Second test drive/additional observations

[Bocatrip]

I have been on this forum for a number of weeks and have picked up on a vast amount of info for the Genesis. I have been very excited about this car and am anxiously anticipating purchasing either a 2010 or 2011. I previously test drove (in city streets only) the V6 with Tech and found it to be an impressive car. For the extra $2,000 I thought the V8 with tech would be the way to go for me. This time I took a 2010 V8 with Tech on the highway and did notice the vast difference in power. However, on the down side, I also felt the "notorious" bouncy rear suspension coming off the dealership driveway onto the main road as well as going over any irregularities on the highway. In addition, when on the highway, there was a very severe pull to the right which took effort on my part to correct. I remember reading about this on this forum as well. Both these issues was somewhat unsettling for me. I don't want to be in the mindset that the ride will be something I could get used to. I will take another test run on city streets looking for uneven pavement to make a final decision on the ride. I was really looking forward to getting a Genesis!

 

[sherrod]

I've driven my Genesis on all sorts of roads, and I've never noticed a right steering wheel pull other than the natural effect from the crown of the road.

Try to find a road that is empty and drive on the centerline to see if the car still pulls to the right. If it does, then it needs an alignment or other adjustment. If it doesn't, then you are just observing the effects of steering designed to transmit road feel to the driver rather than providing smothering power.

 

[Flamenguista]

The pulling was something I had read about before. I made sure to test drive the car in multiple roads and never got that pull. However, I do feel like the car does lean a bit more one way or the other if the road is uneven. This is a little more noticeable then other cars I've owned. Nothing major and probably more due to the fact that I read it before and pay attention to it a bit too much.

 

[Bocatrip]

The pulling was something I had read about before. I made sure to test drive the car in multiple roads and never got that pull. However, I do feel like the car does lean a bit more one way or the other if the road is uneven. This is a little more noticeable then other cars I've owned. Nothing major and probably more due to the fact that I read it before and pay attention to it a bit too much.

I tend to agree that "Too much knowledge can be a bad thing". Anytime I will test drive this car again I'm sure I will be focused on every bump the car goes over. There has been so much discussion on this very subject, how could anyone who has read these posts make an objective decision on the ride?

 

[SterlingDave]

I tend to agree that "Too much knowledge can be a bad thing". Anytime I will test drive this car again I'm sure I will be focused on every bump the car goes over. There has been so much discussion on this very subject, how could anyone who has read these posts make an objective decision on the ride?

Bocatrip, I suppose that the only way to make an objective decision on the ride is to do it yourself and let the car "speak" for itself.

FYI, since you are looking at getting a 2010.....the "ride/suspension" problem beat to death in this forum was mostly confined to the 2009 cars. Although with my 2009, I've never experienced the issue. From what I've read, the suspension issue is moot for the 2010 and I would expect the 2011, as well.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[michaeldallen]

Hi Bocatrip! May I suggest the next test drive in a V8 be in a different vehicle. I noticed two different experiences with the two different ones that I drove. 3rd time I rode in the back. Not bouncy at all. I ended up getting the v8 with the tech pkg. I'm not sure if the bouncyness has mellowed these last 3 months or if I'm just use to it. I just came out of a 2007 Benz E 550.... 33 month lease. The Genesis ride was a little harsh at first (not near as bad as the Benz C class.... now that's really tight, bouncy, stiff & uncomfortable ...IMHO). Now everything feels so smooth. Go figure. Also, you may notice the Dunlops wanting to go this way then that. I felt like I was driving on top of a beach ball. New tires took care of that and it tracks beautifully. You can read up on all of our opinnions on different tires on another thread. Good luck on your purchase, and an 'advanced' welcome to the family.

 

[Bocatrip]

Hi Bocatrip! May I suggest the next test drive in a V8 be in a different vehicle. I noticed two different experiences with the two different ones that I drove. 3rd time I rode in the back. Not bouncy at all. I ended up getting the v8 with the tech pkg. I'm not sure if the bouncyness has mellowed these last 3 months or if I'm just use to it. I just came out of a 2007 Benz E 550.... 33 month lease. The Genesis ride was a little harsh at first (not near as bad as the Benz C class.... now that's really tight, bouncy, stiff & uncomfortable ...IMHO). Now everything feels so smooth. Go figure. Also, you may notice the Dunlops wanting to go this way then that. I felt like I was driving on top of a beach ball. New tires took care of that and it tracks beautifully. You can read up on all of our opinnions on different tires on another thread. Good luck on your purchase, and an 'advanced' welcome to the family.

Mike. Thanks very much for the positive energy!
It certainly is worth a try. I have heard that different cars can have different results as well as there being up to 3 upgraded suspension updates as Hyundai continually tweaked away. I am planning for another drive on city streets with the V8 and tech (the only choice for me). If all else fails....there is always the 2011.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Mike. Thanks very much for the positive energy!
It certainly is worth a try. I have heard that different cars can have different results as well as there being up to 3 upgraded suspension updates as Hyundai continually tweaked away. I am planning for another drive on city streets with the V8 and tech (the only choice for me). If all else fails....there is always the 2011.

You might want to take a tire gauge with you too. I'd guess all are overinflated, and possibly at different levels. Put them at 33 (per Hyundai) and drive the dame streets. The pulling and bouncing just might go away.

 

[Disaster]

I agree with those who have said the power of suggestion is strong and it can effect your perception of the car. Yes, the Genesis's suspension is firmer than a typical family sedan, but no, it isn't something defective (at least not since the 2010 suspension improvements.) I suspect, if you went out and drove a similarly sporty car you'd note the same "bouncyness." The question you have to ask yourself is, "Do I want a sporty car (Like a BMW 3xx or Infiniti G series), or a more relaxed ride (like a Lexus L or Mercedes C?")

As far as the car pulling that is just a matter of that particular car requiring an alignment, not a defect with the design.

Good luck.

 

[XBOHDPuKC]

Maybe it's the cars people are switching from to Genesis that got them used to some super-smooth ride? I traded in my 7 yo Acura TSX and Genesis ride is much more composed and smother than that of the TSX used to be.

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[Bocatrip]

I agree with those who have said the power of suggestion is strong and it can effect your perception of the car. Yes, the Genesis's suspension is firmer than a typical family sedan, but no, it isn't something defective (at least not since the 2010 suspension improvements.) I suspect, if you went out and drove a similarly sporty car you'd note the same "bouncyness." The question you have to ask yourself is, "Do I want a sporty car (Like a BMW 3xx or Infiniti G series), or a more relaxed ride (like a Lexus L or Mercedes C?")

As far as the car pulling that is just a matter of that particular car requiring an alignment, not a defect with the design.

Good luck.

It's interesting that you have made the comparison to the the Infiniti G. It just happens that I drive an 04 G35 Coupe for the last 6 1/2 years and it absolutely does not exhibit in any way this type of unsettling ride. Firm yes, but it does not bounce me around.

 

[Disaster]

It's interesting that you have made the comparison to the the Infiniti G. It just happens that I drive an 04 G35 Coupe for the last 6 1/2 years and it absolutely does not exhibit in any way this type of unsettling ride. Firm yes, but it does not bounce me around.

Interesting indeed. You should probably try driving them back to back, over the same surfaces to get a better comparison. How old is your G35 and does it still have the original shocks. You might also want to try the comparison with a newer G37 with it's low profiles tires and see what you think. In my experience, sports sedans have gotten "more sporty" over the last century...part of it is taste, part of it is the very low profile tires in vogue now.

http://forums.nicoclub.com/sport-vs-non-sport-suspension-t482517.html

 

[doug725]

and part of it is just the bad suspension tuning

Interesting indeed. You should probably try driving them back to back, over the same surfaces to get a better comparison. How old is your G35 and does it still have the original shocks. You might also want to try the comparison with a newer G37 with it's low profiles tires and see what you think. In my experience, sports sedans have gotten "more sporty" over the last century...part of it is taste, part of it is the very low profile tires in vogue now.

http://forums.nicoclub.com/sport-vs-non-sport-suspension-t482517.html

 

[Gambler]

You might want to take a tire gauge with you too. I'd guess all are overinflated, and possibly at different levels. Put them at 33 (per Hyundai) and drive the dame streets. The pulling and bouncing just might go away.

Good point I just checked mine yesterday, 3 were at 28, one was at 50. Must have been a quantum event and a bunch of air from the other 3 jumped into the 4th tire...or it was an idiot at the dealership...

 

[Sayantsi]

I have been on this forum for a number of weeks ... This time I took a 2010 V8 with Tech ... I also felt the "notorious" bouncy rear suspension coming off the dealership driveway onto the main road as well as going over any irregularities on the highway.

That's impossible, the '10 Genesis fixed the suspension problems! Well, at least according to some people here, I've never been able to tell any difference among any Genesis I drove...

Seriously though, that is the nature of the car - it has a firm, sporting suspension. You are wise to test out the car and pay attention to this characteristic, in the end its up to you if you like it or not and consider the car worth purchasing.

 

[Sayantsi]

Mike. Thanks very much for the positive energy!
It certainly is worth a try. I have heard that different cars can have different results as well as there being up to 3 upgraded suspension updates as Hyundai continually tweaked away. I am planning for another drive on city streets with the V8 and tech (the only choice for me). If all else fails....there is always the 2011.

Fwiw, I have always been somewhat skeptical of the "some cars just have bad rides" argument. Given that it is a mass produced vehicle using mass produced parts, the suspension parts should all be equal, and they are just thrown on the car. Maybe there was a batch of parts that were not up to par, but looking at the range and build dates of cars people have posted here that have "problems", that seems unlikely. It also seems unlikely that quality control for such a part would be poor enough that you'd have an ongoing problem over the years. I really think its a matter of perspective and opinion.

Some folks have stated things like "the car was firmer/bouncier/rougher at first, but now its fine". Some people associate this with the suspension breaking in. Given that suspensions don't change that much that quickly (average life is typically 50-60k mi for a damper, springs can last twice as long), more than likely the new owners noticed the difference between the Genesis and their old car, but once they acclimated, they found the Genesis ride to be quite acceptable. Just some food for thought. While looking with a critical eye, you will be more sensitive to things like ride quality, but two different cars will never ride the same, so be careful when making such comparisons. You need to recognize that you are looking at a different car, it will have different characteristics, and you need to decide if those different characteristics appeal to you or not.

 

[JDC]

No pull issues with my car.

 

[Bocatrip]

It's funny how often it is mentioned that when driving the Genesis, one must be be aware that it does have a firm ride. Firm ride is one thing. I am not talking about a firm ride. For me, a shock absorber has 2 actions, it retracts and extends. There are 2 movements, in and out. The feel I am experiencing seems to go beyond that 2 movement cycle, almost as if the shock is not doing its job or is defective. I am more aware of the spring than the shock. That is the best way for me to describe the condition. I am planning on going out this afternoon to take the car out on some rough services to get a better idea. With regards to the steering pull, I will be checking tire pressures this time in order to take that out of the equation.

 

[Bocatrip]

UPDATE: THIRD DRIVE. Taking some good advice from the forum members I decided to take a different V8 with Tech on some city streets as well as the highway. My total test run took approximately 40 minutes. This time I checked all the tires and made sure they were all 33 lbs cold. They started at 36 cold before adjustments. This car just came in without carpets installed etc. I didn't notice any steering issues at all this time. The steering on the V8 is extremely tight. The V8 is exceptionally smooth and powerful with nice shifts from the transmission. Now for the part I am concerned about. After driving through many uneven and irregular road services, looking for speed bumps, and highway driving as well, I can only describe the ride as jittery or a car on caffeine. It reacted to almost every irregularity with direct transference to the driver's seat. Even the salesman had to admit he felt it, but of course stated this is a sport ride and is supposed to be firm. The jury is out for me. I know I can get this car at a GREAT price, but I'm not sure that after drving for lenghly periods of time, I will be happy. I love every aspect of this car except the ride. It would be great if they let me take the car overnight, but I know that won't be happening.

 

[Cut-Throat]

What are you currently driving and comparing the Genesis ride to?