8-Month 5.0 R-Spec Retrospective

[kg4pto]

Well, It has been at least 8 months since the day I traded my 2010 Camaro SS for my 2013 5.0 R-Spec, so I thought I would share some thoughts on it in hopes that it will help others faced with the same situation.

The main reason I wanted to get rid of the SS was because I was tired of driving a manual in Atlanta traffic! That SS needed 2 clutch jobs, the rear was starting to whine a bit, and it had 155,000 miles on it. Yes, I do drive a lot. Also, I really wanted a sedan at this point because I am at the point in my life where all-out sports cars like the Corvette, Camaro, Challenger, etc are just not practical.

I had my mind set on either the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec or the Chevrolet SS. I drove both of them. Initially I was not impressed with the R-Spec, and thought it handled horribly. I then drove the SS. It was impressive to be sure, but the lower fuel economy, high insurance rates, higher initial price, and (lack of) warranty did not impress me at all. I was going to buy a car that day, but decided to sleep on it before I made a decision I might regret.

The next day, I decided to give the Genny another chance. I went back to the dealership with my father and had him drive the car to get his opinion of it. Needless to say, you can imagine what followed me home that day

Since that time, my concerns about reliability especially with the transmission, I am happy to report, have been proven unfounded. While I wish the handling were a bit better, the difference between the SS and the R-Spec only becomes apparent in situations in which I will never find myself. It has 90% of the Camaro SS handling, and the 8-speed is a real dream to drive. It always seems to know what to do!

Also, as these have been on the market for a while now, there is much more aftermarket support for these cars, and several "common sense" mods such as the rigid collars and maybe a tower brace. Those alone will get you plenty of handling.

In conclusion, if you are on the fence about whether or not to buy the R-Spec, especially one that is a 2013 or newer, do it! The extra power and upgraded suspension is nice to have in a car like this, and you certainly don't sacrifice much in terms of fuel economy. I push the R-Spec every bit as much as I pushed the Camaro SS, and I don't see all that much difference in handling. Bravo to Hyundai!

 

[NSXNEXT]

Nice review. Yeah I love my 2013 RSpec although I never seem to be able to drive it. Travel on business by plane most weeks.
Bought in 03/2013, has just over 10,000 miles

If you want to improve handling, read a few of these threads. I have the rigid colors and they do make a difference, especially over rough roads.

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-ge...Performance-Rigid-Collars&highlight=sway+bars
http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-ge...Tower-Bar-2009-2014-Sedan&highlight=sway+bars

 

[Turboba6]

At Least your Camaro had Aftermarket Tuning and Superchargers, these Tau 5.0's have NOTHING!!! They have been out for Almost 7 years now and NOTHING, your Stuck at 429 HO Forever (And Please don't mention Exhaust, because we All know that only gives you10HP IF that!)!

 

[kg4pto]

It's going in the shop on Monday for the Rigid Collar install. I would do it myself but I don't have a lift and from what I have heard it is a PITA to install them with just a floor jack and jack stands. Plus you have to get an alignment after the installation, so I might as well kill 2 birds with one stone. I'll take a look at the sway bars as they seem interesting. Now that my 60k warranty is almost up, there is no excuse for not doing some ride and handling mods since it won't affect the 100k powertrain warranty

As far as the engine mods are concerned, I've never really been into modding engines/transmissions. Eventually I might go full bolt-ons but not now. The only engine mod I've ever done to a car is installing an SLP air intake lid on my firebird I had. 429hp in the r-spec is about all the stock 8-speed handle from what I have seen, and even if the transmission could handle more, I'm not so sure I could! The 426hp Camaro SS was a beast in its own right, and really didn't need any mods in my opinion.

- - - Updated - - -

Another thing that I like about the R-Spec over the SS is the amazing Lexicon sound system. I've heard things in my music that I've never heard before, even though I've heard some songs hundreds of times! The level of detail is amazing!

The Bose sound system in the SS is mediocre at best, and doesn't have a subwoofer. I've heard the MyLink system is sluggish at times as well, and I'm not really a fan of trying to use a touchscreen while I am driving. With the control knob and buttons in the center console, eventually muscle memory takes over and you can use it without ever taking your eyes off the road. I love it!

 

[OUsig]

First message...just FYI and hello everyone!
I have a 2013 RSpec that I got a few months ago, Higher mileage (73500 now). NSXNEXT really on your mileage???

To echo the OP - Very happy overall expecially considering what I paid for it. I am still confused as to why the passenger seat isnt fully adjustable as the driver...not worried about cooling just adjustment. My wife complained a TON on our 600 mile trip last weekend. Our 2007 Tahoe has full passenger seat adjustment.
All of that to say, I am still very happy and impressed.

Sound system is nice and clear though needs a sub added to really fill out the bottom end of sound.

I just got in the dynomax vt mufflers and will get them installed this week.

I look forward to learning more on the forum

 

[kg4pto]

The sound system already has a sub in the center of the deck behind the rear seat (the big one) but I can't help but wonder how effective it is. Kind of like the "subwoofers" (really mid bass speakers) in the sail panels on F-Bodies. Anyone who has owned or is familiar with Camaros or Firebirds will know what I am talking about.

I just got the rigid collars installed and man alive! That thing thinks it's a corvette!

 

[kw88keys]

The sound system already has a sub in the center of the deck behind the rear seat (the big one) but I can't help but wonder how effective it is. Kind of like the "subwoofers" (really mid bass speakers) in the sail panels on F-Bodies. Anyone who has owned or is familiar with Camaros or Firebirds will know what I am talking about.

I just got the rigid collars installed and man alive! That thing thinks it's a corvette!

Does anyone know a shop in the NYC area that has experience installing the rigid collars? I own a 2014 RSpec and wonder if this would noticeably benefit the ride from the existing cornering abilities, etc. Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[OUsig]

Yes it is a "sub" but only so much that little speaker can do. A nice quality 10 or 12inch in a sealed box with around 500 watts would fill in the sound nicely and not take up much space.

Anyway, how much to put in those collars? I am wondering if simply retorqueing the bolts is helping or if the collars really do on their own?

I will see if the shop putting on my mufflers will check the tq on the frame bolts

 

[kg4pto]

Bumping for update.

Got my rigid collars installed and my alignment issues straightened out (pun intended) and it is much better! A lot of people say that the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec can't handle at all...to which I say HOOEY! If the talking heads in the auto industry had tested one with rigid collars, proper tires, and maybe a tower brace, they might change their tune.

The only negative thing I have to say about this car has to do with the seats. I'm going to engage in some lower class language here and say that the seats positively SUCK. I know it's more of a luxury car than a sports car, but they could at least offer a bit more lateral support.

Here are the things I would change about the car if I could:

1. Better seats!
2. Move the engine further aft. I'll sacrifice some cabin space for better weight distribution
3. 4 piston calipers all around
4. adjustable suspension