Test drove 2019 GT AWD - vibrations a big turn off :(

[only1harry]

Strange. That's the first I've heard of this problem. I have an 2018 GT2 AWD - 18" wheels. Bought in May, 20K miles. No issues. The only times I noticed moderate vibration was when the when the weather turned really cold (low 20's) - before I had my winter tires on; first/morning drive there's a minute or two of vibe from the cold-tire "divots"; gone after the tires warm up. Good luck. Keep us posted.

Read this thread:
Road/tire noise.

it's long but there are about 7-8 people complaining of vibrations, very similar to what I reported with my 2019 GT AWD test drive.

Sometimes the vibration in cold weather during the first 2 minutes or first mile or 2 is often caused by your suspension's bushings freezing up and binding. They loosen up as they start moving and getting stretched by forces exerted on them as you drive. Sometimes yes, it's the tires as you said, especially if they are summer tires in sub-30 deg. temps. I have been lucky and have not experienced vibrations my 335i xDrive with Michelin Pilot Super Sports in the winter when it's in the 20's out. Last year I went through the entire winter with the PSS summer tires, and had absolutely no vibrations even at 20-22 deg. I didn't dare drive in lower temps though, but at 25-30 the car suprisingly drove and handled really well at 3/4 the limits with summer tires!

 

[only1harry]

19s have a higher top speed; the advertised 167 mph. The 18s have A/S tires and a lower top speed of 140 mph.

Patience! You will find your Stinger. You're off to a rough start. But smooth going is positively guaranteed if you find a cooperative dealership; one with a bigger stock of Stingers, that seems like a good thing.

Oh no, are you saying a Stinger with 18" and A/S tires will have an ECU limited top speed of only 140mph? Or are you saying that you need to be careful not to go over 140 because the tire is not rated much higher than that?

Thanks, I hope find my Stinger too and soon! I want one badly. I know I am not acting my age (I am 52) but I enjoyed the acceleration of the Stinger and I like that's it's roomy. I have been driving compacts for too long, and any car faster than my 335i is welcomed to my driveway

Only thing that stinks is that my local Kia dealer where I test drove this '19 GT AWD is 5-10 min. away. The next dealer with a few Stingers in the lot (mostly white ones and 1 red which I don't want) is 1hr away

 

[Waynerm002]

Yes, the 18” versions are limited in top speed to 130 mph, pretty sure it is on their website when you look at the features and specs, the 19” versions allow the top speed.

 

[Luc]

I got my Canadian spec GT Limited with the staggered Pilot Sport4, no vibrations (despite crappy Toronto roads) and relatively quiet for low profiles. I received the Pirelli Sottozeros from the dealer for the winter and again no vibrations, not too much noise but quite grippy!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Yes, the 18” versions are limited in top speed to 130 mph, pretty sure it is on their website when you look at the features and specs, the 19” versions allow the top speed.

Pretty sure the limit with the 18" A/S tires is 140, not 130, Wayne.

 

[Waynerm002]

According to KIA's website it is 130 MPH.

 

[phxgt]

I hope it's that simple as tires and/or wheel balance, but others here have repeatedly balanced their wheels and the vibrations continue.

Is my signature not visible to you/everyone? I drive a 335i and have owned >25 cars before that between my wife and I. Why would I avoid the question? Again - what does my current car have to do with the vibrations I experienced in the Stinger?

Anyway, I loved the Stinger for what it is and the price was right. I want to buy one very soon, once I find one that's vibration-free that is. This was the 1st Stinger I drove. Hopefully I will have better luck with another dealer.

Latest Automotive Safety Recalls
Every single manufacturer has an issue now and then. My Stinger GT2 has been perfect. No vibrations, no brake issues, no paint issues. Just perfect. Does that mean all of them are? NO. Does your finding one that had a vibration mean they all have an issue? MAYBE for you. Perhaps what some call feedback you call vibration. That seems unlikely to me as I am certain the Honda S2000 you list had more of that that than the Stinger.

Thank goodness I don't have a flat with a Tesla!
A Tesla Model S reportedly bursts into flames twice after getting a flat tire

 

[only1harry]

According to KIA's website it is 130 MPH.

Oh man, thanks for that info! Now I have to look for a Stinger with 19" wheels.

It's a shame they are limiting a car capable of doing almost 170mph to 130 (or even 140) by putting lower speed-rated tires on it. Who thought of that I wonder? That's just ridiculous. There are several ZR rated A/S tires out there they could have used.

So do any of the base GT AWD ones come with 19" wheels & summer tires? Are they rare? Man, I am not liking this at all now. If I have to spend thousands $ more a GT1 or GT2 that would be a deal breaker for me. My budget is for a GT and I would hate to be limited to 130mph with a car that is capable of safely going much faster.

 

[PythonNF]

I got my Canadian spec GT Limited with the staggered Pilot Sport4, no vibrations (despite crappy Toronto roads) and relatively quiet for low profiles. I received the Pirelli Sottozeros from the dealer for the winter and again no vibrations, not too much noise but quite grippy!

I got the same deal as you with the Sottozeros, but I put them on a set of 19x8.5" wheels from PMC tire. They look real good too. Haven't had a chance to try them in snow because we're having a bit of a warm spell, but they were good on the dry highway.

 

[only1harry]

Latest Automotive Safety Recalls
Every single manufacturer has an issue now and then. My Stinger GT2 has been perfect. No vibrations, no brake issues, no paint issues. Just perfect. Does that mean all of them are? NO. Does your finding one that had a vibration mean they all have an issue? MAYBE for you. Perhaps what some call feedback you call vibration. That seems unlikely to me as I am certain the Honda S2000 you list had more of that that than the Stinger.

Thank goodness I don't have a flat with a Tesla!
A Tesla Model S reportedly bursts into flames twice after getting a flat tire

What are you talking about? Have you read my posts? I know there are Stingers out there with no vibrations and I said I want go purchase one and will keep looking. I never said I am giving up on the Stinger.

The S2000 was the most perfect (in every way except my head was touching the roof liner because I am 6'1) and vibration-free car I have ever owned. I am not sure what your point is other than trying to be argumentative and push my buttons. The S2K is in a different class than the Stinger and if I had a choice it would be a no brainer. It was a real sports car and a great one at that. It was voted car of the year over and over for many years straight, and even 10 best cars of the decade by most of the car publications. Also Car & Driver I think it was included the S2K in their 50 best cars of all time list. I still regret the day I sold it.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Oh man, thanks for that info! Now I have to look for a Stinger with 19" wheels.

It's a shame they are limiting a car capable of doing almost 170mph to 130 (or even 140) by putting lower speed-rated tires on it. Who thought of that I wonder? That's just ridiculous. There are several ZR rated A/S tires out there they could have used.

So do any of the base GT AWD ones come with 19" wheels & summer tires? Are they rare? Man, I am not liking this at all now. If I have to spend thousands $ more a GT1 or GT2 that would be a deal breaker for me. My budget is for a GT and I would hate to be limited to 130mph with a car that is capable of safely going much faster.

The GT comes with 19" rims; AWD with 18" rims is optional. Depending on where you live, the one type may be more commonly available than the other: e.g. in the "great white north" it is almost impossible to find 19" staggered Stingers on the dealers' lots. But, you can order anything from anywhere.

(130 MPH? I have "corrected" this more than once. Now I am told it is on KIa's website. *sigh*. The reason I "corrected" the 130 MPH is because some months ago when this was a topic of interest - and disappointment to several owners of 18" A/S equipped GTs - somebody said they ran their car up to 140. Prior to that factoid, I nor anybody else knew what "reduced top speed" meant.)

 

[MerlintheMad]

From Kia's website: "Stinger GTs that are factory-equipped with 18-inch wheels are limited to 130 mph top speed (e.g., installation of 19-inch wheels will not increase the top speed)."

 

[GRStinger]

I’m legitimately curious as-to how many GT 19” owners actually have, or intend-to, get their car up to 167mph, or 140 (or 130) – on or off the track. I purposely chose the 18”s because of the more compliant ride as a daily-driver. I guess the idea that you COULD go 167 if you wanted might be appealing. Personally, the idea that I could not drive a Stinger to its max speed did enter my consideration

 

[MikeysGT]

Just to chime in on this vibration thing.. My car rode perfectly on the Michelin PS4 summers staggered. It wasn't until I switched to Conti all-seasons that I started feeling something off. 3 balances later and they ride a bit better but still aren't as smooth as the OEM tires were. I can't pinpoint any rhyme or reason to it either. It seems to come and go and I can't figure out how to replicate things well enough to get it diagnosed by the dealership in the 5 minute test drive they would take it on. I know for a fact they will just tell me everything is fine. It's nothing severe enough to make driving feel unsafe at any speed including 100+, so I just live with it for now and try not to let it take away from how much fun I'm having with this car.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I’m legitimately curious as-to how many GT 19” owners actually have, or intend-to, get their car up to 167mph, or 140 (or 130) – on or off the track. I purposely chose the 18”s because of the more compliant ride as a daily-driver. I guess the idea that you COULD go 167 if you wanted might be appealing. Personally, the idea that I could not drive a Stinger to its max speed did enter my consideration

I know that @Salman has maxed his Stinger out on the arrow straight road across Eastern S. Arabia to UAE, or was it on the way back to Riyadh? Anyway, he posted (back in August?) that he got the thing up to its max and iirc even managed 170. The front splitter got pushed down (not normal; something wasn't attached right, imho). I have taken my car up to 155 MPH, once. And yes, I'd like to max mine out too. There was a pic posted a while ago of a Korean dashboard showing the Kph equivalent of 190 MPH; obviously the speed limiter was gone. It was claimed to have been achieved on a track, and the pic was double imaged, which tends to support the claim (instead of just on a dyno).

 

[GRStinger]

he got the thing up to its max and iirc even managed 170. The front splitter got pushed down (not normal; something wasn't attached right, imho)

Hey, maybe it IS normal for the splitter to get pushed down @ 170!

I have taken my car up to 155 MPH, once.

155. My virtual hats-off! May I ask where/conditions. I understand if you prefer not to disclose... discretion being the better part of valor.

 

[MerlintheMad]

155. My virtual hats-off! My I ask where/conditions. I understand if you prefer not to disclose... discretion being the better part of valor.

No problem. I can't stop talking about it. Last July, on my way back to SLC, down through central Oregon, south of Burns, I noticed that the traffic was light to almost non existent. Hwy 78 gets very, very straight, you can see up ahead for miles. I got a sudden inspiration to try launch control. So I stopped in the middle of the road and tried a couple, followed by some "auto hold" takeoffs; I preferred that to LC (I need to do some dedicated LC time and work out what I was doing wrong, or just get used to the counter intuitive MO of pushing the brake, mashing the accelerator and releasing the brake). The last couple of times I took off I let the car take me up to over 140. By then, Hwy 78 "T"ed into Hwy 95 (I almost missed the stop sign! My first slam on the brakes, which worked very, very well.) Well, as you can see (Google Maps), 95 is even longer and just as straight as 78. I wasn't done. The empty road beckoned and I answered. The accelerator was all the way down in 7th gear and the engine pulled strongly the whole time. At 150 I said to myself, I will take it to 155 and call it quits for today! The speedo went up 1 MPH per second or less (still pulling well) and in c. five seconds more I kept my promise and applied some brake. I came to that left curve before the right hander, and there was a sign posted: "Go Slow Prepare To Stop". LOL! The irony. The timing. Up ahead was a "lollipop" man. He was holding a single car. I pulled in behind and waited over five minutes before opposing traffic came through behind a flashing truck. Then the truck "U" turned and took the three of us south. Several miles later, there was another line of traffic building up heading north. So that was why I had the highway to myself. Fortuitous, serendipitous, glorious FUN!

Btw, those humps that line Hwy 95 turn into rapidly approaching leaps. But the Stinger at that speed stays planted, "hunkered down" are the words I use to describe the stability. It stays quiet and smooth; and inspires confidence to keep going faster: which is why I say I want to push mine to the max.

 

[Jimmer]

Just to chime in on this vibration thing.. My car rode perfectly on the Michelin PS4 summers staggered. It wasn't until I switched to Conti all-seasons that I started feeling something off. 3 balances later and they ride a bit better but still aren't as smooth as the OEM tires were. I can't pinpoint any rhyme or reason to it either. It seems to come and go and I can't figure out how to replicate things well enough to get it diagnosed by the dealership in the 5 minute test drive they would take it on. I know for a fact they will just tell me everything is fine. It's nothing severe enough to make driving feel unsafe at any speed including 100+, so I just live with it for now and try not to let it take away from how much fun I'm having with this car.

That's weird. I too put on Continental All Seasons and never got that issue. Which continentals are they?

 

[Peeso33]

No problem. I can't stop talking about it. Last July, on my way back to SLC, down through central Oregon, south of Burns, I noticed that the traffic was light to almost non existent. Hwy 78 gets very, very straight, you can see up ahead for miles. I got a sudden inspiration to try launch control. So I stopped in the middle of the road and tried a couple, followed by some "auto hold" takeoffs; I preferred that to LC (I need to do some dedicated LC time and work out what I was doing wrong, or just get used to the counter intuitive MO of pushing the brake, mashing the accelerator and releasing the brake). The last couple of times I took off I let the car take me up to over 140. By then, Hwy 78 "T"ed into Hwy 95 (I almost missed the stop sign! My first slam on the brakes, which worked very, very well.) Well, as you can see (Google Maps), 95 is even longer and just as straight as 78. I wasn't done. The empty road beckoned and I answered. The accelerator was all the way down in 7th gear and the engine pulled strongly the whole time. At 150 I said to myself, I will take it to 155 and call it quits for today! The speedo went up 1 MPH per second or less (still pulling well) and in c. five seconds more I kept my promise and applied some brake. I came to that left curve before the right hander, and there was a sign posted: "Go Slow Prepare To Stop". LOL! The irony. The timing. Up ahead was a "lollipop" man. He was holding a single car. I pulled in behind and waited over five minutes before opposing traffic came through behind a flashing truck. Then the truck "U" turned and took the three of us south. Several miles later, there was another line of traffic building up heading north. So that was why I had the highway to myself. Fortuitous, serendipitous, glorious FUN!

Btw, those humps that line Hwy 95 turn into rapidly approaching leaps. But the Stinger at that speed stays planted, "hunkered down" are the words I use to describe the stability. It stays quiet and smooth; and inspires confidence to keep going faster: which is why I say I want to push mine to the max.

Merlin have you not learned anything from the boards yet? These type of stories must always happen in Mexico, on the Mexican version of the Hwy 78.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Merlin have you not learned anything from the boards yet? These type of stories must always happen in Mexico, on the Mexican version of the Hwy 78.

Not always. Just nearly always. It was a "perfect storm" for testing the car (and me). I just drove into it. You can't plan these kinds of things.