A New Rondo in My Driveway!

revjay · 02-11-2007, 11:38 AM

Yesterday, my wife and I took delivery of our Rondo EX (I-4). I love the Rondo, however, my opinion of the sales/business end of the car business was unchanged in my first buying experience at a KIA dealership. I thought the salesperson was supposed to at least have the appearance of representing the customer (good cop), and the business manager was the bad cop...they both ultimately have the same goal in mind, though, (to soak as much $ from me as possible).

We spent about an hour negotiating the trade in value of our minivan...I'm not sure who broke who down the most, (they like to make it look like we won...but I know they were laughing on the inside).

I know I'm overreacting and perhaps a bit paranoid about being "taken", but we really are quite happy overall. I'll post more info. as we drive more...(odometer reads 80km...of which, only 67 are ours), we have company today, otherwise we would be out on a daytrip somewhere...maybe next weekend.

viamede · 02-11-2007, 01:44 PM

Congratulations. I hope you are very happy with your new purchase. I look forward to hearing your comments.

It is always tough not to have second thoughts on how good a deal you obtained on a big purchase. Best just to put it behind you and enjoy your new car. Unlikely you left much on the table on way or the other. Trading in never nets the best deal but the trade-off is avoiding the haggling and complaints from people in your driveway.

Cheers.

SpectraMan · 02-11-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revjay

Yesterday, my wife and I took delivery of our Rondo EX (I-4). I love the Rondo, however, my opinion of the sales/business end of the car business was unchanged in my first buying experience at a KIA dealership. I thought the salesperson was supposed to at least have the appearance of representing the customer (good cop), and the business manager was the bad cop...they both ultimately have the same goal in mind, though, (to soak as much $ from me as possible).

We spent about an hour negotiating the trade in value of our minivan...I'm not sure who broke who down the most, (they like to make it look like we won...but I know they were laughing on the inside).

I know I'm overreacting and perhaps a bit paranoid about being "taken", but we really are quite happy overall. I'll post more info. as we drive more...(odometer reads 80km...of which, only 67 are ours), we have company today, otherwise we would be out on a daytrip somewhere...maybe next weekend.

Revjay:

If you don't mind me asking, what was the final out-the-door cost of your Rondo before applying your trade-in? Also... was this in Canada?

And... was it 5 or 7 seater?

Thanks!

-SM

onewithkia · 02-11-2007, 05:40 PM

Congrats revjay! I look forward to your reports. I'm also interested in an I4 EX.

Dakota29803 · 02-12-2007, 08:24 AM

I hope that you enjoy your I4 EX as much as I have so far (~1500 miles).

Booker · 02-12-2007, 01:39 PM

Could those of you with Rondii (?)

in your driveway post the MPG you are seeing in your I4 or V6? Thanks

Booker

revjay · 02-14-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpectraMan

Revjay:

If you don't mind me asking, what was the final out-the-door cost of your Rondo before applying your trade-in? Also... was this in Canada?

And... was it 5 or 7 seater?

Thanks!

-SM

Price of 7 seater '07 Rondo EX I-4 Premium.....$25,500 (before taxes and levys and trade in)

Check the Kia Canada website for the model specs (different than othere regions)
So far (400km) we have a few observations:

- 3 power points (accessory plugs...we used them all on a short trip). Rear plug remains hot when ignition is off (powered cooler, would be great for big X-country type trips)...we had a portable DVD player, ipod charger/fm transmitter and Game Boy charger...all at once...nice when 3 kids all have different interests.

- Love the center console...decent storage...I am using the top compartment as a candy dish (wrapped, of course).

- Cup and bottle holders...so many of them that you might want to plan a few extra bathroom stops on that trip. So far, the beverage holder in the center console has held everything I have thrown at it. (rubber grippy side flanges to help fit the cup/bottle snugly).

- The one short trip we did take...(family of 5), the I-4 seemed a bit weak...but we were passing over the Malahat, a mountain highway connecting Duncan, BC to Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island. To maintain speed and stay with the traffic around me, the tranny did kick down to 3rd on most climbs...using the "steptronic" mode, the auto box was kept from premature shifting (something no guy wants to have a problem with).

- I had my oldest son and 5 of his volleyball teammates (11 year olds) on board for a jaunt across town to a game...all is well in that department...except for the muddy shoes. It was quick to load and unload.

- In a Costco parking lot with ample space between the vehicles, the rear doors could open fully without dinging the cars beside us, however, not many parking lots have the same real estate between parking spots...we are watching this closely.

- When I open the drivers door at night, the cockpit seems inadequately lit, compared to the rest of the cabin, it is a shame that not even one of those ultra bright map lights comes on when the door is opened.

- It rains here on the west coast of BC...front wipers and modes are fantastic...2 different sized wiper blades, effectively clearing a large swath of the windshield for the driver. Fluid spray is fantastic, and intermittent modes are just what the doctor ordered. Rear wiper, however, leaves a bit to be desired...the wiper itself, works flawlessly to clear rain and spray from a decent sized area of the rear window, the problem is that there is not an intermittant mode...on or off, or wipe twice when spraying fluid. In a deluge, which we experienced Sunday night, it seemed alright to leave the rear wyper on, however, most times, road spray and light rain do not constantly soak the rear window, which would mean that the wyper would be rubbing against dry glass. I found I would turn the wyper on then off again right away, every 30 seconds of so...a pain and wear & tear on the switch.

- When the Rondo has been sitting out in the rain and either of the rear doors are opened, a short dribble of rain water drips from the roof, onto the sill below, splashing some moisture into the vehicle...not a big deal, but something I noticed.

More will come to me as we use the Rondo more...we are planning a trip cross-country to Ontario...4500km in July!

budmelon · 02-14-2007, 08:18 PM

revjay,

thanks for that great review. We are hoping to get one hopefully end of this year or early next year. Just kind of sitting back and see how the reliability holds up.

Keep up the great work and looking forward to your 4500 km review.

Thanks.

gottarondo · 03-26-2007, 04:35 AM

Coming up to three months and 3000 km, I thought I'd add my reflections on the car to Revjay's observations. I have the V6 EX.

I really like the configuration of the car; the amount it can do for its compact footprint, and the flexibility of the seating/cargo capacity. Most of the gauges, displays, compartments, and controls are located well enough, but I would happily dispense with the steering wheel controls, which I hit by accident occasionally.

Fit and finish are really excellent; the car is a pleasure to be inside. Only noticed a gap at one of the mudflaps where gunk might collect - have to check that.

The drive is pretty good; I like the suspension, and the power/pick-up of the engine are OK except I drive like a granny to avoid sucking too much gas.

I like the lack of side bolstering on the seat as it makes it really easy to get in and out; this is enhanced by the low floor which allows the legs to swing in easily. I think the seats could be better engineered for comfort and support (my lumbar can't find the alleged lumbar support) but they are an improvement over our old car!

I certainly have some complaints, but suspect that they are less than what I might find to complain about in other cars. These include the lack of a cargo cover, and a bit of a front pillar blind spot problem. However, I haven't been in enough other cars to know if this is better or worse than average. Also, the heating system (aka the cooling system in summer I suppose) blows too much air at the driver and too little into the back of the car where the kids are shivering.

Other than that, I'd like it if the car had fewer automatic features (hate power windows, hate power locks and that I can't use a key in the passenger door or the hatch) but that's not specific to the Rondo either.

All in all, a keeper for us.

revjay · 03-26-2007, 01:26 PM

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