Early 2012 R-Spec reviews

[homeofstone]

At 27 I made a little more than 50k a year and would never have considered buying a new car , let alone a 40k+ new car. When I turned 28, and had tuition loans paid off I bought my first "nice" used car.
Everyone is different, but cars are "throw away money", in my opinion paying cash is the only way to go.

having said that, income doesn't always reflect net worth. If you have 30K burning a hole in your pocket, and no debt, and a car is what you want, its your money.

Well said.

 

[037]

Dyno 364whp, 342TQ 15% power loss

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?fo...ww.youtube.com/watch?v=mwitu...e=feeduhttp://

 

[timc1475]

Dyno 364whp, 342TQ 15% power loss

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?fo...ww.youtube.com/watch?v=mwitu...e=feeduhttp://

How come it states 429 hp but dyno's at 364?

 

[homeofstone]

How come it states 429 hp but dyno's at 364?

rated hp is at the engine but the dyno test is at the wheels. approx 15% is lost through the transmission and rear gearing etc.

 

[YEH]

While already posted elsewhere, here's Jalopnik's review.

http://jalopnik.com/5814426/2012-hyundai-genesis-50-r+spec-first-drive

And here's Cars.com's take.

Typically when an automaker goes through the trouble of coming up with a performance name like "R-Spec," the car itself is aggressively tuned, the ride quality suffers, and comfort is sacrificed for pure performance. One look at the 19-inch wheels wrapped in run-flat tires, and I thought I was in for a rough ride.

The second I turned out of the parking lot, the Genesis felt … sedate, like I was riding in a posh luxury car such as a Lexus LS 460 or even a Mercedes S-Class. Indeed, the R-Spec is much more of a grand tourer than a sports sedan.

The power comes on in a silky-smooth delivery, no doubt enhanced by the new eight-speed automatic transmission. There is no severe revving to launch you from the line. That smoothness matched to the eerie Lexus-quiet cabin and pillowy ride makes the R-Spec deceiving. It doesn't seem like you've gotten to 60 mph in just over 5 seconds, but you're there faster than you thought, and by your second thought, you're at 80 mph.

The difference in power isn't the most significant drop in driving pleasure. Whereas the R-Spec was deathly silent, the V-6's smaller wheels and tires led to much more noise and vibration. If I had taken the V-6 out first, it probably wouldn't have distracted me much, but the difference was stark.

The suspension was also less tuned in. Over road undulations, the 3.8 had a floatier ride.

http://www.cars.com/hyundai/genesis/2012/expert-reviews/?revid=57277


A review of note re the new 8 spd AT.

The V6 isn’t the only reason the mileage improves. Hyundai also equips all three of the 2012 Genesis models with a new 8-speed automatic transmission it developed in-house. It’s a surprisingly solid gearbox and one that we came to appreciate the more we drove. In fact, we discovered that initially slow and cumbersome shifts became quick and crisp the more time we spent behind the wheel – reflecting, we were later told, the learning algorithm built into the gearbox.

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2011/06/first-drive-2012-hyundai-genesis-5-0-r-spec/

But I was really impressed with the ride -- solid but smooth, active but not jarring. The R-Spec felt good in broad sweepers -- good enough, I would think, to make a BMW owner stop talking smack about Korean cars.

That said, I was a bit underwhelmed by the engine. 429 horsepower should motivate a two-ton car with some serious authority, and on paper the R-Spec runs to 60 in a rapid 5.1 seconds, but the engine takes its time to build up steam -- I prefer the neck-snapping, grin-inducing power delivery of the 420 hp Infiniti M56 -- or even the supercharged Audi A6 3.0T. To be honest, I was more impressed with the base-model Genesis' 3.8 liter V6, which gets direct fuel injection for 2012 and moves the car along in a way that belies its 333 hp rating.

http://cars.about.com/od/hyundai/gr/2012-Hyundai-Genesis-R-Spec-review.htm

 

[scottdk]

Gamble....want to clean this garbage up??

 

[Mark_888]

While already posted elsewhere, here's Jalopnik's review.

http://jalopnik.com/5814426/2012-hyundai-genesis-50-r+spec-first-drive

And here's Cars.com's take.





http://www.cars.com/hyundai/genesis/2012/expert-reviews/?revid=57277


A review of note re the new 8 spd AT.



http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2011/06/first-drive-2012-hyundai-genesis-5-0-r-spec/




http://cars.about.com/od/hyundai/gr/2012-Hyundai-Genesis-R-Spec-review.htm

Personally, I don't really care very much about what reviewers say, since most of them earn close to minimum wage reviewing cars (and some do it for free because they enjoy driving interesting cars).

The Genesis R-Spec was made for one purpose: to have a model with a stiff suspension to impress the superficial automotive press, so that Hyundai could loosen up the suspension on all the other models and move a bunch of units. Notice that these two events occurred at the same time (accidently on purpose).

 

[037]

I just got the 3.8 and not missing the 5.0 I've been obsessing over for the past 2 weeks.

 

[Mark_888]

I just got the 3.8 and not missing the 5.0 I've been obsessing over for the past 2 weeks.

Good choice, you won't regret it.

 

[YEH]

The Genesis R-Spec was made for one purpose: to have a model with a stiff suspension to impress the superficial automotive press, so that Hyundai could loosen up the suspension on all the other models and move a bunch of units. Notice that these two events occurred at the same time (accidently on purpose).

Actually, the general consensus among the auto reviewers is that Hyundai didn't go far enough w/ the performance aspect (Hyundai may have been better served just calling the 5.0 the Genesis Sport rather than the R-Spec).

Also, we don't really know if the suspension of the R-Spec is really any more stiff than the pre-2012 Genesis models.

Even if it is more "stiff" - pretty much all the reviewers note that the R-Spec has a more composed ride than the pre-2012 Genesis and a couple even think the ride on the R-Spec is more composed over road undulations than the 3.8 GDI.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Mark_888]

Actually, the general consensus among the auto reviewers is that Hyundai didn't go far enough w/ the performance aspect (Hyundai may have been better served just calling the 5.0 the Genesis Sport rather than the R-Spec).

Also, we don't really know if the suspension of the R-Spec is really any more stiff than the pre-2012 Genesis models.

Even if it is more "stiff" - pretty much all the reviewers note that the R-Spec has a more composed ride than the pre-2012 Genesis and a couple even think the ride on the R-Spec is more composed over road undulations than the 3.8 GDI.

Somehow, you seem to have grossly misinterpreted much of what I said. Responses to each of your paragraphs:

1. Yes, that is exactly what I said. The underpaid auto reviewers (who get bored driving smooth cars, and want to test drive something exciting) are wildly biased in favor of cars that most people would not want to drive every single day to and from work, etc (maybe not even themselves), even though they very much enjoy test-driving them. Just because the R-Spec is not a true sports car, does not mean it has a refined enough ride for the average customer.

2. I never said the R-Spec is stiffer than the pre-2012 suspension. In fact, I implied that it might not be any stiffer (or not much), since by creating the R-Spec in 2012 (with a similar suspension to the pre-2012 models) they could soften the suspension on the all the other 2012 Genesis sedans without getting crucified by the auto press (who frequently badmouth cars with a smooth ride). However, I do suspect the R-Spec is just a tad stiffer than the 2011, based on one reviewer who said it was "unnecessarily harsh."

3. I have already commented on that last point. But my interpretation is that they said it was more buttoned down, which is true of a firm suspension (except maybe the 2009 which was too bouncy and shocks overpowered by springs). More “buttoned-down” (or composed, in one reviewers opinion) does not mean smoother or refined, and not what the vast majority of buyers want. Also, Hyundai set up the "limited" road tests on very smooth roads (which some reviewers noted) and the drivers where not really able to test the cars at their own test facilities (that will come later I assume).

 

[Gambler]

Gamble....want to clean this garbage up??

Done, all of the discussion related to the cars/mortgages have been moved here.

 

[037]

Done, all of the discussion related to the cars/mortgages have been moved here.

that's a good idea and since the r-spec looks close enough to 3.8...pictures!

 

[Mark_888]

Man, NY sure does have butt-ugly license plates. Maybe you shold move somewhere else?

 

[037]

Man, NY sure does have butt-ugly license plates. Maybe you shold move somewhere else?

those are new

I'm going to use my old blue/white plate once I'm done selling my RL.

 

[YEH]

Somehow, you seem to have grossly misinterpreted much of what I said. Responses to each of your paragraphs:

1. Yes, that is exactly what I said. The underpaid auto reviewers (who get bored driving smooth cars, and want to test drive something exciting) are wildly biased in favor of cars that most people would not want to drive every single day to and from work, etc (maybe not even themselves), even though they very much enjoy test-driving them. Just because the R-Spec is not a true sports car, does not mean it has a refined enough ride for the average customer.

Uhh, I didn't dispute any about the underpaid auto reviewers (tho, to be fair, some auto rags do take more of a "family car" approach in their comparisons).

Noting something like this...

The difference in power isn't the most significant drop in driving pleasure. Whereas the R-Spec was deathly silent, the V-6's smaller wheels and tires led to much more noise and vibration. If I had taken the V-6 out first, it probably wouldn't have distracted me much, but the difference was stark.

has little to do with the "boredom" or lack of pay for said reviewer.

2. I never said the R-Spec is stiffer than the pre-2012 suspension. In fact, I implied that it might not be any stiffer (or not much), since by creating the R-Spec in 2012 (with a similar suspension to the pre-2012 models) they could soften the suspension on the all the other 2012 Genesis sedans without getting crucified by the auto press (who frequently badmouth cars with a smooth ride). However, I do suspect the R-Spec is just a tad stiffer than the 2011, based on one reviewer who said it was "unnecessarily harsh."

While maybe true, you certainly implied such.

Also, it's not necessarily that the reworked suspensions on the 3.8 or 4.6 are "less stiff" or "softened" - they just have more of the proper dampening/recoil.

 

[Mark_888]

Noting something like this...

The difference in power isn't the most significant drop in driving pleasure. Whereas the R-Spec was deathly silent, the V-6's smaller wheels and tires led to much more noise and vibration. If I had taken the V-6 out first, it probably wouldn't have distracted me much, but the difference was stark.

has little to do with the "boredom" or lack of pay for said reviewer.

How do smaller wheels make a difference if the diameter of the tire is the same? Smaller wheels have more rubber between rim and road, so are usually softer. But it may have something to do with the difference in tire brand and/or that the reviewer is just insanely biased in favor of the R-Spec or just stupid. I don't really believe that the 2012 V6 has "much" more noise and vibration that the R-Spec, unless he was going more than 100 MPH (which is a distinct possibility), and in that case his comments are irrelevant to 95% of the buyers. Anyway, why would someone want an R-Spec that is deadly silent? Isn't that the kind of car that people replace the mufflers with one that is more "throaty"?

While maybe true, you certainly implied such.

What I said was that by releasing the R-Spec with a stiff suspension, Hyundai could soften the suspension on the other Genesis models without being totally crucified by the automotive press, who are mostly biased in favor of very sporty cars. Whether the R-Spec is stiffer than the 2011's, I don't know, but I doubt it significantly different. But it may feel that way with lower profile tires. One reviewer did say the R-Spec was "unnecessarily harsh." It doesn't really matter whether the R-Spec is the same suspension as 2011, or stiffer, so long as the automotive press likes it and doesn't totally lambast Hyundai for making the other models have a “more comfortable ride” [Hyundai marketing claim] in 2012.

Also, it's not necessarily that the reworked suspensions on the 3.8 or 4.6 are "less stiff" or "softened" - they just have more of the proper dampening/recoil.

I would agree with you on that, since that is what happened when Hyundai modified the suspension in 2010. However, the bottom line is that many people have commented on the fact that for the 2012 3.8 and 4.6, imperfections in the road are definitely less noticeable, so whatever you want to call it, I think it is perceived as a little softer than 2010. But that does not necessarily mean that handling has been compromised by any noticeable amount (I could not say without a test drive).

 

[YEH]

How do smaller wheels make a difference if the diameter of the tire is the same? Smaller wheels have more rubber between rim and road, so are usually softer. But it may have something to do with the difference in tire brand and/or that the reviewer is just insanely biased in favor of the R-Spec or just stupid. I don't really believe that the 2012 V6 has "much" more noise and vibration that the R-Spec, unless he was going more than 100 MPH (which is a distinct possibility), and in that case his comments are irrelevant to 95% of the buyers.

Well, that's what the reviewer stated and his fellow driver agreed with him.

What I said was that by releasing the R-Spec with a stiff suspension, Hyundai could soften the suspension on the other Genesis models without being totally crucified by the automotive press, who are mostly biased in favor of very sporty cars. Whether the R-Spec is stiffer than the 2011's, I don't know, but I doubt it significantly different. But it may feel that way with lower profile tires. One reviewer did say the R-Spec was "unnecessarily harsh." It doesn't really matter whether the R-Spec is the same suspension as 2011, or stiffer, so long as the automotive press likes it and doesn't totally lambast Hyundai for making the other models have a “more comfortable ride” [Hyundai marketing claim] in 2012.

Actually, really haven't seen any reviews lambasting the ride of the 3.8 GDI - pretty much all prefer it to the 2009 3.8.

However, there have been those criticizing the R-Spec for not going far enough, thinking that the R-Spec is the performance line variant for the Genesis, when it is not.

I would agree with you on that, since that is what happened when Hyundai modified the suspension in 2010. However, the bottom line is that many people have commented on the fact that for the 2012 3.8 and 4.6, imperfections in the road are definitely less noticeable, so whatever you want to call it, I think it is perceived as a little softer than 2010. But that does not necessarily mean that handling has been compromised by any noticeable amount (I could not say without a test drive).

They have also noted that the ride on the 5.0 R-Spec is better as well (compared to the 2009s) - so whether Hyundai kept the "firmness" of the R-Spec the same or even made it a little firmer, the ride, nonetheless, has still improved over the 2009s.

 

[Seattle Genesis]

Hope ya dont mind, but I got your car pics as my screen saver....

 

[Mark_888]

However, there have been those criticizing the R-Spec for not going far enough, thinking that the R-Spec is the performance line variant for the Genesis, when it is not.

One reviewer said the R-Spec is “unnecessarily harsh.”

They have also noted that the ride on the 5.0 R-Spec is better as well (compared to the 2009s) - so whether Hyundai kept the "firmness" of the R-Spec the same or even made it a little firmer, the ride, nonetheless, has still improved over the 2009s.

I am sure the R-Spec suspension is better than 2009, maybe even less firm than 2011 (but I don’t know and don’t personally care). It is hard to really know anything for sure based on the reviews because most (not all) of the reviewers are low-paid or non-paid "enthusiasts" who are out looking for a joy ride. The nature of journalism has been drastically changed by the Internet. Just look at the number of people who do reviews on YouTube.

How many people still pay for subscriptions to car mags?