Well, I am pulling the trigger

[vipeboy2000]

MOPAR don't go for is a universal constant, plus the interior really sucks. They're fun to drive, but I would never want to own one.



A Suprabimmer? Nah. I need a practical car - the Stinger was almost exactly what I wanted, minus the craptacular dealership experience.


Point me at a good dealer in New England who has a GT2 on hand (or, one that isn't in Nannychusetts) and who isn't trying to profiteer on the shortage (see: Dan O'brien's chain with their $5K-$10K "market adjustment" line item) and I'll sign tomorrow. Seriously.

Crowley Kia were asking for $3,000 off MSRP. I told them I'm fine with their asking price, I just want to get behind the wheel of a GT2 this week. I wasn't into haggling, I just wanted to get it done.

Now, my new hobby will be maintaining a web site critical of Crowley that I am going to buy adwords on to promote on google. They've pissed off the wrong person; I've used the internet to battle corporations far, far larger than Crowley Kia before, and I've won.

You know... I'm starting to think Kia still sucks; they haven't retrained their dealers on handling upscale customers, and what's worse, is they don't care that dealers are costing them sales. I called corporate and they couldn't care less that Crowley cost them a sale.

I've also inquired multiple times about where to buy KIMTF and HYMTF securities the last few months, via the appropriate form on their web site, and the reply I get back is "check online brokerages." Uh... yeah... I have, and none of the ones I deal with, offer those particular OTC securities, hence why I am trying to ask your investor relations department where to buy your stock. Thanks for the help on all counts, Kia.

If I go with an M3 or M340i xDrive next spring, I'll go to Crowley Kia, ask for the general manager, point at the Bimmer, and tell him what I really wanted was a Kia Stinger, but remember that chick who wanted to pay your asking price and drive the GT2 away, a no hassle sale? That was me, and you pissed me off so much I decided to spend more money and show you that I was serious, and you flipping blew it.

And honestly, I like the Stinger better - the materials are actually better, and I can get ventilated sport seats, while in the BMW sport seats and ventilation are mutually exclusive options, and I like the sportback/hatchback because I can fit gear for me plus three teammates for road trips to travel games, and it's very tunable. The problem with the Kia Stinger is it's a f---ing Kia. The nameplate didn't turn me off, until today.

They need to fix their dealer network, because they're not helping Kia's image, and they're not helping move Kia's higher end cars.

M440i Gran coupe gets you the sport back and was the car we were gonna get to start with.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

By the way if any of y'all are Kia dealers with a GT2 Scorpion Edition on hand and actually want to sell one, PM me. I want to be IN a GT2 this week - if I don't get behind the wheel of one this week, I'm just putting my money back in the market and will buy a Bimmer next spring when BMW's supply chain is fixed (the BMW lots here are nearly empty, and what they do have is an M2 and the rest are base models with the hamster-on-a-wheel 4-bangers).

 

[MerlintheMad]

They need to fix their dealer network, because they're not helping Kia's image, and they're not helping move Kia's higher end cars.

If you truly want the car, you'll find a way. Maybe tossing around the threat of going elsewhere turns dealers off. Why did you even mention going somewhere else, if you were willing to buy from the $3K off people?

 

[AusStinger]

There are a million things I could say here but I'll probably just start a fight ( as per usual ) so, I'll simply agree with Merlin. "Maybe" if you change your approach you might get a different result (?)

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

where did I say I was threatening the dealer? Holy f--- you're dafti was working with multiple dealers trying to locate a GT2. Crowley knew up front I was searching multiple dealers and I wanted to simply tell the other dealers thanks but I found the car I was looking for.

Stop making assumptions. you're always a bit of a dick anyway merlin.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

If you truly want the car, you'll find a way. Maybe tossing around the threat of going elsewhere turns dealers off. Why did you even mention going somewhere else, if you were willing to buy from the $3K off people?

what could possibly say I want the car more than taking it at the advertised price and saying I'll be there tomorrow to sign? I'm trying to make it as easy as possible and Kia dealers are creating reasons to not buy.

I think they're so used to having to hard sell cars that they can't grasp someone willingly buying a Kia, not buying a Kia just because they need something, anything to drive. I didn't need to be sold nor upsold nor was I haggling. I was all i'll take it, shut up and take my money.

Buying the ZR1 was far easier and I haggled on that. I didn't haggle on the GT2 because the price seemed fair given shortages.

 

[Maljey]

By the way if any of y'all are Kia dealers with a GT2 Scorpion Edition on hand and actually want to sell one, PM me. I want to be IN a GT2 this week - if I don't get behind the wheel of one this week, I'm just putting my money back in the market and will buy a Bimmer next spring when BMW's supply chain is fixed (the BMW lots here are nearly empty, and what they do have is an M2 and the rest are base models with the hamster-on-a-wheel 4-bangers).

So what about the Audi S5 sportback? If you like the idea of the Stinger, then why not the S5?

I think you should give up on the Stinger. If your local dealerships are that shitty, and you have so little faith in Kia, then stop entertaining the car and get yourself BMW or Audi. Shit, look at a TLX Type S too.

Even if you buy a Stinger out of state, are you going to take it to your local dealers for service? Just give it up and move on.

 

[RM7]

The new S5 is absolutely beautiful I think, in a very understated way. Way better than the original A5/S5 and better than the coupe IMO.

It's hard to pin down what is so screwed up with the dealers, but it's definitely a corporate culture issue. I see our local dealer advertising all the time about their "great deals" and then the cars have 5-7K ADMs added. Don't lie to me and tell me the sky is pink. If you can't afford to sell cars at MSRP because you took too many hits during COVID or whatever, just be up front with it. The whole dealer idea is just horribly outdated and dysfunctional. Tesla has it right. They may not have everything right, but they definitely have this right. No one wants to deal with a dealer because of this "game". I know as the dealer, they have to deal with all sorts of people who might low-ball or all expect some giant discount as an entitlement, but you have to still treat all your customers and potential customers with respect. Maybe it's that SUVs sell so well they can just treat everything else like crap? I don't know for sure, but it's definitely frustrating. It's out of control and the entire "dealer model" is really set up for this from it's basic structure. The idea that you have these independent businesses "representing" the company, but without much liability, oversight or control from the big company, it's just set up to have dealers running off in these crazy directions.

There are ways to do it that are not so bad. One is the Costco program, if the car make you want is the "car of the season", in that program especially they aren't supposed to throw up any of the BS stuff. Another way is join a CU and they will often negotiate the price for you, most that I've joined had this service. Even doing it all online. I bought a car online from Seattle last year and it's a good way to cut through the bullshit, since everything is well documented. It's easy to get competing quotes, etc. The thing about not accepting a CC is just bizarre. I've heard of them saying if it was a check they would have to wait a few days till it cleared, which I'm fine with. The CC thing reeks of something else, since CC companies are pretty quick to credit back their customers when they get cheated or shorted by a business.

 

[RM7]

My list for these cars was basically the 5 sportback and Stinger. I had the 4 Grand Coupe and it wasn't horrible, but I had some maintenance things that scared me and that engine ended up being part of a class-action lawsuit against BMW for plastic timing chain guides that would cause the engines to self destruct around 60-70K miles. The idea was a bigger hatchback, since we can't get any decent wagons in the US anymore.

 

[Beer Snob]

Holy shit this is hard to follow.....

So, because you told them that you were going to tell the other dealers that you were going with Crowley's car, they declined to sell you the car? Something doesn't add up.....

 

[jthrelf]

Holy shit this is hard to follow.....

So, because you told them that you were going to tell the other dealers that you were going with Crowley's car, they declined to sell you the car? Something doesn't add up.....

Found out she's a conservative and got her black listed


... Honestly wouldn't be surprised in Connecticut.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

Actually I'm not a conservative but I am a Christian. Health care should be a right, socialized safety nets are commanded by Leviticus 25, treating dreamers/migrant workers as citizens/native born is commanded by Leviticus 19, and this submachine-gun-owning ar-15-building liberal is not interested in taking your guns away, unless it's to keep them for herself because she likes shooting up old computers and punching holes in paper from hundreds of yards away.

Stop making assumptions. I am far from conservative. I was a libertarian until I consulted on fracking fields for machine vision systems and I witnessed widespread poverty, and what deregulation is doing to our environment. I became a liberal that day.

F--- off with the assumptions and ad hominem attacks. For Christ's sake you're a bunch of dorks. The ZR1 Corvette and exotic car community may banter but they rarely ever have a mean spirit. But then again, they're also typically not the Kia demographic, so I suppose Kia fans are by and large low class. I just happen to like the Stinger and see it for what it is, despite the crappy nameplate.

I would think that on a Stinger forum, you'd be wanting to help a forum member source a GT2 from a dealer who isn't a giant douche.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I became a liberal that day.

Well, bye ...

 

[Blueangel]

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

Well, bye ...

You're the sort of no-class troll I am referring to. You are the opposite of helpful.

 

[Maljey]

Actually I'm not a conservative but I am a Christian. Health care should be a right, socialized safety nets are commanded by Leviticus 25, treating dreamers/migrant workers as citizens/native born is commanded by Leviticus 19, and this submachine-gun-owning ar-15-building liberal is not interested in taking your guns away, unless it's to keep them for herself because she likes shooting up old computers and punching holes in paper from hundreds of yards away.

Stop making assumptions. I am far from conservative. I was a libertarian until I consulted on fracking fields for machine vision systems and I witnessed widespread poverty, and what deregulation is doing to our environment. I became a liberal that day.

F--- off with the assumptions and ad hominem attacks. For Christ's sake you're a bunch of dorks. The ZR1 Corvette and exotic car community may banter but they rarely ever have a mean spirit. But then again, they're also typically not the Kia demographic, so I suppose Kia fans are by and large low class. I just happen to like the Stinger and see it for what it is, despite the crappy nameplate.

I would think that on a Stinger forum, you'd be wanting to help a forum member source a GT2 from a dealer who isn't a giant douche.

Ok, as another far left gun owner, you're going off the deep end here. You've mentioned multiple times in this thread that you have no faith in your local dealerships, or Kia in general. Yet you still want a GT2???? Why are you even bothering? Get your BMW/Audi and be done with it.

Ignore the political shit. Most car forums tend to skew conservative anyway so it comes with the territory. In fact most forums have rules prohibiting political discussions, or they have a specific area for them. But some people can't help themselves...

 

[RM7]

The best thing I can say is always have a plan B and C and make sure you are good with those plans. If my idea didn't work out, I was going to buy a Stinger in the lower 48, use it on vacation, and put it on a boat to Alaska. There were several used Stingers available that I was going to check out around here, as well as some 5-series sportbacks, but I wasn't locked into getting the Stinger from the dealership. I figured I would give them "one last chance" and it worked out, but I was fully prepared to go down one of these other roads.

 

[jthrelf]

You're the sort of no-class troll I am referring to. You are the opposite of helpful.

Actually he's been quite helpful in my time here. I just think your approach and messaging has come on a bit strong and has generated some friction. Just an observation. My previous post was quite obviously tongue in cheek and light-hearted.

This is an enthusiast forum, not Kia corporate, we can't solve these types of issues. Again, good luck with finding a vehicle.

 

[Licorice]

. o O (I kinda hope she doesn't get a Stinger ... she can become a member of whatever forum is out there for the car she decides is worthy of her butt dyno, and grace THEM with her presence, opinions, rudeness, and aggressive nature.)

 

[AusStinger]

Actually I'm not a conservative but I am a Christian. Health care should be a right, socialized safety nets are commanded by Leviticus 25, treating dreamers/migrant workers as citizens/native born is commanded by Leviticus 19, and this submachine-gun-owning ar-15-building liberal is not interested in taking your guns away, unless it's to keep them for herself because she likes shooting up old computers and punching holes in paper from hundreds of yards away.

Stop making assumptions. I am far from conservative. I was a libertarian until I consulted on fracking fields for machine vision systems and I witnessed widespread poverty, and what deregulation is doing to our environment. I became a liberal that day.

F--- off with the assumptions and ad hominem attacks. For Christ's sake you're a bunch of dorks. The ZR1 Corvette and exotic car community may banter but they rarely ever have a mean spirit. But then again, they're also typically not the Kia demographic, so I suppose Kia fans are by and large low class. I just happen to like the Stinger and see it for what it is, despite the crappy nameplate.

I would think that on a Stinger forum, you'd be wanting to help a forum member source a GT2 from a dealer who isn't a giant douche.

Well... Now that you're into insulting Stinger owners ( of which I'm one ).......


All this over buying a car ?!?!

Your life isn't on the line, someone's not holding your family hostage, nobody has your life's savings and wont give it back etc etc...

It's a F'n car !!

Why don't you go make yourself a nice hot cup of "Calm the F down" and have a nap.

God help the poor dealer that has to put up with you !!