The Stinger is a beast

[5tinger]

I've had my GT 3.3t Stinger for a week and the only thing I can say about the Stinger is that it's one true refined beast. The power, the drive, the handling the dynamics all of it combine to create the perfect recipe that is very hard to find nowadays.

The crazy part is the amount of grunt this thing has, hard to believe but I'm passing everyone on steep hills with engine barely ticking at 1000rpm

The Stinger is the epitome of a smooth operator, it handles and accelerates like a pure sports car while at the same time feels like a snooth and sedate luxury machine.

Kia should be proud because I think they've created a future classic.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

I've had my GT 3.3t Stinger for a week and the only thing I can say about the Stinger is that it's one true refined beast. The power, the drive, the handling the dynamics all of it combine to create the perfect recipe that is very hard to find nowadays.

The crazy part is the amount of grunt this thing has, hard to believe but I'm passing everyone on steep hills with engine barely ticking at 1000rpm

The Stinger is the epitome of a smooth operator, it handles and accelerates like a pure sports car while at the same time feels like a snooth and sedate luxury machine.

Kia should be proud because I think they've created a future classic.

Couldn’t have said it better myself!

 

[ZyroXZ2]

I've had my GT 3.3t Stinger for a week and the only thing I can say about the Stinger is that it's one true refined beast. The power, the drive, the handling the dynamics all of it combine to create the perfect recipe that is very hard to find nowadays.

The crazy part is the amount of grunt this thing has, hard to believe but I'm passing everyone on steep hills with engine barely ticking at 1000rpm

The Stinger is the epitome of a smooth operator, it handles and accelerates like a pure sports car while at the same time feels like a snooth and sedate luxury machine.

Kia should be proud because I think they've created a future classic.

I'd have to disagree on the "handles... like a pure sports car" part, not at least until the springs and swaybars are swapped, lol

But you really need to slap some mods on it if it impresses you bone stock... NOW I'm happy with the car as it's making 520HP and has sport springs+swaybars. NOW it feels like the 4000lb sports car it looks like!

GET YOU SOME MORE BOOST!

 

[5tinger]

I'd have to disagree on the "handles... like a pure sports car" part, not at least until the springs and swaybars are swapped, lol

But you really need to slap some mods on it if it impresses you bone stock... NOW I'm happy with the car as it's making 520HP and has sport springs+swaybars. NOW it feels like the 4000lb sports car it looks like!

GET YOU SOME MORE BOOST!

I'm highly impressed by the stock performance. No reason to compromise the intended design.

 

[Dr_jitsu]

This isn't a pure sports car (although there is a lot of performance potential) or a pure luxury car, it is a sports sedan, a true GT. It is arguably the best all around car I have ever owned, and that is regardless of price. The car I would compare it with would be my 2009 AMG C/63. The Merc had an edge in power but the Kia is as nice inside with superior technology.

I know it was 10 years ago, but the AMG Nav did not work worth a damn. Interestingly, the 3.3TT reminds me of the 6.3 AMG V8, very similar power band, V8 had more in the middle and up top. Bigger turbo might change that.

 

[Ruturaj]

I'm highly impressed by the stock performance. No reason to compromise the intended design.

Drive someone's car with eibach sways. You opinion might change. (It fixed the only issue/unlike in the car, rear end lift in corners).

 

[Doel]

I know it was 10 years ago, but the AMG Nav did not work worth a damn. Interestingly, the 3.3TT reminds me of the 6.3 AMG V8, very similar power band, V8 had more in the middle and up top. Bigger turbo might change that.

I agree, very torquey drive train, feels a lot like a V8 to me at low RPM.

 

[nhcowboy28]

This isn't a pure sports car (although there is a lot of performance potential) or a pure luxury car, it is a sports sedan, a true GT. It is arguably the best all around car I have ever owned, and that is regardless of price. The car I would compare it with would be my 2009 AMG C/63. The Merc had an edge in power but the Kia is as nice inside with superior technology.

I know it was 10 years ago, but the AMG Nav did not work worth a damn. Interestingly, the 3.3TT reminds me of the 6.3 AMG V8, very similar power band, V8 had more in the middle and up top. Bigger turbo might change that.

I totally agree. Nice insight.

Now put a friggin shirt on.

 

[ZyroXZ2]

I'm highly impressed by the stock performance. No reason to compromise the intended design.

While I agree on the fact that many people who mod cars mistakenly throw stuff at it and mess up the originally intended balance, the Stinger is still a "budget" GT car. There are many factors that aren't quite up to the task. It's "competitive" with cars in its market, but to me that usually means "lower end of" that market. I'd rather "beat" the cars in my market, hence the modding.

I know modding isn't for everyone, but don't be surprised if you get walked by an Infiniti Q50 with its 400HP, and now you want 400HP, too

 

[5tinger]

While I agree on the fact that many people who mod cars mistakenly throw stuff at it and mess up the originally intended balance, the Stinger is still a "budget" GT car. There are many factors that aren't quite up to the task. It's "competitive" with cars in its market, but to me that usually means "lower end of" that market. I'd rather "beat" the cars in my market, hence the modding. I know modding isn't for everyone, but don't be surprised if you get walked by an Infiniti Q50 with its 400HP, and now you want 400HP, too

Q50s can be easily wiped out in eco mode lol. I drove Q50 and it was a horrible experience. The engine didn't feel anywhere near as torquey, transmission was horribly out of sync and don't get me started on the woeful steering and handling. The Q50 is simply a mess..

 

[Doel]

While I agree on the fact that many people who mod cars mistakenly throw stuff at it and mess up the originally intended balance, the Stinger is still a "budget" GT car. There are many factors that aren't quite up to the task. It's "competitive" with cars in its market, but to me that usually means "lower end of" that market. I'd rather "beat" the cars in my market, hence the modding.

I know modding isn't for everyone, but don't be surprised if you get walked by an Infiniti Q50 with its 400HP, and now you want 400HP, too

I don't think a stock Q50RS is going to walk a Stinger, more like inch away lol. They do launch harder than ours though, probably a more aggressive launch control. The AWDs are hitting 1.6-1.7s on the 60' while the best I've seen here is 1.8s.

 

[5tinger]

I don't think a stock Q50RS is going to walk a Stinger, more like inch away lol. They do launch harder than ours though, probably a more aggressive launch control. The AWDs are hitting 1.6-1.7s on the 60' while the best I've seen here is 1.8s.

All the YouTube videos show the Stinger actually walking the Q50RS which reaffirms my experience that the Stinger is faster, but that's the least of the Q50s worries lol as it has much bigger problems

 

[MerlintheMad]

Kia should be proud because I think they've created a future classic.

I tend to agree with this. But of course the future, being unwritten, is everybody's plaything. Another future is one devoid of ICE vehicles: other than where the collectors hang out, there will be no petrol station network left, only charging stations in their place. And "classic" cars will be little pieces of a rolling museum. This is a hideous picture of the not too distant future, I know. And it pains me to write this way. But you can't be a rebel if the weapons of rebellion no longer exist.

 

[Ruturaj]

Alex on autos think stinger is deliberately slow off the line for increased transmission life. Because it's slower on 0-30 but faster on 30-60 compared to few other similarly powered cars.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Alex on autos think stinger is deliberately slow off the line for increased transmission life. Because it's slower on 0-30 but faster on 30-60 compared to few other similarly powered cars.

Lol. "Deliberately slow off the line". Before my body adjusted, I would get dizzy accelerating in this car. Of course, the fastest vehicle I had before this was decades ago, a Monte Carlo, not even a comparison. So, the Stinger is shockingly fast. Or was. I am getting quite accustomed to my "superpowers" after enjoying them for over a year.

 

[Doel]

All the YouTube videos show the Stinger actually walking the Q50RS which reaffirms my experience that the Stinger is faster, but that's the least of the Q50s worries lol as it has much bigger problems

I haven't seen any such video on youtube, aside from a JB4 vs stock RS400. Both cars are pretty close.

 

[ZyroXZ2]

Q50s can be easily wiped out in eco mode lol. I drove Q50 and it was a horrible experience. The engine didn't feel anywhere near as torquey, transmission was horribly out of sync and don't get me started on the woeful steering and handling. The Q50 is simply a mess..

BWHAHA, I can feel it in my bones: if you get walked (or inched as the other guy refers to it) by one, you're gonna turn around and mod your Stinger...

Quick, someone find a Q50 owner and throw them at this guy!

 

[Revvdmedia]

Alex on autos think stinger is deliberately slow off the line for increased transmission life. Because it's slower on 0-30 but faster on 30-60 compared to few other similarly powered cars.

A 2200RPM launch that does not produce actual boost before letting off the brake is definitely a means to extend transmission longevity, especially for the regions with a very long powertrain warranty. Watch a stock Audi RS3 use launch control, then you'll see what real launch control is like.

 

[Ruturaj]

Lol. "Deliberately slow off the line". Before my body adjusted, I would get dizzy accelerating in this car. Of course, the fastest vehicle I had before this was decades ago, a Monte Carlo, not even a comparison. So, the Stinger is shockingly fast. Or was. I am getting quite accustomed to my "superpowers" after enjoying them for over a year.

Slow and fast are subjective. Stinger could have been even faster but Kia decided not to.

 

[StungnTn]

I'd have to disagree on the "handles... like a pure sports car" part, not at least until the springs and swaybars are swapped, lol

But you really need to slap some mods on it if it impresses you bone stock... NOW I'm happy with the car as it's making 520HP and has sport springs+swaybars. NOW it feels like the 4000lb sports car it looks like!

GET YOU SOME MORE BOOST!

Australia suspension is tuned differently, so his ride may be more sportcaresque than the US variety.