Date of manufacture

[Dom]

I've just discovered by doing a VIN decode, that my new Stinger I picked up today was actually made on 11 December 2017. Is this normal? I had hoped to be getting the latest model with the prolems ironed out. I seem to have a rattle from the sunroof and near my right ear.

 

[DaJackson]

I've just discovered by doing a VIN decode, that my new Stinger I picked up today was actually made on 11 December 2017. Is this normal? I had hoped to be getting the latest model with the prolems ironed out. I seem to have a rattle from the sunroof and near my right ear.

What does your window sticker say? If it’s a 2018 then yes a 12/17 build date is normal.

 

[OliverNuther]

Depends upon what you mean by ‘normal’. Was the vehicle portrayed to you as a MY18 or MY19.

 

[AV8R]

I had the same issue, they promised me an 18 and i got a 17 build compliant 18. So i said take it back and get me a 2018 build and they did!

 

[eflyguy]

I had hoped to be getting the latest model with the prolems ironed out.

That really comes down to the dealer, what you asked for and what they promised you.

Over here in the USA. new "model year" cars are typically available from late summer of the previous year. There are exceptions. Then we have laws requiring detailed specification "stickers" attached to the window until time of sale, which also show the "model year" - but the date of manufacture is on the VIN plate, just inside the drivers door.

So the US "2018" Stinger was manufactured any time from mid 2017, and available for sale from late 2017 after a boat ride then land-based shipping. It would be completely "normal" to purchase a 2018 that was manufactured in Dec. 2017.

The US "2019" Stinger was manufactured from mid 2018, and landed on US shores a while later, but they were not released to dealers to sell until the number of "leftover" 2018s was reduced to whatever KIA USA found acceptable.

An example of an exception would be the new Telluride - it's available now, but is a "2020" model, because they do not plan to change anything until next year.

I do not think all countries are as rigid in what "model year" is available, I looked on the Kia UK web site and there is no mentioned of "model year". On the US site, you choose 2018 or 2019 before anything else like trim, color, etc.

 

[Dom]

There was no window sticker or any talk of model year. I didn't see the car until today. I get that it would be perfectly normal to buy a car in 2018 that was manufactured in 2017 but would it be normal to buy a car in April 2109 that was made in 2017?

 

[eflyguy]

Yes, if you were buying a model year 2018. No if it was supposed to be a model year 2019. That was my point.

There are plenty of new "model year" 2018's still out there, and I'm sure quite a few were manufactured in 2017.

(there are currently 452 brand new 2018 model year Stingers available in the USA listed on AutoTrader)

 

[OliverNuther]

‘Normal’ probably varies between different markets. In Australia and the US KIA probably shift more Stingers than they do in Ireland. So it wouldn’t be ‘normal’ to see a Dec 17 build on a lot in Australia but it might be normal where you are.

 

[Dom]

The MY was never specified or even mentioned. I assumed I would get a 2019 MY (even if it was made in 2018) as I was buying in 2019. So basically my new car has been sitting around in a compound somewhere for almost a year and a half. The engine oil has probably deteriorated by now. The important thing for me was to get a later car which had had all the early problems ironed out.

 

[eflyguy]

Then (again) that is between you and the dealer.

Over here, people are willing to buy the 2018 because they can save a significant amount over the 2019.

 

[OliverNuther]

Therein lies the danger of assumptions I guess. Maybe talk to the dealer and see if they’ve got a later model available. Even with a Dec 17 build you won’t necessarily have any problems though.

 

[Dom]

It's not like that here. People do place importance on getting the latest registration number but as regards the actual car they just assume it will be a recent build.

 

[Dom]

Therein lies the danger of assumptions I guess. Maybe talk to the dealer and see if they’ve got a later model available. Even with a Dec 17 build you won’t necessarily have any problems though.

Yes, they d say never assume - it makes an ass out of u and me!

 

[OliverNuther]

You guys must be more trusting than the rest of us. Most of us don’t trust anything a dealer tells us and we check everything.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Yes, they d say never assume - it makes an ass out of u and me!

Mine is an Oct.17 build & no issues.
In your case if you are happy to keep the car make sure the dealer does the following as some of these & all TSB = Technical Service Bulletin applicable to the Stinger, these will be free.

* Have the diff oil changed to current spec.
* Hatch rattle rectified.
* Update Satnav to current maps, software & firmware etc.

Do you have the original Continental Tyres or Michelin?

 

[DaJackson]

Look at your lease/finance paperwork. It has to say what model year the car is. I can’t imagine Ireland doesn’t specify that info.

Edit: I can’t read flags good.

 

[DCBStingerGT]

Hey there @Dom, since you did not question the Build Date at time of purchase, the dealer intentionally passed on a Dec 2017 build Stinger to you, and " Yes " it would have been siting around for over a year, the other most important thing is you have a MY18, not a MY19 with the upgrades, if you were given a MY19, you would have upgrades like a bezel less screen, ambient lighting and the metal plates in the rear hatch, and Michelin tyres all upgrades here in Australia on the MY19, personally i would not accept it, and insist you expected the most current MY19, 2019 Build Stinger, i wouldn't stand for it, myself.

 

[Dom]

Mine is an Oct.17 build & no issues.
In your case if you are happy to keep the car make sure the dealer does the following as some of these & all TSB = Technical Service Bulletin applicable to the Stinger, these will be free.

* Have the diff oil changed to current spec.
* Hatch rattle rectified.
* Update Satnav to current maps, software & firmware etc.

Do you have the original Continental Tyres or Michelin?

They're Continentals. Why?

 

[Dom]

Hey there @Dom, since you did not question the Build Date at time of purchase, the dealer intentionally passed on a Dec 2017 build Stinger to you, and " Yes " it would have been siting around for over a year, the other most important thing is you have a MY18, not a MY19 with the upgrades, if you were given a MY19, you would have upgrades like a bezel less screen, ambient lighting and the metal plates in the rear hatch, and Michelin tyres all upgrades here in Australia on the MY19, personally i would not accept it, and insist you expected the most current MY19, 2019 Build Stinger, i wouldn't stand for it, myself.

No. I'm not happy.

 

[ShannonC]

They sold you the Irish model!!

But seriously, did you pay the same as you would have for a MY19?
What year is stated on your purchase documents?
Did you actually see the car prior to purchase?