Yossarian
Active member
Background:
I purchased a 2022 Telly last year but had to "settle" for an EX-P rather then the SX-P I wanted due to the extended wait for the latter. I really like the Telluride but also really want some of the features of the SX-P. The problem is that a new Telluride SX-P AWD with the options I want now sells for around $66,000 in my neck of the woods, totally due to every local dealer adding a $10k "market adjustment."
I realize that if I want to stick with a Telluride, there are dealers in other states that are still selling at, or close to MSRP. I'm very reluctant to go that route however, based on my previous very unpleasant experience in getting warranty work done at local dealers on cars not purchased from them. The Pallisade is an option, and in fact the Calligraphy has a nicer interior than the Telluride, but the poor-man's Lexus look of the Hyundai is a real turn off.
I haven't yet decided how to proceed, and think I will just wait a bit. The Mazda CX-90 is already in driveways in some parts of the world and should be on sale in the US next year. I seriously considered the CX-9 before I bought the Telluride and actually preferred it in some important ways. Mazdas have always been driver's cars, and the CX-9 handled significantly better than the Telly, while being at least as comfortable and almost as roomy. It's downfall from my perspective was the engine, which is too small to tow comfortably with. The CX-90 has an inline 6 that will make about 325 hp, so should fix that issue and if the rumors about an upscale interior are true, will make the Mazda a genuine, but less costly, rival to the BMW X5 and Acura MDX. It will be very stiff competition for the Telluride and will beat it on cost given the ridiculous Kia dealer markups/
In my view, Kia is making a huge mistake in not reigning in these excessive dealer markups on the Telluride. They've now officially lost me as a repeat customer, someone who bought or leased multiple Volvo's exclusively for 15 years and would have been a loyal Kia customer (an aside: I would have leased an XC-90 instead of buying the Telly if it too did not have an anemic 4-cylinder powerplant). The bottom line is I'd be very happy with an SX-P but not at $66,000, a price point that can get you a true luxury car with better performance than a Telluride.
While I probably won't opt to spend that kind of money on a car, if I did, the BMW X5 would be my choice, not a Telluride selling for 20% over list. I'm already on the wait list for the CX-90, so stay tuned for more info on this Telluride alternative.
Sorry Kia, but with your dealers doing their best to drive your current customers to other brands, and you not doing anything about the cause, you have only yourself to blame.
I purchased a 2022 Telly last year but had to "settle" for an EX-P rather then the SX-P I wanted due to the extended wait for the latter. I really like the Telluride but also really want some of the features of the SX-P. The problem is that a new Telluride SX-P AWD with the options I want now sells for around $66,000 in my neck of the woods, totally due to every local dealer adding a $10k "market adjustment."
I realize that if I want to stick with a Telluride, there are dealers in other states that are still selling at, or close to MSRP. I'm very reluctant to go that route however, based on my previous very unpleasant experience in getting warranty work done at local dealers on cars not purchased from them. The Pallisade is an option, and in fact the Calligraphy has a nicer interior than the Telluride, but the poor-man's Lexus look of the Hyundai is a real turn off.
I haven't yet decided how to proceed, and think I will just wait a bit. The Mazda CX-90 is already in driveways in some parts of the world and should be on sale in the US next year. I seriously considered the CX-9 before I bought the Telluride and actually preferred it in some important ways. Mazdas have always been driver's cars, and the CX-9 handled significantly better than the Telly, while being at least as comfortable and almost as roomy. It's downfall from my perspective was the engine, which is too small to tow comfortably with. The CX-90 has an inline 6 that will make about 325 hp, so should fix that issue and if the rumors about an upscale interior are true, will make the Mazda a genuine, but less costly, rival to the BMW X5 and Acura MDX. It will be very stiff competition for the Telluride and will beat it on cost given the ridiculous Kia dealer markups/
In my view, Kia is making a huge mistake in not reigning in these excessive dealer markups on the Telluride. They've now officially lost me as a repeat customer, someone who bought or leased multiple Volvo's exclusively for 15 years and would have been a loyal Kia customer (an aside: I would have leased an XC-90 instead of buying the Telly if it too did not have an anemic 4-cylinder powerplant). The bottom line is I'd be very happy with an SX-P but not at $66,000, a price point that can get you a true luxury car with better performance than a Telluride.
While I probably won't opt to spend that kind of money on a car, if I did, the BMW X5 would be my choice, not a Telluride selling for 20% over list. I'm already on the wait list for the CX-90, so stay tuned for more info on this Telluride alternative.
Sorry Kia, but with your dealers doing their best to drive your current customers to other brands, and you not doing anything about the cause, you have only yourself to blame.
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Have never heard this before, dealers service cars that were not bought from their stores ALL THE TIME.
