I just spent a week in one. The $49k GT2 trim is a lousy deal. An S4 is almost the same price, and is much nicer inside. Plus that badge still has some value.
Get the base 3.3L AWD GT - or better yet, the RWD one. $41k undercuts the C43, S4, and 340i by a massive margin. At that price point, it's a steal. It also prices it alongside the STi and Golf R, and in those cases there is no comparison. Stinger all day. Unless you're tall of torso. In that case, avoid the Stinger altogether.
What's the autobox like? To me, that's the biggest negative. I wish it came standard with a stick with the ability to option to a semi-auto.
In reply to penultimeta :
It's as good as the ones in the S4 and C43. I haven't actually driven a new 3er yet, so I can't compare with that one.
It's a modern, quick-shifting auto with paddles that you might as well ignore most of the time. My biggest two problems with it are the quiet exhaust and the complete lack of headroom that is now common to many sporty cars.
Ok so I really dislike The Hyundai, Kia, Mobis triumvirate. Generally this is engineering based stuff like how diff ultimately it is to change headlight bulbs in any of their vehicles. I work with their engineering teams a bit which has only reinforced these feelings.
I must admit (grudgingly) that they have done a fantastic job over the last~10 years becoming a real contender in the business. Their standard consumer offerings are a big challenge to the other players. Their products seem on a 95% level with Japanese offerings and on par with most of the midsize stuff made by the American producers. The move upmarket is an enveitable trajectory but I’m not sold on their ability to succeed. Toyota, having a similar entrance and trajectory in the NA market, couldnt move upmarket until they rebadged with Lexus and a whole separate market approach.
With that said, I’m honestly excited to test drive one of these as well as the Genesis sedan to see what I think. I have to assume the 2 year lease returns will be an amazing ~15k deal vs the new ~46k + prices.
I’ll be curious to see if the aftermarket supports or shuns them as well.
More miles now. I’m still loving it! Loaded a tune and it’s making closer to 400 hp. Did ax in stock form and it did really well. Have Eibach springs and sway bars on the way. Wider wheels and tires next. It is still amazingly quick and it puts down power very well.
In reply to Grantsfo :
what tune did you go with?
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