Buying Dilemma

[rhinoamerican]

I am in the market to purchase a new vehicle as my 2010 Cadillac CTS needs a new timing chain. Instead of sinking close to $3k into repairs I thought I should use that money as a deposit on a new car. I test drove a lot of vehicles and based on what I need/want, I decided that a Telluride SX AWD in Dark Moss, with the Dune Brown interior with the prestige package was going to be my next vehicle. However, as we all know it is really tough to find one out there that hasn't already been pre-sold or one that has not been marked up to Audi/BMW/Mercedes price levels.

But with time running out before my Caddy dies on the side of the road, I decided to enlist a car buying service but even they are having a hard time finding my ideal vehicle for a reasonable price. They asked me would I compromise on color - would I do Dark Moss with either the black and gray interior? I've been driving a car with a black interior for 10 yrs and I want a change. The gray interior is nice but doesn't thrill me like the Dune Brown.

So, I'm in a bit of a dilemma and just wanted to see other people's opinions. Do I wait and hope inventory increases and prices come down before my car dies or do I give in and settle on a 2nd choice color.

Opinions?

TIA

 

[Flekke]

I am in the market to purchase a new vehicle as my 2010 Cadillac CTS needs a new timing chain. Instead of sinking close to $3k into repairs I thought I should use that money as a deposit on a new car. I test drove a lot of vehicles and based on what I need/want, I decided that a Telluride SX AWD in Dark Moss, with the Dune Brown interior with the prestige package was going to be my next vehicle. However, as we all know it is really tough to find one out there that hasn't already been pre-sold or one that has not been marked up to Audi/BMW/Mercedes price levels.

But with time running out before my Caddy dies on the side of the road, I decided to enlist a car buying service but even they are having a hard time finding my ideal vehicle for a reasonable price. They asked me would I compromise on color - would I do Dark Moss with either the black and gray interior? I've been driving a car with a black interior for 10 yrs and I want a change. The gray interior is nice but doesn't thrill me like the Dune Brown.

So, I'm in a bit of a dilemma and just wanted to see other people's opinions. Do I wait and hope inventory increases and prices come down before my car dies or do I give in and settle on a 2nd choice color.

Opinions?

TIA

From what I have seen on the forum and by calling a ton of dealerships, it does not look like demand is slowing down anytime soon! Many dealers on the forum shared that view too.
OrderS wait time have not been decreasing either (4-8 months) so even if you were to settle for a different color combo, it is likely to be hard to find unsold inventory that is not marked up!

Some people used this tool Telluride Lookup to see what cars dealers are getting and kept calling! Some people avoided the wait and paid MSRP that way!

Where are you located?

 

[jw_tx21]

I am in the market to purchase a new vehicle as my 2010 Cadillac CTS needs a new timing chain. Instead of sinking close to $3k into repairs I thought I should use that money as a deposit on a new car. I test drove a lot of vehicles and based on what I need/want, I decided that a Telluride SX AWD in Dark Moss, with the Dune Brown interior with the prestige package was going to be my next vehicle. However, as we all know it is really tough to find one out there that hasn't already been pre-sold or one that has not been marked up to Audi/BMW/Mercedes price levels.

But with time running out before my Caddy dies on the side of the road, I decided to enlist a car buying service but even they are having a hard time finding my ideal vehicle for a reasonable price. They asked me would I compromise on color - would I do Dark Moss with either the black and gray interior? I've been driving a car with a black interior for 10 yrs and I want a change. The gray interior is nice but doesn't thrill me like the Dune Brown.

So, I'm in a bit of a dilemma and just wanted to see other people's opinions. Do I wait and hope inventory increases and prices come down before my car dies or do I give in and settle on a 2nd choice color.

Opinions?

TIA

Good luck with a car buying service and KIA. But, there are free tools on this forum that will help you.

Search "VIN Lookup Website" for a website with recent VINs. Then call those dealers. Read, read threads on the forum. One good thread is "Scored"

Also search "production stats" to find a Google spreadsheet with same information.

You can send the info you find to your service see.

Also read recent posts in Order to delivery time and Good dealer threads.

 

[rhinoamerican]

Thank you Flekke and JW_TX21.

I am located in NJ. I will take a look at the resources you mentioned and see what I can find.

Much appreciated.

______________________________

 

[jw_tx21]

Thank you Flekke and JW_TX21.

I am located in NJ. I will take a look at the resources you mentioned and see what I can find.

Much appreciated.

Several NJ buyers have recently had success with these tools and they have multiple recommended dealers. There's even a thread on buying in NJ. The trick is finding the vehicle - the reason to use these tools is recent VINs have been built and are en route but haven't hit the lot yet. Many are likely pre-sold, but it is possible to find what you want.

 

[raydog9379]

Thank you Flekke and JW_TX21.

I am located in NJ. I will take a look at the resources you mentioned and see what I can find.

Much appreciated.

I'm one of the recent ones that found our car....

It's definitely possible, it will take a decent amount of work. I used the tool and called every dealer that had one coming in or had one on their lot already within probably 200 miles of my house. Many were above MSRP, but I stuck to my guns and said I wouldn't pay over MSRP. I already had one on order, but wasn't going to see that any time soon. I opened my color choices to any exterior, and any interior but grey (I think my kids would destroy it). Ironically or as fate would have it, the car I found was essentially the car I ordered (Copper / Dune SXP w/ Tow and light kit). I think the only difference was we had spec'd illuminated scuff plates, and the one we bought they had spec'd the cargo net and the carpet seat back protector in the trunk area.

I think the keys for me were, getting past the typical salespeople and to the GSM's early on in the process. I learned the in's/out's from this site and as soon as I would start asking detailed questions, the more junior folks would just shoot my calls/emails over to the GSM's. I actually talked to some really good people surprisingly...and obviously a few price gougers.

It'll take some work, but will pay off. The dealer I got mine from (3 hours away) had a bunch show up at the same time (6 Tellurides on the same truck on a Saturday) and both of the SXP's that showed up ended up being available to buy as they were orders people decided to wait on in my case (lease wasn't up but exact copy of the car was allocated to come in early April), or a previous order that backed out. The black/grey sold the morning I called but the one I ended up with (Copper/Dune) wasn't completely sold yet (someone called earlier in the day and put a deposit on to come that afternoon and buy). But the GSM said if they didn't buy it, he'd call me. Sure enough, an hour before they closed he called and said he had the best news for me. Their finance guy called me after close and took my CC# and said it's now mine. Literally dropped everything and drove up there the next morning.

Funny, this little dealer (as well as their larger sister store) not too far from Green Bay, WI gets about half or more of their cars as SX and SXP's. 2 of the nicest GSM's I talked to really, so sounds like they know what they're doing.