2013 Base Genesis 3.8 sedan worth it?

[oregonia]

I am considering buying this as our primary everyday car (keep the guzzler for family road trips). While ideally I'd prefer something with premium/technology package there aren't as many of these cars for sale on CL.

So my question:
1) Is the base sedan worth it or should I wait for one with premium/technology package?
2) How is the sound on the base non-lexicon audio system?
3) Is the bluetooth/phone integration satisfactory - keeps connection, lets you know you have a text, plays music from my phone?

Thank you for your answer.

PS: Apologies if this is a repost. I tried looking for similar questions but not much luck.

 

[iSOBigD]

I bought a fully equipped one because I found the base model, although very good compared to just about any base car, was around the same price. If you don't mind OK audio (I think the woofers are the same but you'll be missing tweeters), no GPS/nice screen, slightly different materials, no heated rear seats, a low res gauge screen, etc. then it should be fine. Looks and performance are just about identical outside of that inside and out so you get the same spacious quiet car with decent performance and can connect your phone for audio with an aux cord if it's not compatible over Bluetooth.

 

[Gunkk]

In my area the '13 3.8s are going for $15k to $20k, some of them with relatively low miles (<35k). R-specs are running about $20k @ 40k+ miles. Haven't seen a lot of folks posting about trouble with the '13s here.

If you're not going for a CPO, then find one that's not yet past 5yrs/60k miles (build date is on the driver door jamb placard) and BEFORE you buy it take the VIN to a dealer and get a quote on a Hyundai Protection Plan warranty and add that $$ to your purchase price. Dealer can also check the car's service history.

Good luck and

 

[Buford T Justice]

I have a 2013 base.
I like it a lot. It has all the features I "need" but not enough to break and cost lots to fix. The ride is nice and it's pretty quick. I was getting about 29 mpg (though the computer said 32 or something).
The radio sounds great and the bluethooth/voice control is easy to use and it works well, but functionality wise, it's very bad.
With bluethooth, you can't control the music (other than volume) from the steering wheel, you need to switch songs from your phone.
You can connect two android devices to Bluetooth at the same time though. I have my phone connected for calls while my tablet takes care of music and navigation. It almost never drops the connection.
Bluetooth and other inputs (including CD player) connot get nearly as loud as the radio, sometimes I wish I could play music louder. Only the radio will reach extreme volumes. It always sounds good though. Bass is a bit lacking on the super low end but it's not too bad. The head unit does not tell you what song is playing on the radio or what song you are listening to on Bluetooth, tons of wasted screen space. You also can't turn off speed sensitive volume control. Very basic radio adjustments, bass-treb-mid and fade adjustments.
I've put about 80k on mine and have had no problems at all, very reliable, even in Wisconsin's 90 degree summers and -10 degree winters. No repairs at all.
I got new, 20" wheels to replace the 17" it comes on. The 17" have too much sidewall and it's sloppy around corners, especially if it's bumpy. Very responsive and settled with new wheels.
I also got HID headlights to replace the halogen ones, stock ones aren't bad though. You might have to aim them higher though, mine came point at the ground like 10 feet in front of the car.

-You will need snow tires if you encounter snow in your life.
-Back seats don't fold down, but there is a pass though.
-Passenger seat doesn't adjust vertically so short people feel like they can't see out.
-trunk is huge
-A/C doesn't seem the strongest but it does the job fine. Back seat air/heat are strong and work well, pillar mounted air vents impress back seat riders for some reason.
-outward visibly is great so you don't feel like you need blind spot monitoring/backup camera stuff.
-leather is nice. I take care of mine so it's holding up really well, better than I was expecting.
-it will spin both tires for smokey burnouts.
-it will not let you turn off stability control, only traction control. So you can spin the tires but as soon as the car gets sideways (doughnuts, drifting) it will cut your power.
-it's a good looking car and I get complements on it here and there.
-old people have a hard time figuring out what kind of car it is.
-it's coffin quiet
-8 speed is sluggish but smooth as silk. You'll get used to the sluggishness and it won't be an issue.
-it's invisible to police for some reason.
- it loves to cruise around 80mph
-it pulls suspiciously hard from 60+ passing is a breeze
-real spare tire!
-lots of legroom and big guy carrying space.
-heats up fast during winter. Seat warmers get real tosty
-if you crack the windows when it's raining, water will sometimes drip in on the window controls, they don't care, it's happened to mine many times and they work fine.
-back windows go all the way down
-Not much interior storage
- front seats go all the way to the floor so stuff in the back footwear can't roll under the seat, unless it's really small. Waterbottle won't fit, pen will.
-seats hug transmission tunnel so it's hard to loose your phone in the crevasse. If you do its easily reachable from in back.
-there is a big shiny wood grain piece of plastic on the passenger side dash that can be too shiny and huge and reflect sunlight in your face, also scratches easy.
-floor Matt holding system is stupid. Weathertechs fit perfect.
-window defroster work fast
-tail lights are super bright, good reverse lighting.
-seats are comfortable, front & back, I went 6+ hour road trips with friends, no complaints, just complements.


Just keep in mind it's entry level luxury so it's not super posh inside. It looks plain but it doesn't look or feel cheap.



Thus concludes my list of major and trivial Genesis attributes.

 

[kennjen]

I don't have a 2013, but a 2011 3.8. SO, I can't really address specifics. But, I just thought I let you know that it is exceedingly hard to answer your question unless you tell us the price of the car.

BTW,My car is a base model and is definitely a nice car. I really don't miss some of the ADVANCED features, because I never had it. I probably don't care for it anyway in the end. I almost prefer base model, because it's just another thing to break. Definitely don't like options when I'm shopping for new cars. For example, if if knew I was keeping a car for a long time, I would never want a Moon roof. It's non-essential and would basically make the car unusable if it starts leaking. BUT, it's a bit different story when buying used. Some times, you can score nicely optioned model for around the same price as base.

Lastly tho, IF I wanted unnecessary frills, prestige and envy of others, I'd be looking at BMW/MB. I wanted a nice driving car for cheap, so I got a Genny, which is basically a better Crown Vic made in korea. (Love steel framed rear wheel drive large cars)

 

[qstarweb]

I would hold out for getting a Genesis 3.8 with the premium and technology packages if I were you. The features are well worth it, and in a 2013 model, the price between base model 3.8 and the 3.8 with the premium and technology packages won't be much difference in your monthly payment. If you "settle" to get it sooner or more conveniently, you will regret doing so.

Dean

 

[dougmcp]

I have a 2013 3.8 premium and tech package car and it's been fine but a little overrated except for the HID lights. Honestly for a used car purchase the non-availability of aftermarket parts and independent repair shops to work on the fancy stuff is a little intimidating and could prove very costly. In this case unless you're buying a CPO car, the base model is a great option.