Looking for a used 2015 V8: Ultimate or No?

[cletus]

I'm new here and I tried searching for this question but no luck other than responses buried in "price paid"

So I am on the hunt for a used 2015 5.0 now that many are starting to come off lease at good prices. For those that already have the 5.0, do you find the HUD/suspension/BMW nav wheel thing that comes with the Ultimate worthwhile?

The upgrade to Android Auto isn't a big deal to me tbh but I am trying to decide if the price premium for the Ultimate is worth it from a current user perspective.

If only I could find my dream car: low miles Ibiza 5.0 for a good price

Edit: I'm in Austin if anyone has dealer recommendations (I see tons of Genesis around here)

 

[chris41]

I have a 3.8 AWD Ultimate, so I won't comment about the 5.0 engine. However, HUD is addicting. You'll see both the blindspot monitor alerts and Nav directions hoovering in your eyesight what appears to be over the front of the hood.

You also get 17 speakers. Sound is subjective, but I really like my radio. But others seem to like the stereo just fine with less speakers.

Now the DIS controller. I have it in my wife's Benz and hate it. I had it in my Audi A4 and really hated it. But I love it in the Genny and I use it all the time. The Genesis is more user intuitive and your arm is resting on a large center armrest. You have touchscreen functions, voice command and the DIS. I'll speak to find an address, and when I see the list that pops up, I simply press the DIS controller to confirm, rather than wait for the voice command to beep. I also scroll through music channels really quickly.

My suggestion to you is this: When you find your used Genesis in blue and the price is right, grab it.

 

[AustinTX]

Ultimate upgrades:

1 Genuine matte-finish wood trim and aluminum trim
2 Full Color Heads-up Display
3 Premium 9.2-inch touchscreen and DIS navigation with HD Display
4 Lexicon® 17-speaker Discrete Logic 7® surround sound audio
5 Power trunk lid
6 Dual-mode front vent control HVAC and CO2 Sensor

1 - I like the wood and aluminum, wish the wood were a little bight lighter (with the Ivory interior at least) to offset from the dark (black) dash better. Most people think it's the same as the top of the dash, the colors blend too much in my opinion.
2 - I don't think I'll ever get a car without the HUD again. Excellent technology, well done in the Genesis.
3 - Bigger screen, supposedly higher resolution. The controller in the dash is great, I use it a lot and I am glad I don't have to reach for the touch screen mostly. I had the Audi MMI system, which I found to be better - but I think it's useful in the Genesis.
4 - Honestly, I am not blown away by the 17 speaker system, and I doubt I would be able to distinguish it from a 14 speaker system. It's a damn car, with outside noise and less than ideal speaker placement options. Unless the 14 speaker system sucks this isn't necessary in my eyes. I actually find the lack of configuration options of the sound disappointing.
5 - Gimmicky, but slightly useful. I can see this being good for smaller people or older people who have problems closing the lid due to lack of height/strength.
6 - I have no idea what "dual-mode" means. The CO2 sensor seems gimmicky to me. I could do without this feature.

Overall, the HUD and the bigger screen are worthwhile, the HUD is a real advancement in my opinion.

I have the Ibiza Blue, which makes the Ivory interior standard. The Ivory seats are extremely susceptible to dirt - mine look dirty after just 6,000 miles. I work an office job (no dirty construction sites or such) and don't wear jeans or other clothing that stains seats. On my previous 3 cars with beige interiors I never had a problem with dirty seats. Disappointing.

You are aware of the Android Auto / Apple Car Play issue - I find that extremely annoying, given how bad the voice recognition and navigation systems are (try going downtown from SH130 via 290 and I35 - it directs you to take I35 NORTH from 290 to go downtown - then immediately tells you that you have to take a massive, complicated diversion to get back on the correct route). I have fond multiple mistakes in the navigation system on roads that have been around for years. The voice recognition is 80% useless - worse than my 2005 Audi A6 or my 2013 Chrysler 300C. Android Auto would cure that issue ... I digress

I don't regret paying the extra money for the Ultimate package - it's adds significantly to the interior look of the car (which is what I spend most of the time looking at) and the HUD / and 9.2 inch screen are definitely upgrades.

I'd be happy to show you my car and let you play with the HUD/DIS system since I'm also in Austin. Let me know if you'd like to check it out ...

 

[LA Genesis]

The price premium for an Ultimate is worth it when buying new. When buying used as you, are it is definitely worth the smaller price premium. On a used car you won't pay nearly as much for the Ultimate as you would a new car. You should be able to get an off lease Ibiza Ultimate at a great price. This car does not hold its resale value well but I think it makes a fine used car.

I absolutely love my HUD. Android auto is not available in the 15 G Ultimate.

 

[MikeyTG]

I think all V8s are Ultimate trim, it was included.

 

[ksoze]

I think all V8s are Ultimate trim, it was included.

Not on 2015 models.

 

[Jaeger]

Mine will be an outlier view, but I found the HUD distracting. Did not like it at all. Canadian V8s only came fully loaded, but I remember thinking that I would have found a "base" V8 - if such existed for us - far more appealing.

 

[cletus]

I think all V8s are Ultimate trim, it was included.

Yeah, like ksoze mentioned I believe the v8 comes with the tech package as part of the base and then can be upped to Ultimate. I am seeing a ton of non ultimate v8s hitting the internet so I was really wondering if anyone has a non ultimate v8 and how they like it after a year or two of ownership as I typically keep my cars about 8-10 years.

Part of me wonders if the fancier suspension is just additional cost and headache down the road.

 

[cletus]

Ultimate upgrades:

1 Genuine matte-finish wood trim and aluminum trim
2 Full Color Heads-up Display
3 Premium 9.2-inch touchscreen and DIS navigation with HD Display
4 Lexicon® 17-speaker Discrete Logic 7® surround sound audio
5 Power trunk lid
6 Dual-mode front vent control HVAC and CO2 Sensor

1 - I like the wood and aluminum, wish the wood were a little bight lighter (with the Ivory interior at least) to offset from the dark (black) dash better. Most people think it's the same as the top of the dash, the colors blend too much in my opinion.
2 - I don't think I'll ever get a car without the HUD again. Excellent technology, well done in the Genesis.
3 - Bigger screen, supposedly higher resolution. The controller in the dash is great, I use it a lot and I am glad I don't have to reach for the touch screen mostly. I had the Audi MMI system, which I found to be better - but I think it's useful in the Genesis.
4 - Honestly, I am not blown away by the 17 speaker system, and I doubt I would be able to distinguish it from a 14 speaker system. It's a damn car, with outside noise and less than ideal speaker placement options. Unless the 14 speaker system sucks this isn't necessary in my eyes. I actually find the lack of configuration options of the sound disappointing.
5 - Gimmicky, but slightly useful. I can see this being good for smaller people or older people who have problems closing the lid due to lack of height/strength.
6 - I have no idea what "dual-mode" means. The CO2 sensor seems gimmicky to me. I could do without this feature.

Overall, the HUD and the bigger screen are worthwhile, the HUD is a real advancement in my opinion.

I have the Ibiza Blue, which makes the Ivory interior standard. The Ivory seats are extremely susceptible to dirt - mine look dirty after just 6,000 miles. I work an office job (no dirty construction sites or such) and don't wear jeans or other clothing that stains seats. On my previous 3 cars with beige interiors I never had a problem with dirty seats. Disappointing.

You are aware of the Android Auto / Apple Car Play issue - I find that extremely annoying, given how bad the voice recognition and navigation systems are (try going downtown from SH130 via 290 and I35 - it directs you to take I35 NORTH from 290 to go downtown - then immediately tells you that you have to take a massive, complicated diversion to get back on the correct route). I have fond multiple mistakes in the navigation system on roads that have been around for years. The voice recognition is 80% useless - worse than my 2005 Audi A6 or my 2013 Chrysler 300C. Android Auto would cure that issue ... I digress

I don't regret paying the extra money for the Ultimate package - it's adds significantly to the interior look of the car (which is what I spend most of the time looking at) and the HUD / and 9.2 inch screen are definitely upgrades.

I'd be happy to show you my car and let you play with the HUD/DIS system since I'm also in Austin. Let me know if you'd like to check it out ...

AustinTX, I actually found someone in my neighborhood (south Austin) that has a 3.8 ultimate and I think the interior difference might sway me towards going with the Ultimate. Thanks for letting me know about the Ivory interior though as I have a 2 year old + wear jeans daily so that does give me some serious pause regarding the color. I think what I will do is swing by South Point Hyundai and take a look at their cars on the lot to see which color my wife and I like the best. No V8s in 2016 does hamper the potential car choices quite a bit but I am flexible on waiting.

 

[greekgeek]

Mine will be an outlier view, but I found the HUD distracting. Did not like it at all. Canadian V8s only came fully loaded, but I remember thinking that I would have found a "base" V8 - if such existed for us - far more appealing.

You likely already know this but for others, you can turn the HUD completely off.

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[celltech]

The '15 Ultimate should also have the electronic suspension...anyone notice a difference? I kinda wish my Genny would firm up when I am driving it hard.

 

[greekgeek]

The '15 Ultimate should also have the electronic suspension...anyone notice a difference? I kinda wish my Genny would firm up when I am driving it hard.

yep, it firms up significantly in Sport mode.

 

[Mark_888]

The '15 Ultimate should also have the electronic suspension...anyone notice a difference? I kinda wish my Genny would firm up when I am driving it hard.

One reason the electronic suspension was dropped from the USA Ultimate, is that a lot of professional automotive reviewers said the normal mode was too soft, and the sport mode too stiff for most driving, and they liked the suspension on the V8 non-Ultimate models better for most driving.