My Mind is Made, I'm Getting a Kia Stinger GT

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
05/23/2017 at 08:28 • Filed to: Kia

Though this evening silhoutte shot hit my heart in the very bottom video, it was the drifting and bouncing off the rev-limiter like an old Subie in the video directly below these words that cemented it for me. Demographic is 30-40 year old male Kia owners looking to move upmarket so I’d hate to disappoint a statistic that has my name on it. Damn, I want to keep the Amanti though so the Jaguar XF might be getting kicked out.

*Note: Not actually purchasing a Stinger due to moving towards a debt free lifestyle. Nice try though!

*Note II: Im probably the one person on the planet that publicly proclaims Kia as their favorite brand (right in front of Maserati, Jaguar, and Porsche). Im kind of obligated to MYSELF to grab one of these, so we’ll see what I do.

DISCUSSION (42)

pip bip - choose Corrour > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 08:41

needs a manual though

fintail > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 09:12

Shocking, I thought you hated these cars.

I will say that Kia is getting the most out of their styling investment - awkward KDM flair is but a distant memory.

Wobbles the Mind > pip bip - choose Corrour
05/23/2017 at 09:15

Im ok with this one being auto since its attempting to be a modern British car (Jaguar specifically). If it had a track touch like the Biermann Special which Im sure Australia will get then Id still be split on a manual simply due to the automaker.

Wobbles the Mind > fintail
05/23/2017 at 09:26

If it’s FCA, Hyundai-Kia, Nissan, or Jaguar then Im probably watching very closely since those brand groups are value focused which is my number one purchasing attraction.

fintail > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 09:44

I know you are trying to get into the all-cash thing - maybe good news there too, as I suspect this will follow other highline Hyunkia models, and suffer depreciation as catastrophic as on the senior German models. Might be a used bargain come lease return time.

Matt Trakker > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 10:20

I really want the Stinger to do well, if for no other reason than to truly stick it to the Germans out of control pricing.

Wobbles the Mind > fintail
05/23/2017 at 11:03

Unfortunately this model is going to be advertised heavily between commercials and NBA, PGA, and the other dozen sports Kia is a major sponsor of. Plus with the car looking to fall between $30,000 to $45,000 it makes it too easy of a sale once they start dropping below $25,000. So if the 2.0T models aren’t going to drop much below $20,000 then it keeps the 3.3T from dropping below $30,000 for the first three or four years. All of a sudden you only have 33% depreciation on the model across the first three years.

Basically the car is too cheap, too interesting, and will be too exposed to depreciate below the 50% resale mark we are so used to with Korean cars, especially on the “luxury” side. It’s looking like an awesome lease as long as you grab them right as they come out and the reviews are positive.

Wobbles the Mind > Matt Trakker
05/23/2017 at 11:09

It will do fine. Just this year alone Kia only plans to produce 8,000 of these for S. Korea, US, and Europe...that’s including the 2,000 pre-orders for the car in its home market. I’d be surprised if Kia wouldn’t consider selling 400 of these a month in the US an OUTSTANDING success. Only issue I saw was that only 850 or so of the preorders were for the 3.3t. That’s not a high enough initial take rate to offer higher versions of the car...

fintail > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 11:31

Supply might also play a role, I suspect these will be rare for awhile. At the same time, the profile is really very Optima to me, which might not make it an instant hit, not so differentiated against the mainstream model.

With MSRP so relatively low, I wonder if this will be a loss-leader, sold without profit to boost the brand. It worked for Lexus, why not? I can’t imagine there being much of a margin if a loaded top model is 45K. Maybe along that line, leases will be subsidized, too. Of course, leases make all-cashers cringe, but remember, you can’t take it with you, hearses don’t have luggage racks :)

geolemon > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 11:50

I honestly love my Optima.

I’m a 43 year old IT professional who could drive something more like a Stinger, but my dislike of “dead cow” seats led me to only even be able to consider the base Optima (higher models, there’s no choice! Leather only!)

And it’s where the Optima surprised me. I loved the style of the car enough that i still wanted to drive it.

And not only did I love the way it drove, it was quicker than my old car, manual shifts faster than my old car, comfortable, and had all the features I wanted (even a power seat) - in the base model.

Maybe in the future Kia will open up their seating surface options... Some grippy Alcantara, or just nice cloth, like mine has now. Then I’d consider other cars.

But buying a $23k car rather than a $43k car leaves $20 extra in the checking account, and it’s tough to not enjoy that regardless.

Chariotoflove > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 11:54

If I didn’t want a convertible so badly, I’d likely be holding out for one of these. So, I’m right there with you. You did lose me when you said keeping the Amanti over the XF, like “I’m not with this guy, never seen him before” lost me. ;)

If you can’t afford a new one, I bet these will be great to pick up used after the first round of leases are up in three years.

WiscoProud > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 12:10

So Stinger is the new brand? I have to say I really like the styling. The rear looks a bit like a A7, while the back reminded me of the Guilia. I hope they did it right performance and reliability wise. My wife’s family has had great luck with Kia’s overall.

I have another burner, try to guess it! > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 12:14

Don’t forget about the Oppo “Emergency fund: for foolish and unwise purchases”

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 12:43

Debt free FTW.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 13:05

Come onnnnn you gotta get one. If anyone on here would it would be you.

Wobbles the Mind > Chariotoflove
05/23/2017 at 13:28

Lol, I promise there’s a logic to it!

Chariotoflove > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 13:29

I trust you, even if I don’t understand.

Wobbles the Mind > WiscoProud
05/23/2017 at 13:32

No, in the Korean market the Stinger has a unique badge. Everywhere else in the world it will simply be a premium Kia. Ismthat still an oxymoron? Should be very good, think just slightly below Audi S4 and Mercedes C43 in market rather than 340i (that’s what the G70 is going for).

Wobbles the Mind > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2017 at 13:33

Isn’t that the truth!

Wobbles the Mind > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/23/2017 at 13:36

Seriously, I’ve freed up an extra $640 a month already and can clear up a few more things and have another $400 on top of that every month by the end of year as long as I keep on these debts. It’s like giving myself a raise and I love this feeling!

Wobbles the Mind > geolemon
05/23/2017 at 13:38

This is where my mind is, I know a smile on my face is great but tens of thousands of dollars staying in my pocket makes me grin far more...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 13:50

My wife and I paid off our mortgage this year. Pretty awesome feeling!

Die-Trying > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 13:52

is that old Edith singing?.........

Wobbles the Mind > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/23/2017 at 13:56

That’s wicked! See, this is the kind of stuff that balloons should have written on them. Real reasons to celebrate rather than the, “It’s Yours!” cards I keep getting every year.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 14:05

Haha - we definitely celebrated it and shared the good news with our parents, siblings and privately with a few close friends.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 14:14

I’d probably be a close 2nd as the only one here that would. It’s a cool car, Ive sat in it. I’ve driven it at incredibly low speeds lol.

Bytemite > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 14:31

I like how shameless the whitewashing is in Asian countries like Korea and Japan. It’s like if they put an Asian driver in that ad, it will alienate potential buyers, but put a white person, and everything’s A-okay.

RyanFrew > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 14:33

Love the Stinger, but the first video lost me a little bit when it was bouncing off the rev limiter at :40. That’s....never going to actually happen. No way the car would let me do it.

Wobbles the Mind > RyanFrew
05/23/2017 at 14:38

Nah, that’s stock, that’s why they show the car drifting so much and that’s what makes Albert Biermann the man. But it is becoming extremely obvious that the RWD GT is completely different in focus compared to the AWD GT. Heck, just look at the difference between the two commercials above! I have a sneaky suspicion that the RWD car is the enthusiast calibrated model and the AWD car is more plush in ride and allows for far less freedom.

LJ909 > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 17:44

I see the Stinger being the go to push for sales people. They get a customer in that wants something top of the line, but doesn’t have the money for a K900 and a Cadenza is too old people for them, so instead of a Optima SX-L, they push them on a base or mid range Stinger. We might see a lot of sales because of this.

LongbowMkII > WiscoProud
05/23/2017 at 17:58

My inlaws put obscene miles on their kias. The second one did catch on fire however mildly. But, after 400k miles.... eh? Not too bad.

Wobbles the Mind > LJ909
05/23/2017 at 19:39

I actually see it going in the opposite direction! You show them the Stinger then upsell them on the similar styled, same 2.0T engined, loaded up Optima SX and SX-L. There should be some crazy incentives on midsized sedans since they are being creamed in sales. Then add to that a brand new Camry and I’m banking on the brand new Accord and brand new Altima appearing by this Fall with all three value driven and with uncharacteristic amounts of money on the hoods.

It should be a great year to buy beige!

Orange Exige > geolemon
05/23/2017 at 21:10

I hate leather seats and I absolutely hate that they’re virtually unavoidable for many cars. Since they’re not sold as lower-end compact cars in the US, I’m pretty sure leather seats are and were always standard for Minis so I unfortunately couldn’t avoid them if I wanted my tiny car to love :(

If I ever purchased a brand new car, I would 110% (special) order it without leather seats. The good thing is that it seems like alcantara is becoming more common, particularly on nicer/more expensive cars, but leather has already (not a sudden thing - for a while) trickled down quite a bit to non-luxury cars so even slightly older lower end cars are tougher to find without leather...

AdverseMartyr > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2017 at 21:16

From the side silhouette I think Porsche Panamera.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/23/2017 at 22:39

Meanwhile my wife wants to finance a remodel... not that I don’t but spending MORE money is threat to my very being.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > LongbowMkII
05/23/2017 at 22:39

Details, details.

citizennick > Wobbles the Mind
05/24/2017 at 02:22

I like the car but this still bothers me

Kinja'd!!!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
05/24/2017 at 08:45

It’s definitely a challenge to live without debt and within cash flow when you now have the means to “afford” much more. Hopefully we get so used to not having a house or car payment these next few months that it will feel like a very bad idea to ever have one again... We’ll see.

WiscoProud > LongbowMkII
05/24/2017 at 11:05

That’s not bad at all.

BahamaTodd > Wobbles the Mind
05/24/2017 at 13:49

I am most likely going to be in the market for something new in 2 years or so. I have an Accord coupe V6 and GMC Canyon, both with over 150k miles and I think I’m ready to consolidate to a single practical vehicle. A 5 door liftback should work well so as of now that means the Stinger, 4 series Gran Coupe, A5 Sportback or Buick Regal. This is something I want to keep for a while so I’m less inclined to go for the BMW and Audi for maintenance cost reasons. Cost wise the Stinger and Regal will also offer more options for less.

Pros for the Stinger are RWD and more distinctive styling. Not sure yet which engine I would get. The 4cyl weighs 3680 lbs, but with the V6 that increases to 3935 lbs. I would have to see how both handles. BTW, with AWD and the V6 the Stinger tips the scales at 4100 lbs. http://www.kia.com/kr/vehicles/stinger/specification.html

The Regal would be in GS trim which will have a 310 hp V6 and AWD only. Based on the 4cyl AWD weight the GS should come in at about 3700-3800 lbs. They have been testing around the Nurburgring and this is the replacement for the Holden Commodore / Chevy SS so it should have sporty handling. The combination of an American platform, engine and drivetrain, but designed and built in Germany is appealing. Plus although more conservative than the Stinger still pretty attractive.

This is the Chinese GS sedan:

Kinja'd!!!

The US will get these wheels:

Kinja'd!!!

Vigor > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2017 at 11:50

I’m 30, with a kia optima. Love it to death. But the Stinger GT is akin

Vigor > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2017 at 11:52

I ’ m 30, with a kia optima. Love it to death. But the Stinger GT is akin to lusting after a new girl... the new curves, the smile she puts on your face. However I ’ m in the same boat. I ’ m addicted to eventually living a debt free existing. Once I pay off my car, that ’ s another $323 in my pocket every month. Once I pay off one credit card, another $80 in my pocket every month. Once I move in with wifey, that ’ s $600 more in my pocket. It ’ s addicting! Do I want to give up all that extra financial freedom for a shiny new sexy car from one of my favorite brands, that ’ s somewhat affordable? I think the answer is yes... save me :(