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Kia Rondo Prices Paid and Buying Experience
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[Gill] Your right, but from my experiences out here in Seattle, that it's impossible. I didn't make an issue of it because the dealer had already cut past the bone on the deal.
>..Thanks for the pat on the back, I'm so frustrated by these dealers , I really need all the encouragement I can get!!!
[Gill] I can well understand your feelings on this. I was going through the same set of problems until I went to the "fax attack" method. Then it really didn't matter because I took the lowest bid. My feeling is that you are really not going to get any attractive offers until the end of the month and better yet, end of the quarter/model year.
taximom, sounds like being right by CR/Edmunds standards is giving you more grief than it's worth.
I haven't read all the posts leading up to this, but I'd suggest rather than asking what you should be paying, ask yourself how much you are willing to pay for the car you want - use CR/Edmunds to inform your answer, not define it.
When I bought my first car, I used the fax method and brought reams of data into my battle with the sales manager I bought from. And boy was it a battle. After we made the deal, I was still trying to figure out how much I overpaid. For days I fiddled with my spreadsheet, going back and forth between resentment for not getting the absolute deal of the century and rationalizing my way into thinking I did.
This last time around, I started with a quote from one dealer, then did my research to inform my offer. I liked the experience with the dealer and went back to buy knowing I was willing to settle on a price somewhere between my offer and their quote. I kept that in-between price in mind, and did the deal for $63 more.
I was willing to pay that $63 to be happy rather than right.
Good luck!
I'm not fussing over 63 bucks, it's more like $1200 PLUS the bait-and-switch and outright lies that are getting me upset.
If the dealers would just be honest and say, "I'm only willing to go $200 under MSRP," or something like that, I wouldn't feel so outraged. It's when they say they're offering $1 over invoice--but it's really $1200 over invoice--well, then I start to feel quite miffed!
What's throwing me for a loop is that I've never had this kind of experience before when buying a car (this would be my fifth car)...
I wish you success in connecting with a Kia dealer who will have the integrity to offer you a clear price on the car you want!
"Like I mentioned before there are items on edmunds.com and consumer reports that are excluded from the invoices.
These are the item that comes standard on the 3-row LX/V6 Rondo that are not included on these websites.
Convenience Package = $250
Bumper Step Protector = $55
Cross Bars = $175
Carpeted Floor Mats = $75
Marketing Allowance = $563
Total = $1,118
It doesn't matter where you purchase your Rondo all the invoices are the same. If you go to Kia.com and input all the standard features on a 3-row LX/V6 Rondo with cloth interior your total M.S.R.P comes out to be $20,665. I am not making these things up.
If we can help you out please let us know.
Thank You
Internet Sales Mgr"
Note: I test-drove a 3-row LX/V6 rondo with cloth interior, and it did NOT have any of those features that this dealer is calling "standard" (and charging $555 for!). So he is out-and-out lying. :mad:
I'm not even going to bother replying to him. He's out!
Gee--can't we import your dealer to Pittsburgh??
BTW, what is the yac in skiingyac?
Anyway, here is the breakdown of his offer:
Kia Rondo 4cyl LX:
16,895
425.00 3rd Row
1000 Leather(aftermarket install)
1000 DVD Player(aftermarket install)
595 Destination charge.
TOTAL=19915.
Dealer is also giving the (750cash back w/ 3.9apr 60 months)
I'm curious if I should take this offer because I worry about the aftermarket leather(we MUST have leather)install
since the LX doesnt come with leather. Is it worth it? We'd be saving a decent amount over an EX w/ leather. We really like the price but is it something that can void the warranty or anything like that.
Also: Does anyone have pics of an LX.All I see are pics of EXs.
Thanks a lot.
>Hi. I'm new to the board and have a question re:Kia Rondo LX and EX. I've gone to a new dealership located in queens NY.
Anyway, here is the breakdown of his offer:
Kia Rondo 4cyl LX:
16,895
[Gill] That seems a little low for the popular installed accessories. A little research might flush out exactly what they are offering.
>425.00 3rd Row
[Gill] This is low. That option is usually $700-750.
>1000 Leather(aftermarket install)
[Gill] Check elsewhare. Auto upolstery shops out here are doing for $700-800 and they have the exact match on the colors.
>1000 DVD Player(aftermarket install)
[Gill] Close. I was just in Circuit City this morning and they had one on sale for $750 and installation was included.
>595 Destination charge.
[Gill] A little low, but in the ball park.
>TOTAL=19915.
[Gill] What's missing from your list is the $350 group advertising charge.
>Dealer is also giving the (750cash back w/ 3.9apr 60 months)
[Gill] That comes from the factory, not the dealer.
>I'm curious if I should take this offer because I worry about the aftermarket leather(we MUST have leather)install
since the LX doesnt come with leather. Is it worth it?
[Gill] Only you could answer that question. Since it isn't factory installed there may be no credits at trade-in time.
>We'd be saving a decent amount over an EX w/ leather. We really like the price but is it something that can void the warranty or anything like that.
[Gill] Only as it may relate to a claim on the seating.
>Also: Does anyone have pics of an LX.All I see are pics of EXs.
[Gill] The EX is exactly like the LX except for more crome in the grill, 17" wheels and little more molding on the side. Hard to tell them apart at first glance.
I guess the best you can do is to read ALL the fine print, and also make sure that this is a purchase price, not a lease price (I had a dealer try to do that to me once).
In regards to the LX with the aftermarket leather they told me they offer a warranty included for the leather if it ever ripped or prematurely wore out. There is no extra price for the warranty.
But we decided to get the EX since it more features for only a few bucks and the V6 was about 1K more and we would be going on many trips w/ 5-7 people including our kids quite often.
If anyone wants a breakdown of what we paid for the car I will post it up so you could compare deals. Just reply and ask for a post. I don't know how to start a new message so thats why its here.
Thanks again.
While that's not one of the wildly low prices I have read about on this board, it sure beats the $20,300 price that my local dealer offered. Anyone have any thoughts???
Thanks,
Bubba
I got aftermarket leather on an Optima for $500. You can't tell me the dealer lost money on it. A thousand seems a bit high (Rondo may be slightly higher), would agree that an aftermarket shop might be worth looking into.
Any advice or your thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks, Felicia
Compared with both our old '92 Civic Si, and our less-old '97 Odyssey (which is severely underpowered), it is a joy to drive. It loves hills, even with all 7 seats filled! Our Odyssey groans and struggles on the hills, but the Rondo is eager and willing.
Only problem is, we noticed a couple of days after we got it that it drifts very slightly to the right. We didn't notice it on the test drive, probably because the dealer we purchased from is in a very hilly area with no long straightaways.
We assume it's an alignment problem, and immediately brought the car in to the local Kia service, but they told us (and they agreed that there was a problem) that Kia has not yet made the alignment specifications available, so they could not align it for us. :confuse:
Anybody have any thoughts on this?
[Gill] Here in western Washington, most major roads are crowned to some extent which causes a car to pull right to some degree. Try driving on some smaller and older streets to see if the condition is still there.
>...We assume it's an alignment problem, and immediately brought the car in to the local Kia service, but they told us (and they agreed that there was a problem) that Kia has not yet made the alignment specifications available, so they could not align it for us.
[Gill] I guess I would get an estimate at a large non Kia affiliated source to see if they have the specs on alignment. I think I read some place that this vehicle is really an Optima under the paint job. But at any rate, it seems difficult for me to understand that there are no specifications. How does the factory set this before shipment. Another thought, go to the Kia web site and open an inquirry and see what they say.
I found the best deal at Kia of West Chester in PA.
I found Martin Kia in Newark, De to be very pushy :mad: and not very nice to me (a female) by myself with no man to watch over me. They just cut me a price and sent me on my way.
Price isn't the most important aspect out there. I find that being treated with respect and not talked down to can make any purchase feel better. We purchased our brand New 2007 Kia Rondo from Kia of West Chester. We brought our kids and they had a blast watching cartoons and drawing in these fun packs they give out to the kids.
Kepp in mind too that I want someone there for me, even after I leave with my new car. I don't think those guys at Martin Kia would give me the time of day if i had a question or problem with my new car a year from now.
I hope this helps anyone else looking for a new Kia in the West Chester Area - go to Kia of West Chester, they were awesome to my family!
I think you're right that the salesperson's perception has a lot to do with it, along with the circumstances... I think the test drive is as much about you testing the car as it is them getting info out of you. I would guess they saw my wife & I as two 25-year olds who mostly knew what they wanted but hadn't really bought any cars before (which is basically true, except for a saturn which is much different) and did some research online but didn't have any firm numbers (again, also true, I didn't plan to buy on that first trip). Their goal was to sell to me before I left that first time and firmed up my numbers. They didn't volunteer any info and didn't budge for me. It all depends on the salesperson's general tactics and how the salesperson reads you as to how they approach selling you a car.
On the second, unannounced trip to the dealership when I just gave the sales manager the price to beat and said if they beat it I would sign all the paperwork on the spot, they magically changed their tune... but they had no choice, I gave them the impression that I was either going to buy from them at the price I wanted or walk out & drive straight to West Chester (which is basically true).
If I lived closer to West Chester, I probably would have just bought from them, but I felt some sympathy to Martin since they took me for the test drive, plus they beat the price.
I don't really have a lot to compare my experience with though, just my first car I bought from Saturn which was one of the salesperson's first cars he ever sold. Also a trip to I think Honda around that same time where the salesperson looked (and acted) exactly like John Travolta in one of his movies where he's a bad guy, drug dealer, etc.
[Gill] But not necessirly cheaper. Depends upon what you want to spend your money on I suppose.
>...Kepp in mind too that I want someone there for me, even after I leave with my new car. I don't think those guys at Martin Kia would give me the time of day if i had a question or problem with my new car a year from now.
[Gill] Not necessarily so. Dealers have to honor warrenty claims regardless.
My reply - Kia of WestChester did right by me and I recommend them to everyone I talk to. Warranty claims are not the only reason to contact a dealership afterwards. There is continual maintenance to be done on the vehicle. If I feel I have a good realtionship with my salesman, and the dealership, then I am way more comfortable bringing my car there for service. I guess it's more peice of mind that I am paying for than the actual vehicle. The cars cost the same no matter what store you go to. And the invoice price is the same no matter where you go. If someone takes the time to show me entire vehicle, answer all my questions and make sure I am happy, then they deserve to be paid for it, don't you think? Salesmen get a bad reputation, but they are not all the same. My salesperson at Kia of Westchester was wonderful and thorough and spent over 5 hours total with me and my husband. I think they should get paid for that (of course I am not going to pay for their next vacation, but some compensation is earned) :shades:
[Gill] It's fee for service and all the dealers offer that. I don't get the connection.
>...I guess it's more peice of mind that I am paying for than the actual vehicle. The cars cost the same no matter what store you go to.
[Gill] Not so. I sent out 20 faxes got back six with prices all over the map. I hose the lowest which was $1,099 under invoice.
And the invoice price is the same no matter where you go.
[Gill] Not exactly. The "group advertising" fee can vary depending upon which market you are in. Also, there can be a charge for "financial reserves". I paid $350 in advertising for the Seattle market area and there was no "reserves".
>...If someone takes the time to show me entire vehicle, answer all my questions and make sure I am happy, then they deserve to be paid for it, don't you think?
[Gill] That's just good salesmanship and should not be a guilt trip or obligation to purchase.
>...Salesmen get a bad reputation, but they are not all the same. My salesperson at Kia of Westchester was wonderful and thorough and spent over 5 hours total with me and my husband.
[Gill] Yes they do and they create their own bed that they sleep in. Refreshing to know you had a good experience. I had a good one as well, but that was because I kept him on track.
>...I think they should get paid for that (of course I am not going to pay for their next vacation, but some compensation is earned)
It's all a part of doing business and there are no entitlements. If the price is right, I buy.
[Gill] Very good point. I guess the oly alternative to getting service at another point than purchase is to pay for the service and then go to the factory - possibly a long process.
Get a pack of baby wipes (yes, baby wipes), and a mug of boiling hot water. Dip one baby wipe in the hot water, and use it to scrub the stain. Or you can use a baby wipe and a fabric steamer.
Prepare to be amazed--it works like magic! (It just makes me wonder what it does to our babies' bums...)
Long time lurker, first time poster.
I just bought a Rondo EX V6 with 3rd row, Leather & Premium packages from Capitol Kia in Madison, WI for $22245 before TTL(5.5% plus $108) and Rebate($750). I took the KMFC financing at 3.9% and applied the rebate as a down payment. No regional marketing charge was part of the mark-up but the dealer did have a prep charge of $125 for paperwork and full tank of gas etc.
I was pleased by the deal as I did not want to travel far to get the car and most dealers I checked really did not have much for Rondo selection. The deal was pain-free as I emailed the sales person and they went over the car with me from top to bottom.
[Gill] Yah, that looks good on the surface.
>...as I did not want to travel far to get the car and most dealers I checked really did not have much for Rondo selection.
[Gill] This is a new introduction into the US market for 2007 although it has been in Europe and Asia for about two years now. According to the last sales figures I saw there were a little over 5,000 in the US.
>...The deal was pain-free as I emailed the sales person and they went over the car with me from top to bottom.
It is refreshing to know that there are some dealers with ethics out there.
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Canada - 1746, it outsold the Chev HHR in February and April and very close in March (only 27 units behind)- doing very well, considering we are roughly 11-12% of the US population.
KIA Motors America, Inc. is conducting a voluntary service campaign on certain 2007 Rondos to prevent moisture from entering the front wheel speed sensors.
Kia has become aware that some 2007 model year Rondos have experienced an illumination of the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) warning lamp as a result of moisture entering the housing for the front wheel speed sensors.
Your Kia dealer will inspect and either clean or replace the front wheel speed sensor and seal the housing to prevent any further intrusion of moisture at no cost to you.
Just passing it on FYI.
I get white spots from bugs & stuff that won't come off (even if I turn on the wipers right away), and if I spray some washer fluid then the spots turn into white streaks. I've tried cleaning the wipers, washing my windshield, etc. but no luck, the spots still come back pretty quickly.
I've never had a problem like this with my other car, so I don't think its the climate or something like that.
So here is a great reccomendation for Chris at Cherner Kia in Virginia.
I pick it up tomorrow!
[Gill] I hope you will be as happy with the car as we are with ours.
Thanks in advance!
It happened after I took it thru an automatic car wash and had 'hot wax' applied. The wax created a film on the windshield that caused streaking, etc., as you described in your post.
The fix I found was a windshield polish at the auto parts store. I contained tiny abrasive particles that stripped off the film and eliminated the streaking.
Might not be the same cause of your problem, but you might try the polish as a solution.
In fact, the Rondo rides on the basic mechanical underpinnings of the 2007 Kia Magentis sedan. And those mechanical bits are shared with the Hyundai Sonata and Azera. I mention this because Consumer Reports says the Sonata and Azera are among the most reliable cars you can buy. This Kia is coming from what appears to be a good place.
These tidbits from Automobile.com might also be helpful:
Instead, its been based off the much larger D-Segment, or midsize Magentis, though its been extensively modified with a big chunk of the wheelbase surgically removed. Kia also designed a new multi-link rear suspension for the Rondo with a compact spring and damper design, allowing for a low lift-over height for the cargo bay, not to mention space for the third row of seats.
The Rondo will be offered with two engines, a 2.4-liter inline-four that makes 162 hp and 164 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 2.7-liter V6 that nets an additional 20 horsepower and 18 lb-ft of torque, both of which are borrowed from the larger Magentis sedan. The four is of the Chrysler-Hyundai-Mitsubishi "World Engine" variety, which means variable valve timing, four valves per cylinder and all that jazz. The six is a thoroughbred Korean powerplant, and an unusual offering. The Rondo is the only vehicle in the segment that offers anything more than four cylinders, let alone this level if power. Both engines are also automatic-only, the four gets a four-speed while the six gets an extra cog. Both gearboxes have a manual mode.
As for long-term reliability of these engines or vehicles that the Rondo is based on, I haven't really looked much into that.
[Gill] I was told it was the Optima, but I don't know exactly where I got that information.
AGH!
[Gill] Well, that is certainly no fun at all and quite vexing. Things do go wrong occasionally, but before I would take an ax to the car, may be the more pragmatic position would be to find another service facility because the one you are going to obviously can't or won't fix the issue. Also, another suggestion might be to engage the factory through the complaint mechanism. I haven't had any complaints, but I have used that facility to get additional information and I always get a return call the same day I submit my issue.
Dave at Monroeville KIA was great!
I love this vehicle. Rondo is a true one of a kind. Only Rondo and Mazda5 met all my requirements and Mazda5 was about 2 grand more, had one less seat, looked more minivan-ish and has no ESC (which I think is a must).