Does the ride soften up a bit with mileage?

[roblaw]

You need to drive the car on a long ride on a multitude of roads. I did not take a long drive and I am not sure it would have changed my purchase decision but I may have driven other vehicles to confirm my choice. Overall I really like my Genesis.

My 3.8 has softened up (or maybe I have gotten used to it). While it is a firm ride, the impact harshness is not the issue to me. Bumps are handled more firmly than an LS460 but they are blunted by decent damping, a very solid structure and good sound insulation. The issue is that the ride overall simply has more movement than most of the high end luxury cars out there. It is stable and handles reasonably well but you will not float on the highway the way a Lexus will. If that is truly your highest priority you are better off with a Lexus. I did not drive the 4.6 so I cannot speak to any differences in ride quality, however some on the list suggest that the different springing necessary for the V8 improves the ride quality.

If you do buy a Genesis V8, wait a month and purchase the 5.0. It is a better motor and is replacing the 4.6 on dealer lots (not the R Spec which is a sportier model). It is otherwise identical to the 4.6.

Other issues you need to consider are the financial and service cost/benefit. I have a Lexus as well and the service experience is completely different (albeit more costly). If you bill by the hour or value your time, the superior service of a Lexus dealer may make the Lexus a superior option for service. Also, although Lexus makes a great vehicle, the cost of service once the warranty expires will no doubt be eye opening (I purchased a Platinum warranty on my 2007 Lexus and it saved me some $, my new one is a 2011 and I am likely to give it back at the end of the lease which I did not do on my 2007). The Hyundai will have a longer warranty that even a certified 2008 LS460.

If you want a Lexus ride and do not want to pay 2012 LS460 prices, wait until the new ES350 comes out in a few months. While still Camry based I am sure it will have a nice, upscale interior and excellent ride quality along with a good warranty. And there are certainly other cars that compete with the Genesis that have very good ride quality (Chrysler 300 Limited, Buick LaCrosse, etc.)

Good luck.

 

[Glashub]

Since you seem to be all about the comfort, you may want to wait until the R-spec & 2012 6 cyl. owners hit about 15,000 miles. We'll then know if there are any carbon/gooey mess problems with the GDI engine.

"I've seen reports in Audi forums of FSI engines getting a carbon buildup on the tops of the valves. I understand that oil vapors are recycled into the top of the block to be burnt off in the cylinders. In a non-FSI engine, the valve tops are washed with gas, so hydrocarbon builds slowly. In a FSI engine, there's nothing to wash the valve tops, so this buildup becomes a potential problem. I have heard it causes a loss of horsepower and possible reliability issues. There does not seem to be a good fix. Am I getting spooked for no reason or is this an issue?"

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...letters-20100415_1_fuel-valves-carbon-buildup

"Boyadjiev admits to some initial “wishful thinking” that perhaps the problem might only affect earlier production models or that the forum members were merely trumpeting an isolated issue. But then, despite his own “religious” maintenance practices, including using only 93-octane premium fuel and avoiding short, in-town trips that failed to bring the engine up to proper operating temperatures, it soon was apparent his Audi’s 4.2-liter direct-injected V8 also was plagued by carbon buildup.

“The loss of performance became very noticeable over time,” he says. He decided to document it, taking the car to a local automotive performance specialist in nearby Stamford, Connecticut, to have its power measured by a dynamometer."

http://www.autoobserver.com/2011/06/direct-injection-fouls-some-early-adopters.html

Now it may just be Audi but I think other manufacturers have been plagued by the same type of problems. To my knowledge only GM has claimed a solution incorporated in thier engineering. It will be intersting to see. Hyundai seems to have a winning record. Maybe they dodged this issue.

 

[jmo51]

Since you seem to be all about the comfort, you may want to wait until the R-spec owners hit about 15,000 miles. We'll then know if there are any carbon/gooey mess problems with the GDI engine.

"I've seen reports in Audi forums of FSI engines getting a carbon buildup on the tops of the valves. I understand that oil vapors are recycled into the top of the block to be burnt off in the cylinders. In a non-FSI engine, the valve tops are washed with gas, so hydrocarbon builds slowly. In a FSI engine, there's nothing to wash the valve tops, so this buildup becomes a potential problem. I have heard it causes a loss of horsepower and possible reliability issues. There does not seem to be a good fix. Am I getting spooked for no reason or is this an issue?"

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...letters-20100415_1_fuel-valves-carbon-buildup

"Boyadjiev admits to some initial “wishful thinking” that perhaps the problem might only affect earlier production models or that the forum members were merely trumpeting an isolated issue. But then, despite his own “religious” maintenance practices, including using only 93-octane premium fuel and avoiding short, in-town trips that failed to bring the engine up to proper operating temperatures, it soon was apparent his Audi’s 4.2-liter direct-injected V8 also was plagued by carbon buildup.

“The loss of performance became very noticeable over time,” he says. He decided to document it, taking the car to a local automotive performance specialist in nearby Stamford, Connecticut, to have its power measured by a dynamometer."

http://www.autoobserver.com/2011/06/direct-injection-fouls-some-early-adopters.html

Now it may just be Audi but I think other manufacturers have been plagued by the same type of problems. To my knowledge only GM has claimed a solution incorporated in thier engineering. It will be intersting to see. Hyundai seems to have a winning record. Maybe they dodged this issue.

Curious why you only mention the R-Spec when all new Genesis' are GDI powered?

The issue is one that seems very logical. I guess many of will have to wait and see. Sure could cause a warranty nightmare for HMA.

 

[Glashub]

I apologize for not being clear. (did an edit) The 4.6 is not. So you're right, we'll see with the 6 as well. Truth be told, I broke one of my rules by being a 1st mover on this 8 speed tranny. Usually like to wait a gen. But was so tired of my 2010 Acura and it's rattles, I had to move to something.

 

[jmo51]

I apologize for not being clear. (did an edit) The 4.6 is not. So you're right, we'll see with the 6 as well. Truth be told, I broke one of my rules by being a 1st mover on this 8 speed tranny. Usually like to wait a gen. But was so tired of my 2010 Acura and it's rattles, I had to move to something.

Thanks for the info. I normally wait a year model or two for inherent bugs but I fell in love with the R-Spec at the local Auto Show. I drove it and that was it. I never gave any thought to GDI being an issue. Hopefully it isn't.

 

[Glashub]

I hope it isn't either. Lot's of good folk on this forum.