Stinger - to buy or not to buy....
01-22-20, 07:21 AM
#61
Lexus Champion
01-22-20, 07:59 AM
#62
Lexus Test Driver
Buy a new(er) car they said.... it will be fun!
Since I've basically decided to upgrade one of my cars, and started negotiating the Stinger, I started thinking.... Hmm.... WHAT ELSE can I get in the rather vast 20-30K (out the door) price range???
The must haves include Apple CarPlay and folding rear seats. Nice-to-have? Sportier ride.... Prefer no CVT transmission. Oh, and average and above reliability.
On the new car front - that price range should get me pretty much any mainstream mid-size sedan. Just out of curiosity, sent out a request (via Costco) on a '20 Accord Sport 2.0T. MSRP - $32K, got a quote of $26,877. Not a bad start!
Waiting on a quote for a Mazda 6 Grand Touring Reserve (the Signature would be nice, but probably hard to get under $30K new). Would qualify for loyalty incentive ('11 CX9) and previously owned Protage, MX-6, and 626.
Altima/Maxima? Nah... Next.
Other Koreans? Very tempting, but might as well get the Stinger.
Domestics? Not sure I like any of the Fusions, Malibus, Chargers, etc....
On a used car front, the options appear endless.
Not sure about any of the Germans - owned 3 (A4, 330i, and Jetta) and all were very reliable, but we're going back 20 years.
Acura TLX - the transmission problems worry me... ILX? Small...
Infinitis - ancient tech...
Volvo? The CPO program seems solid, but again - reliability.
Domestics? MKZ w/ the 3.0TT engine looks promising, but... Lacrosse? Regal Sportback?
Daymn! This was supposed to be easy.....
Since I've basically decided to upgrade one of my cars, and started negotiating the Stinger, I started thinking.... Hmm.... WHAT ELSE can I get in the rather vast 20-30K (out the door) price range???
The must haves include Apple CarPlay and folding rear seats. Nice-to-have? Sportier ride.... Prefer no CVT transmission. Oh, and average and above reliability.
On the new car front - that price range should get me pretty much any mainstream mid-size sedan. Just out of curiosity, sent out a request (via Costco) on a '20 Accord Sport 2.0T. MSRP - $32K, got a quote of $26,877. Not a bad start!
Waiting on a quote for a Mazda 6 Grand Touring Reserve (the Signature would be nice, but probably hard to get under $30K new). Would qualify for loyalty incentive ('11 CX9) and previously owned Protage, MX-6, and 626.
Altima/Maxima? Nah... Next.
Other Koreans? Very tempting, but might as well get the Stinger.
Domestics? Not sure I like any of the Fusions, Malibus, Chargers, etc....
On a used car front, the options appear endless.
Not sure about any of the Germans - owned 3 (A4, 330i, and Jetta) and all were very reliable, but we're going back 20 years.
Acura TLX - the transmission problems worry me... ILX? Small...
Infinitis - ancient tech...
Volvo? The CPO program seems solid, but again - reliability.
Domestics? MKZ w/ the 3.0TT engine looks promising, but... Lacrosse? Regal Sportback?
Daymn! This was supposed to be easy.....
01-22-20, 07:59 AM
#63
drives cars
I will say, though, the trunk space is more than you would think based on the number. The 2017+ IS has a rating of 10.8 cubic feet, but up til 2016 it was 13.8. It's actually a fairly decent amount of space. That said, you probably would be happier with something GS-ish size if you were wanting something closer to a Stinger in terms of space.
01-22-20, 05:42 PM
#64
Advanced
Thread Starter
Brain fart regarding the IS350's seats.... I thought I looked it up, but I only did the GS & ES.
Test drove the Mazda 6 GT Reserve. Very nice! Definitely an upscale interior with lots of cool features which up until not that long ago were reserved for the luxury cars. The turbo engine has plenty of power, but I'm not sure I'm thrilled with the infotainment system, but I guess I could get used to it. The bad part - not a lot of meat on the bone when it comes to pricing. ~$33K MSRP - got the Costco price hair under $30K with $750 loyalty. There's a Hyundai/Genesis dealer right next to Mazda, so I stopped by to take a look at the new Sonata. Of course, the only one they had on the floor was sold (Limited trim) and the porter was in the process of pulling it out of the showroom. I think the look is growing on me, and the interior is great. Might have to take a closer look at one before making the decision. While there, I sat in a loaded G70. Sharp looking car, but the interior space is very limited. I consider myself vertically challenged (5'10") and my knees were almost touching the front seat (set to my driving position).
Test drove the Mazda 6 GT Reserve. Very nice! Definitely an upscale interior with lots of cool features which up until not that long ago were reserved for the luxury cars. The turbo engine has plenty of power, but I'm not sure I'm thrilled with the infotainment system, but I guess I could get used to it. The bad part - not a lot of meat on the bone when it comes to pricing. ~$33K MSRP - got the Costco price hair under $30K with $750 loyalty. There's a Hyundai/Genesis dealer right next to Mazda, so I stopped by to take a look at the new Sonata. Of course, the only one they had on the floor was sold (Limited trim) and the porter was in the process of pulling it out of the showroom. I think the look is growing on me, and the interior is great. Might have to take a closer look at one before making the decision. While there, I sat in a loaded G70. Sharp looking car, but the interior space is very limited. I consider myself vertically challenged (5'10") and my knees were almost touching the front seat (set to my driving position).
01-22-20, 07:34 PM
#65
Lexus Fanatic
My IS has 60/40 folding rear seats. I'm not sure who told you that these cars don't offer them, but that is simply not true. I've heard the NEW ES, i.e., 2019+, doesn't offer folding rear seats, but then again, that car is still new and would be hard to find for the price range of that Stinger you were looking at.
I will say, though, the trunk space is more than you would think based on the number. The 2017+ IS has a rating of 10.8 cubic feet, but up til 2016 it was 13.8. It's actually a fairly decent amount of space. That said, you probably would be happier with something GS-ish size if you were wanting something closer to a Stinger in terms of space.
I will say, though, the trunk space is more than you would think based on the number. The 2017+ IS has a rating of 10.8 cubic feet, but up til 2016 it was 13.8. It's actually a fairly decent amount of space. That said, you probably would be happier with something GS-ish size if you were wanting something closer to a Stinger in terms of space.
01-23-20, 08:10 AM
#66
drives cars
I think the Mazda 6 is a great-looking car and is supposedly fun to drive. I've never actually been in one at all so can't really comment on that. I wouldn't take as a serious alternative to a Stinger, at least on paper, due to it being a more traditional FWD-based family sedan, but, in many ways, it does make sense to compare them. Similar acceleration figures, pricing, etc. I guess it depends what the primary reason for getting this car is.
01-23-20, 09:05 AM
#67
Lexus Champion
01-23-20, 10:54 AM
#68
Advanced
Thread Starter
01-23-20, 10:58 AM
#69
Lexus Fanatic
01-23-20, 03:32 PM
#70
Advanced
Thread Starter
Test drove an Accord Sport 2.0T. Very much typical Honda - inoffensive. Everything about it was "nice", but nothing to get excited about. The interior (IMO) is definitely a step or two below the Mazda 6. While the MSRPs are withing $1K, the Mazda offers so much more (albeit at a most likely higher selling price). Stopped by a Hyundai dealer next door to take a look at the Sonata. Walked around inside the store for few minutes and spent another 15 minutes outside looking at their inventory - not one "Hello, how can I help you", despite several salespeople sitting around busy staring at their phones. Since I wasn't buying anyway, didn't want to waste their precious time and went home.
Might have to expand my search criteria and start looking at preowned CPOs from premium brands. The Stinger is starting to look like a clear winner - so far.
Might have to expand my search criteria and start looking at preowned CPOs from premium brands. The Stinger is starting to look like a clear winner - so far.
01-23-20, 07:06 PM
#71
Lexus Champion
I still detest the new Accord. I’d take a Stinger over it any day.
01-24-20, 11:26 AM
#73
Advanced
Thread Starter
01-24-20, 12:12 PM
#74
