The Quest for a New Car – Part II

So here we are 6 weeks later…

Between the time I wrote the first part of my article and approximately 2 weeks ago, I really had doubts about what I should be getting.

After thinking things over and looking at my options I only had 2 cars left. Either lease a Kia Rondo EX V6 2009 or buy a Dodge Caliber SXT 2009.

With Chrysler’s situation I was not convince that, although I liked the Dodge Caliber as I had one for 3 years, it would be a wise choice for me. I went to my original dealership and he offered me a fair deal with a decent cash back. Yet doubt continued to plague my mind and with that much doubt I decided to let go of Dodge (Chrysler) until the storm has passed. Don’t forget that we still have another car to get next fall.

I’m glad I did since if Chrysler ceases to exist, I would not have gotten my warranties covered. Although the American and Canadian governments said they would cover it, it is not retroactive and I would of been at a loss. With the imminent “Chapter 11″ in the US from Chrysler and the first public statements from Fiat’s CEO Sergio Marchionne who does not even dismiss a possible Chapter 7 – liquidation of Chrysler in the near future, it was a wise choice to stay away for the time being.

With that said, it only left me with one choice: The Kia Rondo. The deal was decent, yet I wasn’t enthusiastic. When I first saw the Caliber at the “Montreal Auto Show” in 2006, I said “WOW” and when I tried it, the fun and “wow factor” was there. Not so for the Rondo. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a solid vehicle and highly praised but as far the “wow factor” goes…it  wasn’t there. With this I needed another option. I needed to find a car that I could say “WOW” again and enjoy driving it.

After a few days of thinking it through and looking through auto websites and magazines, something caught my eye: the Hyundai Elentra GLS 2009. Highly rated and reliable I thought this might be it, but the “wow factor” wasn’t exactly there either. But I kept reading the “Consumer Report” magazine and suddenly at the end, there is mention of: The Touring – a wagon version of the Elentra based on the i30 in Europe. Could this be it? Could this be the vehicle? I rushed to Hyundai’s site and indeed the Touring page was there. It was a new model released only a couple months ago. After a quick glance and price check with options, it looked good. The only thing I needed to do is go to a dealership lot and check it out.

The next day, there I was, in front of me a beautiful Elentra Touring and the “wow factor” hit me. It didn’t look like a wagon at all but at quick glance more like a Mazda3 Sport…just longer. All I needed to do now was to try it.

Hyundai Elentra Touring GL 2009

Well, two test drives later, I was convinced, this was my other option and a great one too. With a 5 years “bumper to bumper” warranty and with great options for the price, it was hard to say no. So I finally signed and voila, I am the proud owner of a Hyundai Elentra Touring GL 2009.

Soon I will give a quick everyday use review of this car but I have to say that after owning it for 2 weeks, I have been impressed.
So this was my quest for a new car. Overall, it was pleasant but at the same time, it was tiring to a point that I was just sick of seeing anything car related. I am glad I did my research and I am happy that I also took my time and didn’t rush in any decision. It’s funny but the pressure just wasn’t there and that was a good thing.

Very nice and elegant front of the Touring

I can easily get 6.8L/100km on everyday use with the Touring, something the Hummer in the background can't even dream off...

My final thoughts and advice for the purchase or lease of a car is to start looking at your options months ahead of time when you are thinking of acquiring a new vehicle (or a used one at that). It puts a lot less pressure on you as you can already eliminate a whole bunch of potential candidates; it prepares you towards the dealer not to be told any sort of BS ; it gives you an upper hand to dealing and finally your won’t make a rush decision.

Editor’s note: The Chrysler dealership not far from our home that tried to scam us was called “Rond Point Dodge” on the south shore of Montreal. After the dealings with my original dealer I can confirm that it was “Rond Point Dodge” the problem and not the whole Chrysler dealerships.

Back of the touring, the hatch is very big. Look here for a review in the upcoming months after a longer usage of the car.