Throwing in the towel. Anyone else in this boat?

[Market Adjustor]

And here's another wrinkle; I'm trying to buy this thing with no experience. I haven't even test drove one yet! Just talked to a bunch of owners who keep extolling it's virtues, then a lot of research and reviews into reliability and features, etc.

How do you test drive one, if they don't have any at a dealership!?!

 

[StephenCantrelle]

And here's another wrinkle; I'm trying to buy this thing with no experience. I haven't even test drove one yet! Just talked to a bunch of owners who keep extolling it's virtues, then a lot of research and reviews into reliability and features, etc.

How do you test drive one, if they don't have any at a dealership!?!

Check your local Carmax.. or do search on autotrader.. doesn't have to be a Kia dealer and the 2020 and 2021 models drive the same as a 2022

 

[Market Adjustor]

Check your local Carmax.. or do search on autotrader.. doesn't have to be a Kia dealer and the 2020 and 2021 models drive the same as a 2022

I did. Local carmax don't have any, and autotrader gives you multiple dealerships around here, none of which have any; even if it says they do on Autotrader. I will call, and they will say, "we don't have any on the lot. The ones on autotrader are custom builds for people already."

I CAN get Carvana to bring me one, but I feel like a d-bag, making them BRING me a car I know I'm not going to buy from them....

 

[NDBlackEX]

And here's another wrinkle; I'm trying to buy this thing with no experience. I haven't even test drove one yet! Just talked to a bunch of owners who keep extolling it's virtues, then a lot of research and reviews into reliability and features, etc.

How do you test drive one, if they don't have any at a dealership!?!

Dealers get demos from time to time they keep on the lot for 30 days. That's how I got test drives.

I also kept tabs on when the dealer would get shipments. Sometimes there's one that comes in where the buyer backed out and there's one "available" for a short period of time, like a day or a few hours that you can drive. I would drop by when I'd see some waiting to be inspected and ask. Often, dealers will call someone on the list when something comparable comes in that someone backs out on but I found that if you're not on their waiting list and you just stumble upon one that's available, they may sell it to you. It's an extra sale because people on the waiting list are committed and none the wiser to the available car where you may walk out and buy something else. I had the opportunity to buy 2 different ones just by dropping by and asking. One wasn't what I wanted and the other was a SXP but it was mid March 2020 and there was too much uncertainty at that moment. I had a cheaper trim on order... But, I test drove them both and even got one for an overnight to really check it out.

You can always go drive the used ones when you see them. In my area they sell even the lower trims at inflated prices and those sit on lots for a while. (Who wants to pay $43k for an S with 40k mi?) There's a test drive opportunity.

I fought this battle going back to 2019-2020. I can imagine it's more difficult now but there are way more used ones available to drive now. Many owners really had to work to get test drives going back to the beginning. Many ordered after just sitting in them or ordered sight unseen. That probably says something about the vehicle. If you're really interested, you'll battle, if not, you'll get something else. I actually kind of enjoyed the thrill of the hunt and I think others did too but it's not for everyone. I discovered the Telluride shortly after it launched and got serious and ordered one almost a year later. I probably test drove 6-7 before I ordered and drove one right after I ordered since I continued to look at other vehicles and wanted to have a fresh comparison. They're out there.

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[NDBlackEX]

I might also recommend making some contacts at like 2 or 3 local dealership groups and let your salesman know you're looking for a used Telluride and they may let you look at incoming units before they hit the lot. They're always working leads so they'll likely call you about something in relatively short order.

 

[mzun23]

And here's another wrinkle; I'm trying to buy this thing with no experience. I haven't even test drove one yet! Just talked to a bunch of owners who keep extolling it's virtues, then a lot of research and reviews into reliability and features, etc.

How do you test drive one, if they don't have any at a dealership!?!

I rented the exact model we are waiting to receive via Turo for a whole day. It's a car sharing app. Better feel for the vehicle than a 20 min drive around the dealership.

 

[Seated_Heats]

This is exactly why I'm fed up and ready to give up though; one person says they ordered LAST WEEK and got an estimate of 4-6 months. I got an email DIRECTLY FROM THE DEALERSHIP, that states "12-20" months. You got quoted 8-12, and got it in 6. There is no solid info, even from the same dealership.

And I am LOATHE to give these people any information about me. Any time I reach out, they want name, number, email, and I just get spammed relentlessly about coming in to buy Tellurides that they don't even have. UGH.

Each dealer will have a different range due to how many orders they have and their allocation. Some may only get 2 per delivery, some may have 10 per delivery based on Kia’s allotment. Two different dealers will almost always have different timelines. Also, this whole Ukraine mess has really made the delay worse.

 

[Gus309]

Get on a dealers list for “drop outs”. I ordered an SX ( and still waiting for maufacturer to accept). But I kept calling looking for drop outs- took 1 week. BUT I had to settle for an S. All different options than what I wanted but I am in a desperate situation with my old car needing a 4k valve job. Close enough. With rising rates, and dwindling supply/ growing demand, I am not sure when I’d get another opportunity. I paid 3k over MSRP. Ridiculous but unfortunately necessary. Expand your search to less populated areas/ and be willing to travel.

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[squeegeeslinger]

Get on a dealers list for “drop outs”. I ordered an SX ( and still waiting for maufacturer to accept). But I kept calling looking for drop outs- took 1 week. BUT I had to settle for an S. All different options than what I wanted but I am in a desperate situation with my old car needing a 4k valve job. Close enough. With rising rates, and dwindling supply/ growing demand, I am not sure when I’d get another opportunity. I paid 3k over MSRP. Ridiculous but unfortunately necessary. Expand your search to less populated areas/ and be willing to travel.

This is exactly what we did and the same reasoning behind it. We ordered an SX, but found an EX-P and picked it up in February. Our order is looking to be due at the end of June. We've got a road trip to Yellowstone planned for the end of May and beginning of June so it'll be pushing 8k miles by then.

 

[Gus309]

This is exactly what we did and the same reasoning behind it. We ordered an SX, but found an EX-P and picked it up in February. Our order is looking to be due at the end of June. We've got a road trip to Yellowstone planned for the end of May and beginning of June so it'll be pushing 8k miles by then.

Great! You can sell me your EXP when your order comes in. Great combinations.

If it were up to me, I’d sell the car when our original order arrives but I think that would send my spouse into cardiac arrest.

 

[ronniebell]

And here's another wrinkle; I'm trying to buy this thing with no experience. I haven't even test drove one yet! Just talked to a bunch of owners who keep extolling it's virtues, then a lot of research and reviews into reliability and features, etc.

How do you test drive one, if they don't have any at a dealership!?!

Try turo.com. Maybe you can find one to rent in your area.

 

[squeegeeslinger]

Great! You can sell me your EXP when your order comes in. Great combinations.

If it were up to me, I’d sell the car when our original order arrives but I think that would send my spouse into cardiac arrest.

I'd be open to that for sure. I planned to get the best offer from dealers and Carvana/Carmax when the time comes. My wife knows I still intend to get our SX that we ordered hah. However, the 23 has me wanting to reorder so that we can get the new red...if they offer it with the tan or brown interiors anyway.

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