Family car: Kia Stinger GT or Porsche Macan S?

[the_belgain]

Hi there, first time post but I was wondering whether anyone might be able to help me out with my next car decision.

I currently drive an Audi S4 (B8.5) estate, which I've enjoyed for a few years but I'm now looking for a change. I have one kid (3 years old) plus another one on the way imminently so need something practical but fun (we're a one car family). Needs a hatch-style boot, not saloon (for prams etc.). Looking to get something second hand (1-3 years old).

I've whittled the choices down to either the Kia Stinger GT (seems to get very positive reviews, plus a little out of the ordinary), or a Porsche Macan S (an SUV wouldn't be my first choice, but the wife quite likes the extra height and the Macan seems to get a lot of "incredible handling... for an SUV" reviews).

I think I've ruled out:

• B9 Audi S4/RS4 avant: too similar
• BMW 3-series touring: previous-gen model long in the tooth
• Mercedes C43/C63 wagon: not a huge fan of the C class

I'll test drive before buying, but to be honest it's hard to get a good feel during a test drive - usually on 10 minutes driving on clogged up roads in or near town. Does anyone have any experience of both of these? I'm not a brand snob so don't have any badge issues, but will the Macan be the better drive despite the higher centre of gravity, or will a good saloon still win out? What are they like to live with (including town driving)? What else should I be looking at?

Any help thoughts much appreciated!

[stevemcs]

No offence to the Kia but buy the Macan.

If 10 minutes isn't long enough then ask to borrow one for half a day.

[iphonedyou]

Stinger has 6k / 6000 mile service intervals.

fk that. Car should be for driving, outside of driving to and from the dealership.

[Frimley111R]

A Stinger?!!! It's not bad but it's a big car with a non premium badge and will depreciate like a stone! I can't understand why KIA thought it would be a good idea to bring it to a country that is totally focused on premium badges in the large car sector. Any similar car from Jaguar, Lexus or the Germans would be x1000 better here in the UK.

A Stinger is different but so is chopping your head off.

Macan or Evoque/Velar is a better question.

[davek_964]

I have a 2003, 105k mile Cayenne. It's generally very reliable, drives like a car half its size and is far more fun than it should be down a twisty road with the suspension set to sport mode. It really does defy the laws of physics.
It does drink petrol almost as fast as I can pump it, but even so....
I bought it in Feb 2013 for a specific need, and planned to sell it 6 months later. Still got it, still think it's an amazing car.

The Macan will be better in every conceivable way (not least because it has far better mpg) - definitely the right choice over the Kia.

[MrModo]

These Macan's sound good

[Kawasicki]

Drive the B9 S4 Estate. It drives better than the B8. But if you want to try something different then Macan all the way. It is a league or three above the Kia.

[JDiz]

Phone your local Porsche Centre In advance, they’ll sort a half day test drive for you.

We loved the macan and have a new S on order now.

[hondafanatic]

iphonedyou said:

Stinger has 6k / 6000 mile service intervals.

fk that. Car should be for driving, outside of driving to and from the dealership.

Blimey...thought those kind of intervals had died out with Evos. Colour me surprised etc.

[RSTurboPaul]

hondafanatic said:

iphonedyou said:

Stinger has 6k / 6000 mile service intervals.

fk that. Car should be for driving, outside of driving to and from the dealership.

Blimey...thought those kind of intervals had died out with Evos. Colour me surprised etc.

Kia seem to do service packages for reasonable cost:

https://www.kia.com/uk/owners/service-maintenance/...

For example:

Kia said:

Kia Care Service Plan 2-4


Kia scheduled services 2,3 & 4 available to cover servicing from 12 Months or 12,000 Miles as follows

• 2nd Service - Due at 12,000 Miles or 12 Months

* 3rd Service - Due at 18,000 Miles or 18 Months
* 4th Service - Due at 24,000 Miles or 24 Months

?Include upto 5 mots with your plan for £35 each


- 0 MOT(S) +

The estimated price of your plan will be £539.00

kia said:

Kia Care Service Plan 2-6


Kia scheduled services 2,3,4,5 & 6 available to cover servicing from 12 Months or 12,000 Miles as follows

• 2nd Service - Due at 12,000 Miles or 12 Months

* 3rd Service - Due at 18,000 Miles or 18 Months
* 4th Service - Due at 24,000 Miles or 24 Months
* 5th Service - Due at 30,000 Miles or 30 Months
* 6th Service - Due at 36,000 Miles or 36 Months

?Include upto 5 mots with your plan for £35 each


- 0 MOT(S) +
The estimated price of your plan will be £909.00

Three services for £539 or five services for £909 at a main dealer seems very reasonable to me.

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Tuesday 21st May 15:22

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Tuesday 21st May 15:22

[healey2]

Frimley111R said:

A Stinger?!!! It's not bad but it's a big car with a non premium badge and will depreciate like a stone! I can't understand why KIA thought it would be a good idea to bring it to a country that is totally focused on premium badges in the large car sector. Any similar car from Jaguar, Lexus or the Germans would be x1000 better here in the UK.

A Stinger is different but so is chopping your head off.

Macan or Evoque/Velar is a better question.

Evoque/Velar? Like that wouldn't depreciate or cost a fortune in repairs

[oop north]

How much room do you need? Had a nose in a Macan at the weekend and the rear seat is pretty tight. Not had more than a glance at stinger but the interior should be a lot bigger. Stinger going to depreciate a LOT though!

[Frimley111R]

healey2 said:

Evoque/Velar? Like that wouldn't depreciate or cost a fortune in repairs

They won't depreciate like a Stinger! People in UK don't want mainstream large cars with big engines. They do want SUVs with premium badges though...

[the_belgain]

Thanks for all the replies folks, sorry I haven't posted back sooner but whenever I've tried to the forums have been in lock-down mode for new members.

I realise now I should probably have mentioned a key bit of info in my original post - I'll shortly be moving from the UK to Australia and the new car purchase will be over there. That changes things a little because not all models are available, an also the relative pricing is rather different over there - in particular German cars are disproportionately expensive compared to Korean/Japanese ones (due to a combination of import taxes, and luxury car tax).

So for example in Oz I'd be looking at:

• $50k for a nearly-new Stinger GT
• $90k for a nearly-new Audi S4 avant / Merc C43 / BMW 340i
• $80k for a 4-year-old Macan S

However the more I think about it the more I'm tempted by getting something with a big V8 - seems like the Aussie way. I think I'll go for a Holden Commodore SSV Redline. That's the last of the Australian-built V8 saloons, with a 6.2 litre 400bhp V8 (a GM "LS3" unit). I'll be looking at around $50k for a 3-year-old low mileage car which seems like a bit of a bargain (even though it's not exactly a modern refined and luxurious machine). Does anyone have any experience of these? Am I mad for considering such a dinosaur of a car rather than something more modern and sensible? I like the idea of a big V8 before they go the way of the dodo, and can't really justify a Mustang on practicality grounds...

[RazerSauber]

With children in mind, I'd be going for something that's good at swallowing stuff and being safe. My pick of these would be the Macan. I'll be honest, when I first saw the Stinger I thought it was a handsome brute but the more I see them on the roads, it gets uglier and uglier. I'm sure it's a tremendous car though. Again, I'd personally plump for the Macan.

[ZX10R NIN]

Go for the Holden you'll love it or look for a Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo.

[thatdude]

iphonedyou said:

Stinger has 6k / 6000 mile service intervals.

fk that. Car should be for driving, outside of driving to and from the dealership.

6 month / 6000 miles?


How come so short? Seems like they arnt sure of something. That's motorcycle levels of oil change intervals

[chow pan toon]

thatdude said:

iphonedyou said:

Stinger has 6k / 6000 mile service intervals.

fk that. Car should be for driving, outside of driving to and from the dealership.

6 month / 6000 miles?


How come so short? Seems like they arnt sure of something. That's motorcycle levels of oil change intervals

The 7 year warranty probably comes into it.

[romeodelta]

the_belgain said:

However the more I think about it the more I'm tempted by getting something with a big V8 - seems like the Aussie way. I think I'll go for a Holden Commodore SSV Redline. That's the last of the Australian-built V8 saloons, with a 6.2 litre 400bhp V8 (a GM "LS3" unit). I'll be looking at around $50k for a 3-year-old low mileage car which seems like a bit of a bargain (even though it's not exactly a modern refined and luxurious machine). Does anyone have any experience of these? Am I mad for considering such a dinosaur of a car rather than something more modern and sensible? I like the idea of a big V8 before they go the way of the dodo, and can't really justify a Mustang on practicality grounds...

I would go for the Holden. I had the previous VE SSV and it was great.

Common, but still feels special to a Brit.

They are much better value than their German equivalents over here.

[Kawasicki]

I’ve driven lots of commodores and falcons.

Both really good.

Try a manual XR6 Turbo and an auto G6E Turbo too.