How is the Genesis for a DIY'er?

[jkadagio]

Hi all!
I have had a variety of sedans over the last 20 years, all of which I have performed what I consider basic maintenance and repairs on. Change oil on all my cars, batteries, belts, alternators, starters, brake pads/calipers/rotors etc. as needed. I enjoy doing the job myself, and enjoy saving some money in the process.

Just started my search for my next sedan and not sure how the Genesis has not hit my radar before. I am finding I can pick up a nice, used base 3.8 Genesis that would check all the boxes I have as requirements...and then some.

My question is how is this car to work on if you wanted to do the types of repairs I mention above? Appears that I can't locate a Haynes/Chilton type manual, which worried me a bit. Am I missing something? I know as a 'luxury' type car, basic part prices will be a bit higher, but I checked autozone/oreilly/napa and they tend to have those parts listed above, just priced a bit higher.

Any thoughts from this group, or DIY'ers with any experience here?

 

[shagnat]

Hi all!
I have had a variety of sedans over the last 20 years, all of which I have performed what I consider basic maintenance and repairs on. Change oil on all my cars, batteries, belts, alternators, starters, brake pads/calipers/rotors etc. as needed. I enjoy doing the job myself, and enjoy saving some money in the process.

Just started my search for my next sedan and not sure how the Genesis has not hit my radar before. I am finding I can pick up a nice, used base 3.8 Genesis that would check all the boxes I have as requirements...and then some.

My question is how is this car to work on if you wanted to do the types of repairs I mention above? Appears that I can't locate a Haynes/Chilton type manual, which worried me a bit. Am I missing something? I know as a 'luxury' type car, basic part prices will be a bit higher, but I checked autozone/oreilly/napa and they tend to have those parts listed above, just priced a bit higher.

Any thoughts from this group, or DIY'ers with any experience here?

I don't do my own work anymore as I got tired of busting knuckles long ago, however, I would think most of the items you mentioned are very doable for someone of your apparent mechanical knowledge and abilities.

 

[homeofstone]

I am not sure about the V6 since I have a v8, but oil changes are not difficult, battery is in the trunk, Belt on the v8 is somewhat difficult for that job.
Transmission service on V8 is dealer(its a sealed transmission with no dip stick like a Mercedes).

 

[mikec]

You can download PDF versions of the factory service manuals from www.hmaservice.com - anybody can sign up. Even if you don't actually own a Hyundai yet... so you can see details of a) special tools needed, b) special test equipment/code readers, c) troubleshooting flow charts, and d) how-to repair guides.

The actual links to get to the manuals moves around every so often; I don't remember the current sequence off the top of my head. And several web browsers have trouble dealing with the site. Use the SEARCH -> Advanced Search on this site and search for "www.hmaservice.com" for recent threads on which web browsers do and don't work, and how to sign up and then navigate the site. This forum site has several threads with details.

mike c.

 

[GenesisCaptain]

The 2009s are just starting to come out of warranty, and most of them are relatively low mileage, so there are not a lot of cars on the road yet where people would need to DIY significant maintenance.

I did a quick AutoTrader curiosity search, and they list a total of 1,890 Genesis sedans for sale nationwide. 89% of those cars are under 60K miles and 75% are under 45K miles. So, if we make a little bit of a reach assumption that this generally represents the cars in ownership, then the overwhelming majority of Genesis sedans are relatively young and have not really hit the thresholds for much maintenance of any kind. That is why you will likely see a dearth of first-hand DIYer experience and comments.

I like to do most of the "dry" maintenance on my cars, so it will be a while, like 5 years-ish, before I need to replace the brakes or battery. I have only had two alternators fail in my lifetime of car ownership and one starter, so I am not anticipating that I would need to deal with those on this car, especially if they are covered by the 100K warranty.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

There is a forum here "Garage" I believe, that should begin to get populated with posts over the next year or so, especially if it gets categorized into the major categories. There's nothing there right now.

 

[MADDMOE]

I do all my own work since owning my 4.6 V8 , brakes, oil, ALL filter ( air, cabin & oil ) no problems for someone who is good with tools

 

[shagnat]

The 2009s are just starting to come out of warranty, and most of them are relatively low mileage, so there are not a lot of cars on the road yet where people would need to DIY significant maintenance.

I did a quick AutoTrader curiosity search, and they list a total of 1,890 Genesis sedans for sale nationwide. 89% of those cars are under 60K miles and 75% are under 45K miles. So, if we make a little bit of a reach assumption that this generally represents the cars in ownership, then the overwhelming majority of Genesis sedans are relatively young and have not really hit the thresholds for much maintenance of any kind. That is why you will likely see a dearth of first-hand DIYer experience and comments.

I like to do most of the "dry" maintenance on my cars, so it will be a while, like 5 years-ish, before I need to replace the brakes or battery. I have only had two alternators fail in my lifetime of car ownership and one starter, so I am not anticipating that I would need to deal with those on this car, especially if they are covered by the 100K warranty.

You really looked at 1,890 vehicles and compared mileage and broke it down to percentages of the whole???!!! Really, dude? (cough bs cough)

 

[GenesisCaptain]

You really looked at 1,890 vehicles and compared mileage and broke it down to percentages of the whole???!!! Really, dude? (cough bs cough)

Really, dude, was this post necessary?

No, I did not look at 1,890 cars. AutoTrader lets you filter cars by mileage in 15K increments. It took 2 or 3 minutes and a few mouse clicks. It was totally easy. (cough, troll, cough)

 

[Southern Boy]

I can and do all of the items you mentioned in your op.
Of course some of the items haven’t gotten to the point of needing replacement.
On 3.8 V6 oil changes are a snap. The rest doesn’t appear to be any great challenge if you worked on vehicles in the past and have the proper tools.
Of course I have a lift in my garage to service my vehicles since I got tired of crawling around on the floor which makes most of these types of activities easier.
My wife thinks I’m nuts, because she would rather bring it to the dealer and be pampered while the car is serviced.
You know that thing about men being from Mars and Women from Venus.

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[shagnat]

Really, dude, was this post necessary?

No, I did not look at 1,890 cars. AutoTrader lets you filter cars by mileage in 15K increments. It took 2 or 3 minutes and a few mouse clicks. It was totally easy. (cough, troll, cough)

IMO it was. There is so much crap posted here about these cars that no one person could possibly know, but, they come in and profess they know everything they're posting to be the gospel.


There is more MISinformation here than anything else. Yes, lots of good stuff, but, having to wade through the bs gets tiring.

I just doubt you did what you claim...... but, that's just me......... post on.... post on.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

We really have three categories of posts: 1. information, 2. misinformation, 3. attitude.

 

[GenesisCaptain]

There is so much crap posted here about these cars that no one person could possibly know, but, they come in and profess they know everything they're posting to be the gospel.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. My BS Sniffer is on high alert here as well. I have seen more guess-posts here with a voice of authority than I have seen on any other automobile forum. (Well, there is a BMW forum that seem like it is filled with a bunch of fourteen-year-olds, but I digress.) I try to keep my posts objective, factual, and verifiable when conveying information. And, I try to call out the BS and urban legend when I see it. (But, I fail as often as often as I try to do good, because I am but a flawed man.)

 

[ghicks99]

Really, dude, was this post necessary?

No, I did not look at 1,890 cars. AutoTrader lets you filter cars by mileage in 15K increments. It took 2 or 3 minutes and a few mouse clicks. It was totally easy. (cough, troll, cough)

Why are yall giving him a hard time. I guess yall havent used autotrader. It does show you vehicles by certain mileage. Like he said, only takes a few clicks to see

 

[TheDr9669]

To get back on topic, to the OP, as far as maintenance goes it will mostly be easy. I have been blessed with a brother who is a certified Hyundai tech, who has told me these cars are easy to work on. Personally, as far as maintenance goes I have done valve jobs, timing belt service, water pump, rebuilt complete suspensions, oil, filters, etc... (on Honda/Acura cars) I have seen this car inside and out, over and under, side to side. Once you remove the necessary panels/covers/shields the work will be fairly simple. You should have nothing to worry about once you learn the nuances.

 

[Subninja]

Here's an idea guys. If you find yourself annoyed by a post, adding "try using the search button noob," or "why even start this post" just save yourself the time from typing on your keyboard. Your comments doesn't help the poster or yourself. The guy asked a legitimate question. I don't understand why people are so prone to attack others on a forum.

In answer to the question I would think basic maintenance wouldn't be to difficult.

 

[shagnat]

Here's an idea guys. If you find yourself annoyed by a post, adding "try using the search button noob," or "why even start this post" just save yourself the time from typing on your keyboard. Your comments doesn't help the poster or yourself. The guy asked a legitimate question. I don't understand why people are so prone to attack others on a forum.

In answer to the question I would think basic maintenance wouldn't be to difficult.

+ 1

 

[Buford T Justice]

I don't think you'll to much of a problem. Especially with the base model (that's what I have too).
Because the base model has the V6 instead of the V8 under the hood there is a ton of extra room to see what your wrenching on and turn things.

Only downside I've ran into so far is all the plastic cladding. The entire underside of the car has plastic cladding to keep it more aerodynamic/reduce noise. Same goes for under the engine, most things are covered in plastic to keep noise down.

It's not hard to remove by any means, it's just 10 more screws to take out.