Buying used

[adam1991]

The "How to Buy" section seems to focus on the issues surrounding financing and leasing new purchases, so here we are.

I think it's quite possible that a lightly used Stinger is the best value in the automotive world. I am prepared to walk back on that, though.

Anyway, around here I see 2019 GT2 models in the $35K-$38K range, depending on miles. For grins, I took the VIN and details of that $35K one (34K miles) and ran it through the Edmunds "Appraise My Car" tool. Edmunds came back with a CarMax offer to buy it for $27,900.

So, does a 2 year old (well, 18-20 months old) GT2 really trade in at under $30K at that age/mileage? Obviously, YMMV. I bet a Kia dealer buys them for a bit more than, say, a Cadillac dealer. But who knows.

The reason I ask is, I know a guy who will troll dealer auctions and acquire whatever you want for a flat $950 on top of the auction price. I like the $35K car; I'd absolutely love it at $30K.

Or are there reasons to stay away from used? On the other hand, do these run great at higher miles and should I be looking for that at a lower price?

 

[datalux]

You mean other than people beat the s**t out of them on lease and then return them? Have you seen the number of JB4's for sale coming off of leased Stingers??! Just throw some 87oct in there and go till it drops!

 

[adam1991]

good point--so how durable are they?

 

[nhcowboy28]

The "How to Buy" section seems to focus on the issues surrounding financing and leasing new purchases, so here we are.

I think it's quite possible that a lightly used Stinger is the best value in the automotive world. I am prepared to walk back on that, though.

Anyway, around here I see 2019 GT2 models in the $35K-$38K range, depending on miles. For grins, I took the VIN and details of that $35K one (34K miles) and ran it through the Edmunds "Appraise My Car" tool. Edmunds came back with a CarMax offer to buy it for $27,900.

So, does a 2 year old (well, 18-20 months old) GT2 really trade in at under $30K at that age/mileage? Obviously, YMMV. I bet a Kia dealer buys them for a bit more than, say, a Cadillac dealer. But who knows.

The reason I ask is, I know a guy who will troll dealer auctions and acquire whatever you want for a flat $950 on top of the auction price. I like the $35K car; I'd absolutely love it at $30K.

Or are there reasons to stay away from used? On the other hand, do these run great at higher miles and should I be looking for that at a lower price?

Carmax offered me an crappy 29500 for my showroom clean 2018 GT2 AWD with 16k miles (tested the waters)... when I knew KBB dealer trade in should have been at least 32500 - 35000 at the time.

they justified it by saying there just wasn’t a market for the stinger used since since such good incentives were available on new cars on the dealer lots.

they don’t negotiate.

I’ve used them many times in older cars. And been very satisfied.
But newer cars they low ball by thousands.

 

[colnago1331]

You mean other than people beat the s**t out of them on lease and then return them? Have you seen the number of JB4's for sale coming off of leased Stingers??! Just throw some 87oct in there and go till it drops!

I think @datalux's point is well taken - the mod factor makes the Stinger less desirable as a used car, unless you know the previous owner and what they did (or didn't do) to the car. Add to this the fact that the 10/100 warranty drops to a 5/60 warranty if you're not buying CPO, and a used Stinger is, IMHO, a tough sell. There are deals to be had out there for sure, but you've gotta be careful.

 

[adam1991]

That's interesting. If a used Stinger is a tough sell, then by definition it should be relatively cheap.

Warranty terms noted.

 

[colnago1331]

That's interesting. If a used Stinger is a tough sell, then by definition it should be relatively cheap.

Warranty terms noted.

Perhaps a better way to put it is that a used Stinger is a tough sell for those who follow the Stinger "scene" and can see what many owners have done to their cars. If you come into the buying process completely blindly and are unaware that many Stinger owners modify their cars and drive them hard, then a used Stinger looks like a pretty good deal. Those folks may also not know about the warranty drop, which again makes a used Stinger seem like a good deal.

 

[adam1991]

But truly, what percentage of owners have even opened their own hoods? It's a big world out there.

 

[colnago1331]

But truly, what percentage of owners have even opened their own hoods? It's a big world out there.

That's a good point too. I always forget that the majority of the motoring public aren't like us; most see their vehicles as a place to get from Point A to Point B. According to CarFigures.com, as of 12/2/2020 a total of 34,000 Stingers had been sold in the US since 2017. Even if there's 1,000 of those owners on here, that accounts for less than 3% of all US Stinger owners.

2024 Kia Stinger Sales Figures

Kia Stinger monthly, quarterly, and yearly sales and statistics in the United States. Including data and interactive charts for the latest model year 2024 and cars segment.

carfigures.com

 

[TheBusch]

Used Stingers from dealerships sell like hotcakes, especially the popular colors. I did notice that Stingers that had visible modifications were tougher sells, but all eventually did sell. Private-sale Stingers seem to sit, I guess it is because there aren't a lot of cash buyers in this price range. The other tough-sell used Stingers are the ones getting close to the used-Kia warranty. That really scares people on a new model Kia (understandably).

 

[adam1991]

The other tough-sell used Stingers are the ones getting close to the used-Kia warranty. That really scares people on a new model Kia (understandably).

Hey, for the right price I'm willing to repair quite a few things.

 

[ecko04]

Used Stingers from dealerships sell like hotcakes, especially the popular colors. I did notice that Stingers that had visible modifications were tougher sells, but all eventually did sell. Private-sale Stingers seem to sit, I guess it is because there aren't a lot of cash buyers in this price range. The other tough-sell used Stingers are the ones getting close to the used-Kia warranty. That really scares people on a new model Kia (understandably).

Spot on! Used Stingers don’t sit for long and most sell for their asking price.

While not related to the post above, I believe it is misleading to presume modded Stinger owners beat the shit out of their cars. To further wither away at the hypothetical 3% modded number is how many of those were leased vs financed/cash purchases or even lease/buyout group.

The latter groups probably planned to keep their cars for quite some time. Those groups are more likely to meticulously maintain their cars and not beat the shit out of them.

If they do decide to sell early it’s likely to have nothing to do with a shortcoming of the car and more to do with lifestyle changes or a growing family.

 

[adam1991]

I'm always curious about the stories behind 12-18 month old cars on the used market.

 

[cwatt79]

I'm always curious about the stories behind 12-18 month old cars on the used market.

I've sold two vehicles within this timeframe in the last 3 years. Obviously not a wise financial move. In both cases, the vehicles were somewhat impulse purchases (about a week from the idea to signing the papers), and I simply wasn't happy with the vehicle after a while. It's not that they were problematic or bad vehicles, they just didn't... scratch the itch. They led me to the Stinger, which I've had for 12 months now with no plans to sell, so maybe I've hit the jackpot.. My bank account sure hopes so!