Stinger as Possible GS350 Replacement
#61
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by signdetres
I think it's best to let it go as it's been kindly asked of us to not derail this thread. Start a thread in car chat if you must.I've heard about the rear end bouncing over mid-corner bumps but never heard anything about body flex. What's that about?
#62
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
So now I’m stuck on red with black interior or the cement gray with red interior. Leaning toward the red as it’s been a long time since I’ve had a car that wasn’t white or silver.
Im also thinking I’ll shoot for a 19, as they add the around-view camera and wireless charging pad.
Im also thinking I’ll shoot for a 19, as they add the around-view camera and wireless charging pad.
Last edited by JDR76; 10-14-18 at 07:24 AM.
#63
Lexus Champion
So now I’m stuck on red with black interior or the cement gray with red interior. Leaning toward the red as it’s been a long time since I’ve has a car that wasn’t white or silver.
Im also thinking I’ll shoot for a 19, as they add the around-view camera and wireless charging pad.
Im also thinking I’ll shoot for a 19, as they add the around-view camera and wireless charging pad.
#64
Lexus Test Driver
Yes. The Stinger reviews are insanely good. +1
I wouldn't being considered swayed by the brand and luxuries of a A4 over the Stinger to be brand snob. Its because the A4 and Stinger GT2 AWD are both the same price but does different things... OP probably likes lift-backs and prefers performance thus leading him to want the Stinger. However - if someone prefers more luxury equipment and comfortable ride, maybe they'll go A4 and the brand is just a plus for them.
Nothing is 100% for what it seems.
Nothing is 100% for what it seems.
Last edited by bitkahuna; 10-14-18 at 07:10 AM.
#65
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Im also thinking I’ll shoot for a 19, as they add the around-view camera and wireless charging pad.
#66
Lexus Champion
Yes. The Stinger reviews are insanely good. +1
I wouldn't being considered swayed by the brand and luxuries of a A4 over the Stinger to be brand snob. Its because the A4 and Stinger GT2 AWD are both the same price but does different things... OP probably likes lift-backs and prefers performance thus leading him to want the Stinger. However - if someone prefers more luxury equipment and comfortable ride, maybe they'll go A4 and the brand is just a plus for them.
Nothing is 100% for what it seems.
I wouldn't being considered swayed by the brand and luxuries of a A4 over the Stinger to be brand snob. Its because the A4 and Stinger GT2 AWD are both the same price but does different things... OP probably likes lift-backs and prefers performance thus leading him to want the Stinger. However - if someone prefers more luxury equipment and comfortable ride, maybe they'll go A4 and the brand is just a plus for them.
Nothing is 100% for what it seems.
#67
Lexus Fanatic
All that said: The KIA Stinger definitely turns my head when I see one. Great appearance and a great success story for KIA and the Hyundai Corp all together. Great design as well. It can only get better.
#68
Lexus Fanatic
Just got caught up on the thread. Badge snobbery is very real. It’s in our lives all over the place. Hard to believe that the Audi, Lexus, BMW and MB buyers would switch for a KIA branded model. It generally does not happen this way.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 10-14-18 at 09:34 AM.
#69
Lexus Champion
Agreed. But people with money to spend moving up from Avalons, Maximas, Acuras and Buicks may see the value in a Stinger GT. To me, that's where the Stinger (and similarly, Genesis models) would find more of critical mass of customers. Those customers that want something nicer, but just can't bring themselves to pay the price of a true lux make.
#70
Lexus Test Driver
No--what you are NOW describing it totally different. NOW you are saying that you would carefully compare the A4 and the Stinger, and the Stinger just would not measure up. I agree--not brand snobbery. BEFORE you indicated no one would go to an Audi dealer and BMW dealer, and then even consider a Stinger. THAT is brand snobbery--ruling out a brand without even measured consideration.
A person that goes to an Audi, BMW and MB dealership and not consider KIA can't assumed to be brand snobbery. Maybe they just like those brands. Maybe they just don't like KIA. Maybe tons of reasons.
However - I'll agree - if an Audi, BMW and MB shopper refuses to consider KIA, then that's brand snobbery. Refusing KIA based off brand is brand snobbery.
Refusing to consider and simply just not considering, in my mind, is different.
#71
Lexus Test Driver
The Lexus brand and this forum would not exist if consumers were not brand snobs once you reach a certain level.
Brands and image matter and help with the whole Luxury lifestyle / experience.
Also Ferrari, MB, Porsche, BMW etc have huge history in motorsports which gives them even greater credibility in consumer’s eyes.
Brands and image matter and help with the whole Luxury lifestyle / experience.
Also Ferrari, MB, Porsche, BMW etc have huge history in motorsports which gives them even greater credibility in consumer’s eyes.
#72
drives cars
Agreed. But people with money to spend moving up from Avalons, Maximas, Acuras and Buicks may see the value in a Stinger GT. To me, that's where the Stinger (and similarly, Genesis models) would find more of critical mass of customers. Those customers that want something nicer, but just can't bring themselves to pay the price of a true lux make.
For me, I want something with a nice, but not necessarily luxury-car, interior and fun to drive. I find the Stinger to just be a more well-rounded proposition than many entry-luxury cars, like the A4, 3-series, etc., due to the fact that it's larger and less expensive. Also, it doesn't come with the brand image, which for some people could be a pro, not a con. Many people assume BMW and Audi drivers, particularly the entry-level models, are stuck-up wannabes. Now I know that isn't always the case, but at least in the Kia, no one is going to think that. To be honest, part of the good thing about getting a Lexus is that it's the more sensible luxury option, and doesn't incite judgment in the same way as the German brands.
#73
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
avalon buyers i've seen tend to be retired seniors and i doubt many would be interested in a stinger.
#74
Lexus Test Driver
Review publications are all biased. They don’t mean all that much other than free advertising and support for the manufacturers. It is in every publications best interest to praise a new Stinger or any of the Genesis models. They publications would do themselves a disservice by saying saying an upstart brand like Genesis or a new model like the Stinger are not very good. Motor Trend recently claimed the G90 was the best car to take on the S class, but they panned Lexus in past for making boring cars that were super quiet, mmmm so how can the G90 trump the LS500 when the very essence of the LS460 is now the blueprint for the G90. Its becuase the Lexus brand is established and is not going to grow like the potential of the Genesis brand.
All that said: The KIA Stinger definitely turns my head when I see one. Great appearance and a great success story for KIA and the Hyundai Corp all together. Great design as well. It can only get better.
All that said: The KIA Stinger definitely turns my head when I see one. Great appearance and a great success story for KIA and the Hyundai Corp all together. Great design as well. It can only get better.
I have seen negative reviews of the Stinger. Granted - there isn't a lot of them but there is quite a few. Carwow has a "semi"-negative review on the Stinger. Check here:
But also look at the comments - the comments are bashing the reviewer for "brand bias", "KIA hater", "You just don't like it cause its a KIA" and etc... etc... This is true for any video that talks about the Stinger and/or Genesis G70 in a slightly negative light.
And to be fair to Carwow - his review wasn't even all that negative. He praised the fun driving ability and the improvements from KIA. People just didn't like the fact that he called out KIA's build quality compared to the Germans (which is a fair point.) We can't expect a KIA to have better quality than a BMW or Audi. The KIA Stinger GT2 gives you S4/C43 AMG performance numbers at a cheap price - where you think the cheaper price comes from? Cutting corners.
I find this odd, because the general Avalon customer probably wouldn't like the more sporty nature of the Stinger. However, maybe someone who got an Avalon Touring or something, because they wanted a practical yet at least sporty-looking vehicle, could be more satisfied with the Stringer. It's practical.
For me, I want something with a nice, but not necessarily luxury-car, interior and fun to drive. I find the Stinger to just be a more well-rounded proposition than many entry-luxury cars, like the A4, 3-series, etc., due to the fact that it's larger and less expensive. Also, it doesn't come with the brand image, which for some people could be a pro, not a con. Many people assume BMW and Audi drivers, particularly the entry-level models, are stuck-up wannabes. Now I know that isn't always the case, but at least in the Kia, no one is going to think that. To be honest, part of the good thing about getting a Lexus is that it's the more sensible luxury option, and doesn't incite judgment in the same way as the German brands.
For me, I want something with a nice, but not necessarily luxury-car, interior and fun to drive. I find the Stinger to just be a more well-rounded proposition than many entry-luxury cars, like the A4, 3-series, etc., due to the fact that it's larger and less expensive. Also, it doesn't come with the brand image, which for some people could be a pro, not a con. Many people assume BMW and Audi drivers, particularly the entry-level models, are stuck-up wannabes. Now I know that isn't always the case, but at least in the Kia, no one is going to think that. To be honest, part of the good thing about getting a Lexus is that it's the more sensible luxury option, and doesn't incite judgment in the same way as the German brands.
However - if the A4 and 3 Series (330i and higher) are loaded with options, both cars cost between 54K to near 60K. I wouldn't call that "stuck-up wannabes". That's pretty well off - given the economy we are in right now where everything is super expensive.
#75
Lexus Champion
I find this odd, because the general Avalon customer probably wouldn't like the more sporty nature of the Stinger. However, maybe someone who got an Avalon Touring or something, because they wanted a practical yet at least sporty-looking vehicle, could be more satisfied with the Stringer. It's practical.
For me, I want something with a nice, but not necessarily luxury-car, interior and fun to drive. I find the Stinger to just be a more well-rounded proposition than many entry-luxury cars, like the A4, 3-series, etc., due to the fact that it's larger and less expensive. Also, it doesn't come with the brand image, which for some people could be a pro, not a con. Many people assume BMW and Audi drivers, particularly the entry-level models, are stuck-up wannabes. Now I know that isn't always the case, but at least in the Kia, no one is going to think that. To be honest, part of the good thing about getting a Lexus is that it's the more sensible luxury option, and doesn't incite judgment in the same way as the German brands.
For me, I want something with a nice, but not necessarily luxury-car, interior and fun to drive. I find the Stinger to just be a more well-rounded proposition than many entry-luxury cars, like the A4, 3-series, etc., due to the fact that it's larger and less expensive. Also, it doesn't come with the brand image, which for some people could be a pro, not a con. Many people assume BMW and Audi drivers, particularly the entry-level models, are stuck-up wannabes. Now I know that isn't always the case, but at least in the Kia, no one is going to think that. To be honest, part of the good thing about getting a Lexus is that it's the more sensible luxury option, and doesn't incite judgment in the same way as the German brands.