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01-28-2018, 12:45 AM | #1 |
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Digital Trends: How Kia went from peddling econoboxes to challenging BMW
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01-28-2018, 01:25 AM | #2 |
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Well, it's hideous so there's that.
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01-28-2018, 02:10 AM | #3 | |
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I like it.
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01-28-2018, 10:45 AM | #5 |
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I don't think it's too bad.
If they've done a suspension overhaul, it might amount to a fun car; the Optima is a good looking car (for what it is) that handles like sh!t. If the turbo V6 is available with a 6MT, I might be interested - assuming the price point is right. |
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01-28-2018, 10:53 AM | #6 |
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The non-US version has Stinger badges only, for some reason they decided to plaster KIA badges all over the US version. Makes the car look cheap.
The car is good for the sedan segment but is over styled. |
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01-28-2018, 11:07 AM | #7 |
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Looks good, performs decent, affordable, is a kia. If kia keeps making better cars they will keep selling more and more each year. 100,000 mile warranty. Mic drop.
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01-28-2018, 11:26 AM | #8 |
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In terms of quality, affordability, reliability, level of equipment and warranty KIA is hard to beat. Stinger is a great effort and it proves that anyone can make a great car if they try. This is no longer reserved to a few exclusive brands - technology is there, you just need the right people who have the guts to create a good product and it's a welcome news in my book.
Hyundai i30N in Europe took everyone by surprise, Genesis brand is a legitimate inferiority complex breaker and the new Stinger (more of an actual sub-brand in Korea without the KIA badge) is a revelation to me. Here in Canada a loaded AWD GT V6 starts from $45K CAD. It's a bargain IMO. Allow for some incentives to kick in and with inevitable 0% financing it WILL sell in significant numbers and soon. Let's face it - there's not a single negative review for this car, worldwide. I think this is great news for every automotive enthusiast. To me this car illustrates progress at its finest and proves that not everyone is focused on chasing sales figures while losing their identity in the process (like, dare I say BMW?) Think Samsung. They dominate. You're not embarrassed to own one, are you? It is already happening for Hyundai, it will happen for Kia. Stinger and what comes next will make it happen. I truly believe it. Last edited by vinylengraver; 01-28-2018 at 11:34 AM.. |
01-28-2018, 11:27 AM | #9 |
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Kia is definitely trying to branch out. And they may be onto something here. Initial reviews are good overall. Obviously this car is appealing to the lower budgeted car enthusiasts. Not everyone can afford a BMW, Audi, Benz etc...and like the previous post mentioned 100,000 mile warranty! Wow
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01-28-2018, 12:34 PM | #10 |
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I'm the old dude around here. I remember quite well when Hyundai, which is Kia's parent company, came to the USA with cars in 1986 or so with the Excel, it gained a reputation of being a total POS. Hyundai ("rhymes with Sunday" was the commercials...) soon had to come up with the first 100,000-mile warranty to get US car customers to even pay attention. 30 years later their sub-brand is competing with BMW as far as architecture and making a driver's car. Progress.
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A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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01-28-2018, 06:06 PM | #11 |
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01-28-2018, 06:25 PM | #12 |
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The Genesis version looks better and has a nicer interior. I was told this is a $50K car on Doug Dimiro (sp?) on youtube? Haven't watched the video yet he says it's worth $50K in the video, I'm assuming that's not the price as it would have to be cheaper than a 340i to compete. That would also call into question where the Genesis version would be price-wise.
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01-28-2018, 10:24 PM | #14 |
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I read quite a few reviews of this car, considering trading my 428 GC for it and upping the power, along the same lines as a 440, but every review gave it pretty bad marks for handling and it seemed pretty lackluster, not bad by any means, just not super exciting either. Good chance though that is a healthy amount of bias, it seems a lot of automobile reviewers stick to biases long after the actual reason/factor is gone, so hopefully time will tell. What I usually want to know are dyno numbers, how wide rubber are they sticking on there, how many lateral Gs, how does it compare on the course for handling, can you get it with a stick, etc.
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01-28-2018, 11:43 PM | #15 |
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There's tons of cheap phones like Xiaomi (Chinese brand) with same or better specs as iPhone or Samsung, but will I buy one? Probably not. I just don't see myself using it
Is Stinger a bad car? No. It's descent. It may not look as good as some BMW or Audi, but it got some good points. The thing is I can't imagine myself buying Kia, no matter the specs. Specs are not the only thing that defines the car. There's more to it (quality of materials, chassis, feel of the car, brand image and history, design, interior layout etc). Most people don't track their cars, they will never use even 50% of their cars capabilities. Yet they choose brand for many reasons and image coming with it. Just think about associations your mind draws with BMW and .......Kia. Drops Mic P.S. For many who can't afford BMW or Mercedes etc. - Stinger may be a good choice. One thing tho, the Stinger that got reviewed costs ......$53k lol. So back to those people who can't afford BMW ...... well, guess what, I guess for that money one can buy a 530i for a mid size luxury sedan or M235i for some fun spirited drives - who will buy Kia lol? Last edited by DuSh; 01-28-2018 at 11:49 PM.. |
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01-29-2018, 02:01 AM | #16 |
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I'm surprised at the price of this car in the US. Here in Australia the top spec GT RWD is $65000 which is far less than an M2 Pure at $93000.
I drove it and thought it was pretty good. Interior was very impressive considering the badge. Styling is a bit over the top though. Overall it felt a lot like my wife's Audi S5 Sportback, for almost half the price and a way better warranty. Would I actually buy one? Probably not. |
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01-29-2018, 02:16 AM | #17 | |
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01-29-2018, 03:56 AM | #18 | |
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My first car was a 6-year old Ford Pony...
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A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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01-29-2018, 04:48 AM | #19 |
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I don't get that saving planet reference but ya 83 sounds about right. Crazy how time flies.
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01-29-2018, 08:22 AM | #20 |
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01-29-2018, 09:05 AM | #21 |
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Long time ago I worked for an outfit that was prepping cars destined for an auto show. We got a white Hyundai Scoupe (remember those?) straight off the boat from Korea that needed some spit and shine before it went on display.
The plastic cladding on the driver's side was color-matched to the body paint while passenger's side was unpainted black ABS. I guess QC at the factory missed that small detail. We shook our heads in disbelief and spray-bombed it to match. It was close enough. It was a Hyundai after all. They had much to learn and so they did. The fact alone that you can have KIA and BMW in the same sentence is quite a miracle I think. |
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