Book of Genesis: Year One

[wallymn]

V-8 is overkill!?!?!?! put-em up , put-em up!

Really though it is personal preference.

I have never driven a car with too much power (not that rich)... the V-8 provides 85 HP for $2k. (loaded versus loaded).
Fuel didn't seem to matter (1 MPG difference)

My American upbringing means bigger is better.

The electro-Hydro steering seemed sharper in the V-8
but the V-6 did seem to plow less in hard cornering.

In the end, I was buying the flag ship car and wanted the flagship engine.

bragging rights also apply.

My friends drive M45, A6, MB AMG etc, the V-8 puts me at the top of the HP wars...... at least it did until a corvette was purchased by one friend this spring.

 

[TJPark01]

I was originally looking to get the 3.8 Tech. But when you add it up, the V8 has 4 piston brakes in the front, nicer leather seating surfaces, and a bullet proof German built ZF transmission. Plus, the base V8 was cheaper. I'll pass on the swiveling headlights, give me 375 taint tingling horses please. SOLD!

 

[jwaters943]

I'd say the Aisin (Toyota) automatic is just as "bullet proof" as the ZF unit, and the V6 Lambda engine is a proven design whereas the Tau is still too new to predict. You also get slightly lower insurance rates, slightly better fuel economy (1 city/2 highway/2 combined) per the EPA, and slightly lower maintenance costs.

Personally, I'm glad they make both, but I stand by my belief that for my needs the V8 is overkill. I'm not the only one who feels that way either.

Edmunds:

For all its luxurious presentation, the Genesis V6 has a little more driving personality than the V8 model.


Car & Driver:

...the 290-hp Korean is no slouch, getting from 0 to 60 in six seconds flat. In fact, that’s the identical time we got with a V-8–powered Genesis 4.6 [October 2008], and the overachieving V-6 Genesis also matched the 375-hp V-8 model through the quarter-mile, at 14.5 seconds. The power deficit of the 3.8 model’s V-6 is only evident on the highway, where wide-open-throttle passes leave the driver yearning for more.

And consider this: The 3.8’s ride is as good as, if not better than, the 4.6’s. The V-6 not only experiences less suspension crash than the V-8 but feels lighter and more spry. That is most likely because the 3845-pound V-6 model weighs some 200-plus pounds less than the V-8 model.


Autoblog:

The Genesis 3.8 is the model of choice. Although the enthusiast in us subconsciously gravitated towards the V8, we actually found the smaller V6 more suited to our needs. The lighter six made the Genesis feel less resistant to directional changes resulting in a more enjoyable driving experience. Behind the wheel of a luxury sedan, we never found ourselves in a situation that warranted additional power, and the V6 was much more frugal at the gasoline pump when compared to its bigger and thirstier brother. If you must have a V8, go for it. However, Hyundai is betting most will opt for the 3.8 model – it's the right selection in our eyes.

 

[TJPark01]

The 6 is all you need like Jennifer Garner. The 8 is more than anyone would ever need like Angelina Jolie, but might cut you if you piss it/her off. It becomes more about bragging rights and pant bulges at that point. For everyday driving the 6 wins. For braging to your friends, the 8 takes it. But then again bragging about a Hyundai V8 is like being the tallest midget in the world.

 

[jwaters943]

I'm immune to Angelina's charms. She looks like a walking STD to me. Jen Garner is way cute though. Great skin and smile.

 

[ConceptVBS]

Ah jwaters -- one of the early members here. Good to hear from you, and great post.

jwaters was officially the first person on here to get the Genesis Sedan, perhaps in the country.

 

[ConceptVBS]

But then again bragging about a Hyundai V8 is like being the tallest midget in the world.

May I remind you of this:

http://wardsauto.com/reports/2009/tenbest/best_engines_2009_081205/



Your right, the Tau V8 is an amazing engine, amazing enough to get Ward's prestigious 10 Best Engine award in its first year out. However, the Lambda 3.8 V6 is no slouch either, its more refined than Nissan's vaunted VQ series.

 

[Yama1yzf]

interesting viewpoints...tallest midget in the world? Too funny. I did sort of an impulse buy on my 3.8 as they did not have any V8's on the lot for me to compare. In hindsight had I done a bit more homework I would have sucked up the 2K difference for the V8 as I have never had a modern car with an 8. you do get a lot for that 2K. I don't put on that many miles so mileage wouldn't have mattered.

Problem around here in mid state NY is there are cops EVERYWHERE. Just finding a spot where you can open it up is difficult at best and when you open up the 6 or 8 you are well into triple digit speeds which in this state = loss of license. And they are writing more tickets and being less tolerant than ever given the fiscal mess.

I actually went out at first looking for a base Camaro SS V8 ($31K base $35K pretty well equipped) but dealers wanted $5K over sticker. Oh well overall pretty happy with the Genesis, it's a nice car.

 

[wallymn]

Interesting points....

Does where we live affect the engine choice.

I live in the middle of nowhere (for 30 miles in any direction the largest town is 3k people and generally 10-15 miles apart).


the costs of a v-8 are less out here, no stop/go traffic, etc.

insurance is almost the same for the v6 and v8. (less than 10$ difference)

not legal but easier to enjoy high speed here as there are almost no police.
There are 2 cops that patrol my 1/2 of the county. They tend not to bother anyone unless they are really reckless.


Having lived on the east coast (boston and ny) if I still lived out east I wouldn't be driving the Genesis, it would be too big for me to deal with traffic.

 

[MarkF001]

In the Gene, everyone is driving way too slow and you want to listen to Iron Maiden and drink redbull, sans passengers.

Yup. Couldn't agree more.

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[TJPark01]

Interesting points....

Does where we live affect the engine choice.

I live in the middle of nowhere (for 30 miles in any direction the largest town is 3k people and generally 10-15 miles apart).


the costs of a v-8 are less out here, no stop/go traffic, etc.

insurance is almost the same for the v6 and v8. (less than 10$ difference)

not legal but easier to enjoy high speed here as there are almost no police.
There are 2 cops that patrol my 1/2 of the county. They tend not to bother anyone unless they are really reckless.


Having lived on the east coast (boston and ny) if I still lived out east I wouldn't be driving the Genesis, it would be too big for me to deal with traffic.

I think where you live has a huge impact what your experience will be with this car. I think if most of your driving is on the highway you will love this car Arizona, Nevada. Big, roomy, and flies down the highway like silk. If you live in the Northeast, this car would piss you off. Too big too park, suspension too harsh on those destroyed roads. For example, tons of Audi's in Boston Metro, where I lived, when winter hit you were so glad to have that Quattro. Here in LA, it's pointless to drag that weight around. Hence the 3 series BMW is the Accord/Camry version in LA.

 

[TJPark01]

Yeah I really like the look of the Camaro. But when you start breaking it down, the car doesn't make a whole lot of practical sense. It's quite sexy, but the interior looks cheap, like they barely even tried. Seriously, WTF are they doing over there in Detroit, it's embarrising. Plus after a few years you know the whole car is going to be rattling and pissing you off with little fit and finish quirks. You can't commute in the thing either, you will get sweated by every Trooper in the Tri-State. But man it looks good. I was running in Hollywood and I had to take a few snaps of one parked next to my house.

 

[warp08]

I was originally looking to get the 3.8 Tech. But when you add it up, the V8 has 4 piston brakes in the front, nicer leather seating surfaces, and a bullet proof German built ZF transmission. Plus, the base V8 was cheaper. I'll pass on the swiveling headlights, give me 375 taint tingling horses please. SOLD!

Same here. Originally was going to buy the 3.8/Tech until I added up the additional goodies listed above plus the heated outside mirrors, premium wheels, chrome stripes and the lighted Genesis door sills and decided that it was a better deal for me. I only run mine on Regular, so I don't really have the 375 HP. If there was an option to get the additional features with the Lambda engine, I would probably have picked that configuration.

 

[warp08]

Yeah I really like the look of the Camaro. But when you start breaking it down, the car doesn't make a whole lot of practical sense. It's quite sexy, but the interior looks cheap, like they barely even tried. Seriously, WTF are they doing over there in Detroit, it's embarrising. Plus after a few years you know the whole car is going to be rattling and pissing you off with little fit and finish quirks. You can't commute in the thing either, you will get sweated by every Trooper in the Tri-State. But man it looks good. I was running in Hollywood and I had to take a few snaps of one parked next to my house.

yup, awesome concept, neat movie tie-in and marketing campaign ("Bumblebee-version") and then the usual Fisher-Price interior bits.

 

[TJPark01]

Same here. Originally was going to buy the 3.8/Tech until I added up the additional goodies listed above plus the heated outside mirrors, premium wheels, chrome stripes and the lighted Genesis door sills and decided that it was a better deal for me. I only run mine on Regular, so I don't really have the 375 HP. If there was an option to get the additional features with the Lambda engine, I would probably have picked that configuration.

I only run regular too. The test have shown 368hp on 87 Octane, but same torque. Tests on 91 fuel have produced 380bhp. All things considered, running 91 isn't really worth it. It's not like I'm getting anything for it sitting in the parking lot at Costco. On the track, it makes a difference and at the top end 6k RPM. But I am gonna assume most owners aren't living on that part of the power band.

 

[jwaters943]

Yeah I really like the look of the Camaro. But when you start breaking it down, the car doesn't make a whole lot of practical sense. It's quite sexy, but the interior looks cheap, like they barely even tried. Seriously, WTF are they doing over there in Detroit, it's embarrising. Plus after a few years you know the whole car is going to be rattling and pissing you off with little fit and finish quirks. You can't commute in the thing either, you will get sweated by every Trooper in the Tri-State. But man it looks good. I was running in Hollywood and I had to take a few snaps of one parked next to my house.

We're getting wayyyyy off topic, but I agree on the Camaro. It's a looker no doubt, but after sitting in one I was not impressed. The seats were seriously uncomfortable (who thought that was a good idea in a performance car?), the trunk opening is a joke, and the ergonomics are a mess. Great looks and great engines, but still a poorly executed package IMO.

 

[Yama1yzf]

Yeah I really like the look of the Camaro. But when you start breaking it down, the car doesn't make a whole lot of practical sense. It's quite sexy, but the interior looks cheap, like they barely even tried. Seriously, WTF are they doing over there in Detroit, it's embarrising. Plus after a few years you know the whole car is going to be rattling and pissing you off with little fit and finish quirks. You can't commute in the thing either, you will get sweated by every Trooper in the Tri-State. But man it looks good. I was running in Hollywood and I had to take a few snaps of one parked next to my house.

It was gonna be my 50th birthday present to myself.....oh well. Not sure what you have been driving lately but I have had a number of American cars and none of them gave me any trouble. No squeaks, rattles, things falling off etc. And it is a looker thats for sure! Maybe if things improve I will add it to the stable. GM is building good stuff these days....all the things they are doing under the government should have been done a long time ago to keep them compeitive. Guess time will tell where the american car industry ends up.