Most Reliable Used Genesis for Around $20k?

[schan2464]

I've been doing a lot of reading here about the different issues Genesis owners have experienced with their cars. From what I can discern, it seems like a 2012 Genesis 3.8 Base or Premium package may be the most reliable combination. Less electrical gremlins to contend with, better suspension than the 2011 and older, no oil consumption issues of the early 5.0 engines. There are a few 2011 4.6 models in my area in that price range, but it seems like I would appreciate the better suspension more on a daily basis than I would the extra 50 hp of the 4.6. This car will only see around 5000 miles per year, so it's something I'm likely to keep for a long while, so I want to be happy every time I get behind the wheel.

It sounds like the Genesis is somewhere in between a bulletproof Honda Accord and a premium German car from a reliability standpoint. I've run the gamut of every German car, and I'm never going back. It seems like there is always something leaking, and the dashboard always has a service light on. That kind of thing drove me crazy, and I just want to make sure the Genesis isn't going to be that troublesome. My original thought was to buy a 2011, as the last model year of a given run usually has most of the bugs worked out, but many have said the 2012 suspension is like night and day over rough pavement.

I'm looking to buy something in the next month or two, so let me know if I'm on the right track, or if I'm missing something. Thanks in advance.

 

[2011 Genesis 4.6]

I've been doing a lot of reading here about the different issues Genesis owners have experienced with their cars. From what I can discern, it seems like a 2012 Genesis 3.8 Base or Premium package may be the most reliable combination. Less electrical gremlins to contend with, better suspension than the 2011 and older, no oil consumption issues of the early 5.0 engines. There are a few 2011 4.6 models in my area in that price range, but it seems like I would appreciate the better suspension more on a daily basis than I would the extra 50 hp of the 4.6. This car will only see around 5000 miles per year, so it's something I'm likely to keep for a long while, so I want to be happy every time I get behind the wheel.

It sounds like the Genesis is somewhere in between a bulletproof Honda Accord and a premium German car from a reliability standpoint. I've run the gamut of every German car, and I'm never going back. It seems like there is always something leaking, and the dashboard always has a service light on. That kind of thing drove me crazy, and I just want to make sure the Genesis isn't going to be that troublesome. My original thought was to buy a 2011, as the last model year of a given run usually has most of the bugs worked out, but many have said the 2012 suspension is like night and day over rough pavement.

I'm looking to buy something in the next month or two, so let me know if I'm on the right track, or if I'm missing something. Thanks in advance.

You could buy the 2011 and put 2012 suspension under it.
Just a thought

 

[GenesisCaptain]

It seems like there is always something leaking, and the dashboard always has a service light on. That kind of thing drove me crazy, and I just want to make sure the Genesis isn't going to be that troublesome.

BTDT, although I might go back some day. I sure liked the way my old cars drove... when they were not leaking and the SES was not lit.

I have a theory on many of the gremlins... I suspect that the root cause is the battery. Either, it is a poor ground or it is a battery with a partially failing cell. My reasoning is that many of the posts with electrical issues have multiple symptoms in unrelated systems. For example, head unit issues coupled with seat memory, and replacing the HU did not solve it. I saw similar related issues in early BMWs when the batteries were nearing end of life. We just do not have enough collective evidence here to either prove or disprove my theory.

So, if that is true, then you are probably safe to buy any of the option packages. In my humble experience with my 2012, my next door neighbor, and my father-in-law, these cars are great. Granted, that is only a first-hand-pool of three cars, but that plus what I see here puts the Genesis very high in reliability.

So, get the car you want and don't sweat it. Don't sacrifice options or engine performance on a very low probability of occurrence. If you are going to have it for a long time and low miles, enjoy the ride. No prediction will work 5 years out, so get what you like.

 

[schan2464]

For those that are familiar with both, how about the difference between the old transmission and the new 8 speed? I know MPG goes up a bit with the new one, but given how few miles I'm likely to drive, that matters less to me than reliability and driveability. I seem to recall seeing something about the new ones sometimes lurching at a stop.

 

[dmitriylm]

For those that are familiar with both, how about the difference between the old transmission and the new 8 speed? I know MPG goes up a bit with the new one, but given how few miles I'm likely to drive, that matters less to me than reliability and driveability. I seem to recall seeing something about the new ones sometimes lurching at a stop.

At least with the V8's, the 6 speed ZF seems to be more reliable than the 9 speed in house unit. There is no epidemic with either but I feel pretty good about my 6 speed.

 

[zielritter]

I've been doing a lot of reading here about the different issues Genesis owners have experienced with their cars. From what I can discern, it seems like a 2012 Genesis 3.8 Base or Premium package may be the most reliable combination. Less electrical gremlins to contend with, better suspension than the 2011 and older, no oil consumption issues of the early 5.0 engines. There are a few 2011 4.6 models in my area in that price range, but it seems like I would appreciate the better suspension more on a daily basis than I would the extra 50 hp of the 4.6. This car will only see around 5000 miles per year, so it's something I'm likely to keep for a long while, so I want to be happy every time I get behind the wheel.

It sounds like the Genesis is somewhere in between a bulletproof Honda Accord and a premium German car from a reliability standpoint. I've run the gamut of every German car, and I'm never going back. It seems like there is always something leaking, and the dashboard always has a service light on. That kind of thing drove me crazy, and I just want to make sure the Genesis isn't going to be that troublesome. My original thought was to buy a 2011, as the last model year of a given run usually has most of the bugs worked out, but many have said the 2012 suspension is like night and day over rough pavement.

I'm looking to buy something in the next month or two, so let me know if I'm on the right track, or if I'm missing something. Thanks in advance.

I drive a base 2012 with about 20,000 miles. Rock solid reliability and a very pleasant ride although I have no basis of comparison against previous iterations.

I'm a part of the sample group that reports on reliability of the Genesis based on number of service trips each month. Here are the current standings for the 09-13 Sedans. First chart is overall and second is power train only. These numbers don't break out by trim level, but if all trims are accounted for and the base is considered to be better than the upper trims then I would say a base model 12-13 is going to be highly reliable.

 

[GenesisCaptain]

For those that are familiar with both, how about the difference between the old transmission and the new 8 speed?

I am not familiar with both, but I still have an opinion.

If you are purely deciding for reliability, I would bet on the early Aisin transmission used with the V6. Aisin manufactures a ton of transmissions for multiple car makers and are thought to be highly reliable.

I would put the ZF second. I think of ZF as more of a performance transmission for performance luxury sedans. I have had a personal bad experience with ZF and their "lifetime" transmission fluid. But, that could have been the car maker's fault as much as ZF's.

I only put the in-house transmission last because it is new and we do not have much data yet. But, if Hyundai did it right, it should best the ZF from long-term reliability point of view.

I have not noticed any lurching or other issues with my 8 speed.

 

[svensk]

I think the ride issues with earlier models is overblown. I just bought a 2011 4.6 and it rides extremely smooth. Although it does have brand new tires and not OEM. I came from a Sonata turbo and that was a little rough over bumps in comparison, but handled a little tighter.

 

[zielritter]

I will also add that my transmission had (has?) a slight and brief clunk when accelerating from a dead stop. I say "had" because I don't really notice it these days so I don't know if it's resolved itself or my exhaust/intake drowns it out .

I've also noticed a slight jerkiness in shifts when I'm a highway speeds and its really cold. Therefore, this might be due to the extreme cold and the car not being fully warmed up. Never noticed it before though until this winter.

 

[schan2464]

I really appreciate those that have chimed in on this question. The way I read it, I'm weighing the potential of some additional electrical gremlins as they pertain to the 2011 4.6 and the Premium/Tech equipment vs some as yet unknown issues that may or may not crop up with the 2012 8 speed transmission in its first year. It also sounds like I'm blowing the suspension changes a little out of proportion.

Should I go the 2011 4.6 route, I'll probably go against every fiber in my being and just buy an extended warranty. My typical theory is to always say no and use the thousands I've saved over the years to justify my having to pay for an out of warranty repair. It's just that there doesn't seem to be a repair for the Nav unit aside from swapping it out, and that might be triple the cost of the warranty. I'm sure there are some other components that might fail which also can only be replaced and not repaired.

If I go the 2012 3.8 route, perhaps getting the CPO will be enough protection. Most of the 2012 3.8 models I've seen available are either base or just the Premium package, so maybe I just roll the dice on having to replace the simpler NAV unit should I get it.

Sound reasoning?

PS - One minor quibble I have is how in 2012 the black interior now has black wood trim. It's like a mausoleum in there! If I go that route, I'd have to get the cashmere or saddle leather and lighter wood.

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[marinakorp]

CPO will not provide enough protection. It is a powertrain to 100K, not the "traditional" CPO where most componenets are covered (other than wear and tear items) as with other CPO programs.

I would get the Extended warranty. for 1,500 or so.... worh the piece of mind.


Do you want to stream BT music to your car?

 

[svensk]

I picked up a lifetime warranty when I bought mine used. It wasn't a cheap warranty, and I don't normally purchase one either but I kind of felt compelled with all of the electronics.

 

[schan2464]

CPO will not provide enough protection. It is a powertrain to 100K, not the "traditional" CPO where most componenets are covered (other than wear and tear items) as with other CPO programs.

I would get the Extended warranty. for 1,500 or so.... worh the piece of mind.


Do you want to stream BT music to your car?

I assume I could hook up an ipod Classic and scroll through by Artist, Album, etc? With my Fusion Hybrid, I can use an ipod or just a portable hard drive, and the Sync system works exactly the same. In our Leaf, the hard drive just shows up as a bunch of folders, so it's completely useless. I have to use an ipod.

How does the Genesis handle either scenario?

 

[stogge]

To the OP, I would look for a 2014 V6 still on a lot somewhere, you could have a new car, with full warranty, and people are getting close to the $20-25k mark on brand new cars. There are deals to be had, you just have to find them!

 

[schan2464]

To the OP, I would look for a 2014 V6 still on a lot somewhere, you could have a new car, with full warranty, and people are getting close to the $20-25k mark on brand new cars. There are deals to be had, you just have to find them!

I actually did that, but none of my local dealers (San Diego) had any 2014s left.

Edit - Found a dealer about 100 miles away that still has a few 2014 base model 3.8s left. He said they could put factory nav in if I want it. Let's see how aggressive they are on price to get rid of them. What should my target price be?

 

[ComputerBudda]

Bottom line, the most reliable car will be the one with the fewest electronic hehaws. Also the least fun. From the table above, 2011 looks like the most reliable. My 2010 v8 has 61K and has been very reliable. (knocking on wood) It this is a major concern, buy a low mileage something from carmax and get their 100K mile bumper to bumper warranty.

Also new 2014 Equus are available in Dallas for $48k.....tempting

 

[PMCErnie]

A '12 or '13 Premium 3.8 should work for you. Comes with Nav, 14 spkr radio, memory seats/mirrors, 18" wheels, tilt & telescoping steering wheel, rear sunscreen and more. Don't settle for a base model.

Never buy any brand of used car without an extended warranty. Too many electronic things can go wrong these days and Hyundai only covers them for 3/36,000.

Also, if you want to stream audio do not buy a '12 tech package car. It lacks that feature. Base and Premium models, however, do stream BT audio.

 

[schan2464]

Looks like I could get a base 2014 3.8 for around $27,900 plus tax and license. Not too bad, but think I would really miss out on having at least a few of the options like NAV and rear view camera.

 

[schan2464]

How about a 2011 4.6 with 33,000 miles, asking price at a used car lot of $20,900, clean Carfax, looks to be in excellent shape. Good deal? I figure I can grind at least a few hundred off as well.

 

[schan2464]

Here's another wrinkle. I noticed that the prices at Carmax aren't all that inflated in my area on the Genesis. Moreover, their extended warranty is roughly $1200 with a $50 deductible on a 2011 4.6 with around 46000 miles.

If anyone has followed the Jalopnik posts of a guy named Doug DeMuro and his experience with Carmax's extended warranty and his Range Rover, he makes a compelling case in favor of Carmax's warranty. He spent nearly $4000 on the warranty, but managed to rack up more than $4000 in repairs in the first two years alone!

I'm not planning on driving this car more than around 6000 miles a year, so I'd get around five years out of a 75000 mile warranty. $20 a month is a pretty cheap price to pay to drive essentially care free, even if I don't end up needing it.