Car Booked 7 Months Ago, Still Not in Production. What Would You Do?

Hi Guys, I need your suggestions on the below situation.

I booked the new car "Kia Cerato S Safety MY23 Hatcback" about 7 months ago, at the time of booking dealer said the same car is already ordered with the factory, so the ETA shouldnot be too long, told approximate 3 months and they sowed the order on computer.

I believe I got a good deal i.e $1000 off + floor mats + tinted windows, $29000 drive away and had price protection written on the booking form.

Upon checking delivery date with the dealer now, he said "There has been a significant delay on Carato and hope KIA will open production in the next few months" (sent a screenshot of the book which has "Producton Pending: Vehicle awaiting production").

Now I have two options as below:
Option 1) Patiently wait for the new car?
Option 2) Get the deposit back and look for another car that is in stock?

What would you do?
If choosing option 2 then please recommend a NON CVT transmission automatic hatchback or SUV budget $35000 give and take $2000. (I am in WA)

Note:
1) I have a car whose insurance and rego expire at the end of Oct this year. I would like to sell the car before that.
2) $2000 deposit is with the dealer.
3) Planning to go on a long road trip, so need a reliable car if no car then I have to cancel the trip.

Open for any suggestions. Thanks everyone in advance.

Comments

  • +1

    Can’t you rent a car for your long road trip?

    • Thanks for your reply.
      I can, but the road trip is not a priority at the moment.
      What would you recommend, should I wait for the Kia or get something else?

      • +1

        I waited for my car. It was nine months … And only because it was a cancelled order. I reckon I'd still be waiting for it now if I didn't get given the cancelled order.

        • OK, Thanks for the reply.
          What car was it if you don't mind asking?

          • @Fifths: Toyota Corolla ZR hybrid sedan. I ordered blue. Ended up with silver.

  • +7

    Get a used Kia Stinger

    • Thanks for your reply.

  • Kia Carato

    I found the issue. This car does not exist in the Kia model lineup.

    1) I have a car whose insurance and rego expire at the end of Oct this year. I would like to sell the car before that.

    Then just pay 3 months rego and month to month insurance until the timing to sell is better.

    • Thanks for the reply.

  • *Cerato :)

    What would you do in my situation?

  • +7

    …about 7 months ago, at the time of booking dealer said the same car is already ordered with the factory, so the ETA should not be too long, told approximate 3 months

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/752525

    digitalfarmer on 21/01/2023 - 20:26
    I went to various local KIA dealers and manage to get the price of the new Kia Cerato S with Safety Pack in white colour for $28100 drive away including 1-year registration, full fuel tank and floor mats. Delivery ETA 10 months.

    • Man you should be like a pet detective or whatever. 7 + 3 = 10.

      • That post was old, asking for recommendation. Booked the car in late Jan this year, so 7 months now.

    • -1

      Nice detective work. We normally leave this type for @spackbace but WA might have already closed for the day.😉

    • Cerato collector… also appreciated $900 in pre production..

  • Lol… I have had a motorcycle on order since 2021. I’m 150th on the build list and No.1 still hasn’t got theirs. :D So please, tell me how you are 7 months into a 10 month lead time and aren’t happy.

    Get your deposit back and go buy one that someone has in stock. There is a Demo one in WA with 10km on it for your price range, go buy it and have it tomorrow.

    • +1

      👍

    • Very curious what kind of motorcycle.

      I’ve noticed motorcycle market is almost dead. Lots of stock around.

      Is it a Savic?

      • -1

        It is a Savic… My build number puts me at about June/July 2024 IF they start building as planned in Nov/Dec this year…

        • Very nice. Would love to see this bike get legs and go into production. I’ve seen it a few times and chatted to the guys behind it but never seen it run.

          Would love to hear what you think if you ever take delivery.

  • I does 10liters per 100km for city driving

  • +2

    Look at:
    2023 Kia Cerato S Auto MY23

    $28410 Driveaway

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2023-kia-cerato-s-a…

    • 👍

  • +2

    Also:

    https://www.midlandhyundai.com.au/stock/details/646056-62023…
    2023 Hyundai i30
    Sports Automatic
    $28,290
    Drive Away

  • +2

    Go get your money back. Buy a car that’s available for immediate delivery. Decide what cars you are interested in (I’m not gonna suggest anything because it’s YOUR choice). Go visit dealers, or look at carsales, then buy what suits YOU.

    It’s not a difficult process, just time consuming. Yes, it’s frustrating but you can’t make them hurry up with your current order and if you really must buy a car, you need to go through the steps to buy a car.

  • +2

    "Option 1) Patiently wait for the new car?"

    If you want that model then you don't have any options rather than waiting for it?

    Good choice avoiding CVT's too, I hate them (except for Toyota's E-CVT, totally different thing)

  • New model is coming out shortly so maybe they are slowing/stopping production on the old version

  • +1

    Have a look at the Hyundai i30, only took us 4 weeks to get it (in VIC).

    • Someone on reddit in the Cars Australia subreddit said they've been waiting about six months plus for theirs … dunno what spec they ordered though

      • +1

        A dealer said they could get one delivered by the end of the week. Plenty of i30 active.

  • The issue is probably the safety pack, you can probably get you hands on Kia Cerato without the safety pack. When I went to a dealer last month they had stock coming in about 3-4 weeks.

    That's true for all trim levels, the ones with safety pack are all unscheduled production.

    • Buy a better car where safety is not an optional extra?

      • The safety pack is like electronic parking brake and some sensors. The only concern is the slightly smaller rear brakes. This is off the top of my head, don't quote me.

      • What about Suzuki vitara?

  • Wait until 21/11/2023 as indicated by your prior post.

    Or buy a new car in stock now.

    There is lots of stock now arriving in Australia at the moment.

  • Other than Hyundai i30, you can also look at the offerings from Mazda, they've got plenty of stock. Though they just jacked up the prices for the Mazda 3.

    • Whats your opinion on Suzuki Vitara?

      • If you're looking for a compact suv with the 35k budget you're probably better off with Hyundai Kona, Mazda Cx-30 or a Kia Seltos.

  • +1

    Suzuki Vitara is a pretty average car, nothing special. below average infotainment, interior. Can do better in this price range, also it's a bit of a different car (small SUV vs hatchback/sedan) to Cerato/i30 that's been suggested

    Also if you need the car for a road trip, surely you could hire one for now rather than rush and get a car you don't really want to save having to wait another 3 months

    • -1

      👍

  • What's bad about CTV?

    • +1

      decent torque converter autos are generally less prone to failure than CVTs, and dont have the same rubber-bandy/slipping clutch driving characteristic
      The Jatco units used in Nissans are particularly bad for turning to shit
      as previously mentioned the CVT in Toyotas hybrids are exempt from this as they work completely differently.

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