What vehicle will be a worthy replacement for your sedan when it is time?
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I was in the neighborhood this afternoon, so I stopped in on one of our KIA dealerships, specifically to see the new Stinger GT. I didn't drive the car, even though they were eager for me to. But I went over every inch, inside and out. There was nothing over-the-top impressive by way of being a luxury sport sedan, but at the same time there was nothing overtly negative either. Except maybe the fake hood vents. 
That hatch is gorgeous, and completely practical. The C-pillar design and the roofline is really appealing. Overall dimensions are good, very G-sedan-ish.
As a brand, KIA is certainly punching above it's weight grade. But as a car... pretty damn impressive.
That hatch is gorgeous, and completely practical. The C-pillar design and the roofline is really appealing. Overall dimensions are good, very G-sedan-ish.
As a brand, KIA is certainly punching above it's weight grade. But as a car... pretty damn impressive.
Last edited by Rochester; Jan 26, 2018 at 03:25 PM.
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I was in the neighborhood this afternoon, so I stopped in on one of our KIA dealerships, specifically to see the new Stinger GT. I didn't drive the car, even though they were eager for me to. But I went over every inch, inside and out. There was nothing over-the-top impressive by way of being a luxury sport sedan, but at the same time there was nothing overtly negative either. Except maybe the fake hood vents.
That hatch is gorgeous, and completely practical. The C-pillar design and the roofline is really appealing. Overall dimensions are good, very G-sedan-ish.
As a brand, KIA is certainly punching above it's weight grade. But as a car... pretty damn impressive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDVbx1ZEs5E
That hatch is gorgeous, and completely practical. The C-pillar design and the roofline is really appealing. Overall dimensions are good, very G-sedan-ish.
As a brand, KIA is certainly punching above it's weight grade. But as a car... pretty damn impressive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDVbx1ZEs5E
DeMuro is right, it's easily overlooked on the red Stinger. But on any other color, it stands out like a sore thumb.
I also really dislike the design of the side vents, however they *are* actually open, with a 12"x1" slit in the wheel well. Not sure if it's a for-real heat ventilation design, or what. But it's genuinely a vent, so it gets a pass.
I think a year or two from now, people will be able to pick up a Stinger GT used for $20 to $30k, and it will be a heck of a bargain.
"Are the twin-turbos sequential or parallel?" Salesman stares at me with dead eyes.
"Does the RWD model have limited slip?" Salesman stares at me with dead eyes.
I also really dislike the design of the side vents, however they *are* actually open, with a 12"x1" slit in the wheel well. Not sure if it's a for-real heat ventilation design, or what. But it's genuinely a vent, so it gets a pass.
I think a year or two from now, people will be able to pick up a Stinger GT used for $20 to $30k, and it will be a heck of a bargain.
"Are the twin-turbos sequential or parallel?" Salesman stares at me with dead eyes.
"Does the RWD model have limited slip?" Salesman stares at me with dead eyes.
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There was also one sentence on Audi's website that said there was a "standard" valve that opened in the regular exhaust at higher rpms. This got me wondering what the point of the sport exhaust was. I asked the guys that went to the RS3 training and they did not even know. I finally found a video online that showed the difference in sound between the two exhausts.
As an enthusiast in the business it is maddening how difficult the manufacturers make it to find what you would think is common information. Another example is towing capacities on suvs. With all the different trim levels, some manufacturers requiring a huge expensive tow package to be able to tow anything more than a bicycle and general misinformation, you usually can only find the truth in the owner's manual.
It's the same thing we go through for information on new models. Manufacturers are so tight lipped that I find out 95% of my info. from sources other than the manufacturer.
/rant
As interesting as the Stinger is, powertrain and overall design notwithstanding, I still walked away thinking this was a car worth the low $40s, not low $50s. There was nothing wrong about the interior, but nothing special either. Camry is much nicer, so there's that.
OP, I'm not recommending you get a Camry, LOL
OP, I'm not recommending you get a Camry, LOL
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Phew! I think recommending a Camry would get you kicked out of the post.
The Stinger just doesn't do anything for me. I try to put aside the fact that it is a Kia and that it has an A/T. Even then, the styling just looks too generic to me. Similar to when their parent company, Hyundai, was trying to find their design style about 10 years ago. At least the new Genesis Sport has good styling with the same engine. It's hard not to pick that car over a Maxima, which I also like.
The Stinger just doesn't do anything for me. I try to put aside the fact that it is a Kia and that it has an A/T. Even then, the styling just looks too generic to me. Similar to when their parent company, Hyundai, was trying to find their design style about 10 years ago. At least the new Genesis Sport has good styling with the same engine. It's hard not to pick that car over a Maxima, which I also like.
