Buying R-spec, But Which Color To Get?

[foleydb]

I've read so much of the material on this website, and I thank everyone for their insights. I've decided to buy an R-spec at the end of July when we move from the City to Suburbia and need a second car (wife will drive the Odyssey minivan then). I've done the test drives of the R-spec and the regular 5.0, both at some length (25 minutes and 20 minutes respectively) much of the time over rough city streets to really get a good sense of the differences in ride since I've seen so much discussion of this issue on the site. I can say I am not worried a bit about the ride being too harsh on the R-spec, and I liked how the R-spec felt a bit tighter. I traded in my MB S500 for the minivan when the baby came in 2009, and I think the 2012 R-spec has a fine suspension. I also like the R-spec wheels, and funnily enough, really dislike the regular Genesis steering wheel that is part plastic/wood, and prefer the all leather wrapped R-spec steering wheel. I also don't intend to rebadge it, perhaps because I've owned several MBs already and so don't care, or perhaps when you hit 50 years old you don't worry (or shouldn't care I'd say) about other people's perception of "status" any more. I also drove the MB E350, and I liked the Genesis better.

Now, the question: Black is very pretty when it's clean, but I've never owned a black car. Does anyone have a black Genesis that now wishes they had chosen another color because it was too hard to keep it clean, or that it looked dirty too much of the time? Or the contrary, do those with the black color find this isn't a problem?

I live in DC, and will be commuting in the car and parking it outside at work, so it will be out in the elements for a good part of almost every day. I looked at the other colors at the dealer this weekend, and I wasn't especially impressed with the Platinum Metallic color, which didn't seem to shine the way my silver S500 did. The Titanium Metallic was an only slightly darker shade of silver, and it looked good to me too. So what do people think about the three choices?

If this discussion already exists, I'm sorry, but my search of the forums didn't reveal it. Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[foleydb]

Using different search terms I have now uncovered one post that addresses this issue:
http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=7499

And another on cleaning that gets at this question too:
http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=9190

Still wouldn't mind any other comments though.

 

[Ruissimo]

Now, the question: Black is very pretty when it's clean, but I've never owned a black car. Does anyone have a black Genesis that now wishes they had chosen another color because it was too hard to keep it clean, or that it looked dirty too much of the time? Or the contrary, do those with the black color find this isn't a problem?

First of all... get out of my head!

I went through the exact same process when figuring out what color to buy. Ultimately, the black looked much nicer to me than the other colors.

I wash my car every other week. It is garaged, and parked outside during the day - same as yours will be. The washing is sufficient for me to keep it shiny for a good 10 days or so... the key is to maintain it at night - California Duster does the trick for me... but beware - you might want to protect your paint as soon as you get the car - I'm talking a good wax or polish, and maybe a couple of coats of Liquid Glass as well.

Believe me when I say this... the black will turn heads like no other car you've owned. I went out tonight, and the gawking was relentless. This car is beautiful in all the colors, but stunning in black... when clean

Even when it's not clean, people still hurt their necks trying to sneak a peak!

PS - my wife drives an Odyssey. O_O

 

[foleydb]

Thanks Ruissimo, I've read most of your posts, and you seem to have gone through many of the thought processes that I'm working through. I showed your photos to my wife the other night so she could see what the car looked like, particularly with the window tinting.

I searched with the terms "black" and "clean" and found some older threads that had more about this. Before I saw your reply I was thinking that washing the car every Saturday was going to be too much, and I was also concerned about temperatures when it's parked out in the Virginia sun every day and the temperature is 100 degrees outside all of July and August. But then I look at your beautiful car and my heart says the black is just so much better looking. Hah! I'll think more about this. I wasn't sure about tinting either, since I would have to do 50 on the front, but could do 35 on the rear and back. I seem to recall that's what you have, and the difference is unnoticable in the photos, but maybe the front and back passenger windows are the same and I've forgotten.

Anyway, thanks for all the good stuff you keep sharing on this site, it's invaluable!

 

[EXBMWGUY]

Black . . . I still love it like a crazy man. The head valet at a fine dining place in downtown Minneapolis told me tonight - "I park a lot of cars, and this is the nicest car I've seen in months." This is with a clientle of BMWs, Lexus and MB a dime a dozen. A black R-Spec seems much more striking than a black BMW or MB, and I can't explain it.

 

[homeofstone]

I'm 59 and have had one black car back in 1986. I said then never again and still think the same way now. It showed every little scratch, ding, smuge, water spot, dust particle etc.

 

[Gunkk]

You'll be getting a LOT of weather on that car with it parked outside at work in DC... and that means washing it every other day at a minimum.

.... So go for Platinum Metallic.

 

[homeofstone]

You'll be getting a LOT of weather on that car with it parked outside at work in DC... and that means washing it every other day at a minimum.

.... So go for Platinum Metallic.

Ditto

 

[jtbishop]

Ihave a Black 2009 Genesis and also live in Northern Virginia (Fairfax County). I think Black is one of the best colors for the Genesis, but it does require constant attention to keep it looking good. I wash mine 2-3 times a month (weather permitting) because the day-to-day grime really shows on the hood and windows when you are driving the car. When it is clean, it is breathtaking and people still gawk at traffic lights.

With the heavy pollen we are getting this spring, washing the car is even more important because it will collect a coat of pollen is just one day after washing.

The only other consideration with having a Black car in Virginia is the heat during the summer. The Black color is a magnet for sunlight and puts more of a strain on the AC system to keep the car cool. When parked, try and find shade or you will have a very hot car when you return. I have not tinted my windows, but I'm seriously thinking of it for this coming summer.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I've owned several black cars and bikes over the years. While I can say they look beautiful when fully detailed, they do take a lot of work to keep them looking that way. The y also show dirt/dust a lot faster than other colors. Same goes for white as well.

For me, I like the gray colors better and have owned several of them as well. They still look just a s good as a black but are a bit easier to keep clean looking.

So I opted for the Titanium gray. Granted it's closer to silver than gray but it was the only choice for me as I didn't like the silver and wanted to stay away from the black for the reasons stated above.

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[2012blackgenny]

Black, accept no substitute.

This car just doesn't look proper in other colors and people gawk at it in black.

I have a garage and park out of the elements so I sort of have a easier time, but if it was grey/silver that just means it looks not as good all the time rather than awesome some of the time and not as good some of the time.

It depends on if you want awesome and slightly less awesome(or really bad if you don't wash it regularly) vs imo (mediocre or slightly above average) most of the time. Everyone complements this car, including the people at the car wash who wash 100k benz/etc all the time.

Do a proper detail after getting it with a sealant it will keep the grim/etc off and do it every 6 month(depends on product).

 

[Midnightsun]

I do agree black is really nice however Titanium is just as classic. I want my car to look good all the time without clay bricks and a bunch of fancy time consuming products on an endless basis to keep her that way. Titanium shows the least of them all, in fact those swirl marks you black lovers complain about are obviously on the Titanium as well however they are invisible in comparison. Heck even a dried water droplets make the car look like crap on black, just way too much pampering involved. My Titanium after 2 full years of harsh winters and salt covered roads still looked like the day I bought it. My vote is obviously biased but at least I told you why.

 

[DominicJE]

I have a 2012 Black Genesis which is my first black car, I must say it's tons of work to keep clean especially here in Florida where it rains a lot and pollen / dust.

It does look the best in black but I think the next Genesis I get or future car, it may not be black lol

 

[2012blackgenny]

Grey is actually pretty good looking for the Genesis, but I think there is something wrong with the silver.

I think there is a wow factor to the genesis in Black, maybe it's the contrast of Black with the chrome.

I think the black looks better than most even when slightly to moderately dirty. I do think it will be more expensive in maintenance to keep the black looking good. I've budgeted 400 a year to get a full paint refresh to keep it up. And imo it makes it much easier to trade in and sell at the end of it's service so I don't really lose money by making the expense.

I would say if you can keep it garaged at home, to go black, if it's always outside, go Grey.

Will be in DC this weekend, if you see a black genny around the zoo, it's mine!

 

[Cut-Throat]

Black . . . I still love it like a crazy man. The head valet at a fine dining place in downtown Minneapolis told me tonight - "I park a lot of cars, and this is the nicest car I've seen in months." This is with a clientle of BMWs, Lexus and MB a dime a dozen. A black R-Spec seems much more striking than a black BMW or MB, and I can't explain it.

So, which Restaurant did you go to? .... We eat a lot at the Downtown Restaurants, However Lucias in Calhoun Square are is our favorite.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

So, which Restaurant did you go to? .... We eat a lot at the Downtown Restaurants, However Lucias in Calhoun Square are is our favorite.

Last night we were at the Capital Grille. Last week, we had a similar experience at Fogo de Chao, but the guy wasn't as vocal. He just kind of stared at the car, walked around to the back, and then parked it. We also enjoy the Nicollet Island Inn, because it's a place that absolutely will never, never fail you if you bring a guest, relative from out of town, or customer or vendor. It's on par with Marcel in DC or the River Cafe in NY, which I believe are a couple of the finest restaurants in the country.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Everyone complements this car, including the people at the car wash who wash 100k benz/etc all the time.

I get the same compliments on my Titanium Gray R Spec from the same type of people. Also get stopped at lot at different places to ask what it is and admire it.

2012black genney,
$400 a year is not much for taking care of a car. Hell I spend twice that easily just on car washes. Throw in a couple of details and wax jobs a year and your easily over $1k.

And that's all just to keep it basically clean and looking good. Now throw in a black car, and I can see spending twice as much to keep it looking just as good as I do my titanium Grey R Spec.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Also don't forget that black is very unforgiving when it comes to ANY little imperfection in the body. I mean simple little door dings will stand out like a sore thumb.

That's why painters will spray a dust cover of black over their primer for the final sanding before laying down the color, so that they can see any little misalingment, ripple, ding, etc and fix it before spraying the final color.

 

[scottdk]

Last night we were at the Capital Grille. Last week, we had a similar experience at Fogo de Chao, but the guy wasn't as vocal. He just kind of stared at the car, walked around to the back, and then parked it. We also enjoy the Nicollet Island Inn, because it's a place that absolutely will never, never fail you if you bring a guest, relative from out of town, or customer or vendor. It's on par with Marcel in DC or the River Cafe in NY, which I believe are a couple of the finest restaurants in the country.

The Nicollet Island Inn is excellent! Also, might want to give Jax Cafe off University Ave, NE Mpls a try. Probably one of my favorite places.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

The Nicollet Island Inn is excellent! Also, might want to give Jax Cafe off University Ave, NE Mpls a try. Probably one of my favorite places.

My wife has told me about Jax and we keep saying we're going to go there, but haven't yet. Good reminder!