Genesis 5.0 handling characteristics.

[jjsC6]

Let's be realistic here, the Genesis V8 also gets atrocious EPA fuel economy.

I'm not buying a Prius...

Which is why most folks buy it with the V6 and some dealers don't even stock the 5.0. People who spend 75,000 on a BMW are okay with the mileage because of the demographics and average income. Cars like the SS and Genisis are bought by people who by the very nature of buying these cars are either not as wealthy, or they are just more value conscious.

If I wanted a fast sedan and didn't care about mileage or resale value I'd go all out and get the new 707 hp Charger . I'd put a bumper sticker on it that says "go big or go home"

Just to be clear, I have a short list for my next car that I will buy when my lease is up in six months. The SS and Genesis 5.0 are on my list, but not the top of the list. But they are on my list and I'm very knowledgable and very picky, so that is a compliment to those two cars.

 

[ksoze]

Just to be clear, I have a short list for my next car that I will buy when my lease is up in six months. The SS and Genesis 5.0 are on my list, but not the top of the list.

What is at the top of the list?

 

[Penguin]

The LT1 is more fuel efficient due to direct injection, cylinder deactivation and other efficiency improvements, and yes, the eight speed adds even more. The difference would likely be 4mpg on average. I don't even pay for my gas, my company does. But I buy the car and my concern is resale on a car rated at 21 on the freeway. My BMW 550 is rated at 25 on the freeway and I easily get at least 27 on it on long trips with primarily highway driving.

My experience with American made sedans is poor resale value. I believe that if gas goes back to $4.00 a gallon the SS will be hard to sell. GM has a horrible track record of coming out with niche vehicles with previous generation engines. GTO, SSR, Pontiac G8 come to mind. I loved the LS3 in my Corvette, but that was in 2007. Technology has moved on and I don't want to buy a new car with old car technology.

The LT1 would be a nice addition to the SS but I understand why it was not chosen. Chevrolet was trying to keep the price down on the SS while still offering strong performance in a car with smaller profit margins due to it being imported from Australia. The LS3 offered a good solution of a well proven engine that makes very good power in a physically small package. I didn't really feel any need for an 8 speed behind the LS3, an engine that makes that much torque over such a wide range of the RPM band doesn't really need one in my opinion. I doubt it would make the car any faster, and fuel economy gains may or may not justify the price increase over 100 miles.

The LS3 does have some advantages over the LT1 as well, from what I have read the LS series block may be more friendly to higher horsepower modifications like displacement increases. Furthermore at this point the LS3 is an open book, the aftermarket knows what makes it tick and what can be done to get more power out of it. As you know an intake, headers, exhaust and a good dyno tune can see real world increases in power near 35-45hp at the wheels. If you're willing to do a cam swap and valve spring upgrade with the other mods I just mentioned and gains of 80+hp at the wheels are very doable on fairly street friendly cams and no head work. For those willing to dump even more money into them the LSx series V8 can be built up in naturally aspirated form to we'll over 600-700hp depending on displacement and acceptable street manners. Then there are the forced induction options, which are plentiful, effective, and relatively cheap. The LT1 has none of these yet, but will in the future although the direct injection will pose a lot of challenges to those who mod and need to be able to move a lot of fuel since high pressure fuel pumps and direct injection injectors are very pricey.

 

[jjsC6]

What is at the top of the list?

Bear with me as theses are certainly not in the same class, but all cars have pros and cons and my next car is a harder choice. I'm about five years from retirement and am thinking more practically than I like while still fighting with my lack of willpower when it comes to cars (and motorcycles). In order of what I'm leaning towards now...

Audi A6, Audi S5, Lexus GS 350 F Sport, Lexus IS or RC 350, Acura TLX, Genesis 5.0. Serious long shots but not totally out of the question are Audi S6 and BMW535. I can afford any of them. But they really need to be a good value over four years.

The LT1 would be a nice addition to the SS but I understand why it was not chosen. Chevrolet was trying to keep the price down on the SS while still offering strong performance in a car with smaller profit margins due to it being imported from Australia. The LS3 offered a good solution of a well proven engine that makes very good power in a physically small package. I didn't really feel any need for an 8 speed behind the LS3, an engine that makes that much torque over such a wide range of the RPM band doesn't really need one in my opinion. I doubt it would make the car any faster, and fuel economy gains may or may not justify the price increase over 100 miles.

The LS3 does have some advantages over the LT1 as well, from what I have read the LS series block may be more friendly to higher horsepower modifications like displacement increases. Furthermore at this point the LS3 is an open book, the aftermarket knows what makes it tick and what can be done to get more power out of it. As you know an intake, headers, exhaust and a good dyno tune can see real world increases in power near 35-45hp at the wheels. If you're willing to do a cam swap and valve spring upgrade with the other mods I just mentioned and gains of 80+hp at the wheels are very doable on fairly street friendly cams and no head work. For those willing to dump even more money into them the LSx series V8 can be built up in naturally aspirated form to we'll over 600-700hp depending on displacement and acceptable street manners. Then there are the forced induction options, which are plentiful, effective, and relatively cheap. The LT1 has none of these yet, but will in the future although the direct injection will pose a lot of challenges to those who mod and need to be able to move a lot of fuel since high pressure fuel pumps and direct injection injectors are very pricey.

Those are all valid statements, but I would still be much more interested in the car myself if it had the LT1 and eight speed. I'd gladly spend the extra money it would add. Btw, the SS is not on my list above, but for the right deal I will look at it. I have a very close relationship with a Chevy dealer and I have a fair amount of earnings on a GM card. If I could really buy it right I'd be less concerned about resale.

 

[jimb100]

Which is why most folks buy it with the V6 and some dealers don't even stock the 5.0. People who spend 75,000 on a BMW are okay with the mileage because of the demographics and average income. Cars like the SS and Genisis are bought by people who by the very nature of buying these cars are either not as wealthy, or they are just more value conscious.

If I wanted a fast sedan and didn't care about mileage or resale value I'd go all out and get the new 707 hp Charger . I'd put a bumper sticker on it that says "go big or go home"

Just to be clear, I have a short list for my next car that I will buy when my lease is up in six months. The SS and Genesis 5.0 are on my list, but not the top of the list. But they are on my list and I'm very knowledgable and very picky, so that is a compliment to those two cars.

Its odd that its only gas mileage and resale value that separate an Audi A6 and a Hellcat in your thinking.

You may be the only person in America cross shopping the two cars.

 

[ferrethouse]

Cars like the SS and Genisis are bought by people who by the very nature of buying these cars are either not as wealthy, or they are just more value conscious.

One other factor that you should add is distinctiveness. I bought the 5.0 Ultimate because I'm 1 of about 5 owners in a city of 1.2 million. If I had purchased the Q50 or a 535 I'd be 1 of 1000.

I get LOTS of "what the heck is that" looks that people buying the traditional luxury brands don't get.

 

[jjsC6]

Its odd that its only gas mileage and resale value that separate an Audi A6 and a Hellcat in your thinking.

You may be the only person in America cross shopping the two cars.

Then hellcat is not on my list. Not a Mopar guy. But I admit I'm cross shopping some odd couples. But to your point, I love and study many cars. If money were truly no object I'd have a hell of a collection, including a Hellcat. I do have three motorcycles that are very entertaining.