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As for the Equinox, please keep a couple of things in mind:
It is selling well - in fact many dealers are sold out and taking orders. That's a good thing for the Chevy dealers. It allows them to make a profit on at least one model. Begruding a business a profit is kind of un-American IMHO.
As for the bailout comment, that's GM - not the dealer. They aren't connected other than the dealer selling the brand.
Remember, it's the market that determines the price. Right now the market says Equinoxes are sticker and Sorentos are discounted.
What if we had a used car that we were trying to sell and all of a sudden if become really hot(say high mpg car and gas prices go sky high). Would we raise the price we were asking for it or would we say out of principle I'm going to sell it for $$$ less than I know I can get for it. I think we would try to get what we could for it. So does that make us evil. Hey, if they don't sell many they will lower their price.....it's called supply and demand.
The Ford was crossed off first as being dated, although my spouse liked the available auto park feature. It also felt too small. I did like the separate glass in the tailgate.
She crossed off the Dodge as "feels cheap inside." I agree - the shift knob felt loose and the plastic armrests too hard.
We liked the Santa Fe, but felt that the more modern 6 speed transmissions of the remaining cars made more sense as we do a fair amount of freeway driving. My wife did not care for the front seats as much as the other cars.
So, it was down to Equinox, Terrain and Sorento. In as much as I think dash lighting should be red (for night vision), the Equinox was eliminated.
Both the Terrain and Sorento drive well. However, I felt the forward and side visibility were better in the Sorento. Also, it is a wider vehicle thus providing a little more room inside for passengers.
With the exception of the power lift gate, we felt the Sorento offers more features for the same money. Plus, the styling cues are the latest - see Acura and Cadillac. We plan to buy one.
Here is where it gets interesting and frustrating. We live in both Canada and the United States. We prefer to register the car in Canada given citizenship and resident status (both of us are American citizens - my wife has a Canadian passport and I have Canadian Permanent Resident status).
We were told by the dealer who sells both Chevy and Kia that he cannot sell us a car that will be exported to Canada, either brand, or he could lose his franchise(s). Both cars cost approximately $5,300 USD more for the top of the line models in Canada than in the US . Further, if we do try to import either car without first registering it in the US, there will be no warranty for either make.
None of this has anything to do with the governments of either country. Importing a car into either country is relatively simple and straight forward. In fact, the dollar difference is even greater for more expensive vehicles - we were told that Corvettes are $40,000 more in Alberta than Washington State.
It is particularly galling with the GM twins as the cars are assembled in Ontario (Ontario actually produced more cars last year than Michigan). There is a Canadian Auto Workers sticker in the GM products' glove boxes. That said, it seems that all models of all makes are 15-20% more expensive north of the "line" wherever built.
A VP of GM Canada told me that they checked the competition to make sure that they are competitive. Further, he said that the differential in MSRP is long standing and that the loonie was not always as high against the greenback.
With respect to the latter, this is nonsense. The loonie has been above 80 cents US for over three years.
With respect to the former, it sounds as if GM (and their "domestic" counterparts) are not interested in recapturing market share. In essence, the manufacturers have decided to collude in screwing their Canadian customers and / or dump product on the US market.
A final thought. Kia's Canadian warranty is much less than in the US. It is 5 years / 100,000 kilometers and 5 year on perforation, 10 years / 100,000 miles and 7 years. I was told that if I bought a Kia in the states (and presumably registered it there) I would have the US warranty until it was registered in Canada. Then, it would become the Canadian warranty. If I brought the car back to the US for registration, it would revert to the US warranty.
I will find a way to buy a Kia, get a warranty and register it in Canada. I may have to wait until there is a used vehicle - it seems the manufacturers aren't running a dealer protection racket on used cars.
In the meantime, if a Kia dealer in the US reads this and is willing to provide written assurances regarding warranties on a new car, price it competitively and not require registration (other than temporary, thus eliminating any sales taxes - those will be paid in Canada) in the US, let me know. Alternatively, if there is a Canadian dealer that won't stick it to Canadian residents, please respond.
Finally, to all Canadians, start raising hell about this unfair treatment. You have better things to do with your money. Vote with your feet and wallets.
Back around 2000 or so, a Canadian market Honda Odyssey was about 30% less in sticker price/exhange rate than the US market version. That led many US dealers to go up and buy Odysseys at full list in Canada and re-sell them in the US at the full US MSRP. The caveat was no manufacturer warranty. But since Odysseys were a 3 month wait or ADM in the US at the time, many people decided to by the grey market cars.
AFAIK, almost all manufacturers impose this restriction on their dealers. Yes it is designed to protect dealerships and markets. IMHO, it's their product - they can impose the restriction. It's frustrating, but you aren't going to change it easily.
And no - it has nothing to do with NAFTA. NAFTA is strictly for manufacturers. It isn't designed to make things easier for the consumer.
could show you the full chart but don't know how to do it on this site (on most other forums you can download photos direct from your computer)
You can download all the info from the KGIS (www.kiatechinfo.com) site, as I got this info from the Features and function Guide (in pdf 6.1 mb). You can also view a complete breakdown of all the components of the vehicle.
Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a car that has required the plugs to be changed anywhere close to that early. Does anybody know the reason? Especially comparing to the V6 change at 105k.
Homie don't play that! That's so 90's awesomeness! LOL
Anyhow, I'm glad you did well with the Sorento. I know dealers need to make money, but coming from klrss's perspective, I could understand his point of view. Dealers should try to work with their customers when the customer insists on being loyal! I hope Kia dealers don't treat their customers that way as I know their new lineup of cars are looking very sweet and it's only going to get better!
One car dealer is telling us that the Kia currently hasn't figured out the upgrade to the Nav system. He is suggesting not to get the Navigation system for the almost $2000 price. But that excludes the upgraded radio, chrome wheels, etc.
Has anyone heard anything about the cost/downside of purchasing the car with the Nav?
Thanks!
But like others have said here on this forum, the Packages are really, really, strange. I am liking the vehicle {although over 40 years of owning all kinds of cars it can be precarious getting the first year model}. I like the EX- V6 with the Limited ?Premium 2 package but You Can't get the Roof Rails??? Maybe it'll change. But KIA is staring to behave like HONDA. When we got our 2007 CRV EX-L, fully loaded w/o the navi package {your driving to places locally - you should know where you are Going?) But No Fog lights, No Roof Rack, are they kidding on a CUV or SUV. That is very irritating, amd menial to make me pay more for accessories that should be on a fully loaded top of the line vehicle. After over 2 years of firsdt time ownershiof the Honda, still can't forgive them for that approach. KIA don't start doing that....
I was also at the Toronto Auto Show yesterday and saw a loaded Sorento with the Panoramic sunroof and roof rails.
Is that correct?
In fact, if I want an AWD V-6, I HAVE to take the third-row seats? And if I want a better stereo, I HAVE to take the Nav. system and the rear-view camera?
Then they play mix 'n' match with the sunroof too?
Sheesh. I'm wondering if they might un-bundle those options packages at some point so we can choose a la carte. What do you think? Worth holding off? Or should I just shop for a different make/model?
the 4 cylinder automatic. It was trouble free and I loved it but this Sorento is PRIMO. Love It. The six speed auto is silky smooth, Lots of room inside, and plenty of power with 175 horses.
I wanted to get a cargo mat, and Kia only offers them for the 5 passenger. I'm thinking it should work on the 7 passenger with the seats down.
Me and my wife both visited several dealers in our area NJ markets, and I cant tell how horrendous the service and salesmanship was. Im not sure what it was or why the reps were acting that way but heres what happened.
First dealer Loman Kia in Woodbridge, walked in and asked for assistance. Looking to get the Sorento, didnt really care about options .. this was just going to be a daily driver. we liked the design and it drove well, pretty simple eh?
Asked the rep for the best price and what he had in stock, also asked if any special financing or leasing . his first response , "Hows your credit" ? we stated its fine and he says lets run it. so I tell him , to hang tight but to work out a deal first. He says, wells I cant give you a price till we run your credit. and im like huh?? explain. He says, wells you see alot of customers come in here thinking they can afford it, but if you dont get approve by the bank, i dont wan to upset you. Now im saying to myself, what the hell? do I look poor or something. My wife and I actually started giggling like what is up with this guy.
we went back and forth, he wouldnt get me a price. So I said okay, I'll buy it outright. Whats the best price. He said okay let me get my mgr
Mgr comes, and guess what the firs thing he says out of his mouth? "Did we run your credit yet" ?? So now im getting pissed and I asked the mgr, what is up with you guys and this credit thing? And im like what does my credit have to do with me wanting to pay full for this car? and he says, oh okay no problem. You just want the price? and im like yes, please so I can make a decision since Im looking at few other cars. I even told him, I got prices from other dealers on other makes/models but Im not shopping them. Im not asking them to match or beat or do any fancy dancy stuff, im in sales... they have a right to make money but just treat me right.
the mgr says, wells let me ask you.. why do you want to buy the car outright. What are you driving now? So I tell him, you see that Range Rover, thats what I have. And this COMPLETELY SHOCKS ME.. he says, oh then why are you here? I mean, you drive a range rover .. are you sure you want a kia?? Im like WTF???? so now im like are you telling me that the kia is terrible? and he says oh no, its a great car but its no match for your range rover.
I had enough and got up and walked out. As I am in the parking lot, another sales rep walks up to us and says, hey listen.. dont let those two ruin your day. and im like dude, what gives? are you guys selling so many kias that you basically just sht on your customers. and he says no, the problem is these guys have old school mentally, they so used to selling these cars to deadbeats and no credit, that when they do have a customer that has credit and money to spend, they dont know what to do withthemselves and they want to get everything from you.
The sales rep reluctantly told me he was leaving and going to another dealership because he sees this as common to many kia's dealership.
So after were like okay, lets go to another kia dealership. This one on rt 22, same thing, met with sales rep, showed me the car etc .. and the first thing out of the guys mouth, So hows your credit?? hahaha. I couldnt believe it. again we went through the same hassle, couldnt get a solid price and just walked out.
Never again, Ive owned plenty of cars and I now I know why many have told me to stay away from Kia, its not the car. the car is great, in my opinion. but I am not going to buy a car that I have to deal with such crappy dealers for the next 4-5 years. whats even funnier is that $25 bucks more than what Kia quoted me for a lease, I ended up getting an Audi A4 Quattro (I know, its not an suv but from a pricing stand pt and service , you cant go wrong. )
Its a real shame, Kia wouldve had 1 customer if they just stop playing the stupid mind games and stop treating their own brand like some 3rd world junk.
glad in the end you got a car you will enjoy and the overall experience with it was much better than at the KIA dealerships!
I actually had a salesmen tell me that he didn't have time to talk to me. As I walked out the door he picked up another donut and cup of coffee.
Another salesmen and I at the same place as above were talking about some service issues I had with their shop. He flat out said all shops work this way now.
Yup down the road I went and bought a Chevy at a dealer that I've never had a problem with.
It's too bad,because the new Sorrento is something special.I have a KIA Optima that I bought in Nov 2006 from another dealer, and it runs like a new one still.Absolutely trouble free after 36,000 miles plus.
My only concern with the Sorento is will the I4 engine have enough get up and go compared to the Tucson I4 engine.
We had our first service done on it last Friday. She said it was pulling alittle to the right. I called the Kia Dealership, and told them about it. I told them " Chevy will give a complimentary front end alignment if I bring it to them before 6,000 miles and I didnt know if Kia does the same". He said they have something similar, but he would have to look at it first. So she brought it in there, and he said it was off alittle, and did the front end alignment. They also looked into the TSB Bulletin that we got in the mail about checking the connector on the Computer ( turned out to be fine). So..I cant complain yet. We will see what the future holds.
The dealer said they never heard of this kind of problem and it has not thrown any codes yet.
Any ideas??????? :sick:
It usually is more accurate then the trip computer.
It is true that the hyunday/KIA engines take a few thousand miles to break in,but 21 MPG Hwy is a bit too low to be acceptable.I have owned a Hyundai Sonata, and currently have a 2006.5 KIA Optima with a 4 cyl engine,and never have either of them gotten as low as 21MPG on the highway.I would suggest that 23-24 would be the absolute lowest during the first couple thousand miles.
"The 2011 Sorento (XM) spark plug NORMAL maintenance interval has been revised. Spark plug interval for the 2.4L engine was orginally set at every 30,000 miles or 24 months and the 3.5L engine every 105,000 miles or 10 years. The new interval for both 2.4L and 3.5L engines are now established at 100,000 miles or 10 years."
1. Oh what exterior colors is the two-tone interior available in?
2. Can one replace the 18 inch chrome allow wheels for the regular 18 inchers that have no chrome when chosing the Limited Package?
3. Can one get Premium Package 2 on EX V6 that includes the Panoramic sunroof and still have roof rails?
My dream Sorento would be a EX V6 in either Pacific Blue, Ebony Black, Titanium Silver or Snow White Pearl with 'Limited Package with Premium Package 2' and with the two tone style interior.
If anyone owns a 2011 thats close to my dream one or if it even has the 2 tone interior please take some pics and show us!!! I can barely find any "real life" pics of the two tone interior online
Very harsh review.
Behind the Wheel | 2011 Kia Sorento
Not a Truck, but Still a Rough Rider
Orth Hedrick, the director of product planning, said Kia decided a unibody was needed to compete with the Toyota RAV4, Ford Edge, Chevy Equinox and Honda CR-V. The change, Kia reasoned, should give the Sorento sharper handling and a better ride — but I found the ride highly disappointing.
The car has a great deal of rolling resistance. It's almost like you are driving with your foot on the break. It appears to be the transmission. Whatever it is, at 20MPH it stops and allows the car to finally coast.
I have tried shifting to neutral while driving and the car will actually coast for along for quite a distance. This has to be affecting the overall gas mileage.
Wondering if this is a design / engineering flaw or something that can be corrected?