Was about to pull the trigger but.... headlight rub issue

[ldbs101]

How are you guys dealing with this headlight rub issue?

I was moments away from getting rid of my 2014 Optima SX to get a 2019 GT LIMITED Stinger, and my wife was like, lets inspect the car before signing the dotted line.

So I was going around it, inspecting the paint, and bam both headlights under them head paint flaking pealing (rubbing )

Then I checked a Ghost Grey or thunder grey they had on the lot and a blue one, and both had the same issue just on one light.

excuse the french but WTF .. this is not acceptable at this price range ..

I am in Canada so almost 57000$ taxes in, and even some parts of europe that costs is above 60,000 EURO!!

Ugh i am so disappointed, and this is the second year model.

I wanted to vent because I have waited and passed on the 2018 for this!

 

[moinmoin]

passed on the 2018 for this!

I can feel your pain as similar has happened to me. Not with the Stinger, but other vehicles.
But you could also see this as an opportunity to negotiate.
After all, the front is all plastic - which may also have contributed to painting defects - and can be easily repainted/repaired by the dealer before delivery..
After that, you have Paint Protection Film applied and you will never know the difference.
You mention Europe. Be glad you are not looking at $80K products from there and then still find cosmetic failures.
Don't wait for the perfect vehicle, or you may wait forever...Life is short. Go for it.
Good Luck

 

[washguy]

LDBS don't let the paint on plastic throw you off.....what do you expect from a 50k car? Its from Korea no less LOL......get that piece o' crap its the most fun you can have for 50K Wash

 

[ldbs101]

LDBS don't let the paint on plastic throw you off.....what do you expect from a 50k car? Its from Korea no less LOL......get that piece o' crap its the most fun you can have for 50K Wash

50g is 50g no matter from where it comes

I've had 4 optima's 2011 - 2012 - 2013 and 2014 and till this day my 2014 has one rock chip and that is on the side fender. the paint on them have been very good no complaints.

 

[Crisis]

I'd suggest you keep looking at Stingers and find an unblemished one. I've had mine about 10 months, have 21,000 km on it and no paint issues. The car is a blast and I haven't had a moment's regret about buying it.

 

[Ucinn]

Yea, my yellow had the headlight problem but my Ceramic Silver doesn't have it. Just look at another dealer and check theirs. ike said above, if the paint is that important to yo, I would highly recommend getting the clear bra put on it.

 

[DaJackson]

Kia will fix the issue if you have headlight rubbing. If the dealer doesn’t do it call the premium line.

 

[GenesisG70]

How are you guys dealing with this headlight rub issue?

I was moments away from getting rid of my 2014 Optima SX to get a 2019 GT LIMITED Stinger, and my wife was like, lets inspect the car before signing the dotted line.

So I was going around it, inspecting the paint, and bam both headlights under them head paint flaking pealing (rubbing )

Then I checked a Ghost Grey or thunder grey they had on the lot and a blue one, and both had the same issue just on one light.

excuse the french but WTF .. this is not acceptable at this price range ..

I am in Canada so almost 57000$ taxes in, and even some parts of europe that costs is above 60,000 EURO!!

Ugh i am so disappointed, and this is the second year model.

I wanted to vent because I have waited and passed on the 2018 for this!

I have seen this and is a minimal issue, mine doesn't have it, like above Kia will fix it for you. My Audi R8 V10 plus has a chassis problem for a >200 k car... is really WTF but don't care just a minor issue. I love my Stinger, there is no perfect car...

 

[ldbs101]

I am going to go check out some other dealers, i just found it odd and strange with three on the lot having the same issues..

 

[YOWStinger]

I just signed my final paperwork today, I didn't notice this on the 2 other cars on the lot, they had to bring one in for me to get the color combo I wanted. What am I looking for ON MONDAY (omg omg) when I pick up the car?

 

[OliverNuther]

What am I looking for ON MONDAY (omg omg) when I pick up the car?

Afterwards, it will be police radar mostly.

 

[MerlintheMad]

So I was going around it, inspecting the paint, and bam both headlights under them head paint flaking pealing (rubbing )

Design flaw in the extended headlight assembly. That doesn't mean that what you see as a flake under the forward, lower corner is going to get bigger/worse. Now, if the paint peels out from that rubbing point, you have an adhesion issue, at least on the bumper. Kia will warranty these things.

As most Stinger owners will tell you, we don't have paint issues. That the plastic bumper is prone to getting marked up from flying rocks is no surprise. Get PPF pronto and that problem goes away.

 

[Never thought]

I had the headlight rub issue. It can be a pain to get it repainted depending on the shop. It took 2 tries and 30 plus days in the shop. But I am still happy with the car.

 

[moinmoin]

It took 2 tries and 30 plus days in the shop

agreed if the car has been sold,

but NOT if the dealer wants to sell this car. There would be far greater urgency on the dealer's part.

Just thinking, a doubled up coat of paint on the front of the car could also have its advantages...

 

[NS_Stinger]

You're still in the position of power so what I would do is tell them if they fix the issue on the car you want then you'll buy it. I've done this before on a used car I wanted that had a small dent, the dent was fixed same day haha

 

[Never thought]

agreed if the car has been sold,

but NOT if the dealer wants to sell this car. There would be far greater urgency on the dealer's part.

Just thinking, a doubled up coat of paint on the front of the car could also have its advantages...

I don’t disagree. Long story short, I was looking at trading it for a 2019. Every GT I looked at had the issue. I pointed it out to the dealer and they didn’t care. It’s because just about no one will notice it (I didn’t for about 6k miles until it was an issue talked about here). It also doesn’t appear to peel more after time. Kia will repaint it and you can potentially get Kia corporate to give you a check for the inconvenience.

Personally, the headlight rub issue to me is minor. If the rest of the paint is solid, I’d use the damage as a negotiating tool and try to get a better deal. You can also order/buy a car before it gets to the dealer, and you can work with the dealer to make sure they inspect the headlight area for peeling paint as part of the delivery inspection. If it’s peeling, Kia will pay to repaint it before you even take delivery. But I don’t blame you if you don’t want to deal with all the hassle.

 

[Johnman]

50 G never killed anybody.