Where are the GT1's ??

[mldavis2]

I am amazed that there are NO Stingers equipped anywhere within 500 miles spec'd like I wanted. None, and I haven't heard of any, either. Most of them in my part of the MidWest are either GT2's or the lower trim bodies.

My specs are HiChroma Red, GT1 AWD, Driver Assistance Package, regular 19" summer performance tires.

You would think that cars like that would be built and sitting around waiting for buyers, but no. I built mine from the options after a couple of days of study and comparison. Price was no consideration, but I don't waste money on stuff I don't want or need, either.

So why not a GT2? The GT1 has everything that I want - all the drive mode settings, mechanical, 19" wheels. Add the Driver Assistance Package and it has all the electronic toys of the GT2, big LCD screen, higher end stereo, sunroof, etc.

So I asked myself what does my package lack that the GT2 has? Moving headlights, "better" (?) leather and cooled seats, more seat adjustments, HUD. And the shift by wire that I really prefer in the GT1 with the manual gate rather than the electronics. The HUD will require more expensive windshields (and I've replaced five on my G8 GT.) Everything else is identical -- for $5,000 more.

So that $5,000 will pay for the subscription to SiriusXM radio, updating the Navigation maps every 6 months at $150 each with money left over for a steak and lobster dinner. But GT1's are extremely scarce. And the ones I've found are either RWD or they lack the Driver Assistance package. So simple, yet so elusive. So I had to custom order mine - delivery in March. Aaarrgghh!!

 

[Stinger73]

I'm curious on why the windshield would be more expensive, is there some type of reflective coating where the HUD reflects? Makes me feel a little better not getting a GT2 as windshield fixs and/or replacements in Phoenix are often.

 

[mldavis2]

I don't know for sure, @Stinger73. I can tell you that on my '00 GrandPrix GTP that had HUD, that there is a reflective coating of some kind (virtually invisible) that needs to be there for the LED to show on the windshield. I didn't know that until I had to pay for a new windshield that was more than double what a standard one cost. Perhaps Kia has implemented a different way of showing it, brighter LEDs or something. Good question that I can't answer. A lot has changed from '00 to '18.