Advice on mid sized SUV's (Mazda cx-5)

[dotdan]

Finally found something I want and now I have to deal with dealership finance with their high interest rate (kick back) offers and bloated add-ons that nobody asked for that pushes the price up..

Jirr, I hate buying a new car.

 

[Y'all Qaeda]

Finally found something I want and now I have to deal with dealership finance with their high interest rate (kick back) offers and bloated add-ons that nobody asked for that pushes the price up..

Jirr, I hate buying a new car.

What are you getting?

 

[longboy]

Gen 4 CR-V with the 1.5T?

This.

A friend lent me for a week when my vehicle was due for a major service (had to be driven to JHB)

Ride quality is very good. Interior is spacious and looks okay. Even with my 1.90m height it had enough legroom and driver-side space.

 

[dotdan]

What are you getting?

Possibly Kia Sportage..

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Any reason it needs to be an SUV? I honestly think the Civic RS is the best value car at the moment.

Also don't underestimate the Frenchies. Renault Koleos is a good option, plenty of space, comes with everything.

Peugeot 3008 also an option. Bit smaller than the Koleos, but probably the best looking SUV IMO and great interior. Just buy used/demo so you don't have to take the knock...

 

[bennyblanco]

Any reason it needs to be an SUV? I honestly think the Civic RS is the best value car at the moment.

Also don't underestimate the Frenchies. Renault Koleos is a good option, plenty of space, comes with everything.

Peugeot 3008 also an option. Bit smaller than the Koleos, but probably the best looking SUV IMO and great interior. Just buy used/demo so you don't have to take the knock...

+1 on the Civic RS and value for money

 

[dotdan]

I had such a horrible experience yesterday at Kia Centurion when I went to go look at the demo model Kia Sportage I was planning on buying. Most of the finance options and stuff was discussed before my visit, so it was just down to going to take a look at the car etc.

Over the past week, the sales man never really communicated with me or followed up on anything and I mostly chatted to the finance guy. On Saturday I did phone the sales guy and told him I would come through on Tuesday so that they can evaluate my car, I can take a look at the Kia and if everything is fine, we can conclude everything on the same day.

Lekker.

When I got there yesterday and started to take a look at the Sportage which is billed as a 2024 demo model, the car looks like it had been driven for 3+ years tbh. Crack on the back fender, scratches on the body, front fender is damaged and misaligned due to someone obviously climbing a pavement or going over a curb when parking. At the back a few deep scuff marks as somebody obviously reversed into something. The more I looked at the car, the more stuff I found.

The car was not cleaned, full of sand and grass with even a child's dusty footprint on the back seat still.

I went to Salesman and said, I am not happy with the car unfortunately and it does not look like a demo model at all. Manager was called in and after I said to him that the car looks like it was pulled through someone's ass, he immediately got defense with me and started arguing with me about the condition of the car.

He stormed out the dealership and I returned to salesman saying that I am cancelling the deal, I don't want the car anymore.

Manager comes back in, obviously reflecting on what he just said. Relooked at the car and came to me and apologized for his tone and behavior and then agreed that the car is not in a demo condition and that they slipped up. Started making excuses that they are under pressure due to month end and the industry is difficult yada yada and even told me that I should not buy that car as I won't be happy even if they try and fix some of the scuff marks, some deeper damage would not be able to be fixed.

Apparently these "demos" get sent from Kia head office to be sold by the dealership. Looked at another "demo" but I don't like the color and it also was in quite a rough shape.

Now, I am at a cross roads. They want to accommodate me with finding a better condition demo, which they have apparentely will hear more today.. but hell after that shyte show yesterday, I don't even think I want to deal with that dealership anymore..

 

[capd]

Go and look at an Audi Q5 once you’ve finished playing with toy cars.

 

[donal]

For what it's worth I was also looking at the Kia range - specifically Seltos or Sportage - and although I was focusing more on a 2020-21 age I wasn't crazy about the build quality overall.
Very nice to drive and a decent amount of power for the price.
Ended up changing my picture slightly and went for an older x-trail (2018), and I have to say I'm not sorry.

It's a more refined drive than the Mazda, more solid feel than the Kia and just feels a lot more spacious and accommodating for a Lang ou like me.
There was a verifiable service history which ended up swinging the decision for me, and I bought an extended warranty.

 

[dotdan]

Go and look at an Audi Q5 once you’ve finished playing with toy cars.

Yeah, because that is in the same price range...

 

[rodga]

I had such a horrible experience yesterday at Kia Centurion when I went to go look at the demo model Kia Sportage I was planning on buying. Most of the finance options and stuff was discussed before my visit, so it was just down to going to take a look at the car etc.

Over the past week, the sales man never really communicated with me or followed up on anything and I mostly chatted to the finance guy. On Saturday I did phone the sales guy and told him I would come through on Tuesday so that they can evaluate my car, I can take a look at the Kia and if everything is fine, we can conclude everything on the same day.

Lekker.

When I got there yesterday and started to take a look at the Sportage which is billed as a 2024 demo model, the car looks like it had been driven for 3+ years tbh. Crack on the back fender, scratches on the body, front fender is damaged and misaligned due to someone obviously climbing a pavement or going over a curb when parking. At the back a few deep scuff marks as somebody obviously reversed into something. The more I looked at the car, the more stuff I found.

The car was not cleaned, full of sand and grass with even a child's dusty footprint on the back seat still.

I went to Salesman and said, I am not happy with the car unfortunately and it does not look like a demo model at all. Manager was called in and after I said to him that the car looks like it was pulled through someone's ass, he immediately got defense with me and started arguing with me about the condition of the car.

He stormed out the dealership and I returned to salesman saying that I am cancelling the deal, I don't want the car anymore.

Manager comes back in, obviously reflecting on what he just said. Relooked at the car and came to me and apologized for his tone and behavior and then agreed that the car is not in a demo condition and that they slipped up. Started making excuses that they are under pressure due to month end and the industry is difficult yada yada and even told me that I should not buy that car as I won't be happy even if they try and fix some of the scuff marks, some deeper damage would not be able to be fixed.

Apparently these "demos" get sent from Kia head office to be sold by the dealership. Looked at another "demo" but I don't like the color and it also was in quite a rough shape.

Now, I am at a cross roads. They want to accommodate me with finding a better condition demo, which they have apparentely will hear more today.. but hell after that shyte show yesterday, I don't even think I want to deal with that dealership anymore..

Dodged a bullet there
Keep looking bro, if they tried that in the begining what else do you have to look out for next time?

 

[dotdan]

Dodged a bullet there
Keep looking bro, if they tried that in the begining what else do you have to look out for next time?

Yeah, my thoughts too. Surely they would have seen all the damage on the car and still marketed it as a demo. A bit scaley.

 

[longboy]

I had such a horrible experience yesterday at Kia Centurion when I went to go look at the demo model Kia Sportage I was planning on buying. Most of the finance options and stuff was discussed before my visit, so it was just down to going to take a look at the car etc.

Over the past week, the sales man never really communicated with me or followed up on anything and I mostly chatted to the finance guy. On Saturday I did phone the sales guy and told him I would come through on Tuesday so that they can evaluate my car, I can take a look at the Kia and if everything is fine, we can conclude everything on the same day.

Lekker.

When I got there yesterday and started to take a look at the Sportage which is billed as a 2024 demo model, the car looks like it had been driven for 3+ years tbh. Crack on the back fender, scratches on the body, front fender is damaged and misaligned due to someone obviously climbing a pavement or going over a curb when parking. At the back a few deep scuff marks as somebody obviously reversed into something. The more I looked at the car, the more stuff I found.

The car was not cleaned, full of sand and grass with even a child's dusty footprint on the back seat still.

I went to Salesman and said, I am not happy with the car unfortunately and it does not look like a demo model at all. Manager was called in and after I said to him that the car looks like it was pulled through someone's ass, he immediately got defense with me and started arguing with me about the condition of the car.

He stormed out the dealership and I returned to salesman saying that I am cancelling the deal, I don't want the car anymore.

Manager comes back in, obviously reflecting on what he just said. Relooked at the car and came to me and apologized for his tone and behavior and then agreed that the car is not in a demo condition and that they slipped up. Started making excuses that they are under pressure due to month end and the industry is difficult yada yada and even told me that I should not buy that car as I won't be happy even if they try and fix some of the scuff marks, some deeper damage would not be able to be fixed.

Apparently these "demos" get sent from Kia head office to be sold by the dealership. Looked at another "demo" but I don't like the color and it also was in quite a rough shape.

Now, I am at a cross roads. They want to accommodate me with finding a better condition demo, which they have apparentely will hear more today.. but hell after that shyte show yesterday, I don't even think I want to deal with that dealership anymore..

Good on you.

I personally would have evaluated how much it would be to fix the cosmetic damage and check the mag wheels/engine/gearbox (since you said it looked like it climbed a curb).

I would then offer the Dealer a low price to buy - minus a good few R10k off the asking price.

 

[unobeat]

I had such a horrible experience yesterday at Kia Centurion when I went to go look at the demo model Kia Sportage I was planning on buying. Most of the finance options and stuff was discussed before my visit, so it was just down to going to take a look at the car etc.

Over the past week, the sales man never really communicated with me or followed up on anything and I mostly chatted to the finance guy. On Saturday I did phone the sales guy and told him I would come through on Tuesday so that they can evaluate my car, I can take a look at the Kia and if everything is fine, we can conclude everything on the same day.

Lekker.

When I got there yesterday and started to take a look at the Sportage which is billed as a 2024 demo model, the car looks like it had been driven for 3+ years tbh. Crack on the back fender, scratches on the body, front fender is damaged and misaligned due to someone obviously climbing a pavement or going over a curb when parking. At the back a few deep scuff marks as somebody obviously reversed into something. The more I looked at the car, the more stuff I found.

The car was not cleaned, full of sand and grass with even a child's dusty footprint on the back seat still.

I went to Salesman and said, I am not happy with the car unfortunately and it does not look like a demo model at all. Manager was called in and after I said to him that the car looks like it was pulled through someone's ass, he immediately got defense with me and started arguing with me about the condition of the car.

He stormed out the dealership and I returned to salesman saying that I am cancelling the deal, I don't want the car anymore.

Manager comes back in, obviously reflecting on what he just said. Relooked at the car and came to me and apologized for his tone and behavior and then agreed that the car is not in a demo condition and that they slipped up. Started making excuses that they are under pressure due to month end and the industry is difficult yada yada and even told me that I should not buy that car as I won't be happy even if they try and fix some of the scuff marks, some deeper damage would not be able to be fixed.

Apparently these "demos" get sent from Kia head office to be sold by the dealership. Looked at another "demo" but I don't like the color and it also was in quite a rough shape.

Now, I am at a cross roads. They want to accommodate me with finding a better condition demo, which they have apparentely will hear more today.. but hell after that shyte show yesterday, I don't even think I want to deal with that dealership anymore..

Tjeeer

what an unpleasant distasteful customer service you experienced. Continue searching for your desired car and you will find it with patience.

We have a 2017 2L Dynamic CX-5 auto model that we bought in 2020. It had 46 000km and now its sitting on 116000km as of this morning.
It been faultless with no issues and its the wife's daily drive who has a heavy foot and averages 8L/100km mixed driving.
Maintenance has been a couple of set of rear pads, changed the front pads for the 1st time this year and i have just put in a new Varta battery as the Sabat EFB battery died 2 months after the warranty expired.

My 2 neighbors have 2L CX-5 Auto models as well, 1 is sitting on 155 000km(i know the kilos cause i wash it once a month) and the other on 225 000km (I service it every 10 000km) with no issues at all just normal services. My neighbors CX-5's averages 7.3L/100km as they drive 90% on highway.
My Aunt has a 2019 model which is now sitting on 80 000km with no issues as well.

I love Mazda products as they are premium, well build, solid and with continuous maintenance they just drive with no drama.

 

[capd]

Yeah, because that is in the same price range...

It's just crazy buying a new car. Strongly recommend testing a used previous model Q5. And then pocket the change, buy a third party warranty extension if you must, etc.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

I had such a horrible experience yesterday at Kia Centurion when I went to go look at the demo model Kia Sportage I was planning on buying. Most of the finance options and stuff was discussed before my visit, so it was just down to going to take a look at the car etc.

Over the past week, the sales man never really communicated with me or followed up on anything and I mostly chatted to the finance guy. On Saturday I did phone the sales guy and told him I would come through on Tuesday so that they can evaluate my car, I can take a look at the Kia and if everything is fine, we can conclude everything on the same day.

Lekker.

When I got there yesterday and started to take a look at the Sportage which is billed as a 2024 demo model, the car looks like it had been driven for 3+ years tbh. Crack on the back fender, scratches on the body, front fender is damaged and misaligned due to someone obviously climbing a pavement or going over a curb when parking. At the back a few deep scuff marks as somebody obviously reversed into something. The more I looked at the car, the more stuff I found.

The car was not cleaned, full of sand and grass with even a child's dusty footprint on the back seat still.

I went to Salesman and said, I am not happy with the car unfortunately and it does not look like a demo model at all. Manager was called in and after I said to him that the car looks like it was pulled through someone's ass, he immediately got defense with me and started arguing with me about the condition of the car.

He stormed out the dealership and I returned to salesman saying that I am cancelling the deal, I don't want the car anymore.

Manager comes back in, obviously reflecting on what he just said. Relooked at the car and came to me and apologized for his tone and behavior and then agreed that the car is not in a demo condition and that they slipped up. Started making excuses that they are under pressure due to month end and the industry is difficult yada yada and even told me that I should not buy that car as I won't be happy even if they try and fix some of the scuff marks, some deeper damage would not be able to be fixed.

Apparently these "demos" get sent from Kia head office to be sold by the dealership. Looked at another "demo" but I don't like the color and it also was in quite a rough shape.

Now, I am at a cross roads. They want to accommodate me with finding a better condition demo, which they have apparentely will hear more today.. but hell after that shyte show yesterday, I don't even think I want to deal with that dealership anymore..

Don't speak about finance before you've seen the car. This is what happens when you raise their expectations...

 

[Quicks]

Sounds dodge as hell, shouldn't a demo have below 10K on the clock to be called a demo? How is that the car is such bad shape then? Unless they turn back the clock on these vehicles selling second hand cars as demo's.

I guess I will be staying away from Kia's as well now.

 

[dotdan]

Sounds dodge as hell, shouldn't a demo have below 10K on the clock to be called a demo? How is that the car is such bad shape then? Unless they turn back the clock on these vehicles selling second hand cars as demo's.

I guess I will be staying away from Kia's as well now.

It is very weird. My guess is that every salesman and their mother has driven these "demo's" during the last few months to rake up that 10K. Did not give a shyte about looking after the car as it is probably used for holidays and daily school runs etc and then eventually flogged to the public once the km's are too high

I picked that up at a Mazda dealer as well. Went in to go look at a 2024 cx-5 demo the Saturday morning that was advertised, just to get there and a sales person has to tell me that the car is with another sales person who went away for a week.. Did not even bother to phone me to let me know the car is back at dealer to come have a look at it.

The dealerships use these cars for their own personal pleasure

 

[bennyblanco]

My guess is that every salesman and their mother has driven these "demo's" during the last few months to rake up that 10K. Did not give a shyte about looking after the car as it is probably used for holidays and daily school runs etc and then eventually flogged to the public once the km's are too high

I picked that up at a Mazda dealer as well.

That is very true. I went to the same Laz dealer to look at some demo's before we eventually bought ours from Weelee (story for another day.....)

The demos in Laz felt like they were 3+ yo cars . The CX-5 we got from Weelee was a 2021 model so 2 years older than the "demos" and slightly higher km but honestly the car felt way newer than the so called "demo"....

 

[dotdan]

That is very true. I went to the same Laz dealer to look at some demo's before we eventually bought ours from Weelee (story for another day.....)

The demos in Laz felt like they were 3+ yo cars . The CX-5 we got from Weelee was a 2021 model so 2 years older than the "demos" and slightly higher km but honestly the car felt way newer than the so called "demo"....

Sho, so it seems there is a trend with them then..