Beginning to give up hope..

[Jordy76]

Well I went to see and test drive today.... I was told they are letting people test drive ONLY if you were serious in buying... Is this unusual? Or completely normal.. It wasn't even the model I am interested in.. I feel the universe is trying to tell me something haha...They seem scarce in this area, however Ive seen so few on the road for as many that are apparently selling

 

[regaphysics]

Kia dealers are kind of the worst in the industry IMO. They are really shooting themselves in the foot with how they've dealt with the high demand. Go check out the palisade - more in stock and dealers are far better. And more or less the same car so applicable to the telluride if thats what you want.

 

[rvv2002]

Kia dealers are kind of the worst in the industry IMO. They are really shooting themselves in the foot with how they've dealt with the high demand. Go check out the palisade - more in stock and dealers are far better. And more or less the same car so applicable to the telluride if thats what you want.

What are you looking for and where are you located?

 

[DRK]

You can go to other Kia dealers. I visited several Kia dealers in person, or contacted almost all dealers in the state. All they were different.
A dealer was bragging and asked a lot of mark up. Some looked shady. Others are nice with no mark-up.
I ended up buying it at a dealership I've not visited until picking it up. Visit or contact as many as dealers possible in your area.

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[jackiedif]

I actually test drove one in NC on vacation because we didn't have any near me. I kept checking inventory online. I just bought one this week because I had talked to a salesman I met locally and left my name in case one came in that I could test. He called to tell me a couple had ordered it and backed out. I drove it and bought it the next day. You never know!

 

[bakerwi]

"I was told they are letting people test drive ONLY if you were serious in buying" I think some dealerships have lost their way. While the vehicle is popular it is still just a KIA.

 

[Vietvet]

"Just a KIA"??? Hmmm same thing they said with the first Corvette.,,,not just another Chevy.. It had a Blue Flame Six truck motor.... Not saying the T-Ride is a "Vette" it is unique.I refuse to be a BRAND SNOB. My kid (50 years old and a CAR nut,,,show cars and sports cars) drove my SXP/AWD yesterday. I let him drive it for about 100 miles. He tinkered with the buttons and remarked on the ride and comfort. He loved all the options as well as basics. Now this from a kid who has owned MANY BENZ ( to include AMG) AUDIs ...Vettes, Mustangs ETC. Yes... it is a KIA. Designed in California by a designer snagged from AUDI and BUILT in West Point GA. NOT Korea. My son's wife is a naturalized South Korean who, said KIA and Hyundai were junk not that many years ago.... SHE NOW wants a T-Ride... Sure..."Just a KIA" but seems a damned good vehicle for the money. Might be bugs but many makes of cars have recalls..big ones like AIRBAGS.

I ordered mine and waited almost 4 months to the day. I admit their sales division is slow to understand American markets and customers. I hope they get better. All we can do. So far I am very happy with what I have... I did a test drive and at NO time was told only serious buyers only. They were eager to let me drive one. Now my Black on Black is home and I intend to Ceramic the finish and add some items I think will be good for me and my family. I am in my 70s and have owned MY share of American and foreign brands and this vehicle impresses me.. up to you and YOUR tastes I guess. If you ordered..hope it comes soon..If not....well????

 

[bakerwi]

"Just a KIA"??? Hmmm same thing they said with the first Corvette.,,,not just another Chevy.. It had a Blue Flame Six truck motor.... Not saying the T-Ride is a "Vette" it is unique.I refuse to be a BRAND SNOB. My kid (50 years old and a CAR nut,,,show cars and sports cars) drove my SXP/AWD yesterday. I let him drive it for about 100 miles. He tinkered with the buttons and remarked on the ride and comfort. He loved all the options as well as basics. Now this from a kid who has owned MANY BENZ ( to include AMG) AUDIs ...Vettes, Mustangs ETC. Yes... it is a KIA. Designed in California by a designer snagged from AUDI and BUILT in West Point GA. NOT Korea. My son's wife is a naturalized South Korean who, said KIA and Hyundai were junk not that many years ago.... SHE NOW wants a T-Ride... Sure..."Just a KIA" but seems a damned good vehicle for the money. Might be bugs but many makes of cars have recalls..big ones like AIRBAGS.

I ordered mine and waited almost 4 months to the day. I admit their sales division is slow to understand American markets and customers. I hope they get better. All we can do. So far I am very happy with what I have... I did a test drive and at NO time was told only serious buyers only. They were eager to let me drive one. Now my Black on Black is home and I intend to Ceramic the finish and add some items I think will be good for me and my family. I am in my 70s and have owned MY share of American and foreign brands and this vehicle impresses me.. up to you and YOUR tastes I guess. If you ordered..hope it comes soon..If not....well????

That a nice story anecdotally, but I think you may have missed my point. That dealer's comment "...letting people test drive ONLY if you were serious in buying"; really? To that I'll add nice car and solid value, but still just a KIA. My wife is actually considering a Telluride among others.

______________________________

 

[Fuzzywumpus]

Well I went to see and test drive today.... I was told they are letting people test drive ONLY if you were serious in buying... Is this unusual? Or completely normal.. It wasn't even the model I am interested in.. I feel the universe is trying to tell me something haha...They seem scarce in this area, however Ive seen so few on the road for as many that are apparently selling

 

[Fuzzywumpus]

Well I went to see and test drive today.... I was told they are letting people test drive ONLY if you were serious in buying... Is this unusual? Or completely normal.. It wasn't even the model I am interested in.. I feel the universe is trying to tell me something haha...They seem scarce in this area, however Ive seen so few on the road for as many that are apparently selling

I am in Northern California. I had been checking the area dealerships online, found the one I wanted, drove 80 miles to check it out and do a test ride. Made the deal and bought it. Since my wife can no long drive. They delivered it to me the same day so we didn't have to make two trips. Boom, boom, done.

 

[lambster]

Hi Fuzzywumpus,
Which dealer did you buyer it from and is it MSRP?

 

[G-761298]

I got my Telluride from John L Sullivans Rosevill Kia. The price was not jacked up but did have extras like the Black rims that really set it off. I got the S trim.

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[FlTelluride]

Kia dealers are kind of the worst in the industry IMO. They are really shooting themselves in the foot with how they've dealt with the high demand. Go check out the palisade - more in stock and dealers are far better. And more or less the same car so applicable to the telluride if thats what you want.

Why are there so many more Palisade in stock...IMO they're not selling as much as the Kias. I get that it's a hot car so dealers want to keep the miles down on them for selling purposes.Also you're right, the Kia and the Hyundai are basically the same car, just little amenities here and there are what set them apart. As for the high demand on the Telluride, I dont think they wanted to take the chance of putting a bunch of stock out there and not getting a return. Now for late year 2020s and even 2021s they can ramp up production to meet demands. Lastly, I hope they take customer input and tweak things for the next year to appeal to more buyers.

 

[regaphysics]

Why are there so many more Palisade in stock...IMO they're not selling as much as the Kias. I get that it's a hot car so dealers want to keep the miles down on them for selling purposes.Also you're right, the Kia and the Hyundai are basically the same car, just little amenities here and there are what set them apart. As for the high demand on the Telluride, I dont think they wanted to take the chance of putting a bunch of stock out there and not getting a return. Now for late year 2020s and even 2021s they can ramp up production to meet demands. Lastly, I hope they take customer input and tweak things for the next year to appeal to more buyers.

Hyundai was better prepared for the rollout, and people like the telluride exterior styling better. That's why.

 

[Lucas & Craig]

Well I went to see and test drive today.... I was told they are letting people test drive ONLY if you were serious in buying... Is this unusual? Or completely normal.. It wasn't even the model I am interested in.. I feel the universe is trying to tell me something haha...They seem scarce in this area, however Ive seen so few on the road for as many that are apparently selling

Can we help? Sorry about your experience. If we have stock on our lot anyone can drive until it's sold! We'd be happy to help order the Telluride you want.

 

[FlTelluride]

Hyundai was better prepared for the rollout, and people like the telluride exterior styling better. That's why.

That is or may be true. All I can say is in FL, Tellurides are selling and Palisade aren't. At least from what I've seen at dealerships and online inquiries. I was comparing both of them for about 3 months and as soon as I found a Kia that I liked, boom it was gone. I also feel that both makers tested the waters with the import of the stock to see how they'd sell.

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[regaphysics]

That is or may be true. All I can say is in FL, Tellurides are selling and Palisade aren't. At least from what I've seen at dealerships and online inquiries. I was comparing both of them for about 3 months and as soon as I found a Kia that I liked, boom it was gone. I also feel that both makers tested the waters with the import of the stock to see how they'd sell.

Kia clearly did not judge the demand for the telluride correctly. Kia doesn't want dealers charging over MSRP.

 

[Money123]

"Just a KIA"??? Hmmm same thing they said with the first Corvette.,,,not just another Chevy.. It had a Blue Flame Six truck motor.... Not saying the T-Ride is a "Vette" it is unique.I refuse to be a BRAND SNOB. My kid (50 years old and a CAR nut,,,show cars and sports cars) drove my SXP/AWD yesterday. I let him drive it for about 100 miles. He tinkered with the buttons and remarked on the ride and comfort. He loved all the options as well as basics. Now this from a kid who has owned MANY BENZ ( to include AMG) AUDIs ...Vettes, Mustangs ETC. Yes... it is a KIA. Designed in California by a designer snagged from AUDI and BUILT in West Point GA. NOT Korea. My son's wife is a naturalized South Korean who, said KIA and Hyundai were junk not that many years ago.... SHE NOW wants a T-Ride... Sure..."Just a KIA" but seems a damned good vehicle for the money. Might be bugs but many makes of cars have recalls..big ones like AIRBAGS.

I ordered mine and waited almost 4 months to the day. I admit their sales division is slow to understand American markets and customers. I hope they get better. All we can do. So far I am very happy with what I have... I did a test drive and at NO time was told only serious buyers only. They were eager to let me drive one. Now my Black on Black is home and I intend to Ceramic the finish and add some items I think will be good for me and my family. I am in my 70s and have owned MY share of American and foreign brands and this vehicle impresses me.. up to you and YOUR tastes I guess. If you ordered..hope it comes soon..If not....well????

A 70 year old on the internet let alone a Kia forum? Now I’ve heard it all.

 

[Buzmin]

A 70 year old on the internet let alone a Kia forum? Now I’ve heard it all.

I suppose anyone under 30 years old wouldn't understand that those of us who are much older (say 83) would even know how to turn on a computer, much less drive a car, I say this in a laughing manner as I know your response was for laugh's
I had a good one, Thanks

 

[YEH]

Hyundai was better prepared for the rollout, and people like the telluride exterior styling better. That's why.

Don't be too sure of that.

Hyundai miscalculated demand for its home market and once production for NA started, people who pre-ordered the Palisade have as long as 10 month waits (seems like Hyundai is sacrificing meeting domestic demand on a timely basis for the NA, mostly US, market).

And that's w/ Hyundai having greater production capacity than Kia.

Seems like most people who are interested in going thru w/ the hassle of a test drive are serious about purchasing (a vehicle), and even if they're not, how would the dealership know?

Here's CR answering a viewer question about the demand for the Telluride and mark-ups.

13:!4 mark


The Telluride isn't exactly new anymore - having been on the market for 5 full months (sales starting at the end of Feb.).

Usually, supply catches up to demand at around the 6 month mark, but don't see that happening for the Telluride in the near future (at least for the most popular trims).