Genesis R Spec or 300 SRT 8

[Museman]

I will need to get a new car in the next couple of (6-12) months. I have had a 2005 Chrysler 300 C 5.7 and now a Genesis 4.6 2009.

I always buy a newer used car 1-2 years old with 15K miles or less and my two choices are a used 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT 8 fully loaded for around $40K or used 2012 R spec for $36K.

I may wait for the 2014/15 new Genesis, as my biggest compliant is you can get more options on an Azera currently (pano sunroof, BSM, Cooled passenger seat).

My downside for SRT 8 is gas mileage and the 5 speed trans which may be update to 8 in 2014.

The 300 SRT seems to be a pure muscle car sports sedan where as the R spec is a quick sleeper luxury car.

Even though I really like my 2009 Genesis I am leaning towards the SRT 8. I have had good luck with both my Chrysler 300 C and Hyundai 4.6 when I have owned them.

Anyone cross shop and test drive both these cars or run up against one (2nd generation SRT8) on the street, if so share your thoughts.

Thanks
Museman

 

[JasTheAce]

based on those two options I would say the 300 might be better. In 12 months, the redesigned genesis will be revealed, for better or worse. It might even be on sale. I wouldn't expect any significant visual differences between the '12 300 and the '14 or even '15, so the car will be the current gen instead of the previous gen.

That said, at least right now, you can get a BRAND NEW R spec for only a little more (39-39.5k).

I would also recommend using caution when getting a used SRT8. Those are not cars that are bought to just run around town. Most people wanting the extra grunt will pick up the 5.7. I would suspect there are a lot less R spec sedans proportionally that are being run as close to the limit as SRT8s.

 

[DRS]

I think you made your own case.. Based on what you said, the Tau 5.0 is what you are leaning towards. And IMO, I agree.

And you already have experience owning both (with less powerful engines). Which one still seems fresh when you get in it? Newer versions both have slight refresh inside/out and drivetrain.

 

[Philth]

Putting an 8-speed trans in a car like the SRT will not make it SRT worthy anymore. More gears = slower acceleration.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

300's are a dime a dozen. Too many of them around. Go with a Genney.

 

[homeofstone]

The 300 is a very tired design and needs updating.

 

[427435]

The 300 is a very tired design and needs updating.

X2

 

[Ruissimo]

The 300 is a very tired design and needs updating.

I agree with most of this statement. The original 300 was a better-looking car than the current one that's been tweaked. To me, anyway.

There was just something simple yet classy about that design. The new one's been Audified (especially in the headlights), and Lord KNOWS what's been done to that rear. I don't care for it at all.

HOWEVER, if you're gonna spend most of your time inside your car, rather than appreciating the exterior... or want crazy power, go with the 300. If you want to admire your car every day, and have others do it also, go with the Genny.

 

[Philth]

What really irks me about the entire SRT line-up, is no more Mercedes design and/or parts. Those E55 rear ends were damn near bullet proof.

 

[037]

a used 2012 R spec will be closer to 30k in 6-12 months, and if the new Genny is any good, it will drop even further.

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[Museman]

I agree with most of this statement. The original 300 was a better-looking car than the current one that's been tweaked. To me, anyway.

There was just something simple yet classy about that design. The new one's been Audified (especially in the headlights), and Lord KNOWS what's been done to that rear. I don't care for it at all.

HOWEVER, if you're gonna spend most of your time inside your car, rather than appreciating the exterior... or want crazy power, go with the 300. If you want to admire your car every day, and have others do it also, go with the Genny.

Well I have know driven both 2013 R spec and 2013 SRT 8. Hear are my thoughts:

Both cars are very nice: this is a matter of opinion, Genesis is more sleek while the 300 SRT 8 has a Muscle Car look in a good way.

The interior: The SRT had the leather upgrade package and was far superior to the Rspec the only negative for SRT8 was the back seat had less leg room. I got back in my genesis and it felt kind of cheap by comparison.

The driver experience: The R spec felt very quick in a subtle way whereas the SRT felt very fast had had a more deeper audible sound.

I will wait for the 2014 Genesis but if I had to buy right now I would go with the SRT 8

 

[Billfz1]

Well, let me chime in on this.
I find the Chrysler 300 one of the ugliest cars ever. I have my beliefs about why Daimler bought them, (Chrysler), and producing great cars isn't one of them. Styling is SUBJECTIVE, and you might not agree with my tastes, but after looking at the outside I have trouble even getting in a 300. The more hopped up the uglier. The SRT 8 is the worst. On the other hand I think the retro-challenger is the best looking of the current crop of pony cars. So I do not "have it in" for domestic makes.
I want a car that is fast and comfortable and I am not embarrased to be seen in. I have a rocket fast motorcycle for when the performance bug bites, and the Genny is perfect for my 4 wheel needs. My only likely change is to go to an R spec when the new wears off.
Bill

 

[Museman]

Well, let me chime in on this.
I find the Chrysler 300 one of the ugliest cars ever. I have my beliefs about why Daimler bought them, (Chrysler), and producing great cars isn't one of them. Styling is SUBJECTIVE, and you might not agree with my tastes, but after looking at the outside I have trouble even getting in a 300. The more hopped up the uglier. The SRT 8 is the worst. On the other hand I think the retro-challenger is the best looking of the current crop of pony cars. So I do not "have it in" for domestic makes.
I want a car that is fast and comfortable and I am not embarrased to be seen in. I have a rocket fast motorcycle for when the performance bug bites, and the Genny is perfect for my 4 wheel needs. My only likely change is to go to an R spec when the new wears off.
Bill

Obviously you like the Genesis and so do I (I own a 2009 4.6) I want to see what the 2014/2015 redesign has in store. It is a shame that Hyundai Genesis does not come with Blind Spot monitoring, cooled passenger seat a Pano roof, paddle shifters and the seat are the same as the 3.8. You can get these options on a Azera.

The Genesis was a step up from the 1st generation 300 however (that's why I bought the Genny) the 2nd 300 SRT 8 generation leapfrogged the genesis especially the SRT8 vs R spec. The R spec stearing wheel fells cheaper than mine in the 4.6. Hyundai is real close to making a great car and hopefully the next generation R spec will leapfrog the SRT and once again raise the bar.

Maybe you should stop drinking your own Genny Kool-Aid

Automobile Magazine reviews of both:

Hyundai Genesis

The Genesis R-spec is a disappointing effort from Hyundai. The powertrain is quite nice, with lots of power on tap, and there's a serious set of wheels and tires: nineteen-inch wheels and available Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position tires. You can power oversteer and have a little fun, but the steering is awful. It's completely wooden and totally lacking in linearity and precision. It's heavy without being accurate and it ruins the driving experience for me. It just demonstrates that Hyundai has come a long way but they are not quite to the point where they can build a serious sport sedan. They need to spend a lot more time driving and tearing apart BMW M cars, Mercedes-Benz AMG cars, Jaguar R-type cars, and the Cadillac CTS-V. They don't know how to do a car like this and have taken themselves too far, too soon. When I was driving the R-spec, the analogy that came to my mind is that you can take someone with average cooking ability, send them to the fanciest grocery store in town with lots of cash, and have them buy the highest-quality ingredients, but it doesn't mean they will be able to create a great meal. With this V-8 engine and these tires and other components, Hyundai also has a stellar list of ingredients, but it hasn't combined them into a five-star meal. It all still comes down to the execution, whether it's in a kitchen or an auto-development center, and Hyundai has not yet earned its master chef certificate when it comes to high-performance luxury.

Joe DeMatio, Deputy Editor

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/review...genesis_5_0_r_spec/viewall.html#ixzz2bF5Uy4sW

Chrysler 300 SRT 8

Usually, how a car drives, not how it looks, is what wins me over. Completely scratch that with the new Chrysler 300 SRT8. Even though the sedan's insane amount of Hemi power is intoxicating, its stunning looks are even more seductive. While I prefer white paint on this model, our black 300 still had me swooning. The front grille is like a black lipstick smirk on an attractive fascia. The car has a great stance, and rides on a set of black-mirror-chrome wheels that immediately grab your attention. Everything on the dark exterior is a turn-on. I wanted to spend as much time as I could gawking at this car, not driving it. 470 hp and I didn't want to drive? That's one good-looking automobile.

Chris Nelson, Road Test Editor

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/review..._chrysler_300_srt8/viewall.html#ixzz2bF6GYzFr

 

[brfatal]

Personally I don't hold these as comparable vehicles. The R-Spec is the same car as the 5.0 with different interior colors, larger rotors, a barely thicker sway bar, and different dampers. It's not a performance car and the transmission programming proves it. I hold the R-Spec as comparable to one of the special edition 300Cs with a 5.7L. Hyundai does not have a high performance offering that's meant to compete with cars like out-of-the-way-designed-for-performance AMGs, Ms, or SRTs.

 

[Philth]

Personally I don't hold these as comparable vehicles. The R-Spec is the same car as the 5.0 with different interior colors, larger rotors, a barely thicker sway bar, and different dampers. It's not a performance car and the transmission programming proves it. I hold the R-Spec as comparable to one of the special edition 300Cs with a 5.7L. Hyundai does not have a high performance offering that's meant to compete with cars like out-of-the-way-designed-for-performance AMGs, Ms, or SRTs.

[sarcasm]But Hyundai has an R-Spec commercial displaying a guy driving an R-Spec in a helmet, on a race track.[/sarcasm]

 

[bkleebauer]

Chrysler is a tax payer bailed out company. In my opinion every TAX PAYER, not tax filer, but TAX PAYER should have a FREE Chrysler or Chevrolet of their choice sitting in front of or parking in their driveway. I like the look and power of the Chrysler, but I'm a principled man and will NOT buy one for this reason. I will however buy a FORD....No bailout.

 

[landtuna]

Maybe you should stop drinking your own Genny Kool-Aid

Automobile Magazine reviews of both:

Hyundai Genesis

The Genesis R-spec is a disappointing effort from Hyundai. The powertrain is quite nice, with lots of power on tap, and there's a serious set of wheels and tires: nineteen-inch wheels and available Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position tires. You can power oversteer and have a little fun, but the steering is awful. It's completely wooden and totally lacking in linearity and precision. It's heavy without being accurate and it ruins the driving experience for me. It just demonstrates that Hyundai has come a long way but they are not quite to the point where they can build a serious sport sedan. They need to spend a lot more time driving and tearing apart BMW M cars, Mercedes-Benz AMG cars, Jaguar R-type cars, and the Cadillac CTS-V. They don't know how to do a car like this and have taken themselves too far, too soon. When I was driving the R-spec, the analogy that came to my mind is that you can take someone with average cooking ability, send them to the fanciest grocery store in town with lots of cash, and have them buy the highest-quality ingredients, but it doesn't mean they will be able to create a great meal. With this V-8 engine and these tires and other components, Hyundai also has a stellar list of ingredients, but it hasn't combined them into a five-star meal. It all still comes down to the execution, whether it's in a kitchen or an auto-development center, and Hyundai has not yet earned its master chef certificate when it comes to high-performance luxury.

Joe DeMatio, Deputy Editor

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/review...genesis_5_0_r_spec/viewall.html#ixzz2bF5Uy4sW

Chrysler 300 SRT 8

Usually, how a car drives, not how it looks, is what wins me over. Completely scratch that with the new Chrysler 300 SRT8. Even though the sedan's insane amount of Hemi power is intoxicating, its stunning looks are even more seductive. While I prefer white paint on this model, our black 300 still had me swooning. The front grille is like a black lipstick smirk on an attractive fascia. The car has a great stance, and rides on a set of black-mirror-chrome wheels that immediately grab your attention. Everything on the dark exterior is a turn-on. I wanted to spend as much time as I could gawking at this car, not driving it. 470 hp and I didn't want to drive? That's one good-looking automobile.

Chris Nelson, Road Test Editor

Your quoted article is exactly why I pay no attention to most of them. One goes into the driving and performance aspects of one of the vehicles and the other is simply a personal opinion on the styling - which is individual at best.

The R-spec was obviously not intended to compete with the highest offerings of the German sports sedan marques - nor does it have their price tag. Reviewers who keep beating this dead horse are not true car people.

 

[Billfz1]

Obviously you like the Genesis and so do I (I own a 2009 4.6) I want to see what the 2014/2015 redesign has in store. It is a shame that Hyundai Genesis does not come with Blind Spot monitoring, cooled passenger seat a Pano roof, paddle shifters and the seat are the same as the 3.8. You can get these options on a Azera.

The Genesis was a step up from the 1st generation 300 however (that's why I bought the Genny) the 2nd 300 SRT 8 generation leapfrogged the genesis especially the SRT8 vs R spec. The R spec stearing wheel fells cheaper than mine in the 4.6. Hyundai is real close to making a great car and hopefully the next generation R spec will leapfrog the SRT and once again raise the bar.

Maybe you should stop drinking your own Genny Kool-Aid"


OK, how is it drinking the Kool-Aid if I dislike the appearance of a particular vehicle? I enjoy the Genny, but really dislike the appearance of the SRT8 300.
I do not like the box with the tail chopped off look of the Chrysler. To be fair I also hate the look of the show car "next generation" Genesis. The front end of the next generation looks like it ran into a wall at speed. If I stay Genesis I will probably not look any farther than a 2013, unless the new model looks nothing like the show cars. I prefer a more aerodynamic look. I liked and owned a Dodge Interpid, a much cheaper car. But no more front drivers for me. The Dodge wasn't bad as they mounted the engine long ways instead of transverse to get equal length drive axles and less bump steer. The Genesis is a nice step up from most of the front drive sedans, without the German price tag. An SRT 300 also starts around a grand more than the Genesis R Spec. I have been a racer in the past and the Genny provides as much go as most people can ever use on the street. If you want to do track days, the 300 might be the better choice. My sedan will never see the track, so I can't even justify an R spec excepting that it is now the only V-8 offering, something I want, rather than need. I personally like the R Spec ride better than the standard 3.8, or my 4.6. My work commute is 50 miles one way so comfort is a high priority to me. I don't buy for status, having bought several "cheepo" commute cars including an Elantra that convinced me Hyundai had improved their engineering enough to take the plunge with the Genesis. I am not a "Brand clinger" and will get the best car I can for the buck. Right now I think the Genesis is it. That may changes if Mercedes brings out a 38K E550, but I'm not holding my breath.
Bill

 

[scottdk]

Personally I don't hold these as comparable vehicles. The R-Spec is the same car as the 5.0 with different interior colors, larger rotors, a barely thicker sway bar, and different dampers. It's not a performance car and the transmission programming proves it. I hold the R-Spec as comparable to one of the special edition 300Cs with a 5.7L. Hyundai does not have a high performance offering that's meant to compete with cars like out-of-the-way-designed-for-performance AMGs, Ms, or SRTs.

+1

 

[12gage]

At those price points, I would go with the SRT-8 it is definitely a nice vehicle. This is coming from a current R-Spec owner and former 4.6 owner.