Interested in buying a 2012/2013 3.8, things I should know about?

[ZheGoose]

My 18yo brother is really interested in buying a 12/13 3.8 genesis sedan and I'm just trying to help him in his research. I think the genesis is a great car especially considering the value for the money. I honestly think he shouldn't get one since he is a novice driver at best but according to him he's an amazing driver. Anyway what are some of the problems that affect these two model years? I have read some threads about transmission issues and the car he would potentially buy would be out of warranty or very close to being out of warranty. Thanks in advance

 

[Gunkk]

2013 has bluetooth streaming and Bluelink, 2012 does not. A 2013 obviously is more likely to have remaining time and miles left on the original 5/60 bumper to bumper warranty.

In either case, take the VIN of any car he's seriously interested in to a local dealer and have them run a detailed service history. Ask if they will write a HYUNDAI backed extended warranty (Hyundai Protection Plan, not a 3rd party warranty). They will usually do so if the car has been maintained by a dealer (they have data on maintenance) and if it is still covered by the original 5/60 warranty. If they will not, then do not buy the car.

 

[Ernie3647]

Men can never be told that they are bad lovers or bad drivers. That said what Gunkk said is sound advice. I personally would lean to the 2013 for said reasons and since 2012 was a pivotal year for some changes 2013 found some refinements on those changes introduced.

 

[PMCErnie]

I've corrected this point before, so here I go again...

Both the '12 Base (no Nav screen) and '12 Premium package (touchscreen Nav) sedans DO have Bluetooth audio streaming. Only the Tech package models lack this feature. All '13 models have BT streaming.

On another note, I wouldn't buy any modern vehicle without some sort of warranty, or extended warranty. Too many high tech things can go wrong.

 

[Mark_888]

I personally would lean to the 2013 for said reasons and since 2012 was a pivotal year for some changes 2013 found some refinements on those changes introduced.

To be more specific, the Hyundai 8-speed transmission was new in 2012 and has had a higher than normal incidence of problems.

The early 2012 V-8 also had some problems with oil consumption, but the V-6 is OK, but it was the first year for the GDI system (instead of regular EFI).

 

[kg4pto]

I believe most of the 8 speed problems were resolved by the time 2013 rolled around with software updates, but I could be wrong.

 

[Mark_888]

I believe most of the 8 speed problems were resolved by the time 2013 rolled around with software updates, but I could be wrong.

The problems with 2012 may have been resolved by 2013 (or even mid year 2012), but they had to replace a lot of transmissions.

 

[amartz]

I do think there was something defective in the trannys out of the factory, that was fixed by the time they had to start replacing them. But I never got anybody to tell me what the problem actually was.

 

[Bill K]

An 18 year old with a Genesis?
That's just silly.

He should buy a used Hyundai Accent.

 

[williakz]

An 18 year old with the good sense to buy a 4 year-old Genesis?

I'm putting my money on the kid, not the codger...

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[Mark_888]

An 18 year old with the good sense to buy a 4 year-old Genesis?

I'm putting my money on the kid, not the codger...

There was an 18 year old kid from NJ on this forum several years ago thinking about buying a brand new fully loaded Genesis V8. I think he ended up with something else, because his family laughed at him when he told them it was a Hyundai. I don't think he was the one paying for it.

When I was 20 years old, my parents handed down to me a 10 year-old VW Beetle. It had an air-cooled engine with 36 BHP @ 3700 RPM.

No fuel gauge though (not even an idiot light). If I ran out of gas while driving, I had to quickly flip the reserve tank lever to access the final gallon or so in the tank.

 

[williakz]

I went the other way. My first was a HUGE two-tone green 1976 Thunderbird that I bought used in 1982 right of school when I went halfway across the country for my first "real" job. The only reason I bought the Bird was that its loan value was higher than its sales price, so it cost me nothing out of pocket. Of course the car loan was at 21.5% interest. Yup, first and only time I caught anything financial at its peak!

Man, I loved that car. It had automatic lights, auto high beams, cruise, a nice stereo, and sumptuous dark green leather seats. Its 460 cubes got 8 mpg (with a tailwind). I ended up giving it away to a co-worker with three teenage daughters who thought its thirsty engine would keep them close to home. They got T-boned one night by a brand new Biarritz driven by a 16-year old rich girl. All the girls walked away from the wreck, but my poor Thunderbird was a total loss. I think it went out in style.

 

[bigpapainscotia]

I HAVE A 2012 AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. knock on wood. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE PARING OF MY PHONE TO THE CAR BLUETOOTH SYSTEM , SOMETIME IT WORKS FOR DAYS THEN IT WON'T WORK. s6 edge. IT WOULD BE GREAT CAR TO BUY AT 18 YEARS OF AGE. EITHER THE 2012 OR 2013.

 

[Mark_888]

I HAVE A 2012 AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. knock on wood. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE PARING OF MY PHONE TO THE CAR BLUETOOTH SYSTEM , SOMETIME IT WORKS FOR DAYS THEN IT WON'T WORK. s6 edge. IT WOULD BE GREAT CAR TO BUY AT 18 YEARS OF AGE. EITHER THE 2012 OR 2013.

Your transmission may be OK, but your keyboard has problems.

 

[bigpapainscotia]

what is wrong with my keyboard. ????

 

[shagnat]

The 2013 will ride waaay better than the 2012.... just fyi.

 

[toont]

My 18yo brother is really interested in buying a 12/13 3.8 genesis sedan and I'm just trying to help him in his research. I think the genesis is a great car especially considering the value for the money. I honestly think he shouldn't get one since he is a novice driver at best but according to him he's an amazing driver. Anyway what are some of the problems that affect these two model years? I have read some threads about transmission issues and the car he would potentially buy would be out of warranty or very close to being out of warranty. Thanks in advance

I would stay away from the 2012, stalling while moving & pauses then surges from stopped.
Dealers can't or won't fix the problems.
The stalling dosn't occur @ a stop but when you are slowing for a stop, no powerfor stearing or braking. From what I have read this is not uncommon.

 

[Mark_888]

The 2013 will ride waaay better than the 2012.... just fyi.

The suspension changed in 2012, along with GDI and new Hyundai 8-speed transmission. I don't think there were any suspension changes in 2013.

 

[Mark_888]

what is wrong with my keyboard. ????

Are you serious? On most forums they shoot people who post in all caps.

 

[bigpapainscotia]

Who cares about all CAPS I KNOW I DON'T. Really . WOW