What vehicles did you consider / come from when buying your Telluride?

[maddmike]

I have my Telluride on order but because the lead time is so long, I have been cross-shopping other vehicles to be sure it is the right one.

I have a toddler and a newborn. I love my current Lexus GX460 but two baby seats in the back and my wife back there is very tight and not ideal. Gas mileage kinda sucks but I can tow 6,500 lbs. I have a bow rider boat that is way below that and I just sold my travel trailer that was also well below that but I sold it to be able to get something bigger for my growing family. What love about the GX is its go-anywhere ability. We camp a lot on the beach and the Land Cruiser underpinnings can take me over most terrain and I have never gotten stuck even in deep, soft sand. The GX is about to toll over 100k miles with zero issues.

I have been looking around to see what deals there are to be had especially this time of year.

I looked at a 2020 GMC Yukon Denali XL. These are being heavily discounted due to the 2021s that are well updated. One of the appeals of the Yukon is the way they hold their value. However, now that the new model has launched and they are discounting the old ones, that is up for question as who wants that old technology.

I looked at the XC90 which is a beautiful vehicle but terrible reliability and not a lot of rear space. Once you spec it decently, the price gets up there.

I looked at the X7. Also a beautiful vehicle and I have owned lots of BMWs including an X5 I bought new. I know how much those things can cost to keep on the road. Really nice fit and finish but they depreciate hard and are costly once out of warranty. Also pricey once you spec them out.

This last one is a bit strange but bear with me. The Land Cruiser. This shares a lot of the DNA with my Lexus but is even more rugged and off-roady while getting slightly worse gas mileage. These are eye-wateringly expensive and no captains chairs but their third row and second row does have more space than my GX. I found a local '19 with 22k miles where the dealer is throwing on a 100k mile warranty. He can do this because every one knows these things never break. It is the worlds most over engineered vehicle and if we were having a zombie apocalypse tomorrow, there would be no question. 8,100lbs of towing and I literally could go anywhere in it. Dealer is also giving me a good price on my trade-in ($1k over the Kia dealer) and they are selling this barely broken in vehicle at KBB trade-in. While still $20k over the Telluride with less space and no HUD, Apple Car Play, cooled second row etc, I am still attracted to this monster of a vehicle. The also don't depreciate and in 20 years will be a desired vehicle. I don't think the same can be said of the Telluride.

So, help me make the sensible choice. I know the Kis is cheaper with better gas mileage and more usability but I am still attraced by this brute and the ability to be able to tow more in the future and do off-roading.

What vehicles did you consider when buying your Telluride and what made you make the final choice?

 

[bcjenkins]

We were going to trade in my wife's 2001 Toyota LC (160K miles on it) but in the end she wanted to keep it. So we upgraded the head unit and refurbed the subwoofer and replaced the speakers. On the LC we had to replace the door lock actuators, the sunroof track is broken still mulling this one, and the ABS computer is out (al mechanics say why bother). We also had significant interior plastic issues. However, it will last through the zombie apocalypse when it happens. Would I buy another one? Not sure because of that cost and the way the interior has fallen apart.

 

[szillaxl]

Looked at the XC90 and you are right it gets very expensive when you spec it decently. Looked at the Dodge Durango and couldn't bring myself to buy it as they are probably going to change the body style soon. Also looked at the Ford Explorer ST and while nice it wasn't for me me. Looked at the GLB and Acadia and laughed because of how MB and GM still just put there product out there and are like "here is car, love it, we made it, it's the best" there is no value in either brand I think. I liked the Mazda cx-9 and in my opinion if looks didn't matter this is the best CUV on the market. Mazda makes perfect cars and have excellent value and tech. They all just look the same and the rear seat was a tiny bit smaller that the Telly. Then it just came down to the tech and warranty and style of course and the Telly won. The HDA is second to Tesla it is clearly better and less annoying than any other brand including Genesis because they have that radar that checks of you have your eyes on the road and if you are falling asleep. The Telly you can set the HDA and turn around for a few seconds to check on your kids without it going crazy.

 

[maddmike]

We were going to trade in my wife's 2001 Toyota LC (160K miles on it) but in the end she wanted to keep it. So we upgraded the head unit and refurbed the subwoofer and replaced the speakers. On the LC we had to replace the door lock actuators, the sunroof track is broken still mulling this one, and the ABS computer is out (al mechanics say why bother). We also had significant interior plastic issues. However, it will last through the zombie apocalypse when it happens. Would I buy another one? Not sure because of that cost and the way the interior has fallen apart.

Good feedback. That is actually pretty low mileage for a 2001 so it sounds like you don't drive it all that much. Those do sound like annoying of not minor issues but I can see how they would add up.

______________________________

 

[maddmike]

Looked at the XC90 and you are right it gets very expensive when you spec it decently. Looked at the Dodge Durango and couldn't bring myself to buy it as they are probably going to change the body style soon. Also looked at the Ford Explorer ST and while nice it wasn't for me me. Looked at the GLB and Acadia and laughed because of how MB and GM still just put there product out there and are like "here is car, love it, we made it, it's the best" there is no value in either brand I think. I liked the Mazda cx-9 and in my opinion if looks didn't matter this is the best CUV on the market. Mazda makes perfect cars and have excellent value and tech. They all just look the same and the rear seat was a tiny bit smaller that the Telly. Then it just came down to the tech and warranty and style of course and the Telly won. The HDA is second to Tesla it is clearly better and less annoying than any other brand including Genesis because they have that radar that checks of you have your eyes on the road and if you are falling asleep. The Telly you can set the HDA and turn around for a few seconds to check on your kids without it going crazy.

Before the GX we had a Signature Series CX-9 that we bough new. I liked it but it was a bit small. Ended up trading it for the GX as we maxed out the 3,500lb towing ability pretty quickly. Now they have captains chairs but, their towing ability still sucks and it is probably due for a refresh.

 

[YAH DEF]

I have my Telluride on order but because the lead time is so long, I have been cross-shopping other vehicles to be sure it is the right one.

I have a toddler and a newborn. I love my current Lexus GX460 but two baby seats in the back and my wife back there is very tight and not ideal. Gas mileage kinda sucks but I can tow 6,500 lbs. I have a bow rider boat that is way below that and I just sold my travel trailer that was also well below that but I sold it to be able to get something bigger for my growing family. What love about the GX is its go-anywhere ability. We camp a lot on the beach and the Land Cruiser underpinnings can take me over most terrain and I have never gotten stuck even in deep, soft sand. The GX is about to toll over 100k miles with zero issues.

I have been looking around to see what deals there are to be had especially this time of year.

I looked at a 2020 GMC Yukon Denali XL. These are being heavily discounted due to the 2021s that are well updated. One of the appeals of the Yukon is the way they hold their value. However, now that the new model has launched and they are discounting the old ones, that is up for question as who wants that old technology.

I looked at the XC90 which is a beautiful vehicle but terrible reliability and not a lot of rear space. Once you spec it decently, the price gets up there.

I looked at the X7. Also a beautiful vehicle and I have owned lots of BMWs including an X5 I bought new. I know how much those things can cost to keep on the road. Really nice fit and finish but they depreciate hard and are costly once out of warranty. Also pricey once you spec them out.

This last one is a bit strange but bear with me. The Land Cruiser. This shares a lot of the DNA with my Lexus but is even more rugged and off-roady while getting slightly worse gas mileage. These are eye-wateringly expensive and no captains chairs but their third row and second row does have more space than my GX. I found a local '19 with 22k miles where the dealer is throwing on a 100k mile warranty. He can do this because every one knows these things never break. It is the worlds most over engineered vehicle and if we were having a zombie apocalypse tomorrow, there would be no question. 8,100lbs of towing and I literally could go anywhere in it. Dealer is also giving me a good price on my trade-in ($1k over the Kia dealer) and they are selling this barely broken in vehicle at KBB trade-in. While still $20k over the Telluride with less space and no HUD, Apple Car Play, cooled second row etc, I am still attracted to this monster of a vehicle. The also don't depreciate and in 20 years will be a desired vehicle. I don't think the same can be said of the Telluride.

So, help me make the sensible choice. I know the Kis is cheaper with better gas mileage and more usability but I am still attraced by this brute and the ability to be able to tow more in the future and do off-roading.

What vehicles did you consider when buying your Telluride and what made you make the final choice?

I like the boxy vibe of the LC but the front end looks so dated to me and the interior screen/console/instrument cluster just awful. To me. It's great if it holds its value, but where I live its base model is $35k above the price of my Telly SX. I have a kind of old school romantic affection for the LC, but I'm not sure it would hold out for current models at that price. Also, I purchase my cars straight out and wouldn't want to part with that much cash.

When it came to buying the Telly, I didn't look at any other cars. I saw the Consumers Reports review, then started reading other reviews and watching videos, and just fell in love with this car. Made a well-researched and also quick decision to trade in my Honda (got a good price plus tax savings from the reduced cost of the T) and that was that. From decision to acquisition was about two weeks.

 

[Kwim]

@maddmike , if you have the option to buy non-Koreans, do so. Yes, Koreans are tempting with the price and range of options, but it's not just that. If you're lucky and don't have problems with the Korean, what if not?
In this case, exciting adventures await you.
It's not just that Koreans with the best set of options are much cheaper than their competitors. Well, the residual value of Koreans with high mileage will be very, very much lower

 

[Kwim]

We were going to trade in my wife's 2001 Toyota LC (160K miles on it) but in the end she wanted to keep it. So we upgraded the head unit and refurbed the subwoofer and replaced the speakers. On the LC we had to replace the door lock actuators, the sunroof track is broken still mulling this one, and the ABS computer is out (al mechanics say why bother). We also had significant interior plastic issues. However, it will last through the zombie apocalypse when it happens. Would I buy another one? Not sure because of that cost and the way the interior has fallen apart.

The car is almost 20 years old, whatever you want. By the way, how do you think your telluride will still be on the move and alive in 20 years and 160k mileage?

______________________________

 

[The Headhunter]

Our lease was supposed to end this month on our Sorrento. We got it extended for 6 months to cover ordering the Telluride so we should be good to go.

 

[bcjenkins]

The car is almost 20 years old, whatever you want. By the way, how do you think your telluride will still be on the move and alive in 20 years and 160k mileage?

I don’t know how long I’ll keep the telluride, but I do plan on keeping it as long as it isn’t super expensive to keep running. We have a 2012 Kia Soul with ~108000 miles. Kia replaced the engine at around 88000. So if I have an issue I hope it’s before the warranty runs out. This 2012 Soul has been the learning vehicle for 2 teenage boys.

I will add though, the day I sold my 2014 Soul I received a letter from Kia saying they had a software update for the ecu and were extending the engine warranty to 120000 miles. This is on a car where I was not the original owner.

While the LC has better engine reliability so far, there have been other issues with various sensors, clogged drainage tubes, and other things which needed to be replaced. At this point in my life I will not buy a car at that price point.

The telluride is my 4th Kia, with the first being a Sephia I purchased in late 96.

I have owned a variety of vehicles in my life and one thing is true, they all have issues which need to be addressed.

My wife is looking forward to the 25yr anniversary on her LC when she can get the historic plates

 

[qwikhit]

I’m coming out of a 2020 Chevy Traverse. We went with a 2021 Telluride because the Traverse was having two minor problems. The first was the XM receiver module would drop its reception. We worked with XM numerous times and they finally came back and said the receiver in the vehicle was the issue. The second was the auto stop feature. You couldn’t manually turn it off. From time to time; when coming out of auto stop the vehicle would hesitate to the point that I felt it was a bit unsafe. I have been watching the Telluride since it first was introduced and finally pulled the trigger on an S model. Love it 10/10

 

[maddmike]

I like the boxy vibe of the LC but the front end looks so dated to me and the interior screen/console/instrument cluster just awful. To me. It's great if it holds its value, but where I live its base model is $35k above the price of my Telly SX. I have a kind of old school romantic affection for the LC, but I'm not sure it would hold out for current models at that price. Also, I purchase my cars straight out and wouldn't want to part with that much cash.

When it came to buying the Telly, I didn't look at any other cars. I saw the Consumers Reports review, then started reading other reviews and watching videos, and just fell in love with this car. Made a well-researched and also quick decision to trade in my Honda (got a good price plus tax savings from the reduced cost of the T) and that was that. From decision to acquisition was about two weeks.

Yeah, I do too and thus the temptation. In 10 years though, both will look dated and their tech will be obsolete so on a long term ownership proposition today's bells and whistles sheen will quickly fade.

______________________________

 

[maddmike]

@maddmike , if you have the option to buy non-Koreans, do so. Yes, Koreans are tempting with the price and range of options, but it's not just that. If you're lucky and don't have problems with the Korean, what if not?
In this case, exciting adventures await you.
It's not just that Koreans with the best set of options are much cheaper than their competitors. Well, the residual value of Koreans with high mileage will be very, very much lower

Who knows what the long term residual value will be on these. Right now, they are still new and in high demand but in 5 years, that will not be the case and there will be plenty of incentives and discounts on them. The LC will still be an expensive pig selling at MSRP but in tiny numbers (perhaps no LC for NA in 2022). However, it is still a pig and a gas hog but will still have a following and be running in 20 years.

 

[gman1868]

Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. The Telluride looks better and has more value.

 

[maddmike]

Well, I think I decided against the LC as I really need more 3rd row space and the captains seats. I am finding some Expeditions with heavy incentives this time of year and 0%. The Expeditions are obviously very pricey when loaded up but with the current sales they are about 10K over the Telluride--which is still real money but the value is getting close.

Ugh, I wish my Telluride was here and available so I can stop shopping. There is a local dealer (which I hate and won't do business due to my CX-9 buying experience from a couple years ago) and they have a used one fully speced except the Nightfall package of course, for $50k or about 2K over new MSRP. They are crazy.

 

[Pscoop]

NONE where considered. I only wanted the Telluride!

______________________________

 

[BD Beee]

We sold our 100 series Land Cruiser for the Telluride. Two completely different vehicles, love both. The Land Cruiser is a true body on frame SUV that drives like a truck, whereas the Telly is a crossover that drives more like a car. In my opinion, nothing can beat a Land Cruiser for offroading, it's a beast. Our family is growing and we decided we wanted more modern tech for our frequent road trips. Telly is also much better on gas. Can't go wrong either way.

 

[maddmike]

I drove the Expedition today. Even discounted $14k, it is sill $60k or $10k more than my ordered Telluride. It is BIG, but that goes without saying. 3rd row is huge and the center console can hold a small child. Second row seats had some weird puckering (I used to build seats for Ford so maybe I am especially attune to this). At highway speed, I was surprised how loud it was. It was like the wind was vibrating the inside somehow and there was pronounced road noise. I found this surprising and disappointing. The third row when up makes for almost no storage space behind the seat. I could go for the extended version, but this thing is already a bus. Speaking of bus, that hood line is high. I'm 6"1 and I still felt like I could not see what I was driving over. My wife did not go with me but I know she would not feel comfortable driving it.

All that to say that I think the Telluride better suits my family needs even if it can't tow 9000lbs.

 

[szillaxl]

I drove the Expedition today. Even discounted $14k, it is sill $60k or $10k more than my ordered Telluride. It is BIG, but that goes without saying. 3rd row is huge and the center console can hold a small child. Second row seats had some weird puckering (I used to build seats for Ford so maybe I am especially attune to this). At highway speed, I was surprised how loud it was. It was like the wind was vibrating the inside somehow and there was pronounced road noise. I found this surprising and disappointing. The third row when up makes for almost no storage space behind the seat. I could go for the extended version, but this thing is already a bus. Speaking of bus, that hood line is high. I'm 6"1 and I still felt like I could not see what I was driving over. My wife did not go with me but I know she would not feel comfortable driving it.

All that to say that I think the Telluride better suits my family needs even if it can't tow 9000lbs.

Explorer is a more fair comparison I think

 

[maddmike]

Explorer is a more fair comparison I think

No, the Kia kicks the Explorer's butt. As far as space and capability, the Expedition is the only one that can come close. For me the biggest downfall is the towing and unibody just don't get much higher than 5000lbs. The Explorer can get to 5,600 but it is not much different than the Kia.