MerlintheMad
10000 Posts Club!
This was fun(ny) reading (and thread necromancy). Stinger: retro 60s and 70s European dedicated Gran Turismo design: take performance, comfort, sporty styling, quality, roll together and voila!, Stinger. End stop.
Stinger vs Golf R
- Thread starter BoardGameBuddha
- Start date
westcoastGT
5000 Posts Club!
and you need a medical dickshunarie ! bawaaaaa
Anyhow not to keep beating a dead horse or anything but i was seriously considering trading in my Golf R for a Stinger (i posted earlier in the thread).. I would argue that they're worth comparing: they're both useful, sporty vehicles in the same ballpark power/feature/utility/price range so i'm sure you'll keep getting people reviving this thread.
Two major things stopped me from going further on:
- I felt my R had a nicer interior after sitting in one at the show (very important for me).
- The KIA dealerships. Maybe they're different in the US or i've just had bad experiences, but the ones in the area are very scummy feeling.
I understand that the interior is a bit of a personal taste thing (i'm sure you guys like the Stinger interior more), but i'm excited for the future and to see how the 2nd gen Stinger compares to the MK8.
Two major things stopped me from going further on:
- I felt my R had a nicer interior after sitting in one at the show (very important for me).
- The KIA dealerships. Maybe they're different in the US or i've just had bad experiences, but the ones in the area are very scummy feeling.
I understand that the interior is a bit of a personal taste thing (i'm sure you guys like the Stinger interior more), but i'm excited for the future and to see how the 2nd gen Stinger compares to the MK8.
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MerlintheMad
10000 Posts Club!
The Golf is not a GT (gran turismo), let alone a retro design of the classic GT. It is not a long wheelbase platform, therefore no matter how much interior cargo space there is it will not provide a comfy ride like a true GT. And yes, my Kia dealership is the polar opposite of "scummy".
As someone who actually owned an mk7 Golf R, for nearly 3 years; and now an owner of a Stinger GT2, i'm pretty confident I can speak on both.
Waiting to do my video review of the stinger here is my review of the R.
I've got my stinger going to be on a major car channel in the near future as well to be discussed and reviewed.
Do I miss the R, sure. It really is a tremendous car. Smaller size, great handling, and spooled up turbo pull really made it a hilarious quick nimble car. I live where the best driving canyons in the country exist, and i've driven super cars up and down them. This is where porsche, Ford, jaguar, etc bring there cars and automobile journalist to test and experience them.
The R could carve a canyon, and then could go shopping and load up with boxes like you wouldn't believe. I also enjoyed some of the anonymity it gave me, that only people who noticed were car enthusiast who I dont mind talking to. The stinger brings all sorts of people, some cool, some not.
All of that the R still had some faults. Sure the ride isn't as comfortable as the stinger (to be expected), it doesn't have a lot of power below 2500 rpm so sometimes flooring it at a dead stop to get across the street with cars coming at you could be a little hairy. The tech in my 2016 though adequate wasn't great. The fender sound system though good... not great ESPECIALLY with the absolutely worthless sub they put in it. Backseat legroom is adequate but not great, makes up with better headroom to be sure. The DSG is amazing and I wish the stinger had it (probably miss that one feature the most) but it was annoying around town and in stop and go traffic to use.
I had a magnum SRT before the R that I loved (wish I had held on to it), the stinger feels closer to that than the R. That to me is one of the most shocking things from living with the stinger. You might say it is the RWD, but to me it is the way they feel, how they handle. Comfortable cruisers with power and space... aka a ground touring car. I've taken the stinger up and down some canyons and it was honestly underwhelming. Don't get me wrong, power and grip is pretty much there; but it leans, and it dives, and handling isn't as precise as the R. It doesn't inspire the same degree of awesome confidence that the R did. (all of that is to be relatively expected)
All that being said, like many of you on these forums I got a helluva a deal with the Stinger. At 50k it is a good car, at close to 40k its pretty amazing car. I totally get why they are crossed shopped but they're actually quite different cars. Either is tremendous at what it does, it just really depends on what you are looking for.
Waiting to do my video review of the stinger here is my review of the R.
I've got my stinger going to be on a major car channel in the near future as well to be discussed and reviewed.
Do I miss the R, sure. It really is a tremendous car. Smaller size, great handling, and spooled up turbo pull really made it a hilarious quick nimble car. I live where the best driving canyons in the country exist, and i've driven super cars up and down them. This is where porsche, Ford, jaguar, etc bring there cars and automobile journalist to test and experience them.
The R could carve a canyon, and then could go shopping and load up with boxes like you wouldn't believe. I also enjoyed some of the anonymity it gave me, that only people who noticed were car enthusiast who I dont mind talking to. The stinger brings all sorts of people, some cool, some not.
All of that the R still had some faults. Sure the ride isn't as comfortable as the stinger (to be expected), it doesn't have a lot of power below 2500 rpm so sometimes flooring it at a dead stop to get across the street with cars coming at you could be a little hairy. The tech in my 2016 though adequate wasn't great. The fender sound system though good... not great ESPECIALLY with the absolutely worthless sub they put in it. Backseat legroom is adequate but not great, makes up with better headroom to be sure. The DSG is amazing and I wish the stinger had it (probably miss that one feature the most) but it was annoying around town and in stop and go traffic to use.
I had a magnum SRT before the R that I loved (wish I had held on to it), the stinger feels closer to that than the R. That to me is one of the most shocking things from living with the stinger. You might say it is the RWD, but to me it is the way they feel, how they handle. Comfortable cruisers with power and space... aka a ground touring car. I've taken the stinger up and down some canyons and it was honestly underwhelming. Don't get me wrong, power and grip is pretty much there; but it leans, and it dives, and handling isn't as precise as the R. It doesn't inspire the same degree of awesome confidence that the R did. (all of that is to be relatively expected)
All that being said, like many of you on these forums I got a helluva a deal with the Stinger. At 50k it is a good car, at close to 40k its pretty amazing car. I totally get why they are crossed shopped but they're actually quite different cars. Either is tremendous at what it does, it just really depends on what you are looking for.
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
Are you still thrilled with your stinger?
brancky3
1000 Posts Club!
I was in a similar boat - just traded in my 2016 Audi S3 for a GT2 RWD. No regrets - the features on the Stinger blow away the Audi by a huge margin. It's a little slower 0-60 than the S3 is but it's close enough.
Dick Dastardly
Member
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Yes it is perfect for me. Still love the looks and the driving dynamics are great. I do a lot of long distances so is perfect for comfort but can still be a hooligan if I want.
Do I sometimes miss the R? Yes but the Stinger is the more practical car for me (today!).
Both great cars, decisions, decisions ...
gilthanis1
Active Member
Since we are firmly throttling dead horses, I'll throw my couple pennies in the mix for good measure 
I went and test drove an R for about 30 minutes a couple months back. 2018, DSG, and got to try it on highways, nice curvy backroads, and sit for another 20 or so messing with the tech in the car. 15 years ago, I would've been all over the R like a fat kid in a candy store on a 3 day pass from veggie camp. Today, not so much. The R was fun as hell, I enjoyed driving it, all the amenities are awesome, but it was still a 4-cylinder turbo.
As was mentioned earlier, you gotta keep it wound up to make sure the power is readily available and on-tap when you hit the gas. Get caught below 2k? You migt get outrun by a bus til the hamster gets going faster. And before anyone trashes on me about that, I've run the gamut of 4-cyl cars since I started driving. Hopped up VW bugs (which are surprisingly quick), H/B Civics (motor-swapped and turbo'd) and a couple of Integra GS-Rs, so I know how a 4 cyl responds. The TT V6 in the Stinger is just monstrous feeling after being in most cars with a turbo 4. No matter what you are doing or what speed, when you hit the gas (especially at low speeds) it will throw you back in the seat, squat, and move. That's a dam addicting feeling and not something I want to give up.
The interior, to ME, was nice but I did not feel as comfortable in those seats as I do the Stinger. The R is more upright and seemed raised up, versus the low slung, GT feel of the Stinger. There again that would be personal preference. I just like the interior and seating in the Stinger more, but it does not mean the R is any less, so you need to spend some time in them both to make your own decisions. Tech is tech and both are similarly equipped so there's no need to grind the bloody dead horse anymore on that front. Anyone would be happy with the included options on either car.
I've got a couple friends with Rs and they swear by them, but they don't knock or doubt the Stinger anymore. Initially they thought I was crazy for dropping $50k on a Kia, but I quickly reminded them how crazy I thought they were for dropping $43-45k on 'just a Golf' so your gonna get that. The 2 are cross shopped, and are similar but also couldn't be more different in what type of buyer they will appeal too and how they feel to drive. I'll never drive anything except my Stinger for as long as I can help it. When that time comes, I'll pull it in the garage, rebuild it, and keep going.
I went and test drove an R for about 30 minutes a couple months back. 2018, DSG, and got to try it on highways, nice curvy backroads, and sit for another 20 or so messing with the tech in the car. 15 years ago, I would've been all over the R like a fat kid in a candy store on a 3 day pass from veggie camp. Today, not so much. The R was fun as hell, I enjoyed driving it, all the amenities are awesome, but it was still a 4-cylinder turbo.
As was mentioned earlier, you gotta keep it wound up to make sure the power is readily available and on-tap when you hit the gas. Get caught below 2k? You migt get outrun by a bus til the hamster gets going faster. And before anyone trashes on me about that, I've run the gamut of 4-cyl cars since I started driving. Hopped up VW bugs (which are surprisingly quick), H/B Civics (motor-swapped and turbo'd) and a couple of Integra GS-Rs, so I know how a 4 cyl responds. The TT V6 in the Stinger is just monstrous feeling after being in most cars with a turbo 4. No matter what you are doing or what speed, when you hit the gas (especially at low speeds) it will throw you back in the seat, squat, and move. That's a dam addicting feeling and not something I want to give up.
The interior, to ME, was nice but I did not feel as comfortable in those seats as I do the Stinger. The R is more upright and seemed raised up, versus the low slung, GT feel of the Stinger. There again that would be personal preference. I just like the interior and seating in the Stinger more, but it does not mean the R is any less, so you need to spend some time in them both to make your own decisions. Tech is tech and both are similarly equipped so there's no need to grind the bloody dead horse anymore on that front. Anyone would be happy with the included options on either car.
I've got a couple friends with Rs and they swear by them, but they don't knock or doubt the Stinger anymore. Initially they thought I was crazy for dropping $50k on a Kia, but I quickly reminded them how crazy I thought they were for dropping $43-45k on 'just a Golf' so your gonna get that. The 2 are cross shopped, and are similar but also couldn't be more different in what type of buyer they will appeal too and how they feel to drive. I'll never drive anything except my Stinger for as long as I can help it. When that time comes, I'll pull it in the garage, rebuild it, and keep going.
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
Paul32
Stinger Enthusiast
I don't care how the R handles, I could not look at it in my driveway every day and be proud of it. It's just not me.
