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For as much grief as the V6 TLX received, I honestly enjoyed my 2015 FWD Tech for 5 years of ownership, especially after getting the transmission replaced. When my insurance renewal came due in June and I realized I was driving it maybe 20 miles a week, I ended up selling it to a private party.
With the prospect of returning to my daily commute, I recently looked at a wide range of new and used cars with a target range of $25-$30K. Notably:
The new TLX - Out of my price range; don't like the touchpad.
For fun, a low-mileage 2016 Audi S3. This thing is rocket ship that pushes 100 mph in a heartbeat. Wife and I agreed I would get my license revoked driving this thing; my friend also advised against it for reliability, so we passed.
2018+ Accord: Nice driving, but huge, and despite its looks growing on me, it's still ugly.
Honda Civic: Fun and great commuter car, but the wife vetoed.
Late model Volvo S60: Beautiful car, well-made, but it's so sedately designed it made me feel 10 years older.
New/used Genesis G70: Good examples are still expensive, and small backseat and trunk
I then set up a test drive for a 2021 Stinger GT-Line (dark grey with red leather), which has the smaller/lighter 2.0T engine. Base models are $33K and with dealer discounts/Kia cash, you can get the selling price down to $30K.
The test drive sold me instantly! This car was designed from the ground up to impart excellent steering feel. With its long wheelbase and low seating position, it feels stable and connected with the road. Turbo boost swells strongly between 3K-5K rpms, and it drives smoothly at 80 mph while returning 30 mpg.
The "real" Stinger (models GT, GT1, GT2) is a fire-breathing 3.3L twin-turbo monster with staggered 19" tires. As tempting as those models are, I needed to stay within my budget, and because this car will be a commuter, considerations such as fuel efficiency and tire wear came into play as well.
I ended up stretching a bit to get the $2900 "Sun and Sound" package which adds sunroof, interior LED lighting, larger touchscreen, and Harman Kardon stereo.
Compared to my TLX, the Stinger is a very different kind of car: The 1G TLX is much more of a luxury vehicle, with a higher driving position, heavier turn-in, and many more convenience features.
Likes:
Fun as heck to drive
Looks like a much more expensive vehicle, especially with the dark red leather option
Carplay/Android Auto support with an actual touchscreen
Tons of customizations for the infotainment such as different volume level settings for each source (radio vs bluetooth vs Carplay vs. alerts etc...)
Large sunroof with built-in windscreen
Lighting in general, such as puddle lights in the door handles
Excellent stereo - stronger than the TLX's ELS
Just enough room in the back to be comfortable for actual adults, and the awesome utility of a hatch
30+ mpg easily achievable on the highway
Dislikes:
Most of my dislikes are a direct result of opting for the 2.0T model, which limits the number of convenience features, such as:
Manual foot-actuated parking brake (V6 models have electronic parking brakes)
Halogen projector headlights (V6 have sweet LED headlights)
Black-and-white MID (V6 have full color MIDs)
Plane Jane rearview mirror (I already swapped it out with the auto-dimming Homelink mirror from the V6 models)
I'm actually missing some of the safety features from the TLX, namely lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control (which are options in the GT1 and GT2)
Can be loud on the highway depending on the road surface. While there is no wind noise, the tires transmit the surface conditions readily
Normal drive modes in the 4-cylinder drop the revs to 1200 which lugs the engine - Sport mode or manual mode solves this at least
And while I don't mind telling people I bought a KIA, their current logo is ugly as hell, so my first mod was to swap out the badges with the KDM "E" logo all around.
While I'm really enjoying the Stinger, I will always be a Honda/Acura fan at heart and continue to lurk on Acurazine. Happy motoring everyone!
For as much grief as the V6 TLX received, I honestly enjoyed my 2015 FWD Tech for 5 years of ownership, especially after getting the transmission replaced. When my insurance renewal came due in June and I realized I was driving it maybe 20 miles a week, I ended up selling it to a private party.
With the prospect of returning to my daily commute, I recently looked at a wide range of new and used cars with a target range of $25-$30K. Notably:
The new TLX - Out of my price range; don't like the touchpad.
For fun, a low-mileage 2016 Audi S3. This thing is rocket ship that pushes 100 mph in a heartbeat. Wife and I agreed I would get my license revoked driving this thing; my friend also advised against it for reliability, so we passed.
2018+ Accord: Nice driving, but huge, and despite its looks growing on me, it's still ugly.
Honda Civic: Fun and great commuter car, but the wife vetoed.
Late model Volvo S60: Beautiful car, well-made, but it's so sedately designed it made me feel 10 years older.
New/used Genesis G70: Good examples are still expensive, and small backseat and trunk
I then set up a test drive for a 2021 Stinger GT-Line (dark grey with red leather), which has the smaller/lighter 2.0T engine. Base models are $33K and with dealer discounts/Kia cash, you can get the selling price down to $30K.
The test drive sold me instantly! This car was designed from the ground up to impart excellent steering feel. With its long wheelbase and low seating position, it feels stable and connected with the road. Turbo boost swells strongly between 3K-5K rpms, and it drives smoothly at 80 mph while returning 30 mpg.
The "real" Stinger (models GT, GT1, GT2) is a fire-breathing 3.3L twin-turbo monster with staggered 19" tires. As tempting as those models are, I needed to stay within my budget, and because this car will be a commuter, considerations such as fuel efficiency and tire wear came into play as well.
I ended up stretching a bit to get the $2900 "Sun and Sound" package which adds sunroof, interior LED lighting, larger touchscreen, and Harman Kardon stereo.
Compared to my TLX, the Stinger is a very different kind of car: The 1G TLX is much more of a luxury vehicle, with a higher driving position, heavier turn-in, and many more convenience features.
Likes:
Fun as heck to drive
Looks like a much more expensive vehicle, especially with the dark red leather option
Carplay/Android Auto support with an actual touchscreen
Tons of customizations for the infotainment such as different volume level settings for each source (radio vs bluetooth vs Carplay vs. alerts etc...)
Large sunroof with built-in windscreen
Lighting in general, such as puddle lights in the door handles
Excellent stereo - stronger than the TLX's ELS
Just enough room in the back to be comfortable for actual adults, and the awesome utility of a hatch
30+ mpg easily achievable on the highway
Dislikes:
Most of my dislikes are a direct result of opting for the 2.0T model, which limits the number of convenience features, such as:
Manual foot-actuated parking brake (V6 models have electronic parking brakes)
Halogen projector headlights (V6 have sweet LED headlights)
Black-and-white MID (V6 have full color MIDs)
Plane Jane rearview mirror (I already swapped it out with the auto-dimming Homelink mirror from the V6 models)
I'm actually missing some of the safety features from the TLX, namely lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control (which are options in the GT1 and GT2)
Can be loud on the highway depending on the road surface. While there is no wind noise, the tires transmit the surface conditions readily
Normal drive modes in the 4-cylinder drop the revs to 1200 which lugs the engine - Sport mode or manual mode solves this at least
And while I don't mind telling people I bought a KIA, their current logo is ugly as hell, so my first mod was to swap out the badges with the KDM "E" logo all around.
While I'm really enjoying the Stinger, I will always be a Honda/Acura fan at heart and continue to lurk on Acurazine. Happy motoring everyone!
My youngest son going for a "test drive"
Here comes the devil's advocate...
Whenever I see someone buy a new car and make the likes and dislikes list that fast and be 50-50%, it's a sign of soon to come buyer's remorse. You settled. On a brand and especially on the trim/engine. How far off were you from the 3.3TT after what you paid + optional package(s)...
Whenever I see someone buy a new car and make the likes and dislikes list that fast and be 50-50%, it's a sign of soon to come buyer's remorse. You settled. On a brand and especially on the trim/engine. How far off were you from the 3.3TT after what you paid + optional package(s)...
I can see how this looks like buyer's remorse, but I wanted to list out everything I thought fellow TL/TLX owners might like to know in case they are considering either configuration of the Stinger. If Acura or another brand made the same style of vehicle (RWD sportback grand tourer) I would have certainly considered them just the same. The only alternatives I'm aware of are the A5/S5 Sportback and Panamera... at much higher transaction prices... so I guess that's settling on the brand? It's fun to tell people who have no idea what the car is that "it's just a Kia". They've come a long way.
Anyway, to get to the next desirable Stinger trim -- the GT1 (the GT lacks a sunroof and premium audio) -- the difference in MSRP is $7K. A doable difference over time, but I committed to a budget that considers overall operating costs, such as fuel, tires, insurance, and maintenance. Even if I bought a GT1 for the same out-the-door price as my GT-Line, I would be shopping for another set of winter wheels and tires right now... while filling up more often to support my 60-mile commute, paying higher insurance premiums, and budgeting for summer tires every year.
Car buying is as much an emotional decision as it is a rational one, and I compromised between fun/convenience and cost. I've "paid to play" before (Infiniti G35) and it's just a beating financially. I've "settled" before (9G Accord Sport), and I couldn't wait to get out of it. While I wish a few features were available in the GT-Line, the Stinger is an awesome car that straddles the two sides really well.
Whenever I see someone buy a new car and make the likes and dislikes list that fast and be 50-50%, it's a sign of soon to come buyer's remorse. You settled. On a brand and especially on the trim/engine. How far off were you from the 3.3TT after what you paid + optional package(s)...
Are you always such a ray of sunshine, or are we just lucky here?
OP: Congrats on the purchase, and for not falling into the trap of "Well, maybe just a *little* bit more won't hurt."
I made the same decision, except in reverse. Love the "idea" of the Stinger...a Kia "halo" car?!? Had to give it a try. I came from an Infiniti Q50 (and '15 TLX before that).
"...this was fun, but after inconsistent and poor service levels from my local Kia dealerships, and constant annoyances with creaking at the door seals and sunroof that needed constant lubrication of the seals, it was time."
I'm in the DFW area and tried Huffines in McKinney, Classic in Carrolton, then after poor customer experience with them, and after contacting the Kia Stinger "concierge" line, I was directed to Central Kia of Plano. If you're used to the Acura (Goodson or McDavid) or Infiniti (Sewell) level of service, you'd better reset your expectations.
Also...the GT2's are notorious for chewing up brakes...I had 2 sets replaced under warranty and both times it took dealers 4 WEEKS to get rotors...that's unacceptable.
I made the same decision, except in reverse. Love the "idea" of the Stinger...a Kia "halo" car?!? Had to give it a try. I came from an Infiniti Q50 (and '15 TLX before that).
"...this was fun, but after inconsistent and poor service levels from my local Kia dealerships, and constant annoyances with creaking at the door seals and sunroof that needed constant lubrication of the seals, it was time."
I'm in the DFW area and tried Huffines in McKinney, Classic in Carrolton, then after poor customer experience with them, and after contacting the Kia Stinger "concierge" line, I was directed to Central Kia of Plano. If you're used to the Acura (Goodson or McDavid) or Infiniti (Sewell) level of service, you'd better reset your expectations.
Also...the GT2's are notorious for chewing up brakes...I had 2 sets replaced under warranty and both times it took dealers 4 WEEKS to get rotors...that's unacceptable.
Just my 2 cents...
Somehow I missed that thread! Plenty of popcorn reading there..
I bought my Stinger from Huffines in McKinney, and so far, the service has been good. They gave me a loaner (a Kia Rio in GT-Line trim) while they installed the tint shortly after I bought it, but perhaps that is an exception for new owners?
Comparing dealer experience to Acura, I wouldn't say there is a huge difference, at least compared to David McDavid Acura in Plano. David McDavid's waiting area is just OK but could use a refresh, and they also charge $10/day for loaners.
The biggest difference so far has been the sales experience: Huffines was night-and-day better than any Acura or Honda dealer I've ever transacted with. Low pressure overall, attentive but not pushy, zero dealer add-ons, and a near-painless experience in the financing office. I was out the door with keys in hand in about an hour.
If I paid $50K OOTD for a GT2 I would also have higher service expectations. At that price point I would completely expect a loaner and expedited scheduling/service.
So far I've experienced trunk thump (which should be an easy fix) but no other rattles. Enjoy the TLX!
I made the same decision, except in reverse. Love the "idea" of the Stinger...a Kia "halo" car?!? Had to give it a try. I came from an Infiniti Q50 (and '15 TLX before that).
"...this was fun, but after inconsistent and poor service levels from my local Kia dealerships, and constant annoyances with creaking at the door seals and sunroof that needed constant lubrication of the seals, it was time."
I'm in the DFW area and tried Huffines in McKinney, Classic in Carrolton, then after poor customer experience with them, and after contacting the Kia Stinger "concierge" line, I was directed to Central Kia of Plano. If you're used to the Acura (Goodson or McDavid) or Infiniti (Sewell) level of service, you'd better reset your expectations.
Also...the GT2's are notorious for chewing up brakes...I had 2 sets replaced under warranty and both times it took dealers 4 WEEKS to get rotors...that's unacceptable.
Just my 2 cents...
Cars are a lot like jobs. People don't leave jobs, they leave managers. People don't leave car brands, they leave the ownership experience. Kia can churn out powerful affordable cars all day long, their dealers and buying/servicing experiences are abysmal and awful.
