first time Genesis buyer to be has a few questions

[kw012]

Greetings to all you enthusiasts. I am posting on your forum for the first time and I am going to be purchasing a 1st gen sedan shortly. I think the Genesis rocks and offers an amazing vehicle. I love the rear wheel drive, the performance and handling, safety, the quality fit and finish, reliability and value for the money. The car fits me, a tall guy at 6'5", has excellent visibility and is comfortable. My friends have two, a 2009 base model and a 2013 with tech and premium packages. Both have 3.8 power. Like me, they were dyed in the wool BMW drivers for years. I have owned nearly all models, 15 in all, since my first 1971 2002 to my current 2000 740il. The folks at BMW have gone away from their roots many years ago and I am leaving the mark. A good value used, I am hoping a used Genesis will be a great value to me also. I do all of the maintenance myself. I sold cars for a few years at Carmax. I sold the most used Genesis sedans at the store because I knew what they are. I have recently returned to my long time career as a Realtor in Scottsdale, AZ. My car is my office. The back seat has lots of room and that matters to me. So here is what I hope to learn from you today...
1- Is there a best year to buy? If yes, why?
2- Do any of the engines and transmissions have better reliability than others? What other reliability factors throughout the remaining systems are at risk, if any?
The 3.8 engine runs nice and I am prone to go in that direction unless I hear different.
3- Do any models have known quirks or issues that I need to know about?
When I sold extended service plans, the premiums for the Genesis cost the least of any because they were so reliable and premiums were based on claims paid. The BMWs had triple the cost or higher for the same coverage. The BMW is NOT triple the car!
4- When I buy used, with the BMWs in the past, I bought them super clean with 90-110K miles if they had their service records. CPO cars were very well maintained and I got a decent car for little cash. Then I would roll another 150K miles or more on them before changing horses. Does the Genesis hold up to high mileage and stay reliable with regular maintenance also? That is about all I need to know right now. I want to say Thanks in advance for the help. I know there must be a lot of very knowledgeable Genesis owners here that can give me the straight scoop and help a guy that wants to own one of these terrific vehicles soon. Once I have one, I can contribute and give back as I have done in the BMW forums. Again, thank you! Keith in AZ

 

[landtuna]

1- Is there a best year to buy? If yes, why?

I would stay with 2nd gen cars (2015-current) just so the teething problems for the 8-speed transmission and GDI engine will have been solved. I personally own a pre-oil 2012 R-spec and haven't had any trouble but if I were to buy now I would not take a chance.

2- Do any of the engines and transmissions have better reliability than others? What other reliability factors throughout the remaining systems are at risk, if any?

The 3.8's seem to be pretty bullet proof. The early 2012 model V-8's had an oil usage problem due to bad German rings. I would stay away from early Gen 1 cars due to some transmission issues. 2nd gen seems good.

The 3.8 engine runs nice and I am prone to go in that direction unless I hear different.

My cousin, who also lives in Tempe, has a 2012 3.8. Had I driven it before I bought the R-spec I might have gone that way but I am happy with the V-8 and stiffer suspension. If the car is a working car the better gas mileage would be important. Neither he nor I have had any reliability issues.

3- Do any models have known quirks or issues that I need to know about?

Ref the Gen 1 early transmission teething issues and the 2012 V-8 oil usage.

4- Does the Genesis hold up to high mileage and stay reliable with regular maintenance also?

I've only got 15K on mine so far so can't help with high mileage data but from reading others' experiences they do seem to be reliable. You will probably get additional input on this item from more long time owners.

 

[Mark_888]

The main ones to avoid are the following:

• 2009 V8 - first year of Hyundai Tau 4.6L V8
• 2012 V6 or V8 - first year of Tau 5.0 GDI V8 and first year of Hyundai 8-speed transmission (used with both V6 and V8).

Other considerations:

• The 2009-2011 V6 uses an Aisin 6-speed transmission that is very reliable. It has been used in many other cars including Lexus.
• The 2009-2011 V8 uses a ZF 6-speed transmission that is reliable. It has been used in many other cars including BMW.
• Starting in 2012 the Genesis sedan uses a brand new Hyundai 8-speed transmission, and there were an above average number of problems the first year, requiring transmission replacement.
• The 2009 suspension may be too stiff for some (and to a lesser degree the 2010-2011 suspension). Starting in 2012 the suspension is more comfortable, although the R-Spec is obviously more firm.
• Some original owners may have driven their Genesis hard, or even tracked them (or road raced them). I suspect that is much less likely to occur with a V6 original owner.

 

[shagnat]

The 3.8 L engine is a great choice, but, get at least a 2013. The ride is soooo much better and you're going to be living in that car so ride comfort and reliability is paramount.
The first year 8 speed tranny was problematic. The 5.0L 2012 had oil consumption problems. Avoid those.
If you go with a V8, just get a later year 2012 or a 2013 (I'm a 2013 fan due to ride comfort.)
I would definitely consider the extended warranty because you're going to put a lot of miles on the car and parts for these cars is ridiculous. They don't repair anything these days, they replace them.

Best of luck.

 

[Mark_888]

I'm a 2013 fan due to ride comfort.

The suspension for 2012 and 2013 are the same. Prior to 2012, the suspension was much more firm. But as you mention, the early 2012's had transmission problems.

 

[MorrisGray]

have a 2012 3.8v6 with 24k miles, so far no issues but where can I find the thread about the transmission issues? I would like to read about this and keep an eye on mine for any possible symptoms.

 

[Mark_888]

have a 2012 3.8v6 with 24k miles, so far no issues but where can I find the thread about the transmission issues? I would like to read about this and keep an eye on mine for any possible symptoms.

There are lots of threads. You can find them with the search feature, or use google search. At some point during the model year there was a manufacturing change to address the issue, so not all 2012's are affected.

 

[landtuna]

My 2012 R-spec VIN is: KMHGC4DH6CU199965 and has not had any oil related issues so I suspect cars with a build date after mine should be OK.

 

[Mark_888]

My 2012 R-spec VIN is: KMHGC4DH6CU199965 and has not had any oil related issues so I suspect cars with a build date after mine should be OK.

The actual build date is located on a sticker in the driver's door jamb.

 

[kw012]

I would stay with 2nd gen cars (2015-current) just so the teething problems for the 8-speed transmission and GDI engine will have been solved. I personally own a pre-oil 2012 R-spec and haven't had any trouble but if I were to buy now I would not take a chance.



The 3.8's seem to be pretty bullet proof. The early 2012 model V-8's had an oil usage problem due to bad German rings. I would stay away from early Gen 1 cars due to some transmission issues. 2nd gen seems good.



My cousin, who also lives in Tempe, has a 2012 3.8. Had I driven it before I bought the R-spec I might have gone that way but I am happy with the V-8 and stiffer suspension. If the car is a working car the better gas mileage would be important. Neither he nor I have had any reliability issues.



Ref the Gen 1 early transmission teething issues and the 2012 V-8 oil usage.



I've only got 15K on mine so far so can't help with high mileage data but from reading others' experiences they do seem to be reliable. You will probably get additional input on this item from more long time owners.

thanks for this valuable input. i appreciate it!! keith

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[kw012]

Thank you for the valuable input. I really appreciate it all. Keith

 

[homeofstone]

I have a 2011 that I purchased in Sept. 2010. Its a 4.6 V8 with the tech package. The car now has over 194,000 miles on it and runs like new. The 2011 comes with the German ZF transmission which i prefer. The 4.6 engine has no oil consumption and the tranny has given no problems.

 

[kw012]

I have a 2011 that I purchased in Sept. 2010. Its a 4.6 V8 with the tech package. The car now has over 194,000 miles on it and runs like new. The 2011 comes with the German ZF transmission which i prefer. The 4.6 engine has no oil consumption and the tranny has given no problems.

Now THAT is encouraging. May I assume that you role mainly highway miles? Keith