The Kia Stinger offers a limited slip differential on RWD models for $200. That is a screaming deal, and one that a serious driver would certainly want. BUT, you can't get it without a $2,000 package that adds all kids of aids designed for cellphone-browsing, inattentive commuters. Dumb.
That's Honda level of dickish there.
This is the ish that just drives me berking insane. It probably also requires a power moonroof even though there is no rational way the two items are even remotely related.
This is why I hate new cars.
That makes no sense. Sounds like some marketing weenies figured they could sell more LSDs if they bundled them with the gizmo package.
Can you turn the nannies off the Kia?
Kia's simply trying to limit the number of potential variations to make life easier for their dealer network. If all of the options are independent of each other, the possible permutations get out of hand pretty quickly. Maybe Chevy could get away with it in 1955 (List of 1955 Chevy factory options, someone needs to count and calculate the number of permutations) when the factory was in the same country, but Kia has a pretty long supply chain to deal with.
They are paying for the LSD by unlocking features for which the equipment is likely already installed on the car. Makes sense, but look at LSDs on BMWs, it's like a $3k option on cars that don't come with them........and you don't get any extra equipment either.
Even back to the 80s all late-model E30s had the same chassis harness. So you could install heated seats into the car just by getting the seats, installing the switches, and plugging into the connector under the seat.
Shame that you have to spend $2k on those things you don't necessarily want to get the "$200" diff, but those features don't bother me.
Not Kia related, but MINI's gone this route, too. I was dream shopping a new MINI a while back and just got frustrated. Back when I ordered my 2003, every option was an option. You could add a package for a slightly cheaper amount, but you didn't have to at all. That's why mine had halogen headlights, sport seats and sport suspension, but didn't have a sunroof and had vinyl interior. British Racing Green with a black top.
Now, they package me from the start. I would get another BRG one, but to get that, I'd have to get the Signature edition with sunroof, heated seats (I live in Texas) and auto climate control. BAH!! I would never get those options, nor do I even want them. Glad I didn't like the newest MINI all that much.
-Rob
Duke said:This is the ish that just drives me berking insane. It probably also requires a power moonroof even there is no rational way the two items are even remotely related.
They do except for the limited edition yellow GT1 I posted on the GRM review. That has the LSD without the 2000$ bonus crap package.
Bonus for the fact that it's yellow.
Eh... If I'm spending that much for a new car I'd welcome those features for my intended usage.
I had a 2004 SER spec V with the Brembo brake package. There were six items required to get the hot rod brakes, five of which took away from the brake package by adding sub woofers and other non performance related froo-froo. I understand the need to make packages, but why would you pack a near race quality set of brakes to an over sized stereo?
It also depends on the region.
Dad was shopping for a Jetta Wagon and in order to get the decent stereo and backup camera, he had to get a TDi. They didn’t want the TDi (this was before dieselgate). They wanted the 2.5 as they mostly do short trips to the store with the occasional trip to the coast.
The Canadian market on the other hand could get the upgraded stereo with the 2.5. Annoying to say the least.
They also looked at the Mazda 3 hatch and they loved it. Everything they wanted in a car and it was enjoyable to drive. The problem? It only came with the black interior. The lighter color interior wasn’t available in any of the body colors they liked.
So yeah, there’s sales some of these companies are leaving on the table with this behavior. Maybe not enough to matter, but it’s irritating for some of the people who want exactly the car they want.
So...buy it and install it yourself. You're a hot rodder, aren't you?
Yup, this is GRM. An OEM offers a desired option and we still bitch about it.
All the manufacturers are doing that E36 M3 now. It cost Subaru ~$4K when I bought my Outback in 2015. I wanted one with the 3.6L engine, but to get it I would have had to take all the same kind of stuff as in the Kia package. So I bought the cheaper model.
Now they are putting all that stuff on the lower models so my next car probably won't be a Subaru.
Adrian_Thompson said:Yup, this is GRM. An OEM offers a desired option and we still bitch about it.
A desired option inseparably tied to a (potentially) undesired package costing 1000% as much as the desired option. Not to spoil your smug bitterness or anything.
Appleseed said:So...buy it and install it yourself. You're a hot rodder, aren't you?
Makes me wonder what they charge for that.
Adrian_Thompson said:Yup, this is GRM. An OEM offers a desired option and we still bitch about it.
*ahem* Bitch about something they were never going to buy. That's what I really don't understand about the constant threads of this nature.
Not Kia related but I bought a Ford Edge for my wife. Just a standard model with the 2.0 liter turbo.
Ford made it impossible to install a Ford satellite radio into that vehicle. The satellite radio they install in upscale Edges literally will not fit in to the dashboard supplied with the standard Edge. Its a different plastic fixture.
You have to go with a package that adds at least $4000 to the purchase price for satellite radio capability.
So we bought a $200 dash mounted one from Best Buy and they installed it, I forget how much for installation it it wasn't much.
Eh, it’s pretty much everywhere nowadays. I wanted heated seats with my WRX,but that requires going up to the premium package, and getting a sunroof, which was a dealbreaker for me. I could add another thousand or two to get the performance package, which deleted the sunroof. Premium also means 18” wheels, which I don’t want in pothole-land.
I ended up with the base model, and don’t have heated seats. I’ll live 
T.J. said:That makes no sense. Sounds like some marketing weenies figured they could sell more LSDs if they bundled them with the gizmo package.
Like the Chevys where you could only get a tach with the top trim kevel, which could only be had witn an automatic.
eastsideTim said:Eh, it’s pretty much everywhere nowadays. I wanted heated seats with my WRX,but that requires going up to the premium package, and getting a sunroof, which was a dealbreaker for me. I could add another thousand or two to get the performance package, which deleted the sunroof. Premium also means 18” wheels, which I don’t want in pothole-land.
I ended up with the base model, and don’t have heated seats. I’ll live
Heated seats are really easy to add.. I've done multiple vehicles. It costs about $250 ($200 for the seat heaters, and about $50 for the tools you need first time). It'll take you about 6 hours your first go, and down to 3-4 for the next one. Let me know if you want details :)
My wife wanted heated seats in her Mazda 6. Had to get the top trim level which had all the stuff you listed above. I scoffed but it was her choice, so we got it.
I love most of those features now. Sure, not for a sports car, but for a daily driver most of them are really nice. Particularly the adaptive cruise.
I'd bet getting an aftermarket LSD in that car is over $1000. For parts. When/IF it finally becomes available.
You'll need to log in to post.
