Honestly, I was going to see how long I could keep my 2008 335i on the road. Then I had no idea what I would do because I have not been impressed with the F30 Bimmers. But thankfully, along came the Stinger! Just waiting for those GT2 prices to start coming down a bit and I AM IN!
I couldn't get excited about anything. Rented a Mustang on vacation and was disappointed . Looked at Dodge's and Audis. When I test drove the Stinger there was no comparison to the power and value - and I couldn't stop smiling!
Jaguar Fpace S. Really didn't want an SUV, but you know, happy wife, happy life and all that. Fpace was a sporty compromise. I convinced her to test drive the stinger gt2 with me and now we are just waiting to take delivery. She liked the ride comfort, front and rear leg room, and the large trunk.
The usual family sedan suspects, until the production version debuted. For a budget-minded driving enthusiast who needs a vehicle to be competent in multiple roles, the 2.0 Stinger is a wicked, performance-biased alternative to a fwd/awd family vehicle.
MB E200 or Audi A7 but both too pricey. E200 maybe not so pricey, but there were some very strange things in configuration I checked: two big screens but none of them is a touchscreen .... WAT? That's 2k18 %) Also no power seat even for a driver and no trunk power lift..
I considered many vehicle brands and models, and not one ticked all the boxes like Stinger, not even what could have been my first choice, a 2017 Holden VF2 Commodore SS-V with a LS3 6.2V8, back in late 2016 when the Holden Engine factory closed down , we employees were offered an Employees Only 2016 Holden VF2 Commodore SS-V Redline "RESERVE" edition, but i did not order one.
Thankyou Kia for Stinger, it was like LOVE at first SIGHT....haha
Ford Fusion Sport (twin turbo v6 AWD) - about $5k less expensive, but FWD biased
Mazda 6 (newly announced turbo version) - expected to be less $, but less power (though a tune can remedy) and FWD only - still looks great and mazda's handle well
Alpha Guilia (4cyl turbo) - looks nice, handles as well or better than stinger, but I'm concerned about availability of replacement parts
Volvo V90 (wagon) - ending up too pricey
All those were if the car is primarily driven by the wife...If I get a stinger, I'd compare to:
WRX STI
Focus RS
Both are equally fun IMO, shorter wheelbase so they can turn easier/faster (being rally cars), but now that I'm older with kids I see the stinger as a "grown-up" version of those cars - with plenty of legroom and a practical hatch