I’m checking out the SX-Prestige X-Line and got a quote. I need some advice on this.
Couple of things bothering me:
Accessories: The quote mentions “Karr Alarm” in the bottom corner. The dealership said they installed it themselves and had to mess with the car’s wiring. I hate the idea of tampered wiring—sounds like trouble if something goes wrong. I found out the system only costs around $200, but they’re charging more. They said they might remove the fee, but the wiring is already altered. Thoughts?
Government Fees: These seem a bit high. I plan to ask for a breakdown to understand what’s going on.
Proc/Doc Fees: Why am I paying a huge fee for paperwork? Isn’t this just part of their job? $600 feels excessive to me.
Check if the “Retail” price is actually the MSRP from Kia’s official sticker, not the dealer’s.
Aim for a $3-5k discount off MSRP.
Push back on those “doc” fees—they’re ridiculous.
Get the details on all the extra fees. If they’re taxed, they’re just profit for the dealer. If not, they might be government-mandated and non-negotiable.
Right now, your quote looks padded with nonsense fees. Clean that up to see the real offer.
Arizona car tax is 5.6%. On a $54k car, that’s about $3,024. Why are they asking for $4,482?
If they won’t remove unnecessary add-ons like the Karr Alarm, find another dealership. There are plenty of Tellurides out there, and more are arriving all the time.
Ronald said:
Which part of the country are you in? The price feels a bit high.
Oh, sorry for not mentioning earlier. I’m in Arizona.
Got it. I’m in the southeast, so I’m not familiar with fees in Arizona.
From what I’ve seen, $52.3k seems standard for your area. You might find closer to $51k in the Midwest, but unless they offer free shipping, you’re probably already in the ballpark.
My suggestion: share this quote with other dealers (as far as you’re willing to go) and see if they’ll match or beat it. Also, check their fees and accessories.
And yeah, I wouldn’t want the Karr Alarm either. Best of luck!
Braint said:
Spending $60k on a Kia Telluride seems crazy to me.
How so? The MSRP is $55k. Add 7% sales tax, registration, and you’re at $59k. It’s a bit high, sure, but not outrageous. Plus, Tellurides currently hold the highest residual value in their class.
@Jony
The numbers add up, but I still think it’s too much for a Telluride. I have a 2020 SXP and love it, but when I upgrade, it won’t be for another Telluride. The price has just gone too high for me. I paid cash for mine, but $60k for any car—let alone a Kia—feels steep.
Braint said:
Spending $60k on a Kia Telluride seems crazy to me.
I agree. I bought my 2021 Telluride top trim used for $35k with 25k miles. $60k for new feels like too much. The difference in price for those first 25k miles is massive.
You’re spot on about everything you said. Those extra accessories and fees don’t make sense. Make sure to ask for a detailed breakdown and compare it with other dealers.