byscott
Often Wrong, Rarely Uncertain ;-)
My 2012 Acura MDX was showing its age. In particular, I figured it was about time for a significant technology upgrade. The MDX's Technology Package was good stuff 10 years ago, but the state of the art has advanced just a bit since then.
Initially I was focused on the Genesis GV80, but the nearest dealer is about 60 miles from home and typically has very little inventory. So I turned my attention to the Telluride. After reading far too much -- here and elsewhere -- about trim packages and colors, I decided I wanted the SX AWD in Dark Moss/Dune Nappa Leather with the Prestige and Towing packages. I had assumed that one wouldn't exist within several gazillion miles. I figured I'd have to place an order, wait several months, and probably take delivery in the middle of a major snowstorm.
Much to my surprise, the local dealer had that exact configuration in stock. I went over last Saturday to take a look at it. My wife and I drove it and both liked it, so then I had to decide how much of a "market adjustment" I was willing to pay to avoid the wait. They wanted 10% over the sticker price of $49,735. According to TrueCar, buyers in my area have been paying an average of 9.3% over MSRP, so I decided that I could live with somewhere around half of that. We went back and forth for a while and I paid 6% (~$3k) over MSRP but did better than expected on my trade. Given that the trade comes off the top and decreases the sales tax (8% in these parts), I ended up within shouting distance of my target number. I took the $300 rebate/2.5% Kia Financing and will probably refinance with my credit union.
So, for those of you wondering what the "buy off the lot" scenario looks like, that was my experience. I haven't heard of anyone getting a Telluride off the lot anywhere near MSRP. FWIW, I don't know what markup the dealers around here (Upstate NY) are applying to orders. I suspect that everyone is getting gouged on everything, but I really don't know.
The Telluride is certainly a hotter commodity than the other two vehicles I was considering. According to TrueCar, buyers in my area have been paying about 3.5% over MSRP for the Palisade Calligraphy, and GV80s have been going for just a bit below sticker. One of the local dealers had a Calligraphy that didn't look too bad, but my wife and I both preferred the Telluride colors and interior design. I'd post a picture but I'm pretty sure that everyone here knows what Dark Moss looks like.
Anyway, that's my story. I dropped off the MDX and picked up the Telluride yesterday. This week I'll be figuring out ten years' worth of technology improvements and replacing things I bought a long time ago for the MDX-- all weather mats, a cargo mat, and maybe an extra cover for the hitch receiver (it seems like mine gets lost or stolen every winter). The adventure begins ... with about 100 miles on the clock, I can already report that the Telluride rides like a limo compared to my MDX. I went for groceries today and someone way younger than me said, "hey, nice ride." I never expected to hear that while driving an SUV. Also, my wife really likes the Telluride, so I may not get to drive it very much. Maybe I should've bought two
Initially I was focused on the Genesis GV80, but the nearest dealer is about 60 miles from home and typically has very little inventory. So I turned my attention to the Telluride. After reading far too much -- here and elsewhere -- about trim packages and colors, I decided I wanted the SX AWD in Dark Moss/Dune Nappa Leather with the Prestige and Towing packages. I had assumed that one wouldn't exist within several gazillion miles. I figured I'd have to place an order, wait several months, and probably take delivery in the middle of a major snowstorm.
Much to my surprise, the local dealer had that exact configuration in stock. I went over last Saturday to take a look at it. My wife and I drove it and both liked it, so then I had to decide how much of a "market adjustment" I was willing to pay to avoid the wait. They wanted 10% over the sticker price of $49,735. According to TrueCar, buyers in my area have been paying an average of 9.3% over MSRP, so I decided that I could live with somewhere around half of that. We went back and forth for a while and I paid 6% (~$3k) over MSRP but did better than expected on my trade. Given that the trade comes off the top and decreases the sales tax (8% in these parts), I ended up within shouting distance of my target number. I took the $300 rebate/2.5% Kia Financing and will probably refinance with my credit union.
So, for those of you wondering what the "buy off the lot" scenario looks like, that was my experience. I haven't heard of anyone getting a Telluride off the lot anywhere near MSRP. FWIW, I don't know what markup the dealers around here (Upstate NY) are applying to orders. I suspect that everyone is getting gouged on everything, but I really don't know.
The Telluride is certainly a hotter commodity than the other two vehicles I was considering. According to TrueCar, buyers in my area have been paying about 3.5% over MSRP for the Palisade Calligraphy, and GV80s have been going for just a bit below sticker. One of the local dealers had a Calligraphy that didn't look too bad, but my wife and I both preferred the Telluride colors and interior design. I'd post a picture but I'm pretty sure that everyone here knows what Dark Moss looks like.
Anyway, that's my story. I dropped off the MDX and picked up the Telluride yesterday. This week I'll be figuring out ten years' worth of technology improvements and replacing things I bought a long time ago for the MDX-- all weather mats, a cargo mat, and maybe an extra cover for the hitch receiver (it seems like mine gets lost or stolen every winter). The adventure begins ... with about 100 miles on the clock, I can already report that the Telluride rides like a limo compared to my MDX. I went for groceries today and someone way younger than me said, "hey, nice ride." I never expected to hear that while driving an SUV. Also, my wife really likes the Telluride, so I may not get to drive it very much. Maybe I should've bought two
