2018 Kia Stinger
12-30-17, 07:23 AM
#61
Lexus Fanatic
For those who would like a 4 series grand coupe, worried about reliability and disappointed with Lexus performance the Stinger scores a bulls eye. Of course there will always be class differentiation, but the Stinger convincingly compensates by being is faster than the LC.
I don’t see how it makes any sense to compare to a LC. The LC is a stunner of a car. Stinger, not really.
12-30-17, 07:35 AM
#62
Lexus Fanatic
I can't compare the Stinger to an LC because I haven't (yet) seen an LC, but I can compare it to the less-expensive RC, which I have seen. The Lexus may be more reliable in the long run, but, IMO, the Stinger feels significantly more solidly-built, with more substantial materials inside and out. It also, of course, beats the Lexus warranty by a significant margin.
12-30-17, 07:48 AM
#63
Lexus Fanatic
I can't compare the Stinger to an LC because I haven't (yet) seen an LC, but I can compare it to the less-expensive RC, which I have seen. The Lexus may be more reliable in the long run, but, IMO, the Stinger feels significantly more solidly-built, with more substantial materials inside and out. It also, of course, beats the Lexus warranty by a significant margin.
Not in prestige.
12-30-17, 07:53 AM
#64
Lexus Fanatic
Fine. I grant you, a Kia oval on the hood won't compete in prestige with the Lexus "L". But that's our jobs, as auto enthusiasts, to actually look under the skin, and not be smitten by badges. That's why, even though I liked Buicks when I was in college, I waited 40 years to actually buy a new one. The quality tanked, and stayed low for decades. And it was the same way with Kia in the 80s and 90s.
12-30-17, 08:17 AM
#65
Lexus Fanatic
Fine. I grant you, a Kia oval on the hood won't compete in prestige with the Lexus "L". But that's our jobs, as auto enthusiasts, to actually look under the skin, and not be smitten by badges. That's why, even though I liked Buicks when I was in college, I waited 40 years to actually buy a new one. The quality tanked, and stayed low for decades. And it was the same way with Kia in the 80s and 90s.
Prestige is what it is all about. Someone spending money would likely just spend it on the Genesis version. But we shall see if Genesis can command the prices of a Lexus or BMW or MB. Lexus does in some cases. But Genesis does not, and Buick certainly does not either.
12-30-17, 08:40 AM
#66
Racer
Thread Starter
Prestige is what it is all about. Someone spending money would likely just spend it on the Genesis version. But we shall see if Genesis can command the prices of a Lexus or BMW or MB. Lexus does in some cases. But Genesis does not, and Buick certainly does not either.
12-30-17, 08:58 AM
#67
Lexus Fanatic
Prestige is certainly not what it is about! Compare a Stinger GT to a RC350 F Sport with any group of car enthusiasts. The RC is more than a second slower to 60, has a plastic interior rather than leather, a tiny trunk, an unusable rear seat, and costs about $10,000 more. Where is the prestige?
The prestige is in the badge. Nothing to do with then 0-60 times.And what kind of person compares a 4 door car to a two door car and complains about a rear seat or trunk. That is one of the strangest things I haves heard.
12-30-17, 09:02 AM
#68
Prestige is certainly not what it is about! Compare a Stinger GT to a RC350 F Sport with any group of car enthusiasts. The RC is more than a second slower to 60, has a plastic interior rather than leather, a tiny trunk, an unusable rear seat, and costs about $10,000 more. Where is the prestige?
I think/hope Genesis will bring some credibility to the Korean sub brands. The competition will be good for us consumers. They seem to be making strides in that direction.
12-30-17, 09:04 AM
#69
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by mmarshall
But that's our jobs, as auto enthusiasts, to actually look under the skin, and not be smitten by badges.
Yes, I know that there is sometimes prestige in badges, but one cannot always simply go by that. Note, for instance, the sharp drop-off in Mercedes quality (G-Wagon excepted) throughout the later 1990s and early 2000s.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-30-17 at 09:07 AM.
12-30-17, 09:04 AM
#70
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Not so much. I think lexus has lost a lot of prestige in recent years. Every time i see an nx i think it looks as cheap or worse than a rav 4. The ct was cheap and terrible. The rx has traded elegance for funky look at me looks on a laughably short wheelbase with massive overhangs and front grill. the gs, is and rc just aren't all that, and the new ls will be nice and unique but no threat to the german flagships.I see lexus as maybe just a bit above acura and infiniti in reputation.The stinger probably won't sell in big numbers and isn't a luxury car, but it's a great offering for what it is... a poor man's s5 sportback.
12-30-17, 09:10 AM
#71
Lexus Fanatic
12-30-17, 09:19 AM
#72
Lexus Champion
12-30-17, 09:40 AM
#73
Lexus Test Driver
I think Lexus prestige was based on Luxury and Reliability. In past decade both of those attributes have lost some luster.
Audi really has supplented Lexus as the 3rd mainstream Luxury brand in US in terms of prestige.
Stinger may be a good car but the Kia badge will be a deal breaker for many ppl that want entry level luxury with a badge.
It will get sales from enthusiasts that are now driving Q50, IS350 and younger folks who have had Hyundai/Kias and want to stay with the brand.
If it was under the Genesis brand - i think it would do better.
Audi really has supplented Lexus as the 3rd mainstream Luxury brand in US in terms of prestige.
Stinger may be a good car but the Kia badge will be a deal breaker for many ppl that want entry level luxury with a badge.
It will get sales from enthusiasts that are now driving Q50, IS350 and younger folks who have had Hyundai/Kias and want to stay with the brand.
If it was under the Genesis brand - i think it would do better.
12-30-17, 09:55 AM
#74
Lexus Champion
U.S. News ranks the Stinger #2 in a segment they call Luxury Small Cars right behind the Audi A5. For each car they show the sources they used.
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...ale-small-cars
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...ale-small-cars
12-30-17, 10:08 AM
#75
Lead Lap
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The Stinger GT starts at $39k but comes with more standard features as compared to the S5 Sportback.
Also I believe the RC is being compared because it somewhat falls into the category of the S5 and 440i but then again those offer fastback 4 door alternatives that better match up to the body style of the Stinger GT. The awkward thing is that the Stinger is pretty much the size of the GS(longer wheelbase, similar interior space).
