What did you cross-shop with the Stinger? (440i, A5, G70)

enjoying the depreciation first hand.....thats the way to do it!!
The cost of depreciation is amortized by knowing the previous owner didn't f**k the s**t out of it.
 
The cost of depreciation is amortized by knowing the previous owner didn't f**k the s**t out of it.
the thought crossed my mind....one owner....a lease......eh, I got a warranty, screw it.
 
the thought crossed my mind....one owner....a lease......eh, I got a warranty, screw it.
Banish that thought. When you turn the car in it had better be in good shape or you'll be paying extra depreciation costs.
 
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Banish that thought. When you turn the car in it had better be in good shape or you'll be paying extra depreciation costs.

no -no, the one owner WAS a leasing company....I have a loan on this bitch,lol. I did have a ''red carpet'' lease with a ford dealer.....(mid-90's)......let me tell ya they were pretty good to me when I returned it. Not one red cent they wanted.....and the truck had inches or dirt in the carpet.
 
My car search journey took a long winding road...Warning, my explanation may be just as long lol.:cool:

It all started at the 2016 International Auto Show. I fell in love with 2 extremely different cars, Dodge Charger SRT/Scat Pack & Lincoln MKZ 3.0T.

Dodge had a big V8, was really quick & sounded mean as hell! Made me miss my big block Trans-Am..
Lincoln was quite luxury with impressive technology & options, yet felt surprisingly quick too.

When I finally took a management position I decided to find something a little nicer than my Optima SXL. This wasn’t easy as nothing in its price range could compare to its features, so I moved up to the $40-50k market. I loved my SXL and wanted the same types of features(Nappa Leather cooled seats, panoramic moonroof, upgraded audio, etc) but I also needed MORE POWER!:D

Kia didn’t offer anything at the time so I started looking at slightly used Audi S5/S7, BMW 440i/640i, MB C43, CTS Vsport, SRT, Infiniti Q50 RS400, MKZ 3.0T, Jaguar XE S, or anything similar. Surprisingly the CTS Vsport was the best combo of loaded luxury, power & value in that range. But I became worried about reliability & long term cost on all of the used cars...

So I started shopping sign & drive leases to see what I could afford new. The Audi’s, BMWs, MBs, & Vsports I wanted we’re all $15-20k or $150-200/m more than I wanted to spend. Only versions in my budget were stripped down base models.:thumbdown: I was left with Scat Packs, Q50 RS400s & Alfa Giulia's.

Which is when I discovered, and started stalking the Stinger. A 365Hp luxury GT from Kia! It was like my dreams came true and couldnt wait for it to come out. As soon as my dealership got a sample I went and saw it in person. What a beautiful car and couldn’t believe it was loaded for only $50k(equivalent S5, 440, C43 all $20k more). Then the drive, OMG...the amazing ride mixed with unbelievable torque, I was hooked.:D

I went and drove the SRT, Q50 & Giulia to compare. The SRT had amazing exhaust and great top end power, but had a basic interior and was far from a refined luxury car. The Q50 seemed quick but didn’t really feel like it, and even though it’s interior was high tech it felt cramped and similar to an upgraded Altima. The Giulia had the nicest interior, and a sporty comfortable ride, but was easily the slowest of the 4.

I went back and took my time reviewing the Stinger. It was simply a better car than anything I had tested it was no longer a comparison. The Stinger is obviously a “poor mans” S7 and can see why Kia is competing with the Panamera & 640i Msport.

When I saw I could get the loaded GT2 Micro Blue with White Nappa Leather for about $40k w$0 down I really felt I found my dream car.:thumbup: SOLD!

It was a long journey but well worth the trip. Hope some of you made it to the end of this one and that my long review was a little helpful.:D
 
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
My car search journey took a long winding road...Warning, my explanation may be just as long lol.:cool:

It all started at the 2016 International Auto Show. I fell in love with 2 extremely different cars, Dodge Charger SRT/Scat Pack & Lincoln MKZ 3.0T.

Dodge had a big V8, was really quick & sounded mean as hell! Made me miss my big block Trans-Am..
Lincoln was quite luxury with impressive technology & options, yet felt surprisingly quick too.

When I finally took a management position I decided to find something a little nicer than my Optima SXL. This wasn’t easy as nothing in its price range could compare to its features, so I moved up to the $40-50k market. I loved my SXL and wanted the same types of features(Nappa Leather cooled seats, panoramic moonroof, upgraded audio, etc) but I also needed MORE POWER!:D

Kia didn’t offer anything at the time so I started looking at slightly used Audi S5/S7, BMW 440i/640i, MB C43, CTS Vsport, SRT, Infiniti Q50 RS400, MKZ 3.0T, Jaguar XE S, or anything similar. Surprisingly the CTS Vsport was the best combo of loaded luxury, power & value in that range. But I became worried about reliability & long term cost on all of the used cars...

So I started shopping sign & drive leases to see what I could afford new. The Audi’s, BMWs, MBs, & Vsports I wanted we’re all $15-20k or $150-200/m more than I wanted to spend. Only versions in my budget were stripped down base models.:thumbdown: I was left with Scat Packs, Q50 RS400s & Alfa Giulia's.

Which is when I discovered, and started stalking the Stinger. A 365Hp luxury GT from Kia! It was like my dreams came true and couldnt wait for it to come out. As soon as my dealership got a sample I went and saw it in person. What a beautiful car and couldn’t believe it was loaded for only $50k(equivalent S5, 440, C43 all $20k more). Then the drive, OMG...the amazing ride mixed with unbelievable torque, I was hooked.:D

I went and drove the SRT, Q50 & Giulia to compare. The SRT had amazing exhaust and great top end power, but had a basic interior and was far from a refined luxury car. The Q50 seemed quick but didn’t really feel like it, and even though it’s interior was high tech it felt cramped and similar to an upgraded Altima. The Giulia had the nicest interior, and a sporty comfortable ride, but was easily the slowest of the 4.

I went back and took my time reviewing the Stinger. It was simply a better car than anything I had tested it was no longer a comparison. The Stinger is obviously a “poor mans” S7 and can see why Kia is competing with the Panamera & 640i Msport.

When I saw I could get the loaded GT2 Micro Blue with White Nappa Leather for about $40k w$0 down I really felt I found my dream car.:thumbup: SOLD!

It was a long journey but well worth the trip. Hope some of you made it to the end of this one and that my long review was a little helpful.:D
 
You got a $50K (RWD?) car for $40K?
 
Cross shopped STi, Hellcat Charger, and GT-R.

I used to own a 1989 Skyline and I loved it. I haven't liked a car more until I test drove a Stinger about a year ago...

I had them as background/wallpapers on my computer for about as long. Last week went into a dealership to get information and was made an offer that I couldn't refuse.

It even made me love my wife more, since she said yes.
 
I had them as background/wallpapers on my computer for about as long.
I had/have Morgan three wheelers on my wallpaper. :D Despite Jay Leno's recommendation, I won't be getting one (even though the price is similar to a Stinger: you can see by this coincidence that long ago I considered c. $45K within my price range, but held off, held myself in check, until now:P). I would, however, leap at the chance to drive/fly one, complete with goggles and leather headgear.
 
Interesting no Cadillac ATS cross shopping. ATS V is interesting car with some discounting. 464 hp isn’t too shabby.
 
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From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
You got a $50K (RWD?) car for $40K?
Yeah I got mine for under invoice and after the lease cash the sale price was a little over $40k.:thumbup:

Think Kia just started offering another $3k off for “loyalty or conquest cash” so it’s even a better deal now!
 
Yeah I got mine for under invoice and after the lease cash the sale price was a little over $40k.:thumbup:

Think Kia just started offering another $3k off for “loyalty or conquest cash” so it’s even a better deal now!
Sounds like the deal I got too, but AWD!
 
Congrats you did good! Wash
Good? Unbelievably good! Even with a dealer holdback of 3%, that's 20% below MSRP. Both dealers lost their asses on these two sales. Margins ain't what they used to be.
 
Good? Unbelievably good! Even with a dealer holdback of 3%, that's 20% below MSRP. Both dealers lost their asses on these two sales. Margins ain't what they used to be.

Eh, I gave him a trade with meat on the bone.

I think the dealer knows a Stinger bills up 3 Forte sales too.
 
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
The Stinger is obviously a “poor mans” S7

The S7 is obviously a great car, but given that it's $30+K more, I'd say the Stinger is "the smart man's S7"! :D
 
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Personally, the A5 Sportback looks better to me. I think KIA made a great car with the Stinger, I don't think it should have been $50K loaded and then be missing the features the rest of the world have. They did give us a pretty good performer that can hold its own against a lot of other vehicles. Over time they can step up the quality even more and for those that want more performance, you can get a bit more in that area as well. For me, this formula works. A GT car that has space, power and handling. Check!
 
All Cross-Shopping had occurred during October 2020 through February 2020 (5 months)
All Cars Were Automatic

All were either CPO or New

  1. 2018 Audi S4
  2. 2018 Audi S3
  3. 2017 Audi S5 (5-door)
  4. 2018 Lexus IS350F (rwd)
  5. 2017 Lexus RC350F (rwd)
  6. 2020 Toyota CAMRY XSE V6 - I wanted to check out the TRD instead but I could not find one anywhere near me...
  7. 2020 Honda Accord 2.0 Sport
  8. 2020 Honda Accord 2.0 Touring
  9. 2018 BMW 340i (rwd)
  10. 2020 Stinger GT (rwd)
  11. 2020 Stinger GT1 (awd)
  12. 2020 VW GTI
  13. 2019 VW Golf-R
  14. 2020 Charger RT Scatpack (widebody)
  15. 2020 WRX CVT
 
All Cross-Shopping had occurred during October 2020 through February 2020 (5 months)
All Cars Were Automatic

All were either CPO or New

  1. 2018 Audi S4
  2. 2018 Audi S3
  3. 2017 Audi S5 (5-door)
  4. 2018 Lexus IS350F (rwd)
  5. 2017 Lexus RC350F (rwd)
  6. 2020 Toyota CAMRY XSE V6 - I wanted to check out the TRD instead but I could not find one anywhere near me...
  7. 2020 Honda Accord 2.0 Sport
  8. 2020 Honda Accord 2.0 Touring
  9. 2018 BMW 340i (rwd)
  10. 2020 Stinger GT (rwd)
  11. 2020 Stinger GT1 (awd)
  12. 2020 VW GTI
  13. 2019 VW Golf-R
  14. 2020 Charger RT Scatpack (widebody)
  15. 2020 WRX CVT
You cross-shop backwards? ;)
 
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
Kia Stinger
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