[Jer025]

So the countdown has officially started and the search for my next car has officially begun.

I will keep this brief as I'm genuinely looking for some fellow BMW enthusiasts input here. Background: I'm on my second F30 lease (335i and now 340i 6MT) and for the most part I have been very happy with both cars minus some minor annoyances such as rattles and the suspension compared to my past BMW's.

What is everyone's thoughts on the KIA Stinger GT1 and GT2? I keep coming back to this car even though there is no manual option. Good looks, New Tech, 365 HP and they look to lease out well.

Am I nuts for considering a KIA?

Thanks.

[Kailec]

Originally Posted by Jer025

So the countdown has officially started and the search for my next car has officially begun.

I will keep this brief as I'm genuinely looking for some fellow BMW enthusiasts input here. Background: I'm on my second F30 lease (335i and now 340i 6MT) and for the most part I have been very happy with both cars minus some minor annoyances such as rattles and the suspension compared to my past BMW's.

What is everyone's thoughts on the KIA Stinger GT1 and GT2? I keep coming back to this car even though there is no manual option. Good looks, New Tech, 365 HP and they look to lease out well.

Am I nuts for considering a KIA?

Thanks.

I think it's interesting what they're offering and I know I considered a Genesis before getting my F30, but ultimately I'm not sure about the longevity of the Korean brands. In the case of the Stinger I've seen the reviews and I'm sure it'll be a fun enough ride, especially if you've had an F30 for a while and you don't want the same thing again. Have you actually driven one? I don't think you're crazy for considering it. For me though, I'm not a fan of the way if looks in any capacity, in or out, which makes it an instant no for me.

[RedKloud]

I'm kind of in a similar situation. My lease ends Dec 2018. I'm hoping that the new G20 will start production by then so I can place an order and maybe extend the lease until delivery.
Otherwise my options include S4/S5, or maybe the G30.

[Liwanji]

The cellphone company already told us: Nokia...

[xlover]

Originally Posted by RedKloud

I'm kind of in a similar situation. My lease ends Dec 2018. I'm hoping that the new G20 will start production by then so I can place an order and maybe extend the lease until delivery.
Otherwise my options include S4/S5, or maybe the G30.

You can extend your lease by 2 months complimentary and up to 6 months if you have an order

[bri1042]

My biggest concerns with the Stinger are:

1. Kia dealers, at least around here, are really bottom-dollar places. I've known lots of people who have bought Stingers locally and their dealer experiences are not what we're all used to. All the extras we get from our BMW dealers (such as loaners, somewhere to sit, coffee that isn't from a machine you put a quarter into) won't be available while you own a Stinger.

2. Many of the Stinger reviewers have loved the car but mentioned that it had handling issues on uneven pavement. Most of their review time was on tracks where that isn't an issue but I wonder if the chassis is really sorted out enough to handle spirited driving in the real world or if there are going to be a lot of broken Stingers stuffed into guardrails.

[bri1042]

Also, I have the same problem. My lease is up in 15 months. From how BMW's release schedule looks, I might be able to get a 330, but not a 340 (I've seen multiple sources state that the M340 won't be available until mid-to-late 2019). There won't be an M3 at that point, and the M4 will be so close to being done that I wouldn't buy it. Even the M550 will be close to LCI, so I wouldn't want it even if I could bring myself to buy a car that large.

I attempted to bail out of my lease early to move to an M3 now but it wasn't worth doing (BWM is valuing 340's DEEPLY low...CarMax offered me 8k more than either local BMW dealership would for my 340...as soon as CarMax figures out that BMW thinks our 340's are worthless, they'll drop their prices). I almost took the CarMax offer.

I don't know what I'm doing when this lease is up. I might try to extend it, but I'm guessing that I won't. Unless something very bad happens between now and then, I see a C63 in my future.

[sspade]

Theres certain car brands that I will never buy and Kia is right up at the top, next to Hyundai.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by Jer025

So the countdown has officially started and the search for my next car has officially begun.

I will keep this brief as I'm genuinely looking for some fellow BMW enthusiasts input here. Background: I'm on my second F30 lease (335i and now 340i 6MT) and for the most part I have been very happy with both cars minus some minor annoyances such as rattles and the suspension compared to my past BMW's.

What is everyone's thoughts on the KIA Stinger GT1 and GT2? I keep coming back to this car even though there is no manual option. Good looks, New Tech, 365 HP and they look to lease out well.

Am I nuts for considering a KIA?

Thanks.

It's your car. Get what you want. Read car mags, and expert reviews, then drive it. If you like it--get it. Plain and simple.

[kpgray]

Originally Posted by bri1042

Also, I have the same problem. My lease is up in 15 months. From how BMW's release schedule looks, I might be able to get a 330, but not a 340 (I've seen multiple sources state that the M340 won't be available until mid-to-late 2019). There won't be an M3 at that point, and the M4 will be so close to being done that I wouldn't buy it. Even the M550 will be close to LCI, so I wouldn't want it even if I could bring myself to buy a car that large.

What about an M240? A little small but all reviews say its a blast to drive.

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by kpgray

What about an M240? A little small but all reviews say its a blast to drive.

I like my HUD too much. Seriously. I had a genetic predisposition for cataracts and have replacement lenses in both eyes (and I'm only in my mid-40's). I drive without glasses but the iDrive screen and gauge cluster are blurry...the HUD is crystal clear. I'd have to drive with reading glasses on otherwise (and that's not safe) If the M2 had a HUD option, I'd buy it.

[NWest]

Psychologically, I can't get my head wrapped around buying a $40K+ Kia, but I would definitely go drive one to validate it as a consideration if I were in your shoes.

If I were looking now and had to go outside of BMW, I'd probably lean more toward a Golf R for that kind of money, and you can get one with a 6MT if you like!

[RWD-Fan]

Originally Posted by sspade

Theres certain car brands that I will never buy and Kia is right up at the top, next to Hyundai.

Like your comment. I feel the same way. I admit that the Kia Stinger specs looks interesting BUT it is hard to imagine that the ride-quality is anyway near a bimmer. Have to admit that I never tried a Stinger.

If you are driving BMW xxxi i.e. not diesel then you should maybe go for a M240?

Just my simple words....

[2000Z3M]

my wife's car is a 2016 sorento sxl v6 awd. 47k miles zero issues. you should really go see who was on the stinger team, former bmw m group and audi guys.

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by Jer025

So the countdown has officially started and the search for my next car has officially begun.

I will keep this brief as I'm genuinely looking for some fellow BMW enthusiasts input here. Background: I'm on my second F30 lease (335i and now 340i 6MT) and for the most part I have been very happy with both cars minus some minor annoyances such as rattles and the suspension compared to my past BMW's.

What is everyone's thoughts on the KIA Stinger GT1 and GT2? I keep coming back to this car even though there is no manual option. Good looks, New Tech, 365 HP and they look to lease out well.

Am I nuts for considering a KIA?

Thanks.

There is a guy on Club Lexus who just traded an IS F Sport and a RC F and got a Stinger. Scroll to post #112 for pics. I very nice looking ride!

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...re-here-8.html

[Kafkaesque328]

Yeah, you're nuts for considering a KIA>

[metallicpea]

I'd take a look at a Golf GTI sport. Love the cloth interior.

Or the Golf R if you really need more HP. Golf R with some aftermarket wheels could actually look quite classy and be super functional.

[Jer025]

Originally Posted by sspade

Theres certain car brands that I will never buy and Kia is right up at the top, next to Hyundai.

Well they are essentially the same company so that would make sense.

[Jer025]

Originally Posted by RWD-Fan

Like your comment. I feel the same way. I admit that the Kia Stinger specs looks interesting BUT it is hard to imagine that the ride-quality is anyway near a bimmer. Have to admit that I never tried a Stinger.

If you are driving BMW xxxi i.e. not diesel then you should maybe go for a M240?

Just my simple words....

I really like the M240 but I have a 3 year old and really need the 4 doors. 1st world problems.

[RWD-Fan]

Did not think about the 4 doors.

Guess a 4-series Grand cupe is out of the question? (i.e. too expensive given company restrictions on lease)

I am looking for a 4 series grand cupe later tis year. Do not know if i should go for 430D or 435xD. Can not decide if I would like the 100% RWD. Would like a 435D (without x-drive)

[xi330]

You should consider the new m5 considering your need for 4 doors.

[Jer025]

Originally Posted by xi330

You should consider the new m5 considering your need for 4 doors.

Have you ever been rear ended by a police car?