Kia Stinger - Future classic car?

[NS_Stinger]

I loved the Dodge Stealth when it came out. I too was not a huge MK4 Supra fan (unlike so many). Loved the 300ZX twin turbo, but always had a soft spot for the Stealth. Great looking and great performance.

I personally think that Mitsubishi did a better job than Dodge on that platform with the 3000GT VR4. Still looks cool to this day.

 

[LordKOTL]

I loved the Dodge Stealth when it came out. I too was not a huge MK4 Supra fan (unlike so many). Loved the 300ZX twin turbo, but always had a soft spot for the Stealth. Great looking and great performance.

VVVV

I personally think that Mitsubishi did a better job than Dodge on that platform with the 3000GT VR4. Still looks cool to this day.

I think it's kind of an "eye of the beholder" sort of thing, like, "What looks better? the Stinger or the G70?"

I think they are both gorgeous cars, but I personally prefer the Stinger.

I liked the look of the Stealth R/T an RCH more than the 3000GT VR4, but that's just me. Both are gorgeous cars.

 

[Transmetal]

As much as we love our cars and know they are great, I think it might be with rose coloured glasses that we see it as a future classic.
In some ways I wonder if it becomes remembered in the same way as something like the Dodge Stealth. That car had impressive stats (320 hp and all wheel drive in the early to mid 90s) but never really caught on and was also a one and done. It is far less of a classic than the equivalent era Supra, 300ZX, or RX-7.

Ahhh the Dodge Stealth, I remember it fondly. The Stealth and the 300zx were the only 2 import cars I wanted growing up. Was a Firebird guy back then.

The Stealth and the 3000gt seem like forgotten gems. Although, I know they were a huge pita to work on they were ahead of their time. Awd, aws, active aero, definitely not something seen on many cars back then.

 

[Buzzman12]

Ahhh the Dodge Stealth, I remember it fondly. The Stealth and the 300zx were the only 2 import cars I wanted growing up. Was a Firebird guy back then.

The Stealth and the 3000gt seem like forgotten gems. Although, I know they were a huge pita to work on they were ahead of their time. Awd, aws, active aero, definitely not something seen on many cars back then.

Grab one while you can. I wanted one back in the 90's, but we had 2 kids and a minivan instead. My wife would have killed me....lol
I checked Autotrader Canada, and a decent car seems to be going for $17-20K. Low mileage cars are even more.
As you say, they are forgotten gems and will only appreciate, in my humble opinion.

 

[nh365]

As much as we love our cars and know they are great, I think it might be with rose coloured glasses that we see it as a future classic.
In some ways I wonder if it becomes remembered in the same way as something like the Dodge Stealth. That car had impressive stats (320 hp and all wheel drive in the early to mid 90s) but never really caught on and was also a one and done. It is far less of a classic than the equivalent era Supra, 300ZX, or RX-7.

100% agree with this. I owned a 3000GT VR4 Spyder for over 20 years. Great car, styling and technology like the Stinger. I guess I can't help myself cause I bought a Tribute .

 

[Saxy]

I live in Hong Kong, where a lot of people are quite badge snobby. I recently saw what king of prices Stinger GT's are trading hands at, and I was appalled. Roughly the equivalent of $16k usd. My car is 5.5 years old now, and still zero faults. Where am I to get a 300+hp, rwd, reliable and practical sedan for that kind of money? At this rate, I'll never sell my car lol. The government has been promoting a one for one scrap your petrol car for electric car with a huge rebate, up to $30k usd. I think some people might be scrapping their cars, which will make mine extra rare. I don't mind that. Will it become a classic? It needs some movie, some person, to make it known.

 

[Maljey]

I think the comparison to a Dodge Stealth and Mitsu 3000GT are spot on. The Stinger will likely end up like those cars in the future. They weren't huge selling cars either, but still have a small cult following.

I'd almost say the Stinger could be the future Infiniti G35, where it ends up clapped out by the 3rd/4th owner. But The G35 stuck around for a longer time and sold much more (AFAIK), so we're likely not going to see as many in the future as we see G35s now.

 

[nh365]

As much as we love our cars and know they are great, I think it might be with rose coloured glasses that we see it as a future classic.
In some ways I wonder if it becomes remembered in the same way as something like the Dodge Stealth. That car had impressive stats (320 hp and all wheel drive in the early to mid 90s) but never really caught on and was also a one and done. It is far less of a classic than the equivalent era Supra, 300ZX, or RX-7.

100% agree with this. I owned a 3000GT VR4 Spyder (only around 800 tt ever made) and it never really took off. Bought for $36k in 2000 and sold for $28k in 2022 with only 50 k miles and in very good condition. Prime condition examples are starting to come up in price on BAT, but very slowly compared to those you mentioned.

 

[Paladin611]

I actually think it has a huge likelihood of becoming a classic and sought after car. Only the twin turbo models will be potentially collectable. I think 4 big factors will play into its collectability.

KIA is becoming a major player that nobody expected and this car helped show what KIA could do.

Twin turbo V6 with easy tuning capabilities.

Classic lines that will age very very well. The car is a looker and not many are on the road so numbers are limited.

One of the last petrol performance oriented cars before everything becomes electric.

I REALLY wish I ordered a Tribute, I decided to hang onto my 2018 GT but I love the car so much I kinda wish I got the last model year before it was too late. Nothing else even remotely competes with it here in Canada for the price.

I share your sentiment on the Stinger becoming a classic. Also, that last part about regretting the purchase of a Tribute...don't feel bad, they were so hard to find, even when they were available... I have no regrets holding onto my -'18 GT.

 

[Ah GetFd]

I think it is less likely. Had there only been petrol cars going forward there might have been a chance. The GM G8 V8 I had (Commodore) got a premium of $25K when I sold it 18 months ago. They are now $10K and people in the states for some reason think it's a classic. Not here.

Whilst in the USA you are hanging onto your Dodge Chargers and other high performance V8s the rest of the world has moved on.

When I bought these last 23 model Stinger GTs ......electric cars were the same price. Australia $70K. ($46,800 USD)

Now we are flooded with EVs, the cheapest being MG and BYD (Build your Dreams) which, is the largest EV maker in the world. But you wouldn't know that because the USA with its absolutely paranoia of China, has banned cars made in China. All our Teslas are made in China too.

Out of the 100,000 new cars sold new last month 8,000 were electric.

We have EVs everywhere and they start at $40K (USD 27K to 33K). If you are retired you can buy an electric car and charge it for free for a half hour just about anywhere which gives you 50kms a day. That's more than I drive in My Stinger. These BYDs look like any other SUV. A sporty looking hatch.

The Stingers will die here naturally like all other ICE cars but until then I expect to get 10 years out of them.

 

[Snicklefritz]

The Stingers will die here naturally like all other ICE cars but until then I expect to get 10 years out of them.

Have you heard of Toyota's new engine tech for ICE that burns gasoline, bio fuels and hydrogen? And Toyota, if I recall correctly, has limited EV production to 30% going forward. Other manufacturers are similarly scaling EVs back. Once the ICE switches to other than "fossil fuels", the EV will tank. Another thing Toyota is working on is their ICE actually removing CO2 from the air as it runs! That to me is a stupid idea. The last thing Earth needs is to start removing CO2 from a CO2 poor atmosphere. We need around 1,000 to 2,000 ppm to promote plant growth, not this paltry 420 ppm that we've reached in the last ten years, which is only 100 ppm above where it was.

 

[stoopid]

Have you heard of Toyota's new engine tech for ICE that burns gasoline, bio fuels and hydrogen? And Toyota, if I recall correctly, has limited EV production to 30% going forward. Other manufacturers are similarly scaling EVs back. Once the ICE switches to other than "fossil fuels", the EV will tank. Another thing Toyota is working on is their ICE actually removing CO2 from the air as it runs! That to me is a stupid idea. The last thing Earth needs is to start removing CO2 from a CO2 poor atmosphere. We need around 1,000 to 2,000 ppm to promote plant growth, not this paltry 420 ppm that we've reached in the last ten years, which is only 100 ppm above where it was.

I don't have all weekend to dismantle this post, but you need to go check your facts if you care enough to spew them online. Every single thing you noted here was either partly or entirely incorrect, or pure hyperbole.

 

[stoopid]

I think it is less likely. Had there only been petrol cars going forward there might have been a chance. The GM G8 V8 I had (Commodore) got a premium of $25K when I sold it 18 months ago. They are now $10K and people in the states for some reason think it's a classic. Not here.

Whilst in the USA you are hanging onto your Dodge Chargers and other high performance V8s the rest of the world has moved on.

When I bought these last 23 model Stinger GTs ......electric cars were the same price. Australia $70K. ($46,800 USD)

Now we are flooded with EVs, the cheapest being MG and BYD (Build your Dreams) which, is the largest EV maker in the world. But you wouldn't know that because the USA with its absolutely paranoia of China, has banned cars made in China. All our Teslas are made in China too.

Out of the 100,000 new cars sold new last month 8,000 were electric.

We have EVs everywhere and they start at $40K (USD 27K to 33K). If you are retired you can buy an electric car and charge it for free for a half hour just about anywhere which gives you 50kms a day. That's more than I drive in My Stinger. These BYDs look like any other SUV. A sporty looking hatch.

The Stingers will die here naturally like all other ICE cars but until then I expect to get 10 years out of them.

The largest reason for the US's stance on Chinese car imports is the unfair advantage they have being heavily government funded/supported. In small part, our government offers tax breaks (national, state, and local) to companies to incentivize them setting up shop in their neighborhood for the future tax revenue and employment opportunities. The argument is that the Chinese government takes a more active approach in direct subsidies to companies like BYD. But again, certain US government programs like the tax credit for EVs in a round about way effectively does the same.

Protectionism has it's pros and cons. The pro here is to keep US based car makers in the game, while they scale up their EV and hybrid production to survive/stay relevant. The con is it creates a false sense of hope for those same auto makers thinking they'll have any chance selling cars globally.

One thing is rather certain -- very few if any of the EVs produced until this point in time will end up being future classics. There's a small chance for the first Tesla roadster, Model S performance, and/or Plaid if there's enough aftermarket support (in particular, cheap means to replace the batteries decades from now). These are neck breaking quick street legal vehicles.

 

[Snicklefritz]

I don't have all weekend to dismantle this post, but you need to go check your facts if you care enough to spew them online. Every single thing you noted here was either partly or entirely incorrect, or pure hyperbole.

Are you dissing my Toyota info or just CO2 statements? CO2 only got brought up at all because it is engine related, Toyota developing a CO2-removing engine. You could say that learning of that pushed my buttons. I absolutely reject elites playing around with "my" atmosphere. They are all control freak morons, typical privileged, powerful human beings as throughout all human history. Only now, they can wreak havoc on the entire globe.

edit to add: I was mistaken about the engine itself designed to remove CO2, it is actually a device that can be attached to any vehicle. And it is still a long ways short of developed for production. The main thing connected to say hydrogen power - zero emissions - is that while you drive with no emissions, this thing would be making your ride negative emissions. Here's a page on it. Toyota Tests Tech That Sucks CO2 From The Air On GR Corolla | Carscoops

 

[StingerVetteMan]

As cool as it is I doubt you will see the Stinger or any Kia as a future classic. While it was an important car for Kia, in the grand scheme of things it’s just another sport sedan. Nothing more, nothing less.

Now my other car will certainly be. 2019 Corvette Grand Sport. The last year of front engine Corvettes!

 

[Transmetal]

As cool as it is I doubt you will see the Stinger or any Kia as a future classic. While it was an important car for Kia, in the grand scheme of things it’s just another sport sedan. Nothing more, nothing less.

Now my other car will certainly be. 2019 Corvette Grand Sport. The last year of front engine Corvettes!
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Not to be that guy but I literally saw about 50 C7s today. Took the Lightning out for a long drive about 2hrs total. There's just way too many C5, C6 and C7s around. Many of them owned by "old guys" that barely drive them much. I don't think I saw one of them that was driven by somebody that wasn't grey today. I don't think cars will even be viewed the same in the future just because many of the younger generations aren't into cars as much. Obviously I could be wrong, guess we'll see in about 30 or 40 years

 

[StingerVetteMan]

Not to be that guy but I literally saw about 50 C7s today. Took the Lightning out for a long drive about 2hrs total. There's just way too many C5, C6 and C7s around. Many of them owned by "old guys" that barely drive them much. I don't think I saw one of them that was driven by somebody that wasn't grey today. I don't think cars will even be viewed the same in the future just because many of the younger generations aren't into cars as much. Obviously I could be wrong, guess we'll see in about 30 or 40 years

The reason you see older people driving corvettes is simple economics. Most younger drivers can’t afford them. Same with Porsches, I rarely see younger people in them. My Grand Sport cost double of my Stinger. Also rarely people have a Vette as their only car. So there is the expense of having more than one car.

Although early C7s 2014,15s you can get in the $40k range and I do see younger people in them. Hey I am 62 and I drive the hell out of mine! Took it to the Tail of the Dragon last year and heading back in October!

 

[Transmetal]

The reason you see older people driving corvettes is simple economics. Most younger drivers can’t afford them. Same with Porsches, I rarely see younger people in them. My Grand Sport cost double of my Stinger. Also rarely people have a Vette as their only car. So there is the expense of having more than one car.

Although early C7s 2014,15s you can get in the $40k range and I do see younger people in them. Hey I am 62 and I drive the hell out of mine! Took it to the Tail of the Dragon last year and heading back in October!

That may be so but I do actually see "younger old guys" in Porsche and young guys in BMWs, Hellcats and C8 Corvettes all day long and most of those cars cost just as much as if not more than a C7, no?

 

[Ah GetFd]

I don't have all weekend to dismantle this post, but you need to go check your facts if you care enough to spew them online. Every single thing you noted here was either partly or entirely incorrect, or pure hyperbole.

You could enlighten us as to which part is not true.

The USA heavily government subsidises it's own car manufacture no different to China.

 

[Ah GetFd]

Not to get into any political arguments here but rather than banning EVs from China the USA could add import tariffs to protect their own industry. And just to be clear, manufacturers do not pay your import tariffs as one orange political figure tries to have you believe. Buyers do. YOU!. It is illogical to suggest that China pays your import tariff. Why would they make a $30,000 EV, then pay a tariff of 60% to sell it to the USA? It does not make sense. They would be LOSING on every deal! The other bloke has maintained those tariffs simply because it is another way to collect tax.
When the USA imposes a tariff it pushes up the price to deter you from buying it. YOU pay extra for the goods and the USA government collects that as a tax. That's how tariffs work and not some convoluted pack of lies someone would have you believe that the seller pays the tariff.......
Hopefully you get to change out BOTH candidates. Surely in a country of 330 million you can find two others.......