2011 vs 2012 Genesis 4.6

[mtrot]

Hi all, newbie looking for some advice based on the collective experience here. I really started out wanting a used 2012 Genesis 5.0 but due to the fact that they are exceedingly hard to find in my area, as well as that they tend to cost at least $36000, I am now considering going with a 2011 or 2012 4.6. I do like the look of the 2012 better, but is it worth $5000 or more? The interiors look to be identical.

I'm interested in opinions on how different the driving experience is between the 2011 and the 2012 4.6. As far as I can tell, the only differences will be the 6 speed transmission vs the 8 speed, the cosmetic changes at the front and rear of the car, and the addition of the heated rear seats.

Of course the most important consideration is how they drive. I guess the things I would be most interested in are:

Launch off the line--does the 8 speed have a numerically lower first and/or second gear? Or does it just have more intermediate gear ratios?

Downshifts--are the 6 speed and the 8 speed pretty equally sophisticated at downshifting for passing and acceleration? I assume the 8 speed might actually have to downshift 3 or more gears at times to get into the right power band of the engine.

Upshifts--is there any difference in the seamlessness of upshifts in normal or aggressive acceleration?

Reliability--is one or the other of these transmissions known to have better reliability?

Highway cruising rpm--are the top gears roughly equivalent in terms of how many rpms the engine will be turning at say, 70mph?

Thanks so much in advance for any info or recommendations!

 

[homeofstone]

I can only comment on the 6 speed ZF transmission; after 92k miles its still shifts like new. Very, very smooth.

 

[Mark_888]

There was a change in suspension for 2012. The 2012 should be a bit more comfortable over rough roads. Test drive both the 2011 and 2012 over some rough roads at different speeds (even parking lot speed bumps) to see if it matters to you.

2011 has 6-speed transmission made by ZF, which also makes them for BMW and others. 2012 has Hyundai designed 8-speed, although haven't heard of any widespread reliability problems.

 

[mtrot]

There was a change in suspension for 2012. The 2012 should be a bit more comfortable over rough roads. Test drive both the 2011 and 2012 over some rough roads at different speeds (even parking lot speed bumps) to see if it matters to you.

2011 has 6-speed transmission made by ZF, which also makes them for BMW and others. 2012 has Hyundai designed 8-speed, although haven't heard of any widespread reliability problems.

Wow, thanks for that info! I've done quite a bit of research, but have not seen anything about that.

 

[wd40]

If you are patient, I would search auto trader and cars.com. There are some good deals out there, even for the 5.0. I took probably a month before I bought my R-spec since I wanted the Titanium Gray. Bought it and had it shipped. I saved a huge amount of money finding a car back east. I have a great shipper if you decide that route.

 

[Beau2424]

If you are patient, I would search auto trader and cars.com. There are some good deals out there, even for the 5.0. I took probably a month before I bought my R-spec since I wanted the Titanium Gray. Bought it and had it shipped. I saved a huge amount of money finding a car back east. I have a great shipper if you decide that route.

I agree! I took the same route.. Found one in houston(2011 black 4.6) for a hella price.. Drove my car down there(5hr drive) and traded it in.. Was looking for bout a month on autotrader and cars.com.. Even ebay

 

[ockevin]

I am in California and purchased my car on cars.com from back east in New Jersey. Great price and still much cheaper than purchasing locally. ( even with the shipping cost )

 

[mtrot]

If you are patient, I would search auto trader and cars.com. There are some good deals out there, even for the 5.0. I took probably a month before I bought my R-spec since I wanted the Titanium Gray. Bought it and had it shipped. I saved a huge amount of money finding a car back east. I have a great shipper if you decide that route.

Thanks! Yeah, I've been all over autotrader and cars.com. The 5.0 non-RSpec is the hardest to find. I did find one 2010 4.6 with 31000 miles for $26900 right here in my town at a Benz dealer, but it is a red color that is not what I would really want, but it sure is convenient. I think that is a bit high for that car. Of course, it won't be Hyundai certified. And I really wanted a 2011 or newer unit.

There is another dealer about 150 miles away who is supposed to have a black 2011 4.6 with 37000 miles next week. I didn't really want one with that many miles, but I like the black color a lot better and it is one year model newer.

 

[wd40]

Thanks! Yeah, I've been all over autotrader and cars.com. The 5.0 non-RSpec is the hardest to find. I did find one 2010 4.6 with 31000 miles for $26900 right here in my town at a Benz dealer, but it is a red color that is not what I would really want, but it sure is convenient. I think that is a bit high for that car. Of course, it won't be Hyundai certified. And I really wanted a 2011 or newer unit.

There is another dealer about 150 miles away who is supposed to have a black 2011 4.6 with 37000 miles next week. I didn't really want one with that many miles, but I like the black color a lot better and it is one year model newer.

Be patient and take your time. They are out there. When you access AutoTrader, at the bottom of the search page there is an option for more search criteria. Add V-8 and then in the box for keywords, add 5.0. There are a lot of them out there.

 

[landtuna]

2012 has Hyundai designed 8-speed, although haven't heard of any widespread reliability problems.

I've only got 2,500 miles on my R-spec so don't have any reliability issues. Some things do stand out on the 8-speed though which may or may not apply to the other models.

On starting out from a dead stop and when backing I have noticed the need to give the throttle more "go" than I am accustomed to doing on any other automatic I have owned. My 2011 6-speed Santa Fe V6 would tend to spring off a stop and you had to be careful how much gas you gave it.

Upshifts on the 8-speed are virtually undetectable. If you really pay attention you can feel some upshifts but normally they are not noticeable.

Downshifts are another story however and you do notice them. Once into the lower gears the car slows noticeably and sometimes it is necessary to tap the gas enough to "coast" to prevent unnecessary slowing.

The 8-speed has been noted to be slow in downshifting and I have noticed that as well although I have yet to slam the throttle to the floor. With 429 horses in the R-spec you have to be very careful where you point the car before hitting the go button.

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[Mark_888]

I've only got 2,500 miles on my R-spec so don't have any reliability issues. Some things do stand out on the 8-speed though which may or may not apply to the other models.

On starting out from a dead stop and when backing I have noticed the need to give the throttle more "go" than I am accustomed to doing on any other automatic I have owned. My 2011 6-speed Santa Fe V6 would tend to spring off a stop and you had to be careful how much gas you gave it.

Upshifts on the 8-speed are virtually undetectable. If you really pay attention you can feel some upshifts but normally they are not noticeable.

Downshifts are another story however and you do notice them. Once into the lower gears the car slows noticeably and sometimes it is necessary to tap the gas enough to "coast" to prevent unnecessary slowing.

The 8-speed has been noted to be slow in downshifting and I have noticed that as well although I have yet to slam the throttle to the floor. With 429 horses in the R-spec you have to be very careful where you point the car before hitting the go button.

I am probably a little different than most people when it comes to transmissions. I am not very picky about how fast they shift or how smooth they are (within reason). The main thing that matters to me is reliability. A new transmission is extremely expensive (parts and labor) and I doubt than any Hyundai dealer techs have experience fixing the Hyundai 8-speeds or even the ZF 6-speeds (2009-2011 V8). This is especially important for used car buyers who don't get the 10 year / 100K mile drivetrain warranty (unless CPO purchased from a dealer).

 

[Gunkk]

Which is why I've already put the spousal unit on notice that when the warranty goes in March 2014, so does the 2009 (snif).

 

[Mark_888]

Which is why I've already put the spousal unit on notice that when the warranty goes in March 2014, so does the 2009 (snif).

Transmission is covered under 10 yr / 100K mile drivetrain warranty. Obviously, some people will hit the 100K miles after 5 years, but I will be less than 50K.

 

[DRS]

Hi all, newbie looking for some advice based on the collective experience here. I really started out wanting a used 2012 Genesis 5.0 but due to the fact that they are exceedingly hard to find in my area, as well as that they tend to cost at least $36000, I am now considering going with a 2011 or 2012 4.6. I do like the look of the 2012 better, but is it worth $5000 or more? The interiors look to be identical.

I'm interested in opinions on how different the driving experience is between the 2011 and the 2012 4.6. As far as I can tell, the only differences will be the 6 speed transmission vs the 8 speed, the cosmetic changes at the front and rear of the car, and the addition of the heated rear seats.

Of course the most important consideration is how they drive. I guess the things I would be most interested in are:

Launch off the line--does the 8 speed have a numerically lower first and/or second gear? Or does it just have more intermediate gear ratios?

Downshifts--are the 6 speed and the 8 speed pretty equally sophisticated at downshifting for passing and acceleration? I assume the 8 speed might actually have to downshift 3 or more gears at times to get into the right power band of the engine.

Upshifts--is there any difference in the seamlessness of upshifts in normal or aggressive acceleration?

Reliability--is one or the other of these transmissions known to have better reliability?

Highway cruising rpm--are the top gears roughly equivalent in terms of how many rpms the engine will be turning at say, 70mph?

Thanks so much in advance for any info or recommendations!

The 5.0 non R-spec is hard to find. That is what mine is. Got a good price too. I love the R-Spec, but for me this time, went for all the speed, 90% of the handling, better mileage and Michelin 18" tires. And the luxury look. For what I am using it for, suits my purpose. And I like the rare factor too. Since they were only made for partial year of 2012 (there are 4.6 2012s out there also).

BTW, going to Butler Hyundai Tuesday AM for free GPS and firmware update. They swear they know what they are doing. And let me know most of the other dealers bricked units used the wrong DVDs while doing update. And they are looking at the wrinkles seat all of us have problems with. They asked if they I would let them use their trim guy to reset the Leather first.

 

[mtrot]

The 5.0 non R-spec is hard to find. That is what mine is. Got a good price too. I love the R-Spec, but for me this time, went for all the speed, 90% of the handling, better mileage and Michelin 18" tires. And the luxury look. For what I am using it for, suits my purpose. And I like the rare factor too. Since they were only made for partial year of 2012 (there are 4.6 2012s out there also).

BTW, going to Butler Hyundai Tuesday AM for free GPS and firmware update. They swear they know what they are doing. And let me know most of the other dealers bricked units used the wrong DVDs while doing update. And they are looking at the wrinkles seat all of us have problems with. They asked if they I would let them use their trim guy to reset the Leather first.

Yeah, the "rare factor" kind of appeals to me as well. But mainly, I want the standard suspension for comfort on the road. Plus, I rather imagine those 19" tires are rather expensive, and tend to give a harder ride than the 18s.