Trading MK6 Golf R for Stinger... Am I making the right choice?

[legbuh]

Hi, all!

I have a 13 Golf R with about 12k miles on it (I don't drive a lot and have a few cars/bikes to take). I've always been a huge VAG fan and love the Golf R. It's basically stock and recently I got an offer on Carvana for it for a very good price (over 27k!)

I was looking for a Genesis to replace it... looking for sporty comfort. Then I found the Stinger. Except for the fake hood vents this is a very nice looking and performing car from all the research I've done.

I found a 2021 GT2 (too bad it's not a facelift) in a nearby town for 47k. I also found a 2018 used locally for 40k (which is high, even according to KBB... and it's at a Kia dealer). Local dealer also has a new 2020 GT but it's this dark metallic blue that I'm not sure I like (I'm shooting for white). I asked my local dealer if they did swaps and could get me a car from another dealer and they started giving me the runnaround about needing to come in, sign papers, etc... that left a bad taste in my mouth.

Well, enough of that... just curious if there are any Golf R owners who are happy they made the swap to a Stinger? If so, why? Road noise, comfort, etc...

PS.. I am bordering on 6'3" (250, muscular build) and 50 years old and I've read some say it's perfect and others say they're uncomfortable. I do plan on stopping by to see on in a day or two and take it for a drive.

The main thing I'm looking for is a much more comfortable ride... the Golf R isn't terrible... or maybe I should hold out for a Genesis G80 or up?

 

[DoctorStiches]

Mmhmnn
If you are not driving alot
And enjoy driving
Keep a manual vehicle

If you drive lots and lots because you love driving or commute or travel on road. .. a stinger is a gret candidate

If you need a manual car dont buy one
Buy a genissis g70 manual while you still can.

If you are discouraged by fake hood vents the way car guys treat kia owners with turn you off or depress you (the majority are nice but some are down south racist mean)

A g80 was not my car because it costs alot more
If you do not care about value then the stinger is less obviously a great thing aka if money is no option a stinger i may not own...

Color and options are on you. A gt1 lets you stay in manual mode while a gt2 will put it into drive every time you stop (only huge difference if its newer than 19)

They are boats in cornors under extreme load but if you load the suspension properly it will carve a turn easy

Ummmm i love mine... its a serious stunner of a sedan and i wouldnt trade it for anything short of a lambo (no cash on top lolol)

If you apreciate the car buy it
^^

 

[legbuh]

Great comments, DoctorStiches. Thanks!

My driving is mainly pleasure cruises and into town for shopping/etc... and in the summer it's the ZL1 convertible most of the time (since that is newer to me). Porsche 997 is a fun car in the spring and fall when it's cooler out and I have a Frontier as my "winter beater" but when we do travel in the winter I like to take the Golf.

I think what's got me looking is the offer from Carvana for my Golf was much higher than I would have expected or will get from anyone else... That's what sort of triggered me looking.

 

[P22Tyler]

Just an FYI, you can only get the manual in the G70 with the 2.0T which will have around the same power as what your Golf R has.

Big VAG fan here as well, I didn't come from an R but I did come from a 2017 GTI SE (also owned a 13 GTI Wolfsburg edition) and I certainly haven't been disappointed in the quality of my Stinger. I was actually considering a Golf R when I bought my Stinger, it was one of my top choices until I drove the Stinger. My reasons for going for the Stinger were mostly the daily driver features, I figured I'd use the cooled seats more than I would take the R to the track. The HUD is a really awesome feature. The warranty doesn't hurt either. But it is still a fun car that is still practical, I love the rear hatch it's a big plus over the G70 IMO. It's a very nice cruiser as well.

A few things that bum me out, it doesn't offer the ability to roll down the windows with your keys or exterior door controls, not all the windows roll up and down automatically, mostly small things like that you would really only know if you have driven a few VW products before.

 

[legbuh]

Thanks, P22Tyler!

 

[P22Tyler]

Thanks, P22Tyler!

hope that helps. I may go back to the Golf R after the Stinger, although I'm not a fan of the new design of the Golf. At all.

 

[legbuh]

hope that helps. I may go back to the Golf R after the Stinger, although I'm not a fan of the new design of the Golf. At all.

Ya, I hear the MK6 (and maybe Mk7) were the last of the ones people really liked. Maybe I'll just keep my golf R and forget about it for 40 years and let my kids reap the rewards.

 

[DoctorStiches]

Great comments, DoctorStiches. Thanks!

My driving is mainly pleasure cruises and into town for shopping/etc... and in the summer it's the ZL1 convertible most of the time (since that is newer to me). Porsche 997 is a fun car in the spring and fall when it's cooler out and I have a Frontier as my "winter beater" but when we do travel in the winter I like to take the Golf.

I think what's got me looking is the offer from Carvana for my Golf was much higher than I would have expected or will get from anyone else... That's what sort of triggered me looking.

i was not trying to scare you off
But the stinger is a great touring car all around
I own a 240sx as my 'mechanical' car
Long as you have something else 'more fun' to drive if your into that kind if road hugging feel

 

[legbuh]

i was not trying to scare you off
But the stinger is a great touring car all around
I own a 240sx as my 'mechanical' car
Long as you have something else 'more fun' to drive if your into that kind if road hugging feel

Oh ya...I do.. the stinger would replace my R as my "mostly summer (but sometimes in the winter) daily driver".

I should just grab that Carvana offer... 28k is more than anyone would pay online, and more than I'd get for a trade. And that will keep going down until it's maybe a collectable in 30 years.

 

[NS_Stinger]

The Stinger is a great car and I would at least test drive one, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts considering the stable of cars you have.

 

[SKStinger]

One other perspective to consider between the two cars; i'm not sure if you work on your cars yourself or rely on the dealership for maintenance/modifications but the Kia dealership experience is horrific. At VAG dealers you're treated like royalty, especially driving a Golf R as that is VW's halo car... Kia's halo car, the Stinger, is just another Kia to most dealers and the stories of terrible experiences on this forum i've read about is appalling.

If you are handy and like to do your own maintenance/modifications, the Stinger is a delight. So much easier to work on then any German car i've owned. Mods are cheaper and there is a pretty decent aftermarket following now for the 3.3tt.

 

[legbuh]

One other perspective to consider between the two cars; i'm not sure if you work on your cars yourself or rely on the dealership for maintenance/modifications but the Kia dealership experience is horrific. At VAG dealers you're treated like royalty, especially driving a Golf R as that is VW's halo car... Kia's halo car, the Stinger, is just another Kia to most dealers and the stories of terrible experiences on this forum i've read about is appalling.

If you are handy and like to do your own maintenance/modifications, the Stinger is a delight. So much easier to work on then any German car i've owned. Mods are cheaper and there is a pretty decent aftermarket following now for the 3.3tt.

Oh, I've already gotten a bad feeling from just the sales folks... From what I read I wouldn't really need to bring in the car for much work as it seems pretty reliable...

I've never had my Golf R in for anything yet either. All maintenance I do myself (that I am able to do). I wish all cars were as easy as a NA Miata to do TB/WP service. But then again, I rarely keep cars long enough for that.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Test drive. That will answer all questions about actually liking the Stinger.

 

[jalcala]

...especially driving a Golf R as that is VW's halo car... Kia's halo car, the Stinger,...

So wait, I have a HALO car?! Woot, woot!!

 

[twig2121]

sounds like you can swap cars at your leisure so give the stinger a try. I'd say the biggest thing you'll notice is the longer wheelbase. It's more of a GT car so it's more comfortable IMO. The room and practicality is also a bonus

 

[legbuh]

I got a chance to stop by the local kia dealer yesterday... just for a minute. I set up an appt ahead of time and told them I only had a few minutes and I just wanted to sit in the car to see about my headroom. They said no problem and even assigned me a salesman to ask for.

Well, I walk in ask for him and 5 minutes later he says "oh, I will help you instead" I started getting the runnaround asking for my personal info, etc. I said no... you have my name and number already from the web chat this morning.. I'm short on time and if I can't do a quick check I am just going to leave. He left and I didn't know where he went... 10 minutes later (just as I was getting ready to walk out) he drove the car up and I tried it out. Pretty tight at the head... not much above it, but again it was snowing hard and I had to get going. So I am going to return to drive it.

Here's the odd thing... the used 2018 GT2 they have was leased by the service manager and has one accident reported. I am trying to get more info on the accident (which is a blemish on any car report) as well as having them bring the car into a bay to look at it in good light and with now snow all over it. They are asking 41k for it (20k miles on it). I can get a new 2020 GT1 for a couple grand more, and a 2021 GT2 (but not a facelift) for only about 5 grand more. So again, it looks like they are asking too much for a used vehicle as well. I think I'd pay anywhere between 35 and 36 for it used.

I didn't get a good feeling at first, but the salesman and I had a quick chat and I got to know him a little, which was cool. But I've never felt more uncomfortable entering a dealership.. especially since there were at least 5 salesmen staring out the window at the snow and it still took 15 minutes or more to get the car where I could see it... after having made an appointment.

Oh well... they are all 20 somethings and don't know me... I'm a "show me the car, let me drive it (ALONE)" and if I like it "here's what I'll pay" yes or no kind of guy (and a fair price of course). No car deal for me has taken more than 1 hour, including a test drive, with all the other cars I've purchased. Too bad car salesman can go to different dealerships for their customers... haha!

 

[SKStinger]

I got a chance to stop by the local kia dealer yesterday... just for a minute. I set up an appt ahead of time and told them I only had a few minutes and I just wanted to sit in the car to see about my headroom. They said no problem and even assigned me a salesman to ask for.

Well, I walk in ask for him and 5 minutes later he says "oh, I will help you instead" I started getting the runnaround asking for my personal info, etc. I said no... you have my name and number already from the web chat this morning.. I'm short on time and if I can't do a quick check I am just going to leave. He left and I didn't know where he went... 10 minutes later (just as I was getting ready to walk out) he drove the car up and I tried it out. Pretty tight at the head... not much above it, but again it was snowing hard and I had to get going. So I am going to return to drive it.

Here's the odd thing... the used 2018 GT2 they have was leased by the service manager and has one accident reported. I am trying to get more info on the accident (which is a blemish on any car report) as well as having them bring the car into a bay to look at it in good light and with now snow all over it. They are asking 41k for it (20k miles on it). I can get a new 2020 GT1 for a couple grand more, and a 2021 GT2 (but not a facelift) for only about 5 grand more. So again, it looks like they are asking too much for a used vehicle as well. I think I'd pay anywhere between 35 and 36 for it used.

I didn't get a good feeling at first, but the salesman and I had a quick chat and I got to know him a little, which was cool. But I've never felt more uncomfortable entering a dealership.. especially since there were at least 5 salesmen staring out the window at the snow and it still took 15 minutes or more to get the car where I could see it... after having made an appointment.

Oh well... they are all 20 somethings and don't know me... I'm a "show me the car, let me drive it (ALONE)" and if I like it "here's what I'll pay" yes or no kind of guy (and a fair price of course). No car deal for me has taken more than 1 hour, including a test drive, with all the other cars I've purchased. Too bad car salesman can go to different dealerships for their customers... haha!

Yep, sounds about right for a Kia dealership. FWIW i am 6'6" tall and fit totally fine in the Stinger. The seating position is pretty low, not as gangster low as my Audi A5 was but for a 4 door car it's quite decent.

 

[Luc]

Yep, sounds about right for a Kia dealership. FWIW i am 6'6" tall and fit totally fine in the Stinger. The seating position is pretty low, not as gangster low as my Audi A5 was but for a 4 door car it's quite decent.

Wow, you're a full foot taller than me! I guess the poor passenger behind you has no toe room under your seat?

I have the seat set to its highest position and it's perfect for me; a 'Command' position to peer over that longish hood, yet enough leg stretch to feel sporty. I will admit, I do wish the under-thigh support extended out just a bit further though for a proper GT experience.

 

[SKStinger]

Wow, you're a full foot taller than me! I guess the poor passenger behind you has no toe room under your seat?

I have the seat set to its highest position and it's perfect for me; a 'Command' position to peer over that longish hood, yet enough leg stretch to feel sporty. I will admit, I do wish the under-thigh support extended out just a bit further though for a proper GT experience.

Haha it’s my 7 year old behind me and he fits just fine. An adult would be a tighter squeeze for sure.

 

[Seef824]

I did not come directly from the MK6 to the Stinger, but I have owned both. I have regretted getting rid of my R for a while. I traded the R in for a 335 and missed the uniqueness of the R. The 335 was about as quick as my S2+ R, but it was just another BMW. To me the R was a lot more engaging to drive. I went from the 335 to a WRX for the last 3 years. The WRX was (not surprisingly) a lot more raw, but it was at least fun to drive. Had I not traded my MK6 in, I likely would have gotten the MK7 and never looked back.

I traded the WRX in early September for the Indigo Blue GT. I am very happy with the stinger. I am also 6'3" and my head does loosely touch the headliner with a hat on or hair done. I am just used to that by now, and it is only an issue on the left side where the sunroof is not.
I have very quickly appreciated the updated and upgraded interior. The interior is quite a step up from the R and I really enjoy the GT lower seating position. I also really like the overall comfort of the seats, console, shifter position etc (all the stuff that matters on road trips). I took it on a 5 hour trip each way in the end of September and was really pleased. It sounds like the stinger is the perfect car for your needs. I would say you would do yourself a favor and look at the G70. I did not have the opportunity to drive one, but every review will say it handles a little better than the stinger and the interior is a slight step up.

Also, the dark blue color is actually quite nice! I was not really a fan in the pictures on the dealer website, but having it for almost two months has completely changed my mind.