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One week with new Telluride

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Basil

Basil

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So my story is that I have had a Hyundai Santa Fe (2007) since new - 13 years! It had been a great car and served us well for over 317 thousand miles! Then, back in August, something in the timing chain area gave out and there was a very loud noise from under the timing chain cover. I suspect that either a damper or a guide had broken. The cost to repair was just not worth it so I decided to donate the car to charity and started looking for something else. Given the new grand daughter I knew I wanted another SUV.

I had seen a Kia Telluride at a Costco a few weeks earlier and really liked the look of it. I started doing some research and saw that this SUV was getting rave reviews, so I decided this was going to be the replacement for the Santa Fe. Because these cars are very popular (go figure - a popular Kia) the local dealers were adding a "dealer markup" that was several thousand above MSRP. So, I started calling dealers in other states. The best deal I could find was to pay MSRP (first time in my life I've ever paid MSRP for a car) and I ended up ordering the exact car I wanted from a dealer in Plano Texas. I actually paid $400 under MSRP because Kia had a military discound - I just had to provide a copy of my DD-214. I placed the order at the end of August and drove a one-way rental car to Plano and took delivery 53 days later when my car was delivered to the dealer.

I have now had this car for one week and have been blown away by this thing. It is an extremely quiet and surprisingly luxurious car with a ton of safety technology. Time will tell how reliable this thing will be, but it does have a very good warrenty (5 years/ 60,000 miles basic / roadside assistance and 10 year / 100,000 drive train warranty). The color is Dark Moss with Butterscotch leather.


Took this picture at sunrise on way back from Plano.​
Telluride_Texas-1.jpg
 
Nice ride! (And nice photo).

I head these were incredibly popular (as is the VW Atlas - similar in mission), but above MSRP is something usually reserved for serious one-offs! (Like the neat special editions Chrysler makes.)

Glad you like it. It looks great - somehow the styling hides the large size of the vehicle. Enjoy!!
 
looks great boss - congrats
 
Popeye said:
Nice ride! (And nice photo).

I head these were incredibly popular (as is the VW Atlas - similar in mission), but above MSRP is something usually reserved for serious one-offs! (Like the neat special editions Chrysler makes.)

Glad you like it. It looks great - somehow the styling hides the large size of the vehicle. Enjoy!!
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When I decided I was going to get serious about this car I wanted to see one up close and personal. We have 3 dealers within driving distance of me and only one at the time had a Telluride on the lot - and it was already spoken for, but at least I was able to go check it out in person.

It is definitely a bigger car than my Santa Fe - takes a little getting used to when parking.

JPSmit said:
looks great boss - congrats
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Thanks. It's only an SUV but we like it!

pdplot said:
As my late mother used to say - use it in good health.
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Knock on wood!
 
Basil said:
I placed the order at the end of August and drove a one-way rental car to Plano and took delivery 53 days later when my car was delivered to the dealer.
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I am not sure if you are impatient or very patient man. I would have probably waited at home instead of driving to Plano 53 days early. :excitement: Good looking car. Kia has really improved their quality in the last few years.
 
70herald said:
I am not sure if you are impatient or very patient man. I would have probably waited at home instead of driving to Plano 53 days early. :excitement: Good looking car. Kia has really improved their quality in the last few years.
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Lol! I guess I didn't word that very well.
 
That's the color combination I would choose! Tellurides and Palisades abound here in SoCal because they are such an excellent value. Kia is the more rugged "off-road" choice and better looking of the two. Level-ride tow option is a nice feature and likely on your particular ride. You'll be finding yourself going well above speed limit in these things so activate one of the many nanny's to keep it in check! Thanks for sharing.
 
gonzo said:
That's the color combination I would choose! Tellurides and Palisades abound here in SoCal because they are such an excellent value. Kia is the more rugged "off-road" choice and better looking of the two. Level-ride tow option is a nice feature and likely on your particular ride. You'll be finding yourself going well above speed limit in these things so activate one of the many nanny's to keep it in check! Thanks for sharing.
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Having just donated a Hyundai Santa Fe to charity that I happily owned for 13 years (and 317k+ miles), you might wonder why I went with a Telluride and not a Palisade. The Palisade is clearly more "upscale" and a lot more luxury, but for me it came down to looks. I just liked the looks of the Telluride better. I first saw a Telly at Costco a few months back and, having never seen one before, I had to go take a closer look. I couldn't believe it was a Kia! So, I started looking at reviews and saw that Motortrend named it SUV of the year and all the reviews I read and saw were glowing. If you'd have told me a year ago that my next car after the SAnta Fe would be a Kia I'd have said you were crazy. But here we are! :friendly_wink:
 
Bas, I'm not buying it. I think you bought the Telluride instead of the Palisade because, like the Santa Fe before it, it's named for a town that's not too far from you.
 
See, 95 miles further. Fits my theory perfectly.
 
Wife was not amused. SWMBO says "this car is too complicated, I don't think I can drive it." Me: "Nonsense, just read this manual and you'll see how easy it all is." (As I hand her the 582 page owners manual) :angel2:
 
John Turney said:
Congratulations! I am surprised you didn't get a deal through Costco, though.
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No but I researched and found there are very few dealers offering Costco pricing on the Telly and there would be a longer than normal wait. I did a special order to get the exact car/options I wanted from a dealer in Texas who wasn't jacking up the prices with "market adjustments" like the locals were. I did, however, get a discount for being a veteran - just had to take a copy of my DD-214.
 
Sent my salesman a little memento. I had the picture I took on the drive back home framed and sent it to him. He just texted a picture of his desk with the picture on it.

IMG_2546.jpg
 
Basil said:
Sent my salesman a little memento. I had the picture I took on the drive back home framed and sent it to him. He just texted a picture of his desk with the picture on it.
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Nice!

Always respect a car salesperson with a helmet on his desk - suggests a "gear-head"!

(Or did he buy this after test driving with you :smile: :smile: :smile: )
 
Popeye said:
Nice!

Always respect a car salesperson with a helmet on his desk - suggests a "gear-head"!

(Or did he buy this after test driving with you :smile: :smile: :smile: )
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He has one of those "crotch rockets". The kind of bike I know I'd kill myself on.
 
Basil said:
He has one of those "crotch rockets". The kind of bike I know I'd kill myself on.
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Me too! (Closest I had was a Vespa :smile:)

Nonetheless, a crotch rocket suggests a "car guy". More fun doing business with those types! (Plus the fact that he put your Telluride photo on his desk - seems to enjoy what he does!)
 
We've had "Kojak" for 1 month now and my wife finally screwed up enough courage to drive him! She's been reluctant because of the size compared to the 2007 Santa Fe we used to have. She had to babysit our granddaughter tonight and I suggested she drive the Telly and she reluctantly agreed. She made it to our son's house unscathed (about 30 mile trip) but she said she was nervous the whole time.


Hopefully she will quickly get more comfortable driving it as she gains more wheel time. It drives similar to the Santa Fe but it definitely is a lot bigger.
 
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