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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Kia Rondo Prices Paid and Buying Experience
383 messages, Last post on Oct 08, 2009 at 11:35 AM
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We paid a little bit under 19K plus tax and license for a V6 LX with third row seat, carpeted floor mats, and convenience package (cruise control and remote lock and alarm). It's "Volcano Red," which is more of a brick red, not my favorite, but it's okay. 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.  Anybody have any thoughts on this?
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Replying to: taximom5 (May 09, 2007 6:09 am) [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. |
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Replying to: skiingyac (Feb 23, 2007 4:07 pm) I found the best deal at Kia of West Chester in PA.  They offered to let me take the Rondo I wanted home with me for the weekend and make sure I liked it, and to show my husband. What a breath of fresh air! I found Martin Kia in Newark, De to be very pushy  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!
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Replying to: khdamighty (May 10, 2007 1:15 pm) 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. |
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Replying to: khdamighty (May 10, 2007 1:15 pm) [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.
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Replying to: mr_orting (May 10, 2007 3:34 pm) 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) 
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Replying to: khdamighty (May 11, 2007 1:24 pm) [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.
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Replying to: mr_orting (May 11, 2007 2:07 pm)
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Replying to: bobw3 (May 17, 2007 8:01 am) [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. |
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I have encountered a problem with the upolstery on the "LX" model. If you encounter a sain, be careful of how you clean it. Mysteriously, a stain appeared on the passinger seat and I had to take a rather stiff brush to get any debth to removal. That act damaged the upolstery. Also, plain soap and water left a stain, so scrub all around the spot so as to blend it in to the cloth.
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