Exactly! I drove a 2.0L Premium back in early December and was throughly impressed. I decided I could spring for the Premium goodies. I just needed to save longer. Then, in early January I stopped by a dealer and talked with a really laid back sales guy. The manager came over, who was also very nice, and asked if I test drove one. I told him yes, the 2.0L. He invited me to test drive a GT 2, which I figured, why not? I was curious as to how much more power and such it would have over the very peppy 2.0L?
Remember, I'm coming from a Mazda6 184hp "best" mind you. The 2.0L was quite powerful vs the Mazda. So how much better would the GT 2 AWD version be?
The GT caused all logic to leave my level-headed brain. I've driven friend's Telsa P85D (two motors, 4-wheel drive, 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds!). I've also driven a very powerful Jaguar XJ. But wow, this was a highly tuned drive, more so than the 6 year old Jaguar (IMO), and while the Tesla is an absolute rocket ship, with only a Star Trek-like whirl to the BLDC motor, it is numb in the handling department, and it's interior just isn't all that great to me...
Now what was I going to do?!...
I also realized something else along the way. My assumption that the base 2.0L would be equipped the same as the base GT, was wrong. The GT isn't just a larger engine. The GT has other goodies I had not thought about:
? First of all, did you know the nose of the Stinger is much more aggressive in design for the GT series than the Base? Take a look. The rear is only slightly so, but the front grill is much more aggressive on the GT, and the venting looks higher grade (save for the fake hood vents that are all poor...).
? The GT's have high-gloss black mirrors. Base 2.0L just has body color mirrors. The mirror gloss look just ads a bit of flare to the vehicle.
? The headlights on the GT are full-on LED, as are the turn signals, everything front and rear. The design just looks spot on for the car.
? Electronic Parking break with Auto-hold.
? V6 Engine
? VGR (Variable Gear Ratio) Rack steering
? 19-inch wheels (higher-end wheels, just a bit nicer)
? Larger Discs with Brembo Brakes
? 9 speaker audio system vs 6 speakers for the base 2.0L (yes it sounds better than the 6 speaker base)
? A lot more brushed aluminum in the interior vs piano black for the base (which quickly gathers dust and smudges). The AI just looks classier.
? Sport flat-bottom steering wheel. Nice.
? Alloy metal pedals. Yah, you step on them, but you notice them and it ads another note that says "You are driving a 365hp performance machine."
? AI door sill scuff plates.
Jeepers, was I wrong. The GT comes with a lot more than "just a V6 vs 2.0L engine" for the monetary difference. Sure, the Premium package for the 2.0L provides more, but I don't care about a sunroof (which takes away more roof space in the back), and it doesn't add so much that I'd rather get the 2.0L Premium vs the GT. Besides, the GT is just about $1k more.
Ack, sold on the GT!
Now, I was going to add the Drive Wise Package to either so the spread is still only around 1k.
I have no idea on the numbers, but I'd wager if 10 people went in looking at the 2.0L w/Premium as a good package for them, and then test drove the GT, at least 50% are going to be swayed (as was I) to punt the better mileage, or whatever, and spring for a GT.
Only time in my life I would have a confluence of things going on to get into a car like this, so tis the time I suppose. Nice work Kia.
