layout, it has an impressive amount of grip.

I was thrilled at the amount of grip and was kind hoping it would rain, so I cold test it out on wet roads. There was never a time when I tossed the car into a corner did I think I would lose control. The salesman kept urging me to push the car...lol he wanted me to see that the car's SH-AWD was on par with x-Drive in my BMW. The only thing that need some love was the steering...it was just so blah and light.

 

[app_master]

...it was just so blah and light.

If you owned one...would you happily live with this?

PS. Nice thread topic, thanks for the review, we unfortunately don't get this model Acura (Honda) in Australia.

 

[lostnspace]

If you owned one...would you happily live with this?

PS. Nice thread topic, thanks for the review, we unfortunately don't get this model Acura (Honda) in Australia.

Not a problem, I hope more people are willing to share their experience.

If you were able to test drive the highest end FWD touring Honda Accord, its is pretty much on par the with FWD TLX. The SH-AWD is what makes the TLX (or any Acura) shine.

I think coming from my current car, the steering feel is going to make any other car that lesser, more apparent. I know I won't get the BMW feel unless I stay with BMW or (Audi or Mercedes), but even newer German cars are taking a lot of flack for their lack of feedback when it comes to steering.

To answer your question *maybe*; (which is why I am so eager to test drive the Stinger) if the Stinger is better than the TLX, I will be thrilled. However, if the Stinger isn't on par or better than the TLX, I don't think I could make the purchase. On the Kia survey I took the other day, there was a section that said please leave any additional feedback that you think is important, and I wrote about how important steering and feedback was to me.

I don't even track my cars, but there's something about disconnected steering or light/floaty steering that drives me crazy. I rented a Mazda 3 for a week, two weeks ago, and I didn't even want to drive it lol...the steering was HORRIBLE. It felt like I was driving a boat....there was no zoom, zoom, zoom in that car . Being in that car made me realize how important steering/feedback is to the driving experience.

 

[Bamm1]

I was just reading about the new A-Spec model on MT. I like the bit about how internally they referred to the A-Spec exclusive combination of the new Still Night Blue Pearl color with the red interior as the Spiderman car.

 

[hereward]

Not a problem, I hope more people are willing to share their experience.

If you were able to test drive the highest end FWD touring Honda Accord, its is pretty much on par the with FWD TLX. The SH-AWD is what makes the TLX (or any Acura) shine.

I think coming from my current car, the steering feel is going to make any other car that lesser, more apparent. I know I won't get the BMW feel unless I stay with BMW or (Audi or Mercedes), but even newer German cars are taking a lot of flack for their lack of feedback when it comes to steering.

To answer your question *maybe*; (which is why I am so eager to test drive the Stinger) if the Stinger is better than the TLX, I will be thrilled. However, if the Stinger isn't on par or better than the TLX, I don't think I could make the purchase. On the Kia survey I took the other day, there was a section that said please leave any additional feedback that you think is important, and I wrote about how important steering and feedback was to me.

I don't even track my cars, but there's something about disconnected steering or light/floaty steering that drives me crazy. I rented a Mazda 3 for a week, two weeks ago, and I didn't even want to drive it lol...the steering was HORRIBLE. It felt like I was driving a boat....there was no zoom, zoom, zoom in that car . Being in that car made me realize how important steering/feedback is to the driving experience.

Yes, lostnspace is on the button. handling/steering feel, fit and finish, and attention to detail and quality of materials will be the key determinants in selecting a Stinger over a BMW.

 

[lostnspace]

I was just reading about the new A-Spec model on MT. I like the bit about how internally they referred to the A-Spec exclusive combination of the new Still Night Blue Pearl color with the red interior as the Spiderman car.

That was pretty cool! I was calling it the Superman car in my mind.

Yes, lostnspace is on the button. handling/steering feel, fit and finish, and attention to detail and quality of materials will be the key determinants in selecting a Stinger over a BMW.

Kia execs seem to have been listening! Honestly after seeing the car in person, I just need to sit in it and drive to know if its my next car. I am surprise with the car being released in Korea, we haven't gotten some reviews about the actual ride of the car.

 

[app_master]

Anyone be cross shopping this? In Australia it will be more expensive (and slower ) than the Stinger. And for me something about VW never screamed out I want it. Looks ok though...

 

[lostnspace]

@app_master the Arteon is #4 on my list. It hits a few of the key things I want in my next car sportback, good tech, good value and looks good! The Arteon will likely attract a few Audi A5 Sportback customers as it looks just as nice, but will cost less.

 

[carlosfernandez]

Those are two good looking cars !!

 

[unintelligible]

It's encouraging to see the increased numbers of sportback/liftback cars coming out... it adds so much practicality... I hope it becomes commonplace in the future! Definitely a main reason why I am considering the Stinger.