Looking for a new car.

[427435]

Every 8-10 years I buy a car for our primary transportation (kids are long gone, but we haul grandkids from time to time). Our current main vehicle is a 2003 Eddie Bauer Explorer with the V8. It will be "demoted" to our 2nd vehicle and boat hauler (it is our boat hauler now, also).

I want a comfortable, 4-door car with much better than average power. I should add, that I have an 03 Anniversary Edition Vette convertible for fun summer drives. I also owned a 2004 Mercury Marauder for a few years, but got rid of it when the 03 was purchased. I liked that car but it could have used another 75-100 hp.

Right now, my short list is a Taurus SHO; a 3 series BMW, or a Genesis. There are no local Lexus dealers. I've test driven the SHO and a V6 Genesis. Both had good performance levels, although I would really like the Genesis 5.0.

What are BOTH your favorite things about your Genesis AND your least liked things about it???

Also, can anyone tell me the real world improvement in performance that a 4.6 has over the 3.8??

 

[homeofstone]

I have a 2011 4.6 now with 48,000 plus miles. Fantastic car.
Favorites- Smart Cruise control, Lexicon sound system, voice command system, seats, engine power, great brakes. heated seats, active headlamps, active head rests. ZF transmission, Crash Safety, quiet ride, restful on long trips. good visibility all around for driver. The Taurus is not as easy to see out of in traffic.

least favorites-OE Dunlop tires, non LED puddle lights and floor lights(I replaced with LED, really easy) , ride is a little stiff on rough roads.

 

[PMCErnie]

I found the current Taurus seats to be too narrow and the wide center console overwhelming. The passenger side of the dash is hideously ugly. My wife hated the view from the passenger seat. She couldn't see over the hood. We love our '09 Taurus madly, though. Different vehicle entirely. Roomier inside and in the trunk.

A 3 series BMW would be too small for trips, in my opinion. Why go so small?

Our '12 Genesis 3.8 is roomy, comfortable and plenty powerful. When you have a car that does 0-60 in under 6 seconds, do you really need 5.5, or whatever? I'll take better fuel mileage and better handling any day. Came with Michelin Energy tires, not Dunlops in '12 models. Why not rent one for a day if you can't get an extended dealer test drive?

 

[swltf183]

I have the 3.8 v-6.

Favorite things are the power, overall quality and appearance.

Least liked thing is the ride on rough roads. On smooth roads, the ride is smooth and quiet, but if there are bumps in the road, the car's a bit "twitchy".

 

[Ruissimo]

Well... unfortunately, you can only get a 5.0 R Spec in silver, gray or black, and the 5.0 non-R spec in gray, white or black (in the U.S.)

That leaves you with the more-than-competent 4.6 (which looks really nice in Cabernet Red Pearl, by the way:

I think you'll find more than enough power in the 4.6. And once you sit in a genesis (especially in the back seat), you'll find the 3-series (and even the 5-series) inadequate. For *YOU*, it makes sense to get the Genesis; unless you're made of money, you do not want to own the German car out of warranty for 5+ years!

Test drive the 4.6... I think it will sell itself.

 

[BBQ Bandit]

2009 V6 Technology option

Love the overall value and people asking about them

Hate to have only one.




So I bought two (paid in the mid 40K for both - CPO).

 

[427435]

Thanks for the replies. While the 4.6 would likely be fine, I have a tendency to order the most power I can in a model. Thanks also for the picture of the Cabernet red--------I am partial to the deep red colors!! Maybe if I wait for the 2013 models, Hyundai will add some colors to the 5.0 (I am not in a hurry).

 

[Ruissimo]

I hear ya... I'm the same way. There's nothing worse than buying a car, then the manufacturer releases a larger displacement engine... happened to me in my last car (VW came out with the W8 engine, which I drooled over. After all the issues with the more mainstream V6 engine though, I'm sort of glad I didn't upgrade!)

I digress. Not sure how close you are to Canada, nor what the import rules are when buying a Canadian model (nor if you even CAN buy one), but they offer the Blue up there, eh?

http://www.hyundaicanada.com/Default.aspx

If the R Spec came in the red, I'd probably buy it. It is a beautiful color (I knew Bandit wouldn't resist posting his twins on here LOL).

 

[Stoofpilot]

Just buy the Genesis 5.0 with Tech package and you will be a happy camper. I also own a Mercedes SL 500 which is fast. My 2010 Genesis 4.6 is a wonderful care that hauls ass and still gets 26+ mpg.