It has been a tough week in the Stinger. I need encouragement from the faithful. Haha.

[Peeso33]

I might have missed it.... what's the plan now? Wait for Kia field tech to check out the car, repair it. Then you'll be trading/selling it?

 

[GenesisG70]

Clearly our experiences with both Lexus and Kia have been very different. If you have never driven a true Lexus "F" car, then I can understand why you might feel that way. I'll stop there before I sound all fanboyish on my old ISF.

No disagreement from me on the value offered by the Stinger GT. That very value is why I am here as a Stinger GT owner. Unfortunately, my Stinger has let me down on a number of fronts. My low 12-sec senior citizen/middle aged woman car never did, it was just past its prime and I wanted something new. The Stinger offered the price, technology, and performance that checked all of the boxes so I made the jump.

Well the Lexus F may be awesome... So again just curious, not trying to pick on you but if it is so awesome why is that every Lexus I see on the streets from LA to Maine and across the Atlantic into Portugal is driven by a 35-40 year old mom or a grandpa next to his schools sweetheart he married 60 years ago?

 

[Helo58]

Well the Lexus F may be awesome... So again just curious, not trying to pick on you but if it is so awesome why is that every Lexus I see on the streets from LA to Maine and across the Atlantic into Portugal is driven by a 35-40 year old mom or a grandpa next to his schools sweetheart he married 60 years ago?

The "F" cars are about as rare as any rare production car which is likely why you don't see them on the road. For the 7 model years (2008-2014), Lexus only sold 5118 ISFs total (730/year). The highest yearly sales of any of the "F" cars in their initial year was around 2000 cars. Average annual sales after the first year of any of the "F" cars would be close to 300-500 cars. The ISF, RCF, GSF, LFA and LC variants (if you are so inclined to include them) have never been sales giants. Don't take my word for it. If you see one on a lot, go test drive it. You won't regret it and you may even enjoy it. You may hate the price, but you will love the car. They are wonderful cars.

More to the meat of your question, I would venture to say that the demographic for non-performance Lexus cars is a group of affluent people who appreciate extreme reliability in a luxury car (women and old people). They choose Lexus for the reliability not found in BMW, Audi, MB, Infiniti, etc. This is likely why old people and women are what you always see and associate with Lexus, as women and old people benefit from and appreciate reliability the most. I also chose the ISF over the Germans for the same reason. I drove that car passionately the entire time I owned it and it performed flawlessly with only gas, tires, and oil added.

 

[GenesisG70]

The "F" cars are about as rare as any rare production car which is likely why you don't see them on the road. For the 7 model years (2008-2014), Lexus only sold 5118 ISFs total (730/year). The highest yearly sales of any of the "F" cars in their initial year was around 2000 cars. Average annual sales after the first year of any of the "F" cars would be close to 300-500 cars. The ISF, RCF, GSF, LFA and LC variants (if you are so inclined to include them) have never been sales giants.

More to the meat of your question, I would venture to say that the demographic for non-performance Lexus cars is a group of affluent people who appreciate extreme reliability in a luxury car (women and old people). They choose Lexus for the reliability not found in BMW, Audi, MB, Infiniti, etc. This is likely why old people and women are what you always see and associate with Lexus, as women and old people benefit from and appreciate reliability the most. I also chose the ISF over the Germans for the same reason. I drove that car passionately the entire time I owned it and it performed flawlessly with only gas, tires, and oil added.

I see, nice explanation. But do you think that the F of Lexus stands for FEMININE? or f*ck its a Female? Sorry I have a bad sense of humor.

 

[Helo58]

I see, nice explanation. But do you think that the F of Lexus stands for FEMININE? or f*ck its a Female? Sorry I have a bad sense of humor.

I think it stands for faster than a lot of cars...

 

[ZyroXZ2]

Heh, I get this. I'm the one that was without my car for nearly 2 months due to turbo replacement on my first one. I swore I'd never buy another Kia. Gave the Kia Consumer Affairs people a proper lot of reading and listening to do since I also work on my own cars.

Then I wrecked it like an idiot, and found myself shopping vehicles. Aside from the excellent finance offers and negotiating through a second dealership (the original one nearby closed down, and honestly that surprises me very little), I found myself behind the wheel of another Kia for one sole reason: the value-per-dollar is pretty much unbeatable in its market and it's the only car that checks off all the boxes with the Charger RT Scat Pack coming in close second. The "close" second is that the Charger RT Scat Pack is uglier, heavier, and gets worse MPG while sounding much, MUCH better. Since the worse MPG and better sound balance each other out, the winning decision for the Stinger came down to being better-looking and lighter (though, at 4k lbs, it's not exactly "nimble", either).

And yet, when it comes down to it, it's because of the market segment I chose. In fact, my second Stinger is worse than my first one in overall quality. But there is no "other" car in its segment, despite its targeted competitors. I think that despite all the niggles and clearly (another) poor Kia service experience, you'll find yourself missing the Stinger because there really isn't another car like it. There are cars better than it, and there are cars worse than it, but there isn't quite another car like it. Of course, if that doesn't matter to you, then just get a C8

EDIT: Grammar.

 

[Helo58]

Heh, I get this. I'm the one that was without my car for nearly 2 months due to turbo replacement on my first one. I swore I'd never buy another Kia. Gave the Kia Consumer Affairs people a proper lot of reading and listening to do since I also work on my own cars.

Then I wrecked it like an idiot, and found myself shopping vehicles. Aside from the excellent finance offers and negotiating through a second dealership (the original one nearby closed down, and honestly that surprises me very little), I found myself behind the wheel of another Kia for one soul reason: the value-per-dollar is pretty much unbeatable in its market and it's the only car that checks off all the boxes with the Charger RT Scat Pack coming in close second. The "close" second is that the Charger RT Scat Pack is uglier, heavier, and gets worse MPG while sounding much, MUCH better. Since the worse MPG and better sound balance each other out, the winning decision for the Stinger came down to being better-looking and lighter (though, at 4k lbs, it's not exactly "nimble", either).

And yet, when it comes down to it, it's because of the market segment I chose. In fact, my second Stinger is worse than my first one in overall quality. But there is no "other" car in its segment, despite its targeted competitors. I think that despite all the niggles and clearly (another) poor Kia service experience, you'll find yourself missing the Stinger because there really isn't another car like it. There are cars better than it, and there are cars worse than it, but there isn't quite another car like it. Of course, if that doesn't matter to you, then just get a C8

Well put! I am not sure what to do as of now. I do know that I have lost all faith and confidence in this particular Stinger. I know it sounds irrational and superstitious, but I will just always feel like this one is going to let me down. I agree with your sentiment that the Stinger is the only "scratch" to this particular "itch." The fact that many forum members are exceedingly pleased with their Stinger purchase also gives me cause to consider a second one.

As you stated, the segment is very small and not getting bigger anytime soon. The forthcoming Acura TLX Type-S has piqued my interest, but that would be another "first model year" car and I'd like to think I have learned my lesson. Given this experience with my Stinger, it is hard to fault Fiat/Chrysler for their reputation, but I have heard absolutely awful things about the brands under that parent company (with the exception of Ram trucks). I never seriously considered a Charger and probably won't given the age, weight, and reliability of those platforms.

 

[ZyroXZ2]

Well put! I am not sure what to do as of now. I do know that I have lost all faith and confidence in this particular Stinger. I know it sounds irrational and superstitious, but I will just always feel like this one is going to let me down. I agree with your sentiment that the Stinger is the only "scratch" to this particular "itch." The fact that many forum members are exceedingly pleased with their Stinger purchase also gives me cause to consider a second one.

As you stated, the segment is very small and not getting bigger anytime soon. The forthcoming Acura TLX Type-S has piqued my interest, but that would be another "first model year" car and I'd like to think I have learned my lesson. Given this experience with my Stinger, it is hard to fault Fiat/Chrysler for their reputation, but I have heard absolutely awful things about the brands under that parent company (with the exception of Ram trucks). I never seriously considered a Charger and probably won't given the age, weight, and reliability of those platforms.

Acura hasn't typically been releasing highly moddable and powerful cars as of late outside the NSX, though I'm sure the Type S should have some respectable performance in order to compete with the increasingly "sporty" segment that the Stinger has raised the bar on a little. Since only a concept has been shown, while not on my list, I'm not entirely sure just how much it would compete or be in the same segment as the Stinger.

The Charger is on an old platform, yes, but the interior (mostly rear) is bigger, and there's nothing like a 6.4L V8 belting out its note. The one envy is that good ol' music of a V8, something my Stinger will never have.

 

[Helo58]

Acura hasn't typically been releasing highly moddable and powerful cars as of late outside the NSX, though I'm sure the Type S should have some respectable performance in order to compete with the increasingly "sporty" segment that the Stinger has raised the bar on a little. Since only a concept has been shown, while not on my list, I'm not entirely sure just how much it would compete or be in the same segment as the Stinger.

The Charger is on an old platform, yes, but the interior (mostly rear) is bigger, and there's nothing like a 6.4L V8 belting out its note. The one envy is that good ol' music of a V8, something my Stinger will never have.

Yeah, it is hard to say with the Acura, but a couple of speculators suggest things like this..."This test mule was being benchmarked against a 354-hp Audi S4 and 362-hp Mercedes-AMG C43, so you can imagine the performance level the engineers are targeting." This thinking kind of puts us in Stinger territory with no indication of aftermarket support.

Truer words were never spoken regarding the V8. Many might not understand that this is why I keep going on and on about my Lexus ISF. The 5.0 V8 sounded magical every time it accelerated and rev-matched a downshift. I miss that sound most of all with the Stinger which is why I keep looking at CPO GSFs and RCfs. An aftermarket supercharger away from 700hp if you are so inclined and the loot...

 

[Buffalohead50]

I feel for you and your frustrations, @Helo58. As with everything in life, unmet expectations can not be overcome. It's just that simple.

It's up to us to adjust our expectations.

I was talking with my oldest daughter last night. She has a 2017 Audi A4 Quattro Prestige. Outside of numerous recalls, she's had nothing go wrong with it. Yet, she is still frustrated with the recalls.

She paid about the same for that as I did my GT2 Awd. Her expectations aren't met and now she's concerned about her warranty period expiring and what might happen.

At least we have longer warranties on our Stingers....

I had the hatch rattle which turned out to be a loose spare tire, fixed.

I had a few paint chips. The dealer covered my front end with Xpel. Fixed.

Brake issue fixed by myself with aftermarket rotors and pads.

Driver seat leather replaced for wear.

Still loving my Stinger because my expectations were that I'd have some issues that the warranty would cover.

Expectations met.

What pads did you get

 

[MisterMac]

What pads did you get

Power stop carbon fiber ceramics

 

[DoctorStiches]

Read the first page. Its very depressing to hear all this problems popping up. As i come from old jap cars any rattle or stero issues may fall short of my ears. It could be a particularly lemony car youve got........ the chassis movment can be fixed if you have not already. There are brace bars and sleeves for the bolts holding the frame to the body. There is a gap between body and bolt cylender.

Thats all the usful info i have. Im sorry man "/

 

[Helo58]

Read the first page. Its very depressing to hear all this problems popping up. As i come from old jap cars any rattle or stero issues may fall short of my ears. It could be a particularly lemony car youve got........ the chassis movment can be fixed if you have not already. There are brace bars and sleeves for the bolts holding the frame to the body. There is a gap between body and bolt cylender.

Thats all the usful info i have. Im sorry man "/

The cause of the chassis movement problem was finally determined. The Kia technicians failed to properly secure the left rear upper control arm bolt. It ultimately fell out causing the Stinger to sit 2 inches low on the drivers side. Without this bolt, the car was dangerously all over the road and likely would have caused an accident if my wife were driving it. Driving on dry pavement was like fish-tailing on a dirt road. There is another thread on here that details (with photos) that issue. The lack of quality/borderline incompetent shop staff was one of the "final straw" things that led me to pursue legal action. Kia ended up buying the car back under the provisions of the NC Lemon Law statutes.