mrdreamjeans | A Significant Decision (Reply)

August 2nd began as a routine day and turned into something much more interesting. As usual, my morning was all about the apartment and Bella's schedule. I made a 1pm appointment at Lupient Kia in Brooklyn Park to test drive a Kia Sportage and Kia Seltos. I spoke to a salesperson who had been recommended to me by my friend Dan Adolphson. I was able to sit in a Seltos, but not drive one. The 1 Seltos the dealership had handy for test drives had been vandalized (smashed windows). As this was the beginning of a new month, Kia's lease deals hadn't been uploaded to the dealership's computers. I came away feeling the Kia salesman would not be able to help me per my parameters.

Since the pandemic and ongoing chip shortages, business for the auto market has changed dramatically; dealerships do not have inventory on their lots! Most arriving cars, SUVs, and trucks have been pre-sold ... or are being shipped as high end/ high-margin units. Dealers' lots are filled with used cars, but current interest rates make them less attractive than new purchases ... or leases. In a rare event, many cars are actually appreciating in value after they've left dealer lots, instead of the historical auto industry norm of instant depreciation. I was told by every sales person I met with that I couldn't even consider a hybrid in this market. Hybrids are only being shipped to the coasts.

I've been researching my next move for months and the following is the reality: If I want a vehicle for my annual trip to Texas in December, a decision had to be made now.

Once I completed my visit to Kia, I went back to Morrie's Subaru, a dealer I visited last Saturday. It's near the Kia dealership. I made contact with the sales manager I spoke with on Saturday, but spoke to a different sales guy than I did over the weekend. I asked followup questions of Subaru gleaned from information I discovered after visiting Kia. These clarifications led to a decision to order a 2023 Subaru CrossTrek on the spot.

I will be leasing; I made a down payment on Tuesday, though if interest rates dramatically change terms between now and when I take delivery of the SUV, or if I change my mind, the deposit will be refunded. (A dealer will have no problem selling the car I ordered at all.)

I didn't get any bells and whistles; Subaru's basic model has everything I want. I'm not a moon roof sort of guy and I really care little about the mechanics. I do care about excellent gas mileage.  As long as I get from Point A to Point B safely and the A/C and sound systems are good, I'm happy.

The cargo space is terrific for a Sub Compact SUV and all Subaru's come with AWD (especially good for the Winters in Minnesota)! I chose Cool Grey Khaki for the exterior color which in real life appears to be a beautiful pale blue. The interior is black. I expect to take delivery of the CrossTrek by mid-September! This was a significant decision.

In other news: Happy 19th LJ Anniversary to me!