360º camera and heated seats--YES!

[eljay]

I just got an email from the internet/acquisition director at Covina Valley Kia. The news:

• Stingers should be in the dealership for test drive mid-November.
• Pre-orders are being taken for $1000 deposit the last week of October.
• At least at my preferred level, GT2, RWD, there will be 360º cameras and rear heated seats.
• The car could be delivered before Thanksgiving.

Sorry, I was on my way out when he called this morning, so I only asked the questions on the top of my mind, not all the questions I know you all have. And, of course, the timing info is, I assume, for the West Coast, so I don't know that it's true for all states.

The dates don't jibe with what I've heard elsewhere, but once again, I'm putting aside my cynicism and choosing to believe this hopeful news.

 

[ralzod]

...once again, I'm putting aside my cynicism and choosing to believe this hopeful news.

Greatly appreciate your optimism non-cynicism. I...just...struggle to take the word of a dealership employee (meaning they aren't from Kia), when we've so far seen no evidence they have any more information that we do. Someone please prove me wrong. I know we have dealers on here now.

 

[Bamm1]

I hope this correct. I need to be more glass half full.

 

[Jayce]

I hope it's correct as well. It would make sense to do it, but it's just hard to see how they could leave it out of everything we've seen so far.

 

[FluffyBottoms]

I just got an email from the internet/acquisition director at Covina Valley Kia. The news:

• Stingers should be in the dealership for test drive mid-November.
• Pre-orders are being taken for $1000 deposit the last week of October.
• At least at my preferred level, GT2, RWD, there will be 360º cameras and rear heated seats.
• The car could be delivered before Thanksgiving.

Sorry, I was on my way out when he called this morning, so I only asked the questions on the top of my mind, not all the questions I know you all have. And, of course, the timing info is, I assume, for the West Coast, so I don't know that it's true for all states.

The dates don't jibe with what I've heard elsewhere, but once again, I'm putting aside my cynicism and choosing to believe this hopeful news.

Just a heads up that I negotiated a deposit of $200 to secure my preferred option package at the port. The dealer initially asked for $500, but with all the unknowns at this point, I just didn't feel comfortable going that high.

 

[jwhollan]

Are these refundable deposits?

 

[FluffyBottoms]

Yes, they are.

 

[ralzod]

Just a heads up that I negotiated a deposit of $200 to secure my preferred option package at the port. The dealer initially asked for $500, but with all the unknowns at this point, I just didn't feel comfortable going that high.

Great that you negotiated lower, but I'm curious what risk you see, since it's a refundable deposit. Also, exactly what is the business value (to the dealer) with these deposits, since they're refundable? If it's just something to make them feel confident that you're a serious buyer, $200 or $500 seems somewhat trivial in the case of a $40-50K+ car. I'm not being critical, I'm just not in sales, and I obviously don't understand the operating model.

Also, what do you mean by "secure my preferred option package at the port"? I thought the cars arrive at port already assigned to specific dealers. Are you saying they have some ability to select from port inventory, or otherwise preempt another dealer's pipeline?

 

[Bamm1]

Great that you negotiated lower, but I'm curious what risk you see, since it's a refundable deposit. Also, exactly what is the business value (to the dealer) with these deposits, since they're refundable? If it's just something to make them feel confident that you're a serious buyer, $200 or $500 seems somewhat trivial in the case of a $40-50K+ car. I'm not being critical, I'm just not in sales, and I obviously don't understand the operating model.

Also, what do you mean by "secure my preferred option package at the port"? I thought the cars arrive at port already assigned to specific dealers. Are you saying they have some ability to select from port inventory, or otherwise preempt another dealer's pipeline?

The dealer will likely find the specific configuration fluffy wants, determine what dealer it is allocated to and then attempt to trade allocations. Then they can reroute it to their dealership. I have done this in lieu of a factory order since the configuration I wanted already existed in the pipeline.

 

[FluffyBottoms]

Great that you negotiated lower, but I'm curious what risk you see, since it's a refundable deposit. Also, exactly what is the business value (to the dealer) with these deposits, since they're refundable? If it's just something to make them feel confident that you're a serious buyer, $200 or $500 seems somewhat trivial in the case of a $40-50K+ car. I'm not being critical, I'm just not in sales, and I obviously don't understand the operating model.

Also, what do you mean by "secure my preferred option package at the port"? I thought the cars arrive at port already assigned to specific dealers. Are you saying they have some ability to select from port inventory, or otherwise preempt another dealer's pipeline?

As I understand it from speaking to reps from a few Kia dealerships, for the initial launch of the Stinger, dealers will select cars from what they're allocated from the port's inventory.

For example, dealer A has 4 Stingers allocated to them, but there's no definition on what specs those 4 cars will have. Where the deposit comes into play, at least to my understanding, is that priority is given to dealers that have deposits on file with KMA and theyll have the ability to identify what specs they want from their allocated pool of Stingers for that deposit.

The reason I wanted a smaller deposit is partially due to the tepid reputation Kia dealers have, the recent turnover of key executive positions at KMA (thanks Bamm1 for the articles) and the somewhat botched release of this car to date. To me, these reflect poorly on the organizational structure of the company, and diminishes my faith in getting a refund in a painless and expeditious manner if I end up not buying the Stinger.

With that being said, I do have faith in the manufacturing of the Stinger itself. The high reliability scores, long warranty and success of it's sister brand (Genesis) all give me confidence that the Stinger is a car that I will enjoy for the next 8-10 years, with very low ownership costs. This is something I can't say about the German equivalents, as much as I like the A5 Sportback.

 

[eljay]

As I understand it from speaking to reps from a few Kia dealerships, for the initial launch of the Stinger, dealers will select cars from what they're allocated from the port's inventory.

For example, dealer A has 4 Stingers allocated to them, but there's no definition on what specs those 4 cars will have. Where the deposit comes into play, at least to my understanding, is that priority is given to dealers that have deposits on file with KMA and theyll have the ability to identify what specs they want from their allocated pool of Stingers for that deposit.

This is exactly what was explained to me. My understanding is that the dealer will be able to access a list of what's arriving in port; as they get deposits, they reserve from that list.

 

[ralzod]

This is exactly what was explained to me. My understanding is that the dealer will be able to access a list of what's arriving in port; as they get deposits, they reserve from that list.

I was asking about possible loss of negotiating leverage in another thread, but I'm starting to feel like it's in my interest to start talking to a dealer now, given the likelihood of availability issues for a while. I've been "shopping" for a new car pretty much all year, and I'm not sure I or the old jalopy can wait until spring.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Any dealer that loses the keys to your trade-in is capable of giving you a hard time if/when you want your deposit back. Better safe than sorry...

 

[david norman]

I just got an email from the internet/acquisition director at Covina Valley Kia. The news:

• Stingers should be in the dealership for test drive mid-November.
• Pre-orders are being taken for $1000 deposit the last week of October.
• At least at my preferred level, GT2, RWD, there will be 360º cameras and rear heated seats.
• The car could be delivered before Thanksgiving.

Sorry, I was on my way out when he called this morning, so I only asked the questions on the top of my mind, not all the questions I know you all have. And, of course, the timing info is, I assume, for the West Coast, so I don't know that it's true for all states.

The dates don't jibe with what I've heard elsewhere, but once again, I'm putting aside my cynicism and choosing to believe this hopeful news.

All I want to know is what are the color options and interior options that will available in the US to see if what I want is an option. This time I am buying a car with what I want and that’s it so I hope the stinger is it. I think it is stupid so many high end cars offer only black interior for the top models.