There are unsung heroes in our midst. Those folk who buy the big, expensive, powerful cars that are one day picked up by PHers for a pittance deserve considerable praise. If there weren’t people out there to purchase new supercharged Jag V8s, or AMG V12s, or V10-engined Audis, then we’d have nothing to be dangerously tempted by all these years later. Brave Pill would be a lot less interesting, too. So bravo to those selfless souls – heaven knows buying supersaloons is not an affordable endeavour.

Not so long ago, the Kia Stinger GT-S would have joined those ranks as well, albeit at a lower price point. It didn’t matter that it looked smart or drove well, the badge and the running costs (relative to the performance) were always going to put the majority off. It would be a small seller and a heavy depreciator, because big saloons from manufacturers not known for them always are. Only the past few years have rather turned things on their heads; even the earliest V6 Stingers (it was launched in 2017) are still for sale at £25k despite costing £40,000 new, which would have been pretty much unheard of pre-Covid. They’d have halved in price before the first MOT was due.

Anyway, even if the values are strong – name a car where they aren’t – the Stinger still looks like good value secondhand. Because it always was new, packed full of performance and equipment for the money. The engine may not have been the last word in six-cylinder powertrains, but the GT-S was far, far better to drive than anyone expected a large, heavy Kia to be, and it was a decent cruiser. That seven-year warranty is impossible to ignore, too.

Stinger production has now finished, the role of Kia flagship now taken on (and moved forward lightyears) by the EV6 GT, with another 300-odd horsepower from its electric drivetrain and the sort of charging speeds to make the opposition weep. It’s undoubtedly a great product, but those that prefer a more traditional top-of-the-range fastback are well served by those Stingers in the classifieds. There aren’t loads, because Kia never sold that many, but there are more than a few to be interested in.

This one appeals for both its jazzy orange paint and facelift spec; the update came in early 2021, dropping the four-cylinder diesel and petrol models for a fitting farewell with just the 365hp V6. Not much changed, though they’re worth seeking out if possible for a more modern interior.  This one has covered only 12,000 miles in a couple of years, which is modest use even for a car that must be teased to 30mpg – there’s half a decade of warranty left, don’t forget.

The running costs will always be a sticking point for the Stinger, with both tax and fuel more expensive than they would be for a comparable six-cylinder BMW. But then a two-year-old BMW will be a lot more expensive in the first place. While there will always be valid alternatives lurking at each corner, nothing should detract from the Stinger being a fine flagship of the Kia range for the few years it was on sale. At the very least it’s interesting and intriguing – heaven knows we could do with a few more cars like that.

Engine: 3,342cc V6, twin-turbocharged
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive, limited-slip differential
Power (hp): 370@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 376@1,300-4,500rpm
CO2: 229g/km (WLTP)
MPG: 28 (WLTP)
First registered: 2021
Recorded mileage: 12,000
Price new: £42,495
Yours for: £35,450