corradoMR2
Active Member
I won't go into all the features and initial impressions as this can be found in this thread here. Instead this is more about my discoveries and impressions throughout my ownership.
I'll kick this off after 8 months in and 10,800km (6700 miles) with future posts on later updates.
PROS:
- Despite some minor build issues (further below), overall solid quality and feel remain though a tad less than the IS and RC F which were rock solid.
- Fuel economy "good", mixed city/hwy 21 mpg, which is about 1.5 mpg better than my last IS300 F Sport AWD.
- The handling remains excellent thanks to its sharp steering, nimble feel, and flat nearly-neutral cornering with minimal initial understeer.
- Played around with the launch control and very impressively strong launch - it snaps you back and you sense the AWD makes full use of that power.
- Smooth auto start/stop.
- Minimal brake dust despite the Brembos/performance pads.
- Excellent road trip "GT" car. The 1000 mile round-trip to Chicago and back with my wife and two teens solidifies how well-rounded this machine is. It hauled all our cargo, had plenty of passenger room, was near RX-level quiet and comfortable, and of course effortless in power.
CONS:
- Rear visibility continues to be difficult. I'm not very tall at 5'9 yet I have to crouch to see any cars in my rear view mirror.
- Rear suspension floats a bit on irregular road surfaces, more noticeable on corners. Never unsettled in this situation, but just not as buttoned down as you'd expect in a sports sedan (IS and A4 better planted at the rear).
- Three unscheduled visits to the dealer to address build/quality issues:
- Radio volume has a mind of its own. It lowers and raises the volume by 10-20% for no apparent reason. Some other owners have reported this too. Might combine this with the fourth unscheduled visit...
- Buggy and slow Evo Remote app control. It's nice to start your car and control climate settings from your phone but it typically takes about 2+ mins from the time you launch the app to the time the car starts. Sometimes, the request fails and you have to re-initiate it.
OTHER POINTS:
- Car is dropped on H&R springs (1.2" f, 1.3" r) which improved cornering/body-roll but decreased ride comfort slightly. Car feels a tad bouncier, but never harsh and still comfortable. (Drive to Chicago was with the springs already on)
- Car is on new 2Crave no.34 wheels as my summer set. 20x8.5 f (235/35) and 20x10 r (275/30). Perfect fit, no rubbing, and love the look and stance.
- Have not brought it to the track. Car handles well, overall better than an IS F Sport AWD or A4 S-Line, but not in RC F territory which had a significantly more planted rear end with a true TVD (not brake induced like the Stinger's).
- I really like the 3.3TT V6's low end torque. There's barely any lag. It feels like how a V8 should feel down low. Effortless thrust on launch which especially comes alive in Sport mode. In comparison, the RC F's V8 below 3800 rpm feels under-powered, however, the opposite is true in the upper revs where the TT V6 is no match to the higher revving brute thrust of the Lexus V8. From a standing start in the city over short distances, I expect the Stinger will beat the RC F 4 out of 5 times, but in a rolling start with the RC F in gear above 3800 rpm over a longer stretch, my money is on the RC F.
- Car remains a head turner
. Maserati is the most common brand people think the car is, then Porsche/Panamera. I don't pretend it is and I take pleasure in seeing people's reactions once I tell them it's a KIA
. Heck, my neighbor who is somewhat of a car guy for weeks thought I replaced the RC F with a Maserati LOL. He thought I was pulling his leg it's a KIA. Of course, this speaks to the car's premium look thanks to the Thunder Gray (Panthera Metal) color, contrasting dark chrome mirrors/door vents, low long hood/RWD proportions, and fastback 5-door styling.
So 8 months in and I still own the car which for those who know me is starting to say quite a bit. I got bored of the A4 after 6 weeks, 12 months with my last IS, and in general two years ownership is a great car. Today, I have zero inkling to change the Stinger at all. Short of the minor build/quality issues, I really like this car and see many more ownership months ahead. Future updates to come...
I'll kick this off after 8 months in and 10,800km (6700 miles) with future posts on later updates.
PROS:
- Despite some minor build issues (further below), overall solid quality and feel remain though a tad less than the IS and RC F which were rock solid.
- Fuel economy "good", mixed city/hwy 21 mpg, which is about 1.5 mpg better than my last IS300 F Sport AWD.
- The handling remains excellent thanks to its sharp steering, nimble feel, and flat nearly-neutral cornering with minimal initial understeer.
- Played around with the launch control and very impressively strong launch - it snaps you back and you sense the AWD makes full use of that power.
- Smooth auto start/stop.
- Minimal brake dust despite the Brembos/performance pads.
- Excellent road trip "GT" car. The 1000 mile round-trip to Chicago and back with my wife and two teens solidifies how well-rounded this machine is. It hauled all our cargo, had plenty of passenger room, was near RX-level quiet and comfortable, and of course effortless in power.
- the seats are great both front and rear without any discomfort experienced by myself nor any of my family.
- the radar cruise and LKA work great and are are more responsive than in the Lexus system (RX, IS, NX, RC F) keeping the car better centered in the lane with quicker acceleration to maintain preset distance with the car ahead.
- the ride quality is taut but with a certain polish that gives it a comfortable ride especially on the hwy. Feels GS-like. The 114.4" wheelbase is a noticeable contributor to this.
- tracks very linearly with barely any steering adjustments (though I had LKA on all the time).
- 26 hwy mpg for the trip averaging around 75 mph!
CONS:
- Rear visibility continues to be difficult. I'm not very tall at 5'9 yet I have to crouch to see any cars in my rear view mirror.
- Rear suspension floats a bit on irregular road surfaces, more noticeable on corners. Never unsettled in this situation, but just not as buttoned down as you'd expect in a sports sedan (IS and A4 better planted at the rear).
- Three unscheduled visits to the dealer to address build/quality issues:
- Paddle shifter looseness/cheapness. (Dealer said it's normal. When I checked the Stinger in the showroom, it was actually worse than mine so I've accepted this for now).
- Door moves slightly vertically causing some squeaking around the B-pillar/door frame (dealer was unable to tighten the door/adjust the latch so I did it myself and squeaking is gone).
- Rear hatch rattle (TSB and two unsuccessful attempts by the dealer. I added a thicker washer to the hatch stoppers on both sides and rattle is gone for good).
- DRL LED strip burnt out. Dealer replaced entire driver's front light module under warranty ($2600 for the part only!).
- Uneven driver door panel gap. Dealer unable to fix. I improved it slightly when I adjusted the door latch above.
- Radio volume has a mind of its own. It lowers and raises the volume by 10-20% for no apparent reason. Some other owners have reported this too. Might combine this with the fourth unscheduled visit...
- Buggy and slow Evo Remote app control. It's nice to start your car and control climate settings from your phone but it typically takes about 2+ mins from the time you launch the app to the time the car starts. Sometimes, the request fails and you have to re-initiate it.
OTHER POINTS:
- Car is dropped on H&R springs (1.2" f, 1.3" r) which improved cornering/body-roll but decreased ride comfort slightly. Car feels a tad bouncier, but never harsh and still comfortable. (Drive to Chicago was with the springs already on)
- Car is on new 2Crave no.34 wheels as my summer set. 20x8.5 f (235/35) and 20x10 r (275/30). Perfect fit, no rubbing, and love the look and stance.
- Have not brought it to the track. Car handles well, overall better than an IS F Sport AWD or A4 S-Line, but not in RC F territory which had a significantly more planted rear end with a true TVD (not brake induced like the Stinger's).
- I really like the 3.3TT V6's low end torque. There's barely any lag. It feels like how a V8 should feel down low. Effortless thrust on launch which especially comes alive in Sport mode. In comparison, the RC F's V8 below 3800 rpm feels under-powered, however, the opposite is true in the upper revs where the TT V6 is no match to the higher revving brute thrust of the Lexus V8. From a standing start in the city over short distances, I expect the Stinger will beat the RC F 4 out of 5 times, but in a rolling start with the RC F in gear above 3800 rpm over a longer stretch, my money is on the RC F.
- Car remains a head turner
So 8 months in and I still own the car which for those who know me is starting to say quite a bit. I got bored of the A4 after 6 weeks, 12 months with my last IS, and in general two years ownership is a great car. Today, I have zero inkling to change the Stinger at all. Short of the minor build/quality issues, I really like this car and see many more ownership months ahead. Future updates to come...
