Stinger as Possible GS350 Replacement
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2018
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From: California
Hey guys and gals. Today I finally took the time to spend some time at the Kia dealership with the Stinger. My GS lease is coming up and I am starting to look at my options, though I am having a terrible time coming up with other choices to consider (hate the E Class, not taken by the 5 Series, don't like Audi, etc.).
My license tabs are due on the GS in December ($700 or so) and I don't want to pay those then turn around and turn in the car a few months later, so I am thinking the time to replace the car is near.
I drove a 2018 Stinger GT2 AWD today. Red with black interior. I get the hype about this car...
The good:
- The styling is beautiful to my eyes. Very low, wide, and aggressive.
- The power. Great torque at any speed.
- The features and technology. I'd be hard pressed to name one thing that it didn't have. Seriously impressive.
- The interior was made of good quality materials and seemed roughly comparable in size to my GS. Should work for my family of 4 (kids are 4 and 7 but the Highlander does most family duty).
- The handling was fantastic.
- Real cooled seats!!
- Good cargo room.
- Great exhaust note.
The not so good:
- A lot more noisy and stiff than I am used to. Worried it will get tiring over time.
- After being spoiled by my GS 12.3" display, the 8" unit in the Stinger seemed cheap, not to mention it's a touch screen, and I hate touch screens.
- The combination of black leather, black headliner, high belt line, and dark tint made the interior pretty dark.
The deals out there are great right now. Before negotiations, current rebates and such knocked the price down from $53k to $46.5k.
So it was a fun car and probably my current top choice for my GS replacement. It'll be sad not to have a Lexus in the garage (used to have two), but that's life. I'll try to decide in the next few weeks.
My license tabs are due on the GS in December ($700 or so) and I don't want to pay those then turn around and turn in the car a few months later, so I am thinking the time to replace the car is near.
I drove a 2018 Stinger GT2 AWD today. Red with black interior. I get the hype about this car...
The good:
- The styling is beautiful to my eyes. Very low, wide, and aggressive.
- The power. Great torque at any speed.
- The features and technology. I'd be hard pressed to name one thing that it didn't have. Seriously impressive.
- The interior was made of good quality materials and seemed roughly comparable in size to my GS. Should work for my family of 4 (kids are 4 and 7 but the Highlander does most family duty).
- The handling was fantastic.
- Real cooled seats!!
- Good cargo room.
- Great exhaust note.
The not so good:
- A lot more noisy and stiff than I am used to. Worried it will get tiring over time.
- After being spoiled by my GS 12.3" display, the 8" unit in the Stinger seemed cheap, not to mention it's a touch screen, and I hate touch screens.
- The combination of black leather, black headliner, high belt line, and dark tint made the interior pretty dark.
The deals out there are great right now. Before negotiations, current rebates and such knocked the price down from $53k to $46.5k.
So it was a fun car and probably my current top choice for my GS replacement. It'll be sad not to have a Lexus in the garage (used to have two), but that's life. I'll try to decide in the next few weeks.
But - question - why do you hate the E-Class and Audi? I think the E-Class and the Audi A4, A5 Sportback and the 2019 A6 should be considered. They are beautiful cars.
For the price of a KIA Stinger GT2 AWD, you can get an Audi A4 Prestige Quattro with everything on it. The trade off is, I guess, is do you want more performance or more luxury?
Last edited by BippuLexus; Oct 12, 2018 at 12:11 AM.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
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From: WA
Yeah, but then I'd have a whole new list of "not so good". I respect the G90 very much, but it's really not the type of car that interests me.
I don't like the E Class because I don't want to pay $65k for a 4 cylinder, especially on a car that I find to be unattractive (gasp! I know, but I do not like Mercedes sedan styling).
As far as Audi is concerned, nothing really against them, but styling-wise they do nothing to make me excited. I find them to be very bland. I think they drive well but they're still very front heavy. There are other cars I'd choose first.
I really do love the GS. However, the attractive lease programs that were in place when I got mine are no longer available, so I'd end up paying more than I am now for basically the same car. That seems a bit hard for me to justify.
I think I just like that the Stinger is very different from anything I've owned before. A change could be fun. I could lease a Stinger for a few years, and by then perhaps Lexus will once again offer what I am looking for.
I respect the G90 very much, but it's really not the type of car that interests me.Pick the car that best fits you - at the end of the day - you are the one paying the payments.
But - question - why do you hate the E-Class and Audi? I think the E-Class and the Audi A4, A5 Sportback and the 2019 A6 should be considered. They are beautiful cars.
For the price of a KIA Stinger GT2 AWD, you can get an Audi A4 Prestige Quattro with everything on it. The trade off is, I guess, is do you want more performance or more luxury?
But - question - why do you hate the E-Class and Audi? I think the E-Class and the Audi A4, A5 Sportback and the 2019 A6 should be considered. They are beautiful cars.
For the price of a KIA Stinger GT2 AWD, you can get an Audi A4 Prestige Quattro with everything on it. The trade off is, I guess, is do you want more performance or more luxury?
As far as Audi is concerned, nothing really against them, but styling-wise they do nothing to make me excited. I find them to be very bland. I think they drive well but they're still very front heavy. There are other cars I'd choose first.
I think I just like that the Stinger is very different from anything I've owned before. A change could be fun. I could lease a Stinger for a few years, and by then perhaps Lexus will once again offer what I am looking for.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 11
From: California
I don't like the E Class because I don't want to pay $65k for a 4 cylinder, especially on a car that I find to be unattractive (gasp! I know, but I do not like Mercedes sedan styling).
As far as Audi is concerned, nothing really against them, but styling-wise they do nothing to make me excited. I find them to be very bland. I think they drive well but they're still very front heavy. There are other cars I'd choose first.
As far as Audi is concerned, nothing really against them, but styling-wise they do nothing to make me excited. I find them to be very bland. I think they drive well but they're still very front heavy. There are other cars I'd choose first.
Ahh. Point taken. My favorite thing about Audi designs are the lights. They do make some of the best light design in the business. But I agree - they are sorta of like Porsche and BMW - they don't really have "exciting" styling. I refer to Audi, BMW, and Porsche designs as sort of like a "suit & tie". They are changing the suit and tie every generation but its still a suit and a tie. Its just "evolutionary" to their previous design - not changing.
Have you considered any of the Genesis vehicles? Or maybe a Infiniti Q50 Red Sport?
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From: GA
I wouldn't sleep on the G80. Even the luxury-minded 5.0 I drove had pretty good handling. Not as agile as the IS, naturally, but also better than I would have thought given how nose-heavy and, well, regular-heavy it is. 
To be fair, one of the first cars I plan to test-drive when my lease is up is also the Stinger. I keep hearing mixed reviews on the "stiffness". Some say it's rather comfy, others say too stiff. Idk, I'll find out myself I guess.
To be fair, one of the first cars I plan to test-drive when my lease is up is also the Stinger. I keep hearing mixed reviews on the "stiffness". Some say it's rather comfy, others say too stiff. Idk, I'll find out myself I guess.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,181
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From: WA
I wouldn't sleep on the G80. Even the luxury-minded 5.0 I drove had pretty good handling. Not as agile as the IS, naturally, but also better than I would have thought given how nose-heavy and, well, regular-heavy it is.
To be fair, one of the first cars I plan to test-drive when my lease is up is also the Stinger. I keep hearing mixed reviews on the "stiffness". Some say it's rather comfy, others say too stiff. Idk, I'll find out myself I guess.
To be fair, one of the first cars I plan to test-drive when my lease is up is also the Stinger. I keep hearing mixed reviews on the "stiffness". Some say it's rather comfy, others say too stiff. Idk, I'll find out myself I guess.
I was a bit surprised by the stiffness of the Stinger, but I can't say it wasn't fun. Our roads around here tend to be pretty good so I'm not too worried about it. It's just stiffer than what I am used to.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2018
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From: California
I may check out the Q50, as I hear they are offering killer deals on them, but I'm not too sure they are for me. As for Genesis, I don't want to go any smaller than the Stinger, so the G70 is out. Not interested in the G90, so that leaves the G80. I like the styling, but feel like it's getting long in the tooth, though I'd be willing to check out the sport version.
I personally don't think the G80 is long in the tooth at all. Long in the tooth is if the car is 3-4 years old after the mid-cycle refresh. The Genesis G80 only refreshed in 2017.
The G80 started its life as a Hyundai Genesis as a 2015 Model Year. It got renamed and refreshed for the 2017 Model Year.
Essentially - if you buy a G80 today, the car is only "1-2" years old from the refresh point. And "3" years old from the introduction point. This car has at least 2-3 years left to go in its life cycle before a major redesign hits it - by the time that happens - your lease would be over. I would still encourage you to give the G80 a shot. And this is coming from someone that is not 100% high on Hyundai and Genesis too but I give credit where credit is due.
The Genesis G80, for its price, its a huge bargain. You'll be getting more luxury than the Stinger for roughly the same price.
I agree, the Genesis G80 will be long in the tooth, only if you buy the 2020/2021 Genesis G80 because by that time - it'll closing in on the redesign.
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From: GA
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 11
From: California
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: WA
I spent some time today further investigating the G80 and the Stinger. I really like them both but am leaning toward the Stinger. I am just in the mood for something really different, and I feel like I'll get that more with the Stinger than the G80, which will be more like my GS.
Talked to a couple dealers today and the poor value of the GS versus the buyout is making the deal more expensive than I would like. I have 6 months left on the GS lease so I think I'll suck it up, pay license tabs, and try to put this on pause until the spring.
Talked to a couple dealers today and the poor value of the GS versus the buyout is making the deal more expensive than I would like. I have 6 months left on the GS lease so I think I'll suck it up, pay license tabs, and try to put this on pause until the spring.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 11
From: California
I spent some time today further investigating the G80 and the Stinger. I really like them both but am leaning toward the Stinger. I am just in the mood for something really different, and I feel like I'll get that more with the Stinger than the G80, which will be more like my GS.
Talked to a couple dealers today and the poor value of the GS versus the buyout is making the deal more expensive than I would like. I have 6 months left on the GS lease so I think I'll suck it up, pay license tabs, and try to put this on pause until the spring.
Talked to a couple dealers today and the poor value of the GS versus the buyout is making the deal more expensive than I would like. I have 6 months left on the GS lease so I think I'll suck it up, pay license tabs, and try to put this on pause until the spring.
But definitely - its up to you. Either choice - is not a wrong choice - in my opinion. However - when spring comes and they happen to have a G80 in your area - check it out. You don't want to get the Stinger and then regret not trying the G80.
Speaks French in Russian
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From: What is G?
Not sure what current deals are, but for awhile Kia was offering anywhere from 5-8k off in lease cash. So what a lot of people were/are doing was taking the lease cash deal and immediately buying it out. I would check the Stinger forums as there are PAGES on how to do this. I personally didn't go that route when I purchased mine over the summer, but my deal was also pretty good.
Unless something has drastically changed, you won't ever beat an Infiniti deal on the Stinger. Those are firesale prices on the Q50! But it's hard not to consider it.
Red exterior and interior is out there BUT is ridiculously rare. May have to scour the nation for that combo.
Some find the suspension too firm, others to soft. I think it's fine except for the occasional rear end float that may or may not bother you. Play with the suspension adjustments and see what u prefer and if comfort setting smoothes it out for you.
I personally bought it because the looks grabbed me and it has literally everything I'd want in a daily driver. Tech, power, decent fuel efficiency, utility with the hatchback, and AWD for when the weather turns. Couldn't have picked a better car for my needs.
Unless something has drastically changed, you won't ever beat an Infiniti deal on the Stinger. Those are firesale prices on the Q50! But it's hard not to consider it.
Red exterior and interior is out there BUT is ridiculously rare. May have to scour the nation for that combo.
Some find the suspension too firm, others to soft. I think it's fine except for the occasional rear end float that may or may not bother you. Play with the suspension adjustments and see what u prefer and if comfort setting smoothes it out for you.
I personally bought it because the looks grabbed me and it has literally everything I'd want in a daily driver. Tech, power, decent fuel efficiency, utility with the hatchback, and AWD for when the weather turns. Couldn't have picked a better car for my needs.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Midwest
My vote goes for the G80 Sport with the 3.3T. Very elegant and classy looks, with a touch of sport and aggression. Should also offer a nice power bump and offer some of the refinement the Stinger lacks. The Stinger would probably be a great replacement for your GS, though, like others, I’m not sure I’d enjoy going from a Lexus to a Kia. I wouldn’t scoff at a Genesis though.