first test drive (disapointed)

[tarpumn]

I just got back from my first test drive. I guess it took a while longer to get the cars here in mid east Fl.
They had 4 cars, all v-6's, did not know when v-8's are expected.
Overall I thought the car was well made and very good looking.
On the plus side I liked it that you could get one without a sun roof if you wanted but could not add ANY options to keep it so.

I would have liked to get HID lights and 18" wheels without other stuff,Oh well.

I was suprised at the amount of tire noise I could hear. The salesman had the radio on and whenI turned it off I could hear a lot of noise or regular pavement.I newly laid pavement it was much quiter but that is not most roads.

I was most disapointed in the ZF trans.Billed as a select shift it WAS NOT. It does not hold the selected gear, will not even go to rev. max. so I don't know it there is a rev.limiter. In fact is shifted by itself when in manual mode WELL below red line. Whats the use?

I still like the car enough to be interested ina V-8 with Brown leather. There again they don't know when to expect the browm. I would also likea white car, as the pearl white is very nice, but a black would do.
They are to call me.
I also asked about the lease mentioned elsewhere on this site. It is on the basic model ONLY, $3,000 down, $399 a month for 24 months. does not seem like a really good deal.

 

[BaywayRic]

I was most disapointed in the ZF trans.

Welcome to the site. Sorry you had a bummer ride. I think you may be the first to mention road noise as an issue. Also, the car you drove does not have a ZF trans. It's an ASIN, the same drive train from the Azera 3.8L. Where is mid-east FL. Guys on here have cars over there.

 

[tarpumn]

I questioned the trans. but was shown some info. stating it was a zf. This may be good news.

Mid-east Fla. I am in Cocoa fl.,east coast approx middle of the coast line. Where the Space Shuttle leaves from.

 

[kbmuenkel]

BayWayRic is correct...the 3.8 comes with an AISIN 6-speed tranny. The 4.6 Tau comes with the ZF and is geared differently.

I have noticed some tire noise but not more than I've heard with other vehicles. They are very quiet on newer blacktop, like everything else. Regardless, those Dunlops handle really well. I have no complaints at all.

 

[Simonwpb]

Welcome Tarpumn.
Thanks for the comments!
1. Tire noise: my car is quiet on a variety of road surfaces, so I would recommend test driving another car?
2. Options. V6 Genesis is configured from base with only 3 option packages, so this makes it hard to pick and choose! Think of it as "additional features for free" as opposed to "paying for options you don't want". I never use the sunroof but it just comes with the car...
3. You are not the first to want to see a white Genesis!

How many Hyundai dealerships are there around the Space Coast?

 

[Wilbur_the_goose]

You know what I disliked the most from my "test drive" at the Genesis event in Wilmington, DE? The parking brake!

A real performance sedan should have a hand brake! This reminded me of a cheapo GM car.

I still like the car, but that parking brake has gotta go.

 

[kbmuenkel]

You know what I disliked the most from my "test drive" at the Genesis event in Wilmington, DE? The parking brake!

A real performance sedan should have a hand brake! This reminded me of a cheapo GM car.

I still like the car, but that parking brake has gotta go.

I like the foot brake and find that handbrakes get in the way of the middle console controls. Without a clutch pedal, why not have a foot brake?

 

[jwaters943]

Welcome to the site. Sorry you had a bummer ride. I think you may be the first to mention road noise as an issue. Also, the car you drove does not have a ZF trans. It's an ASIN, the same drive train from the Azera 3.8L. Where is mid-east FL. Guys on here have cars over there.

Actually, that's not really accurate. You are correct that the V6 does come with an "Aisin" (e.g. Toyota) 6-speed unit and not the ZF 6-speed. However, the Aisin transmission is not shared with the Azera. The Aisin unit was/is used in the GS300/GS350/GS430 (the GS460 gets the new 8-speed unit), as well as many other vehicles. The Azera uses a Hyundai-built 5-speed unit that is shared with other Hyundai vehicles, such as the Sonata. Also, the engine has a different bore/stroke and unique tuning, in addition to being mounted longitudinally in the Genesis. The FWD Azera has the 3.8l mounted transversely.

As for the OP, sorry you were disappointed. I think this may be another case of the tires never being deflated to their proper PSI by the dealership (they're shipped overinflated to prevent flat spotting). My Genesis had a bit of road noise and rode stiffly until I properly adjusted the tire PSI. I just finished a 900 mile (round-trip) road trip in my Genesis and noticed no excessive road/engine noise. At speeds up to 100mph my Genesis was rock-solid and quiet and the only real noise was a bit of subdued wind noise.

 

[tarpumn]

Re: Uodate - first test drive (disapointed)

Just recieved my Oct. Car and Driver. Low and behold iin the testing of the V-8. They were not very kind as to it beinga "Sport sedan" but liked it dispite:

ZF transmission"will up shift on it's own" and "premature up shifting well below redline, regardless of driver input".

Guess that says that. I still think I'll wait to see the difference between the leather used. Most likely leaning toward V-6 and will spend the remaining dollars on bigger wheels.

 

[Wilbur_the_goose]

I just test drove a V6 and was very pleasantly surprised. A key factor for me, being a BMW driver, is the turning radius. I tried it in a small space, and was floored at how tight the radius was. Excellent

The car has great accleration and pretty good handling. OK - It's not a BMW, but it's nt trying to be. The BMW really carves a turn - the Genesis tends to be a bit more of a floater but it's 10000 times better than, say, a Buick.

The fit and finish is exceptional. The electronics are exceptional.

I am convinced that this car (or the Genesis Coupe) will be the next car I purchase.

Only negative - the tires - Dunlop 5000 family. I've had two sets that performed quite poorly on my Audi A6. Biggest problem was very premature treadwear leading to some hydroplaning. And my days of spending $40K on a car only to throw out the tires are over. I hope Hyundai makes a better choice in the future.

Thanks folks - Those of you that purchased this car have chosen exceptionally well. Congratulations!

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[Simonwpb]

I just test drove a V6 and was very pleasantly surprised. A key factor for me, being a BMW driver, is the turning radius. I tried it in a small space, and was floored at how tight the radius was. Excellent

For $ome reason a lot of BMW drivers like the Genesis...

I also check out the turning radius on every car I test-drive. Nothing worse than a car that steers like a land-barge.

 

[jacksonhunter31]

I think the reason a lot of BMW owners (like myself) like the Genesis is that Hyundai borrowed much of the BMW design language for the Genesis. The car looks like a toned down (or boring-depending on POV) version of a Chris Bangle design. This is particularly true in the line from the front of the car, through the front doors and the slightly bulbous backside. of course the grill feels like Mercedes and the interior looks like Lexus...Nothing original here--except the value--and that IS compelling.

 

[Poopsicle]

I think the reason a lot of BMW owners (like myself) like the Genesis is that Hyundai borrowed much of the BMW design language for the Genesis. The car looks like a toned down (or boring-depending on POV) version of a Chris Bangle design. This is particularly true in the line from the front of the car, through the front doors and the slightly bulbous backside. of course the grill feels like Mercedes and the interior looks like Lexus...Nothing original here--except the value--and that IS compelling.

borrowed? You mean learned.

 

[hooosah~]

I like the foot brake and find that handbrakes get in the way of the middle console controls. Without a clutch pedal, why not have a foot brake?

Hi new on the board here. I own a 2006 bmw 5 and looking to trade in. So far I am very impressed with what I've read about the Genesis.

I was just quietly reading along and gathering information about this car when I came across this post. I rented a 2008 Camry when I was overseas and hated the fact that it did not have a handbreak.

See, this might be purely a matter of ethics discussion. When I get a loaner car, I usually try to brush up on my drifting skills (more than I would on my bimmer). And I was pretty ticked off when the camry did not have a handbreak. Sure, it's a FWD car wihch makes it less fun and the manual shift was pretty lame (delays).

So when I read that the handbreak is missing, I am a little bit dissapointed. But the car's package is so impressive that I am still willing to go test drive and see how much I like it. If I like it, I have no problem switching from BMW to H. My money has no legence to bmw or any automaker.

 

[MattP]

I just test drove a V6 and was very pleasantly surprised. A key factor for me, being a BMW driver, is the turning radius. I tried it in a small space, and was floored at how tight the radius was. Excellent

The car has great accleration and pretty good handling. OK - It's not a BMW, but it's nt trying to be. The BMW really carves a turn - the Genesis tends to be a bit more of a floater but it's 10000 times better than, say, a Buick.

I have to say I have been very impressed with the handling. I feel I notice the ASD (amplitude selective damping) it almost feels like the car tightens its ride the harder you push it.

I cannot compare to a BMW, but I do have a replica '65 Cobra that has race shocks (you can bounce on the bodywork and the shocks don't move). It is NOT a comfortable ride BUT it does corner very fast.

I have taken my Genesis out on a couple of twisty roads to see how it compares on the corners and its been surprisingly fast in the corners with no tire squeel.

 

[Jerrad]

Hello Hooosah and welcome to the boards!

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Welcome aboard, Hoosah! Thank you for signing up!

Hi new on the board here. I own a 2006 bmw 5 and looking to trade in. So far I am very impressed with what I've read about the Genesis.

I was just quietly reading along and gathering information about this car when I came across this post. I rented a 2008 Camry when I was overseas and hated the fact that it did not have a handbreak.

See, this might be purely a matter of ethics discussion. When I get a loaner car, I usually try to brush up on my drifting skills (more than I would on my bimmer). And I was pretty ticked off when the camry did not have a handbreak. Sure, it's a FWD car wihch makes it less fun and the manual shift was pretty lame (delays).

So when I read that the handbreak is missing, I am a little bit dissapointed. But the car's package is so impressive that I am still willing to go test drive and see how much I like it. If I like it, I have no problem switching from BMW to H. My money has no legence to bmw or any automaker.

 

[such912]

Hey I think the guy who heard road noise needs to get his ears checked...LoL... i have had mine since july 30, 2008 and already i have put over 3,200 miles on it.... There is virtually no sound in the cabin whatsoever and i have driven at speeds, which i should not post here, lol...

Its a great car, definitely not perfect yet, but a great attempt to make Hyundai a serious contender against the overpriced garbage out there.... Its time people wake up and be different and not run with the crowd and stick to old things...!

 

[musher51]

Hey I think the guy who heard road noise needs to get his ears checked...LoLQUOTE]


Actually, it turns out that the stripping in the driver's door wasn't making an effective seal, and the dealer readily verified the noise I was hearing. They replaced one piece and reset another, and now all's quiet on my Genesis front (check my ears, indeed...).

 

[hooosah~]

Hi. Thanks for the warm welcome.

I went to a dealer and test drove the car and I can say, even without a handbrake, it was awesome. I can definitely see myself driving to work in this and not missing my bimmer. I asked the guy if we can go to an empty parking lot and see if it would drfit well. The guy had to think about it for a moment. Then he asked me what drifting was. So I told him I am going to try to make the rear end of the car spin out while making a turn at a relatively high speed. Then he had to think about it for a moment. After a minute or two, he said he would get in trouble if I damaged the car. So I gave up.

I would appreciate it if anyone drove the car hard and let me know what it was like. I'm in my early thirties and drive like an old lady for the most part but once in awhile I forget that I have aged for the past ten years or so and really enjoy tossing around a car when nobody is around (like at a local stripmall parking lot late at night).