buying decisions

[pluk]

I'm going to buy (actually lease) a Genesis sometime in the next month. I've been leaning towards the 3.8 rather than the 4.6 because: 1) the 3.8 engine seems powerful enough, and 2) perhaps oddly, I find the lesss fancy leather seats in the 3.8 to be more comfortable and more form-fitting than the ones in the 4.6. I'm also leaning towards the tech package--less for the gps than for the sound system--but could be persuaded to go for the less fancy premium ackage.

My bigger question now, though, is whether I should get a 2009 or a 2010. Here in Maryland where I live, the dealers still have a fair number of '09s--all of which are pretty heavily discounted. An '09 3.8 seems to be about $3k cheaper than a '10. And an '09 4.6 seems about $5k cheaper than a '10. (That price difference now has me reconsidering whether I should go for the more powerful engine.) I've read on this forum about improvements to the suspension for 2010. Are there any other changes of note? The suspension issue doesn't much matter to me since I'm coming from a car (2007 Volvo S-60 R-model) that has a very sporty suspension in which you feel every bump in the road. I've test-driven the 2009 Genesis a few times, and so far have had no objections to the feel of the ride.

I'd appreciate any and all advice from Genesis owners/ afficionados who know more about these things than I do.

 

[Dimitry]

I think the 10's have the ultra-premium leather on all trims now? Drive the '10 for a bit. I personally would prefer a '10 now, the ride is smoother and the features are more rich. I've had a loaner v6 genesis for a few weeks total now and I would much rather prefer my v8 versus the v6 as well. Leasing, You should expect a 100$ premium for the v8, and another 20$ premium for an '10 model.

Happy hunting!

 

[Mark_888]

I think the 10's have the ultra-premium leather on all trims now? Drive the '10 for a bit. I personally would prefer a '10 now, the ride is smoother and the features are more rich. I've had a loaner v6 genesis for a few weeks total now and I would much rather prefer my v8 versus the v6 as well. Leasing, You should expect a 100$ premium for the v8, and another 20$ premium for an '10 model.

Happy hunting!

Not all '10's have premium leather, but it is now available on some V6 models in '10.

I would go with '10 also, but I think the V6 is fine and probably more reliable (especially based on the experiences of forum members). I have never come close to needing more power than my V6 supplies.

 

[scottdk]

I have never come close to needing more power than my V6 supplies.

Need vs want

 

[MADDMOE]

nice one SCOTTDK , frankly i didnt need more power coming from my c-class benz but i sure wanted it & glad that i got it in my 4.6 v8 so that i can take off on these fools that drive in NYC

 

[wallymn]

nice one SCOTTDK , frankly i didnt need more power coming from my c-class benz but i sure wanted it & glad that i got it in my 4.6 v8 so that i can take off on these fools that drive in NYC

No one needs a v8 or a 290 HP v6... anything above an excel is need.....

Some of us like have that little extra power on tap when needed...

 

[Mark_888]

Just to clarify about my remarks about "needing" power:

Driving the Genesis V6, I have never needed more power to accelerate than was available to me. There have been occasions when I needed to accelerate very quickly (we all have those situations occasionally and I don't think it it necessary to describe them in detail), but there was always spare power reserve available to accomplish this.

The V8 actually does not have significantly more acceleration power at moderate speeds than the V6 (some say the V6 is actually quicker around town), partly because of the extra weight of the engine (and maybe to a small degree the transmission).

Now, if I was regularly driving with 4 large adults in the car, then their extra weight might necessitate the V8 to ensure that I always had spare power when I needed to accelerate quickly, but that is not the situation in my case.

If someone wants to floor the accelerator just to see how fast the car will go, that is not need (and wasteful of natural resources that we have soldiers dying for trying to protect).

 

[SterlingDave]

No one needs a v8 or a 290 HP v6... anything above an excel is need.....

Some of us like have that little extra power on tap when needed...

Yeah, Wally, and SOME of us like to have a LOT of extra power.

 

[scottdk]

If someone wants to floor the accelerator just to see how fast the car will go, that is not need (and wasteful of natural resources that we have soldiers dying for trying to protect).

You just pissed off all the nascar fans! Think of how much fuel is comsumed in just 1 lap

 

[muisui]

The V8 actually does not have significantly more acceleration power at moderate speeds than the V6 (some say the V6 is actually quicker around town), partly because of the extra weight of the engine (and maybe to a small degree the transmission).

It may not be the V8. Most of the time is the transmission.
I had the Sienna and it got v6 with 240HP to move such a big "mini van". Most of the time, I can feel that the power is there but the transmission is not delivering it to the wheels. When I am comparing with my other cars...

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[dataguy]

You just pissed off all the nascar fans! Think of how much fuel is comsumed in just 1 lap

Depends on the track and car, but my guess would be about 4/10 of a gallon per lap (based on 1.75 mi avg lap and 4.6mpg avg mileage)

 

[VivienM]

Are there any other changes of note?

The 2010 adds adaptive cruise and the electric parking brake with auto hold.

And some other subtle little things. e.g. a three-blinks turn signal.

 

[JamesD]

pluk, make sure you drive a '10 for a good while before you make your decision. I've driven both years extensively (been putzing-around buying one for over a year), and have found that the '09 refinement issues (which I think were real, but somewhat exaggerated) were traded for "stiffer legs"...I find the '10 to have a fairly aggressive ride, and I'm coming from an Acura that, while not an M3 in the ride department, wasn't exactly a Cadillac, either. The Genesis is smooth enough that its demeanor could be hidden on a trip around the block; note also that the V6- and V8 models feel somewhat different.

Another comment I've made before is to remember that the car you're driving probably has about a gallon of fuel in it, and no "junk in the trunk". You might want to try driving it that way, and then get 3 friends to ride with you, as the ride characteristics in this model seem to change quite a bit with load.

It's been said here before, but drive the one you want to buy as extensively as you can get away with...you'll be happy you did. Let us know what you decide to do...

 

[SunnySD]

How long do you plan to keep the car? The 09s aren't that much cheaper if you sell it in 5 years or less. It's already depreciated for 1.5 years. I'm the kind of buyer who doesn't like to purchase 1st year of a model. Genesis sounds like it's been good out the chute but as others have said, there are small things which 10 fixes.