Snagged a Niro EV in New Jersey!

Discussion in 'Kia Niro' started by jayc1358, May 9, 2019.

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  1. jayc1358

    jayc1358 Member

    I was 2 hours away from buying a leaf SV plus. Financing was all done and was going in at noon to sign the paperwork and drive it home.
    At 10am I thought that I would check one more time for Niro EV availability in NJ. Even though the Niro EV was my first choice, I had pretty much given up hope on it. No New Jersey dealerships had any and the ones I talked to said they were not getting any. I used the carguru's sight and it was showing 2 available at a dealer in NJ 60 miles from my house. What?!

    Now what do I do? I was literally going to leave the house in an hour to go pick up the Leaf.
    I shot off an email to the Kia dealership to get a lease quote to see how comparable they would be to the deal I got with the leaf plus. I waited for 20 minutes.. Nothing. I finally called them and the woman that answered the phone said she was already working on the quote and would call me back.
    When she called back she said the 2 that they had on the lot were already sold and being picked up that day. If I could make it in by 1pm I could look at it but not drive it because it was sold and already detailed. She said I could drive a plug in Niro just to get an idea of the Niro EV.
    She said they had already received 6 Niro EV's and had sold them all the day they got them!
    She also stated that they were going to receive more the end of this week and again next week. Needless to say I sent off an email to Nissan that I would not be making my appointment, and drove out to the Kia dealership.
    Even though I would be happy with the leaf, I did not want to live with the regret of not trying to get the Niro EV which I wanted more than the leaf to begin with.

    I got to the dealership and there right in the front was a shiny new Kia Niro EV and another one sitting a few cars away. Awesome..
    I met with the salesman and he took me out to a plug in Niro so I could drive it. He said the ride and handling would be a bit different on the EV but size wise I could get an idea.

    I was sold. I asked him about the cars coming in at the end of the week and he said he thought they were sold already but would check.
    Of course they were sold but said they have more coming next week. He stated that they were all the same trim so all I would have to do is pick the color.
    I did the finance application and was approved. I was also happy with the terms of the deal.. Got a 3 year lease, 12000 miles a year based off of MSRP. He stated they do not mark up above MSRP but because they are so in demand I would have to pay MSRP. I got about $8,400 in incentives and in New Jersey you do not pay sales/use tax on EV's

    Chose a blue Niro EV as that was the one I liked the most. He had a white and also a silver coming in and I liked the blue the best. Signed the purchase agreement and left a deposit.

    Now the hard part. Waiting.
    He stated that the delivery date is set for Wednesday. He also stated that once the car is put into the computer as sold, sometimes they expedite the car and it will arrive before the date given. Anyone hear of that? I hope he is right.

    Also interesting to note is while I was waiting at his desk for him to get the paperwork together, 2 other salesman were talking to 2 other people on the phone about the niro EV.

    I know this was a long post but I can't tell you how happy I am to have gotten one. Like I said I had given up hope. So glad I looked one last time! They appear to be the only dealership in NJ to have them.

    All the Niro EV's in the northeast are coming in through Philadelphia. A car carrier ship called Morning Camille just got in this morning. Hopefully my Niro is on it!

    Anxiously waiting.
     
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  3. Thanks for sharing your story and the excitement of getting the car you wanted. Hope it arrives a bit early, and when it does you'll post up some pics.
     
  4. Lektrons

    Lektrons Active Member

    You made a good choice, why live with regret? I've had mine since the 18th of April and it is really great. I find it handles and zips so well and feels good to be in. We also have a Lexus NX 300h and I prefer the Kia now, the Lexus is luxury and refinement, but the Kia Niro EV is just light and fun. Heres a tip, if you're in Eco mode or any mode I believe, without the foot on the brake, click the left paddle and it will drop you to Level 3 regen, click the right one and it goes up.
     
  5. larrenz

    larrenz Member

    Congrats! Looking forward to seeing some pics.
     
  6. jayc1358

    jayc1358 Member

    I will! Thanks!
     
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  8. jayc1358

    jayc1358 Member

    Thanks for the tip and the reply. Can't wait to pick it up! Will post pictures when I get it
     
  9. jayc1358

    jayc1358 Member

    Thanks! Will post some as soon as I get it. The ship that came in to Philadelphia is gone so I know it is either at the port or on it's way to the dealer. Just waiting for that call.
     
  10. jayc1358

    jayc1358 Member

    Got my Vin!
    My salesman emailed me this morning with the vin for my Niro EV! They didn't have it before and the way they explained it to me was that they get the Vin when the car is off the ship and ready to be delivered to the dealership. This was awesome news this morning! Any day now.

    Using the vin I was able to pull the window sticker. Installed options are the Cold Weather Package 2.0 which is the heat pump and battery heater, the wireless phone charger package, cargo cover, mud guards and floor mats.
    Looks like the only thing that has to be installed at the port is the mud guards so I am hoping for an early arrival.

    A few months ago I installed a 240 volt 50 amp line in my garage and this afternoon installed a Juicebox Pro 40 EVSE. I am ready to go.

    Any suggestions on what to name the new car? I am leaning towards Sparky..
     
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  11. jayc1358

    jayc1358 Member

    Got it!!! Will post more pictures later. As you can see it was pouring rain when I went to pick it up. Love it in Black. IMG_3099.jpeg 57947895414__4CAA708F-4EFE-41C2-8FEF-855A56937C79.fullsizerender.jpeg
     
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  13. TandM

    TandM Active Member

    Congrats on your Niro. Sparky is a cute name (our Leaf is Watson but we haven't named the Niro yet).
     
  14. jayc1358

    jayc1358 Member

    I like Watson as well. Today I am installing LED headlights, interior lights, side marker lights and license plate lights. I was going to do turn signals but I don't want to deal with hyperblinking. Adding resistors defeats the electrical savings so what's the point. There is no way to get to the brake lights without taking the back hatch apart so I am not going to deal with that either.
     
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  15. Wow, ambitious!
    If you happen to take photos off your headlight swap, I'd bet future owners will appreciate seeing how to do that. :)
     
  16. jayc1358

    jayc1358 Member

    I'm taking video. Just faster to show. I will post the video today or tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestion!
     
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  17. LeafMan2000

    LeafMan2000 New Member

    Love the Niro EV! But, aren't aftermarket LED headlights illegal?
     
  18. Lektrons

    Lektrons Active Member

    What trim is this? Doesn't come with LED headlights? Can you do photos on the inside as well? I have the black SX Trim but have chrome handles and side strip.
    Let me know what you use for interior and license plate, what about backup light?
     
  19. A great story! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I am enjoying mine here in France. I wonder what their sales numbers would be if they could meet the demand. You’re welcome to take a look at Kia e-Niro diaries.
     
  20. jayc1358

    jayc1358 Member

    Not illegal as long as the beam pattern is correct and you are not blinding other drivers. It is important when installing them that they are level and you buy led's that match the halogen filament position. Most led's on amazon do not do this. This is especially important if you are putting them in a projector housing like the Niro's.

    I will post pictures of the inside. The EX trim of the EV version of the Niro do not come standard with LED headlights. There are so many variations of the EV out there. Some have wireless charging, some have heated seats, and other options. It is luck of the draw pretty much since they are so scarce. The backup lights are not user replaceable as they are built into the bumper and you cannot get to them. The license plate lights are t10 bulbs. The same ones that are in the side markers and the map lights. The vanity lights and courtesy or dome lights are 31mm 3175 bulbs.
    It is interesting that the brake lights are not LED but if you wanted to change them to all led bulbs (there are 3 separate bulbs per side,) you can only replace 1 bulb per side. The 2 inner bulbs are not user replaceable.

    I am loving it! I'm sure they are selling all the ones that they get. I know from the dealer that I bought mine from, they are selling them all before they even get them. He said they tried to order more and were told there are none available! I got lucky to get it when I did. Thanks for the reply! I have watched some of your videos. Good job! Keep them coming! There are not many out there making videos from an actual owners perspective.
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2019
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  21. jayc1358

    jayc1358 Member

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    Here you go
     
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  22. Lektrons

    Lektrons Active Member

    IMG_20190515_093205.jpg IMG_20190515_093538.jpg Looks great, same on the exterior except for chrome trim on mine. Is that a cloth leather combo seat? From what I see you don't have the heated and cooled seats, parking sensors or heated steering wheel.
     
  23. Lektrons

    Lektrons Active Member

    Can you post any method of accessing these lights you are changing? I usually break things...:) Also where are you getting your LED from? I have purchased before from China but the quality is not so good.

    My plans for my vehicle are rebadging K logos, plasti-dip the door handles and chrome strip either mat black or match the blue trim, if it looks dumb, just peel. Also considering doing just the roof.
     

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