I bought a 2010 Genesis v8 4.6 with 137k miles - my report after 12 months

[Jonny]

I bought this 2010 model with 137K miles about 1 year ago. This is a v8 4.6 with Tech Package.

I drove 5K miles in 12 months.

I would say I am one of those lucky guys who have no issue whatsoever from day 1. I LOVE this car to no end.
And, I tend to believe this car is a good candidate for 1 million miles if you do regular maintenance.

The things I like the most are (in sequential merits):

1. The super smooth ride. It must be the ZF v8 engine, and RWD. This is a perfect case of superb and precise engineering. The steering is so smooth that it really “hugs” on turns. What a joy to drive.
2. The Lexicon audio system with 14/17 speakers – I am not sure how many. I am super demanding in audio sound quality, and this Lexicon delivers every single day. I don’t know why you need 375 watts of power, but as a person who wants to turn up the volume to near full blast (when driving alone), there is no loss of hi fidelity at full volume. This is so exceptionally rare among the best audio gears.
3. The look/color of the car. I have a white and this is not any kind of white, but a special Polar White. I have compared it to ALL different brands/models of white while parking side by side with other luxury brands. The white paint finish is far superior to other brands out there. So beautiful. Totally.
4. The leather seats. Both the light tan color, and the perforated design. It is super comfy even after 140K miles. I bet, there is even a tiny “new” leather smell that is still there after all these years.
5. The super large 8” GPS screen, the auto dimming feature at night, and ease of use. Even during the day, there is no sun light effect due to the screen location and design. Very smart.
6. The car noise – there is none at any speed. I find this almost unbelievable. Just superb engineering and acoustic design. You will believe with such big mileage, there should be some engine noise. There is none. Then the sound insulation is superb. It is so quiet that many people have reported that after a 300 miles long trip you still don’t feel tired.
7. Fast – I don’t race, especially with my age. But you do need certain speeds in certain road situations once in a blue moon. I have tested it with muscle cars and found that NO ONE, absolutely no one can out-run me when we are all behind a Red Light and waiting for it to turn Green. I don’t care what car you drive, you just will not run faster than me and I don’t even step on the gas pedal.
8. The driver seat memory settings x 2.
9. The ice-cold aircon, and it is Dual aircon.
10. The driver seat has both chilled and warm functions. Passenger side has warm.
11. The steering column is auto retractable for easy entry-exit. Mine is not working though, and I am not going to spend money to fix this at this point. So I put this last.

Other minor but also cute features such as Interior Lights – which is a super soothing and soft White.
The brakes is amazing. (but you must use the original Genesis brake, not the 3rd party after market brand, if you need replacement.)
The Projector headlights.
The rear window has motorized shades.
The auto sensing window wiper.
The “Genesis” door step lights.
Extra pocket to store your sunglasses.
The super smooth steering wheel hardwood.


How this car compares to Mercedes E-Class, and BMW 5-series, Lexus GS, all cost a lot more?
Also what about the cost of ownership for 10 years, repair cost comparison, etc.

You’ll be the judge.

BTW, going thru the forum, I saw some owners have issues that did not happen to me. So I am not going to give a blanket approval/endorsement to this car. I just want to make this clear.

Also, I am now in sunny CA. I was relocated from the Midwest 3 years ago. I don't think the RWD will work too good in snowy-icy roads there. I don't know for sure.

 

[dougmcp]

Nice to hear you're enjoying your car. I've had zero troubles with my 2013 3.8 Tech as well. How do you live in SoCal and only manage to drive 5K miles a year?

 

[homeofstone]

I had a 2011 4.6 V8 like yours. Best car ever. I drove it to about 216,000 miles.

 

[Audio]

I'd hardly say 5K miles is an indication of long term dependability overall, but your review is great. I do love my 09 V8 and agree with most things you've said (other than I can't boast about the cooled seat as Hyundai's poor seat form choice seems to have made mine all but useless and I really am disappointed in that).

But yeah, I second the question on how you can manage only 5K miles in 12 months. I've driven about that in 2 months lol.

 

[Jonny]

Thanks for the responses thus far.

I am coming up to 69 soon. I still work full time but my office is only 4 miles away in Irvine, local roads. I drive to Long Beach once a month to visit grandkids. So I tried very hard to find excuses to drive but it is just to Costco, restaurants, and to gym (daily) because I really love to get into the car and use the Lexicon and Sunroof.

It all adds up to 5K miles max in 12 months. I would love to drive Vegas and enjoy the long drive. But sadly wife (of 45 years) did not allow me to drive such long distance due to my age.

I once did 90-100mph on Hwy 405 near Irvine, and it is super steady, and it did not shake. The car tells me very clearly that "I am a ZF v8, you are safe with me!" I don't ever drive that fast again, and I don't want to tell people to test it the same way. We want to be responsible drivers, absolutely. This model though do have the highest NHSTA safety ratings.

One thing I must mention if other owners share the same feelings:
This car looks absolutely MAJESTIC and Classic/Elegant that is so rare among luxury cars. That is why I must park this car right in front of the gym big windows so that I can stare at it while I am on the treadmill. Sometimes other folks took the machine facing the window and I am not cool at all with that.

I think this 2010 model looks far better than the current newer G80/G90 model. Folks what do you think?

I told my wife a hundred times and she is sick of hearing me again and again:
"This car drives like a million bucks, it looks like a million bucks, it feels like a million bucks!"

What car out there can give you this very unique million bucks emotions? Not many! No siree!

I was associated with Siemens A.G. in the '80s. So I got a chance to spend a month in Germany visiting many cities there in 1980. One of my German colleagues drove me in a 1960 Mercedes convertible, I believe it was a 220se. And it has a "Ivory" looking white steering wheel. That would be a Majestic/Classic car that I can call it a million bucks. The German colleague paid $2000 used, and it is still available here in the US asking $100K or about with 100k on the odometer.

Yes, I am such obsessive with this Genesis white car. I doubt I would love it as much if it is in another color though. Color matters absolutely.

Well, wife drives her brand new Mazda and she is very happy. I would not drive such a "noisy" car though on the HWY. Honest to God.

One last thought: I come away with some very high respects for the engineers who must have put in a ton of thoughts/considerations in building this car. One of the best ever built. Bravo Genesis Team!

 

[EdP]

It all adds up to 5K miles max in 12 months. I would love to drive Vegas and enjoy the long drive. But sadly wife (of 45 years) did not allow me to drive such long distance due to my age.

Does she want you to be "old" at 69? I worked to 71 and am not far from 73. We made two trips so far this year of over 3000 miles round trip. In the fall I'm doing another 1400 mile.

We had planned a 6000 mile trip but my wife has surgery so that won't be happening. The drive to LV is easy.

 

[Jonny]

I doze off often when watching TV. I doze off at work a little (but I am very alert) as I tried not to because I want to keep working for as long as possible.

That's why wife is not allowing me to go long-distance driving. You got to listen to the ol' girl or she will give me headaches.

Tell your wife to get well, on the double.

For now, I am happy with cruising around the neighborhood with the sunroof opened wide. I clean the car often so it is a sparkling beauty every single day. My coworkers have expensive cars but mine is standing out crying out loud in the parking lot my friend!

Money well spent on this babe, and I am a super happy camper going into my sunset years. Well, money can't buy happiness (for the most part), but in my case, Yes it can!

Gas is not cheap though. It generally goes 15 miles on City. So it is what it is.

 

[EdP]

I doze off often when watching TV. I doze off at work a little (but I am very alert) as I tried not to because I want to keep working for as long as possible.

That's why wife is not allowing me to go long-distance driving. You got to listen to the ol' girl or she will give me headaches.

As long as you're happy . . .

I've been dozing off in front of the TV for years. At work I took a nap every afternoon.Good practice, IMO.

 

[dougmcp]

I doze off often when watching TV. I doze off at work a little (but I am very alert) as I tried not to because I want to keep working for as long as possible.

That's why wife is not allowing me to go long-distance driving.

Reminds me of an oldie:
I want to die in my sleep peacefully like my grandfather, not screaming in terror like his passengers.

 

[Jonny]

You may say I am a little overboard with the "love of my life", my next project will be going into an AutoZone or whatever, to find a smelling agent of the highest caliber to make my drive even more super pleasant. Guys if you have something that fits into this category do let me know the brand/source. Hey, don't give me some cheap cologne. I don't want strong odor that offends my old lady though. So this can be tricky folks. I think Amazon will be better than AutoZone come to think of it.

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[EdP]

You may say I am a little overboard with the "love of my life", my next project will be going into an AutoZone or whatever, to find a smelling agent of the highest caliber to make my drive even more super pleasant.

This was discussed recently. The consensus was just to shower on a regular basis.

I've never smelled anything in a car that was high quality, most are nasty. The "love of my life" always looks for soaps and cleaning products that are odor free so I can't help much.

 

[Jonny]

I am going to change your mind and share with you a cologne that meets with the high marks I asked. EdP wants to die in his sleep peacefully. Who doesn't? Smell one and die, that would be paradise.