3.8 tech vs 4.6

[poopoopeepee]

Hi guys, new here thinking about picking up a used genesis sedan. I have a pretty long commute daily (160kms round trip or 100miles), so for fuel economy I think the 3.8 is the better choice for me, but I like the feature set of the 4.6L's.

If I look for a 3.8 TECH, would I essentially be getting everything the 4.6 has? Really would like to have all the bells and whistles etc. (17 speaker systems etc).

thanks folks.

PS - I found a higer mileage 3.8 tech for sale, but it has 110,000 KMS on it. So I assume the manufacturers warranty is done, but are these proving to be pretty reliable cars?

 

[msitter]

I think feature wise 3.8 Tech and 4.6 Tech pretty much the same features other than powertrain. Certainly both have the same infotainment system. Both are good choices, I personally prefer the 4.6/ZF combination. To me it is just more refined. If your commute is mostly highway miles you are looking at about 1/2 gallon per day for the V8 extra fuel. In my mind a small price for having a lot more power and smoothness. Either way you won't be unhappy.

 

[poopoopeepee]

Thanks for the response!

Hmm, yes Im mostly HWY driving (Ontario Can). Actually more accurately 99% with the 1% just from my house 8 km to the hwy.

That being said, for real world numbers, can anyone provide how many Liters the tank size is and how many kms one can get on a tank (from full to just when the light comes on)....know what I mean? This is how I drive my current car and I'm trying to see how much extra this thing (either 3.8 or 4.6) would cost me per month.

Currently drive a VW diesel, so obviously Im never going to get to those numbers, but Im ok with another 100 bucks a month in fuel, for the beauty of comfort and room .

Thanks again folks!

 

[homeofstone]

Depends some on the model year. However, the v6 tech does not have all of the features of a 2010 v8. The V8 has larger 4 piston brakes, adaptive cruise control, better headlights, larger rims and tires, chrome trim at the bottom of the doors and a reliable German made ZF transmission that is same as what comes in BMW, Jag, and other luxury cars. BTW we get 24mpg on a 100 mile round trip a day commute to Atlanta GA. The one or two miles per gallon less with a V8 is just not a big deal. 385hp is nice too. The v6 also has solid lifters in the engine that will need adjustment over time that will be expensive.

 

[homeofstone]

We go about 400 to 450 miles between fill ups. The v8 holds about 20 gallons. v6 about 19 gallons U. S.

 

[Waki]

Contrary to what you are reading the TECH V6 & V8 are VERY similar. Same 17 speakers, the 8 has a different transmission BUT the V6 is German as well ( And excellent ) The lifters are not even a consideration. The Tech V6 has the same tires as the V8 and the V8 has bigger brakes cause it's MUCH heavier. The V6 will give you excellent fuel mileage, the V8 not !

 

[homeofstone]

In the owner's manual the V6 valves do have to be checked and adjusted as necessary every 60,000 miles or less if a noise is present (see page 7-13 of owner's manual) As to the mpg the v6 is rated at 18/27 and the v8 is 17/25. Also the V8 is only 264 lbs heavier than the v6 and that is before the tech pkg is added to the v6.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Contrary to what you are reading the TECH V6 & V8 are VERY similar. Same 17 speakers, the 8 has a different transmission BUT the V6 is German as well ( And excellent ) The lifters are not even a consideration. The Tech V6 has the same tires as the V8 and the V8 has bigger brakes cause it's MUCH heavier. The V6 will give you excellent fuel mileage, the V8 not !

Wrong. The V8 comes with the ZF tranny, German as stated. The V6 comes with an Aisin trans, a Japanese brand.

 

[ckon]

FWIW, and this is only one experience, last fall we drove about 1300 miles round trip in our 4.6 and averaged 28 mpg for the whole trip. That was actual worked out by doing the math and included all of the driving done on the whole trip in city, freeway at 80, AC on when necessary. In other words, not making any special effort at saving gas. Of course, YMMV

 

[homeofstone]

Wrong. The V8 comes with the ZF tranny, German as stated. The V6 comes with an Aisin trans, a Japanese brand.

Thanks for backing me up. Yep, the Aisin is a Japan made tranny, with home office in Tokyo. They supply a lot of tranmissions to Toyota also. The Aisin in the V6 is a good transmission, maybe not as smooth as the ZF but very good.

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[poopoopeepee]

Thanks alot folks, I appreciate the opinions so far. If I could somehow pull 26-28MPg out of the 4.6 i'm all for it. Really if I can average 25MPG, that will suffice.

Anyone here have any with higher mileage? Any major things I need to keep my radar on for?

 

[iqjumpuw]

Depends some on the model year. However, the v6 tech does not have all of the features of a 2010 v8. The V8 has larger 4 piston brakes, adaptive cruise control, better headlights, larger rims and tires, chrome trim at the bottom of the doors and a reliable German made ZF transmission that is same as what comes in BMW, Jag, and other luxury cars. BTW we get 24mpg on a 100 mile round trip a day commute to Atlanta GA. The one or two miles per gallon less with a V8 is just not a big deal. 385hp is nice too. The v6 also has solid lifters in the engine that will need adjustment over time that will be expensive.

This is incorrect.

V6 with Technology pakcage has the adaptive cruise control, same headlights, same rims and tires as the V8. The only thing different are the ZF transmission, extra chrome trim, wood trimmed steering wheel, and auto dimming side mirrors on the V8. Nothing else.

With that being said, the price difference between 3.8 with Technology pakcage and 4.6 is very small. You get more bang for your buck by going with the 4.6. Just know that the cost of driving will be considerably more with V8. Regular unleaded (18/27) on V6 vs. premium (17/25) on V8 although you can still use regular with V8.

 

[homeofstone]

Just did a 4 hour trip each way from Athens GA to Huntsville AL and back through small towns, mountians and also interstate at 75 to 80 mph; the average gas mileage was 23.7 miles per gallon with our 2011 4.6 V8 Genesis. Hope this info helps.

 

[poopoopeepee]

hmm, Being in ontario Canada, I just 3 weeks ago drove from Toronto to FLA in 2.5 tanks with the tdi diesel, with math (android phone app) averaged 42.4 MPG. EEKS, hopefully if I do land in a genesis, the added fuel costs doesnt bend me me over too much..would like to grab a 4.6 if I can though...Im sure the comfort and auto tranny will make up for some of that though, just not sure if it will make up for all the extra costs. Scary when we get older and smarter with our money HA!

Back in the mid 1990's, driving trans-am GTAs, Pontiac GTP's, I didnt ever give 2 thoughts about gas mileage....times they are a changin

 

[Ruissimo]

Pretty sure the 4.6 has nicer leather seats than the 3.8. Some folks on here have said they are a bit more comfortable (and the arm rest as well).

But that's just hear-say from these here forums

It comes down to this: do you REALLY need more than the V6 offers, or do you have that disease that I clearly have, where you must always but the top-of-the-line model?

There is no cure.

 

[ckon]

The 4.6 Tau does NOT require premium fuel. We used it in ours for about a month and it made no measurable difference. Never used it again.

PS: I've NEVER regretted selecting the V8. It's an amazing engine that compliments an amazing car for the money.

 

[NOLa]

I understand wanting to extole the virtues of the choice one has made when purchasing your car (V-6 vs. V-8), but to just keep exaggerating the gas mileage difference is really misinformation ( for eg. Waki)

I'm not just blowing smoke here as I have owned both a V-6 Genny and a V-8 Genny and I no longer own them so I have nothing to prove either way. Because I have owned both, I have driven both for a good amount of time.

The gas mileage difference is negligible between the V-6 and the V-8. In both my Gennys, I always used premium gas. Both were capable of using lower grade gasoline.

Both were great cars, and the V-6 is no slouch when it comes to pick-up and so on. But having driven and owned both...I prefer the V-8 hands down. It's the transmission and the way it just goes...hard to explain. It is the biggest difference between the two. Premium leather versus "regular" leather....I couldn't tell the difference, but you certainly can when it comes to transmission. I believe the V-8 engine and tranny is on some sort of 10 best engine list (Ward's?).

 

[poopoopeepee]

Good info from everyone. not sure if I asked this or not, but anyone here have some high mileage on theirs? Any major issues?

Im asking because to stay within my budget, I will probably need to get one with higher mileage and very little factory 5yr/60 warranty left. I wouldnt want to get one, then just run out of warranty and be in for a HUGE shock!

Also, that being said with regards to either model, can someone recommend things to check when looking at the cars? (ie. Drive it and listen for this, check to make sure this is working, look here to see if this rattles or if this was done.,...and so on)

ps - if I get one, Im really looking forward to playing some DVD-A discs.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Good info from everyone. not sure if I asked this or not, but anyone here have some high mileage on theirs? Any major issues?

Im asking because to stay within my budget, I will probably need to get one with higher mileage and very little factory 5yr/60 warranty left. I wouldnt want to get one, then just run out of warranty and be in for a HUGE shock!

Also, that being said with regards to either model, can someone recommend things to check when looking at the cars? (ie. Drive it and listen for this, check to make sure this is working, look here to see if this rattles or if this was done.,...and so on)

ps - if I get one, Im really looking forward to playing some DVD-A discs.

All of your questions have been addressed numerous times on this board. Have you actually done some searches by topic? After that, I'm sure any specific questions will gladly be answered instead of "major issues" or "things to check".
But since you've asked for opinions, here's mine:
Take a pass on the Genesis. There are more reasonable options ($$) with better gas mileage out there. Instead of "stretching" to make this work, wait until you can afford one comfortably. Makes for much better sleeping...

 

[poopoopeepee]

All of your questions have been addressed numerous times on this board. Have you actually done some searches by topic? After that, I'm sure any specific questions will gladly be answered instead of "major issues" or "things to check".
But since you've asked for opinions, here's mine:
Take a pass on the Genesis. There are more reasonable options ($$) with better gas mileage out there. Instead of "stretching" to make this work, wait until you can afford one comfortably. Makes for much better sleeping...

thanks bud, been reading over this forum researching as much as I can. Just thought that maybe someone might have a quick short list right off the top of their head.

The reason for keeping within my budget isnt because I cant afford to go higher, but thinking if the car is good and reliable, then why not save a little dough where I can. Seems the smart choice to me. We're not hurting for cash flow at all, just being smart.

My main reason for upgrading is for room and comfort. Im sick of a manual transmission and the small car. While we do also have an odyssey touring minivan, having a bigger car will be very handy because I have 3 kids under 4.5 years old. Cant throw them in the back of my current car....however the trunk has crossed my mind a few times

My current 2005 TDI has 310,000+ kms on it now. if I can save 10 grand by finding one with a little higher miles on it, AND its good and reliable, then why not...