Hi everyone, I’m currently looking at a 2019 GTS at a dealership and keep in mind this is my dream trim. They have it listed for 34k with 44,000 miles, one owner who rode it rough. As a potential result there was apparently a pinhole leak in the engine which the dealership lobbied and Kia gave them a whole new engine to replace. Possible red flag or bonus new engine is what I’m curious about. I’m also cautious if this is a known issue or how well the transmission and AWD holds up to make sure I’m not pursuing a lemon 2000 miles from purchase!
3.3TT Potential Buy
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bfglitch
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If you can have a third party mechanic look at it, go that route. Seen some horror stories of abused used Stingers on the second or third owner.
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Snicklefritz
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I echo the advice to get an independent mechanic to check out the rest of the car thoroughly. a brand new engine is a plus not a negative.
Ohiocruiser
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If the car was abused, even with new engine, you still get abused transmission,differentials, transfer case... I would have skipped that one.
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
Yea that's my concern of course and I was curious how well those have typically held up normally, especially the transmission, normally a good long lasting one?
Well.....I think you have to factor a few things in here.
If it was in perfect condition and well looked after.
1. The price is around USD$6K to $10K high for that year and model.
2. It is high kms/miles per annum for a 4 year old car (11000 miles/17,000kms).
That should be enough to consider.
Then you have the issue of an engine replacement for whatever reason and you can be sure that whatever you have been told there is probably more they haven't told you.
Is it at a Kia dealer or someone else? Are they offering a factory warranty with the car?
I would probably run.......and keep an eye out for something else.
If it was in perfect condition and well looked after.
1. The price is around USD$6K to $10K high for that year and model.
2. It is high kms/miles per annum for a 4 year old car (11000 miles/17,000kms).
That should be enough to consider.
Then you have the issue of an engine replacement for whatever reason and you can be sure that whatever you have been told there is probably more they haven't told you.
Is it at a Kia dealer or someone else? Are they offering a factory warranty with the car?
I would probably run.......and keep an eye out for something else.
According to KBB the price is right on point, also 11000 miles per year is lower than average no?
the hard parts of course, it’s a Kia dealership and yea there’s probably more to the story than being told. They told me it still falls under the original 100k mile warranty but the engine itself would not get a new one/start over.
Fair enough. I ran it through "Redbook" here and it's high. Probably because USA pays far more for freight.
These prices work in favour of dealers not buyers. You best valuation is to run a dummy online quote with an insurance company and see what the agreed value is. It should be higher than the asking price.
That Blue Book price is also a car that has average miles and good condition.
I would look for something else. That car has things you don;t see, replacement engine.....only 4 years old.
Yep you get remainder of warranty
As you said it was driven rough whatever that means. Look for something else.
Try and get the latest model for the lowest price.
Yea its a weird situation, I get and have all that in mind, but the budget barely allows for this 34k so anything more for now is out of the question (yes that's a factor in my brain as well for maybe just wait to later). The true conundrum though, I'm not sure if I'd get another opportunity for a 2019 GTS with a brand new engine ever again so I want to make sure I'm not passing it up if it checks out.
I did just schedule a 3rd party mechanic who does pre-purchase inspections to see what they say.
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Snicklefritz
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you are doing this right. and Ima guessing the rest of the car gets a clean bill of health, because this transmission is very tough, and I doubt that driving the car hard included banging the heck out of it over speed bumps and the like.
ScottM
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My opinion, run fast. The engine replacement is great, but as was said earlier... what else might go out soon (how was it really run)? A mechanic can get in there and give you an idea of what's what...but only to a certain point. She was road hard and put away...you know the rest. A dream car can turn into a nightmare very quickly. BUT...this is just me and maybe I worry too much.
You are the first person to say really anything about the transmission, that’s good to hear it’s tough but I really want to know more about if it would last being at 44k already.
Snicklefritz
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that depends on the transmissions condition, obviously. inspecting the color and cleanliness of the trans fluid for starters will tell you if there is anything so far to worry about in the future. if the trans is approaching 'grenade' status it shows signs, in the deposits in the fluid, in leaks around the seals and so on. any sign at all of contaminants or leaking, you bag this car. if the seals are dry and the fluid is good and the trans shifts smoothly, don't borrow trouble from the future. I could do that too, and I know my transmission's history from the first mile, in other words I know that my trans is coddled, but that doesn't tell me if a premature failure is in its future. these things happen just because.
Well that is the good news, I talked with the mechanic while he was installing the engine, drilled him as much as I could. He told me all the fluids were shiny and bright in color.
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
I think this is a conundrum.
The seller could have just sold the car and you would not be questioning the where and why on the engine.....
So the seller is saying hey look at this. It's "as good as new" because it has a new engine so buy me!
And for someone who is a Kia mechanic they might say yes they would buy that car themselves but the fact is YOU don't know.....so you have to ask everyone else and to me that's not a good thing to try and convince yourself.
Why is the seller not keeping it? Let's face it it's a "new" car..............
