KIA Telluride South Florida--recommendations?

[staceyb]

We live in Miami and are looking to buy a gravity grey/grey EX AWD or SX prestige AWD. We're willing to buy now but can wait if ordering is necessary. There is no major rush for us.

I have been in touch with local dealerships, and it's been a mind-numbing experience. Any recommendations for good dealerships to work with? We are willing to drive probably as far as Jacksonville if the deal is right and the dealership not a bunch of clowns.

We are not Costco members but are considering joining to get a good price and avoid more ridiculous experiences with dealerships. It seems, from what I've learned on my own and on this forum, that dealers aren't budging much with prices.

 

[miamibeachsteve]

I have spent the last month calling and emailing local South Florida dealers. They all have ridiculous prices. I went into several dealers who have in stock Telluride SXs. I asked straight up, "Will you sell it at MSRP?" Sounds like a pretty reasonable question right? They all come back with, "How does 950 a month sound?" One dealer said , "yes" but then added $2,000 in dealer fees. So, my advice is don't bother with any local South Florida dealers. Order from someone else here on the forum. A costco membership is $60, so yes get it. Good luck, please share what you find! I am still looking for a Moss Green SX-P with towing.

 

[Nas4atu10]

I have spent the last month calling and emailing local South Florida dealers. They all have ridiculous prices. I went into several dealers who have in stock Telluride SXs. I asked straight up, "Will you sell it at MSRP?" Sounds like a pretty reasonable question right? They all come back with, "How does 950 a month sound?" One dealer said , "yes" but then added $2,000 in dealer fees. So, my advice is don't bother with any local South Florida dealers. Order from someone else here on the forum. A costco membership is $60, so yes get it. Good luck, please share what you find! I am still looking for a Moss Green SX-P with towing.

What is up with having a Costco membership? I’ve seen this posted several times by forum members.

 

[ucinn]

What is up with having a Costco membership? I’ve seen this posted several times by forum members.

If you have a costco membership, you can order from Kia of Muncie for costco pricing which is under MSRP...worth the $60 membership fee for a year.

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[staceyb]

If you have a costco membership, you can order from Kia of Muncie for costco pricing which is under MSRP...worth the $60 membership fee for a year.

It seems Muncie is a dealership that gets accolades all the time on this forum for a straightforward approach and below-MSRP deals. Perhaps that's the way to go because all I'm finding around Miami are dealers who give the runaround and try to keep the conversation going (if they bother to keep the conversation going at all) with silly responses.

This was one choice reply I received when I asked Gunther KIA in Ft. Lauderdale if they would lower the price:

"I can understand that the price is too high as you stated but what exactly are you trying to accomplish?"

 

[Schlegel]

It seems Muncie is a dealership that gets accolades all the time on this forum for a straightforward approach and below-MSRP deals. Perhaps that's the way to go because all I'm finding around Miami are dealers who give the runaround and try to keep the conversation going (if they bother to keep the conversation going at all) with silly responses.

This was one choice reply I received when I asked Gunther KIA in Ft. Lauderdale if they would lower the price:

"I can understand that the price is too high as you stated but what exactly are you trying to accomplish?"

It's just astounding how these dealers behave. It seems to be the story pretty much nationwide. I'm very disappointed in KIA for that reason and I've owed 4 KIA's. If there was a place to complain to we'd have ever on this forum bitching to KIA corporate. I'm sure that there are people who have gotten "deals" that they are satisfied with. I went through the $950 a month bit. AND the $2K dealer add ons. None of this is pretty and all of it is exhausting.

 

[jw_tx21]

It seems Muncie is a dealership that gets accolades all the time on this forum for a straightforward approach and below-MSRP deals. Perhaps that's the way to go because all I'm finding around Miami are dealers who give the runaround and try to keep the conversation going (if they bother to keep the conversation going at all) with silly responses.

This was one choice reply I received when I asked Gunther KIA in Ft. Lauderdale if they would lower the price:

"I can understand that the price is too high as you stated but what exactly are you trying to accomplish?"

Another poster @Gatorowl said he had success at Airport Kia. Friendly Kia is very high volume, but typically has add-ons.

 

[staceyb]

Another poster @Gatorowl said he had success at Airport Kia. Friendly Kia is very high volume, but typically has add-ons.

Thank you, jw_tx21, for that helpful information. I will reach out. Naples or even further north would be great if we can strike a deal.

Those add-ons are extremely irritating but seem unavoidable.

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[jw_tx21]

Thank you, jw_tx21, for that helpful information. I will reach out. Naples or even further north would be great if we can strike a deal.

Those add-ons are extremely irritating but seem unavoidable.

Sure. I have seen very high dealership fees (documentation and others) in Florida. Another issue is that Florida does not get many AWD vehicles relative to FWD, so keep that in mind. One Florida buyer was waiting forever on a black/black EX AWD - but we found that combo wasn't being sent to FL. He found what he wanted in Virginia I believe using the Telluride Lookup site.

The issue with still prevalent markups is that production has been halted for a month, and is only trickling in, so dealers are wanting to capitalize on the low inventory as they have to discount other models to get them off the lot (and hence get more Telluride allocations). It's a game and consumers are caught in the middle between Kia and some less than scrupulus Dealers. I'd keep an eye on the Dealer Inventory section also - some people are backing out of sold orders, so something may become available. For example, @Jason Fox at Muncie posted today that they have an EX AWD with bench incoming and available for sale.

And if you were thinking EX Premium with Captains chairs, you may just want to get the SX AWD non Prestige (for many reasons), and @Mweiland posted today that they have one incoming and available. May have to be flexible on color.

I include the post I referenced previously below for your reference:

New SX Gravity Grey owner (South FL)

I realize that the OP was from December, but I find it funny/ironic that he drove 4 hrs from S. Florida to get his Telluride, and I drove 4 hrs from N. Central Florida to get mine. Friendly is only 90 min from my house, and it's where I purchased my wife's 2016 Sorento. I wanted go back, but...

tellurideforum.org

 

[NavigatorKAC]

We live in Miami and are looking to buy a gravity grey/grey EX AWD or SX prestige AWD. We're willing to buy now but can wait if ordering is necessary. There is no major rush for us.

I have been in touch with local dealerships, and it's been a mind-numbing experience. Any recommendations for good dealerships to work with? We are willing to drive probably as far as Jacksonville if the deal is right and the dealership not a bunch of clowns.

We are not Costco members but are considering joining to get a good price and avoid more ridiculous experiences with dealerships. It seems, from what I've learned on my own and on this forum, that dealers aren't budging much with prices.

I drove to Gunther last Thursday; they had a EX Gray/Gray premium pkg in the showroom and in the window they had a paper (Adjusted Market Value +$2,995) I walked...I ended up with a Moss/Gray EX premium pkg and tow hitch pkg, got it from Alan Jay in Sebring last Saturday and they worked with me on pricing; very satisfied

 

[Gatorowl]

Another poster @Gatorowl said he had success at Airport Kia. Friendly Kia is very high volume, but typically has add-ons.

I was satisfied with my experience at Airport Kia. I started looking for a Black Copper/Dune SX-P in January. I purchased a Kia Sorento at Friendly in 2016 and thought that I would get my Telluride there as well. However, after talking to them, I realized that they are a volume dealer that doesn't take custom orders. If they get what you want, you can purchase it fairly quickly. I didn't want a white or gray car, so they were out. I then placed an order with a dealership in Tampa--mind you, I'm in Gainesville, and anyone who values their hard-earned money doesn't shop for cars here--but continued to search using some of the databases listed in these fora. Airport had the vehicle I wanted, but it was pre-sold. When that deal fell through they offered it to me at a little less than my order price. I was happy with the experience. However, it's been my experience that walking into a car dealership is the worst possible way to buy a car. Internet, or negotiating over the phone is a far more productive approach.

Interestingly, when they called, they had two SX-P vehicles available: the black copper one that I purchased and an ebony. Both had dune interiors. I was fortunate to get what I wanted. I do think that if you are in a hurry--and I hate extended car shopping--you should be flexible. If you are flexible, then I do recommend Friendly although they claim that their $1800 dealer fee is non-negotiable.

 

[player4]

I ordered mine at Gunther Kia back in August with a late November delivery date, SX Premium AWD at MSRP.

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[tlcfarms200]

I was looking at the same 2 SX vehicles that Gaterbowl was looking at. Airport Kia was going to sell one to me at MSRP. The problem was that my phone number got written down wrong and I missed the text. Didn't like the brown interior anyways. Ended up buying the EX with premium package from Airport KIA. Had the right colors and options. Hopefully it will be delivered to the house Tuesday. I still have not even seen the vehicle in person. My best experience were at Airport KIa, Tampa Kia dealer, Gainesville dealer and Perry Ga, dealer.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Purchased mine Cocoa Kia. MSRP minus finance and military discount. November 2019. No idea if there are more available now. Some dealers do list their units on line.
Deal went very smooth. No hiccups.

SXP Everlasting Silver.

 

[staceyb]

Thank you to everyone for sharing your recommendations.

I have been going back and forth with Kia in Sebring and am awaiting a return on my call. Not sure why it isn't possible to get a clear answer on doing an order.

Emailed Muncie and never got a reply.

 

[Joanna4kids]

Just bought a SX Prestige on Sunday at Airport Kia in Naples. Drove three and a half hours to get there but had a very good experience with them.

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[NavigatorKAC]

Thank you to everyone for sharing your recommendations.

I have been going back and forth with Kia in Sebring and am awaiting a return on my call. Not sure why it isn't possible to get a clear answer on doing an order.

Emailed Muncie and never got a reply.

I dealt with Marty Rhodes @ Alan Jay (Sebring); luckily when I did my search my EX was in stock. Hopefully you will hear back. There was a dealer in Cape Coral; Fuccillo who I found during my search that had maybe 4 or 5 in stock. Wishing you the best.

 

[tlcfarms200]

Just bought a SX Prestige on Sunday at Airport Kia in Naples. Drove three and a half hours to get there but had a very good experience with them.

They actually had a SX on the lot at Airport Kia?

 

[Lucas & Craig]

Thank you to everyone for sharing your recommendations.

I have been going back and forth with Kia in Sebring and am awaiting a return on my call. Not sure why it isn't possible to get a clear answer on doing an order.

Emailed Muncie and never got a reply.

More than likely it went to spam. We reply to all those who are interested. jfox@kiaofmuncie.com

 

[Joanna4kids]

They actually had a SX on the lot at Airport Kia?

Yes, It was a white SX Prestige. It had 6,000 miles on it and was owned by the GM. They get quite a bit of the Tellurides in and have around 14 or so employees that drive them. Maybe some of them will come available too? With an extra $2000 of insurance, it brings you back up over the 10 years of insurance plus on all the extras too. We felt that was well worth it.