Kia Motor Finance is pathetic.

[rpoffen]

If the tittle is mailed to you on the bottom it will list Kia as the lien holder , when you pay off the loan Kia should send you a lien release or who ever you financed with you attach the release to the title when you sell it

At least in California, the last 4 cars I paid off, I got the title (pink slip) directly from DMV after the finance company sent the release directly to DMV.
While the finance company holds the lien, you only get a registration card, the actual title is held either by the finance company or DMV. I think these days, it is all electronic, meaning that DMV holds the title record and no physical paper exchanges hands until the owner pays it off.

 

[stoopid]

Reading through this thread, it reminds me that dealing with manufacturer financing is just not worth any small kickback you and/or the dealer receive. Find local financing like a credit union or one of the several online banks specializing in vehicle financing (Capital One has a decent auto loan program). They will often beat the rate quoted by any car maker finance company.

Note: for negotiation reasons, don't discuss financing until the end of the deal, then bust out your preapproved financing. Dealers often get a small bonus from the financing company if you go through them, which they will factor into the negotiations with you. If they know you won't be using their financing, they'll be more reluctant to bring down the price.

 

[Nedstand]

Just wanted to share my horror story of buying the Stinger at lease end.
First, everyone I spoke with at Kia finance has been very nice on the phone, but closing this out has been a problem.
Prior to the end of 36 month lease, I called and told them I wanted to buy the car. They emailed a closing statement, and I sent 2 payments for the total due. They told me I had to send it in two payments using KMFUSA website as there was a limit of 20 or 25K on a single payment. The total due was just under 31K. That was in May 2021.

Then I called back and was told I needed to send an odometer form. I filled it out and emailed it back. They acknowledged receipt of full payment and the odometer form on a subsequent call in June 2021 and told me I had done everything I need to do on my end, and I should receive title in the mail within 2 weeks.

Since then I have received 3 letters demanding I return the car, the most recent included a statement in ALL CAPS AND BOLD threatening legal action if I do not return the car to a Kia dealer.

Again, everyone at KMF has been nice on the phone, but they cannot complete a simple transaction. Will I buy/lease another Kia after this experience?

If I get another nasty letter, it's time for me to hire a lawyer.

 

[BadTrainDriver]

Just wanted to share my horror story of buying the Stinger at lease end.
First, everyone I spoke with at Kia finance has been very nice on the phone, but closing this out has been a problem.
Prior to the end of 36 month lease, I called and told them I wanted to buy the car. They emailed a closing statement, and I sent 2 payments for the total due. They told me I had to send it in two payments using KMFUSA website as there was a limit of 20 or 25K on a single payment. The total due was just under 31K. That was in May 2021.

Then I called back and was told I needed to send an odometer form. I filled it out and emailed it back. They acknowledged receipt of full payment and the odometer form on a subsequent call in June 2021 and told me I had done everything I need to do on my end, and I should receive title in the mail within 2 weeks.

Since then I have received 3 letters demanding I return the car, the most recent included a statement in ALL CAPS AND BOLD threatening legal action if I do not return the car to a Kia dealer.

Again, everyone at KMF has been nice on the phone, but they cannot complete a simple transaction. Will I buy/lease another Kia after this experience?

If I get another nasty letter, it's time for me to hire a lawyer.

How long did it take to receive your title?

 

[Nedstand]

How long did it take to receive your title?

Still waiting for the title, which they promise to mail out on every phone call. Every time I get a letter from Kia, I think it's the title, but instead it's a nasty letter. Here's the body of the most recent one, and yes I have called many times, including after each of the 3 letters demanding the car be returned.

 

[BadTrainDriver]

Still waiting for the title, which they promise to mail out on every phone call. Every time I get a letter from Kia, I think it's the title, but instead it's a nasty letter. Here's the body of the most recent one, and yes I have called many times, including after each of the 3 letters demanding the car be returned.

I'll call them and act like I'm you. I'll get it handled. PM me your specifics.

 

[Nedstand]

I'll call them and act like I'm you. I'll get it handled. PM me your specifics.

I might take you up on that offer in a week or so. Packing to catch a plane in the morning. Last family trip b4 the kids start school.

 

[JSolo]

Possible the dealership pocketed the money and never paid the leasing co?

 

[Nedstand]

Possible the dealership pocketed the money and never paid the leasing co?

No, not possible. The Dealer who did the lease, Galpin Kia (Van Nuys, CA) closed about 4 months after I got the Stinger.
All payments were made via ETF to KMFUSA.com (Kia Motors Finance USA) and each payment was reflected monthly on my credit report(s). After the final payment, my credit report(s) showed the account paid in full and closed. I had a prior instance of identity theft, so I monitor the reports closely.

 

[JSolo]

For those who paid off their vehicle early or refi'd, how long did it take to receive your refund check for the payoff overpayment?

Mine was refi'd about a month ago. The over payment was small, but I'd still like it back.

 

[MerlintheMad]

For those who paid off their vehicle early or refi'd, how long did it take to receive your refund check for the payoff overpayment?

Mine was refi'd about a month ago. The over payment was small, but I'd still like it back.

By what I've read here, the time span is anywhere from a month to half a year to finish up a buyout or similar. Kia Corp. is very much a crap shoot that way. I got my title in one month. There was no overpayment component. I would expect Kia to spin out paying back anything as long as they can. Hah.

 

[CKeeler]

Got my pink from KMF a week and a half ago, went to the AAA office this last Saturday and did transfer of ownership. Should get the new pink in 4-6 weeks. So happy I went with dealing with KMF rather than the dealer. Saved me about $6k or more

 

[JSolo]

Spoke with a rep this morning.... It's still in processing. Said he'll send an email to expedite things. I'm glad the important papers have already been received (title/lien release).

I had a much better experience with penfed last time around, expect it'll be similar in a few years when this thing is paid off too.

Btw, for those of you paying high rates, if your credit is good, penfed refi on 2020+ MY's is fantastic.

https://www.penfed.org/auto/rates

 

[Nedstand]

Got my pink from KMF a week and a half ago, went to the AAA office this last Saturday and did transfer of ownership. Should get the new pink in 4-6 weeks. So happy I went with dealing with KMF rather than the dealer. Saved me about $6k or more

Hopefully your AAA office did better than mine... the saga continues.

When I bought the Stinger at lease end, KMF added $2600 in Use Tax to the buyout price.
I went to the AAA office earlier this week, and got in the door just before closing time. They were very nice and helpful, and then came the bill of almost $3,000 of which $2600 is marked Use Tax. It was late, and I was tired, so I paid it.

Today I returned to AAA and showed them the bill of sale where is clearly says KMF collected the exact same amount of Use Tax. Again, they were nice and helpful but told me the funds are at DMV now. They AAA rep told me "It's very unusual for a leasing company to collect the use tax".

So, now I have paid the use tax twice and have to file a refund request form with DMV.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Hopefully your AAA office did better than mine... the saga continues.

When I bought the Stinger at lease end, KMF added $2600 in Use Tax to the buyout price.
I went to the AAA office earlier this week, and got in the door just before closing time. They were very nice and helpful, and then came the bill of almost $3,000 of which $2600 is marked Use Tax. It was late, and I was tired, so I paid it.

Today I returned to AAA and showed them the bill of sale where is clearly says KMF collected the exact same amount of Use Tax. Again, they were nice and helpful but told me the funds are at DMV now. They AAA rep told me "It's very unusual for a leasing company to collect the use tax".

So, now I have paid the use tax twice and have to file a refund request form with DMV.

what a circus

 

[RUFFSTUFF]

Tell us again how great a deal you got from leasing instead of buying....

 

[stoopid]

Spoke with a rep this morning.... It's still in processing. Said he'll send an email to expedite things. I'm glad the important papers have already been received (title/lien release).

I had a much better experience with penfed last time around, expect it'll be similar in a few years when this thing is paid off too.

Btw, for those of you paying high rates, if your credit is good, penfed refi on 2020+ MY's is fantastic.

https://www.penfed.org/auto/rates

View attachment 63117

Good rates, about what the credit union offered me on my 2021 GT.

 

[JSolo]

^^Your post prompted me to call 'em up again as I haven't heard anything since calling last monday.

No updates to the email the droid sent on 9/13. This one did say payoff refund takes 30-45 days from the time the loan is finalized. For me that was mid august, so based on indicated time frame, I should have a check in the next 10 days. We'll see.

It is truly miraculous the lien release and title were sent out in a timely manner and successfully received.

 

[CKeeler]

Hopefully your AAA office did better than mine... the saga continues.

When I bought the Stinger at lease end, KMF added $2600 in Use Tax to the buyout price.
I went to the AAA office earlier this week, and got in the door just before closing time. They were very nice and helpful, and then came the bill of almost $3,000 of which $2600 is marked Use Tax. It was late, and I was tired, so I paid it.

Today I returned to AAA and showed them the bill of sale where is clearly says KMF collected the exact same amount of Use Tax. Again, they were nice and helpful but told me the funds are at DMV now. They AAA rep told me "It's very unusual for a leasing company to collect the use tax".

So, now I have paid the use tax twice and have to file a refund request form with DMV.

Yeah, the lady at the office was looking at my paperwork for a while and asked if I already paid the tax listed. I told her yes. The amount on the paperwork is the amount I had already paid. Thankfully I got out of there only paying $30, since I has just paid registration a few weeks prior

 

[JSolo]

Got my refund check today! Took just under 2 months. Check dated 9/22 arrived today. Check mailed 9/23 from 28110 zipcode.

USPS says mail delays starting tomorrow. I think they meant friday months ago. A week to go from NC to IL.

I'm officially completely done with KMF!