2012 vs 2011 Equus

[sean3410]

I'm in the market for the Equus, and based on USAA pricing, I can get approximately $10k off the 2011 models, vs only about $4500 off the 2012 models (pricing includes all loyalty rebates, etc). Any opinions on whether the 2012 is worth the extra $5500 bucks for the new 5.0 GDI engine (more torque) and 8 speed transmission?

 

[MercedesOwner]

go for 2011. The ZF 6 speed trannie is much better than the new 8. Power is not enough to to warrant the difference in pricing.

 

[MercedesOwner]

straight USAA is 51,600 for 2011, if you can get a competitive discount you may get into the high to mid 40s Just be forewarned, there are some grouches on this forum that will claim you really have a Genesis if you buy an Equus below MSRP

 

[sandy]

You have to drive them both and see for yourself if the new 5.0 and 8 speed are worth the $5500. I'd be very interested in your opinion because I am wondering the same thing;

The cost differential may not be as great as it appears when you consider the trade-in on the 2012 should be substansially higher than the 2011

 

[equus owner]

I did alot of research before purchasing my 2011 Equus over a 2012 model. The Tau 4.6 with ZF 6 speed became the deciding factor in my decision.

I read on the Wikipedia posting for the Equus that Hyundai had offered a 5.5 ltr gas direct injection engine in other markets during the 2009-2010 model year. Surprisingly, customers complained about roughness with the engine's operation. It is suggested in the piece, that Hyundia after much research determined that the use of regular fuel in the GDI engine caused the issue.

Interestingly, in the 2011 Equus US introduction, Hyundia released the 4.6 engine with multiport injection and dealers suggested that both the Genesis and Equus with the 4.6 V8 could use regular grade fuel without issue other than reduced engine performance.

Before I purchased my Equus, I spoke to a couple of Service writers at about issues regarding GDI and regular fuel. They explained that GDI was derived from the Diesel engine. fuel is pressurized to a greater amount and injected directly into the combustion chamber of a engine with a higher compression ratio all designed to get more power from the fuel used.

The comment was made that under such conditions the use of Premium fuel is preferred because of the improved octane and the anti-knock additives found in premium fuel. Not one of the service writers said you couldn't use regular but they did say the engine would only operate at its peak performance and smoothness with premium fuel.

Back to my decision, While I know the new 5.0 engine has more horsepower and likely has been engineered to better function on regular fuel, I decided on buying the 4.6 and its ability to run smoothly using Regular fuel at its 30-40 cent lower cost per gallon and hopefully it can digest ethanol and whatever else we might get blended to improve fuel in the US.

I would also like to mention that after driving the new amazingly smooth 8 speed transmission, I found the ZF 6 speed to be a quicker shifting unit, every bit as smooth, just a hair quicker to make the shifts which I prefer.

 

[NOLa]

The 2012 signature Equus does not have the rear door window curtains. Strange...

 

[equus owner]

by side curtins do you mean the mechanical fabric mesh curtains that ride up and down on there own frames? If so I can state that my 2011 Equus Signature model does have them along with the rear window curtain of the same type.

 

[NOLa]

by side curtins do you mean the mechanical fabric mesh curtains that ride up and down on there own frames? If so I can state that my 2011 Equus Signature model does have them along with the rear window curtain of the same type.

The 2011 signature Equus has them, but the 2012 does not....it does have the rear window curtain.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

The 2011 signature Equus has them, but the 2012 does not....it does have the rear window curtain.

Could've sworn you said that about 10 days ago.

 

[NOLa]

Could've sworn you said that about 10 days ago.

And you're not going to ask me how I know?

By the way, the "sport" mode button doesn't light up either.

NOLa

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[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

And you're not going to ask me how I know?

By the way, the "sport" mode button doesn't light up either.

NOLa

You didn't! You go through cars like I go through pizzas!
May I ask why? Too many bugs with the '11? Husband getting too complacent?

 

[NOLa]

You didn't! You go through cars like I go through pizzas!
May I ask why? Too many bugs with the '11? Husband getting too complacent?

Nothing wrong with the '11. Basically, we had an opportunity to trade in the '11 with another extra vehicle and get a paid-for '12.

NOLa

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Nothing wrong with the '11. Basically, we had an opportunity to trade in the '11 with another extra vehicle and get a paid-for '12.

NOLa

I can just picture your shoe closet, Imelda.
(Congrats btw. Maybe at some point compare the 6 versus 8 gears? For us that won't be driving "new" 'till the 2014 model?)

 

[Driv200]

No Brainer. 2012

5.0 new motor and moving forward with it. 4.6 deleted from Equus.
8sp tranny and moving forward with it. 6sp deleted from entire line.
Trade value will be sunk with 2011's

2011's are great! But if you can do it, 2012 makes more sense. My dad just bought a 2012 Equus last week and we had this same discussion.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

No Brainer. 2012

5.0 new motor and moving forward with it. 4.6 deleted from Equus.
8sp tranny and moving forward with it. 6sp deleted from entire line.
Trade value will be sunk with 2011's

2011's are great! But if you can do it, 2012 makes more sense. My dad just bought a 2012 Equus last week and we had this same discussion.

Trade value is guaranteed at time of purchase.

 

[bkw]

Traded in our 09 Genesis 4.6 for the 11 Equus Ultimate. Our salesperson let us take an 11 and 12 for an extended (3-4 hr) test drive and we signed the papers for the 11. There wasn't a discernible difference between the two power/drive trains for us to notice. Therefore it came down to the bottom line. With the discount on the 11, it made it a no-brainer.

We're taking delivery on Saturday and will take tons of pictures after its first detail.

 

[tompass]

Nice. Care to share numbers? Congrats!

 

[Kemp]

I bought a 2012. Second year of any car is better. More HP more transmission, no IPAD.

Who gives a Sh*T about an IPAD for 30 more HP and 2 more gears? I think the 2011 are going to sink like a rock, but still be a great value used. Don't forget ONLY original owners get valet service. That is worth $10K to me.

 

[Mark_888]

I bought a 2012. Second year of any car is better. More HP more transmission, no IPAD.

Who gives a Sh*T about an IPAD for 30 more HP and 2 more gears? I think the 2011 are going to sink like a rock, but still be a great value used. Don't forget ONLY original owners get valet service. That is worth $10K to me.

I suspect that the above owners who where considering buying (or actually bought) a 2011 were looking at brand new cars still in dealer inventory, so they would be original owners.