Prospective Owner

[mark0824]

Hi everyone,

I am currently the owner of 2007 BMW 550i. I have 95k miles on it and I am looking to trade it in in the near future. Love the 550i, runs great, handles great, all around it has been a great vehicle. I really am attracted to the Genesis. It is a great classic looking sedan with very nice lines. It comes with a lot of options for a fraction of the cost of a BMW.

I am narrowing my search to 2013's/used (the Bluetooth streaming is big for me) Genesis (probably R-Spec but the V6 is a possibility), 2011-2013 BMW 535/550, and Audi A6. I know the Genesis is going to be the least costly option, which is big for my wife. I am curious on how the 2013 V6's perform. My current 550i has 360/360 HP/TQ and can really move. This part is important to me. I love a good V8 but if the V6 is close in performance and I can get better mileage (all city driving in the ATL) that may work.

This is a car I want to keep for 5-6 years and get 100k miles out of and not have to worry to much. Just keep up the maintenance. The BMW's will range in price from 38-47K, and Audi 45-50k. I am expecting the Genesis around 28-38K (V6-V8 models).

Thanks for the info and advice.

Mark

 

[Mark_888]

Genesis V6 has 333 HP, but it seems to me that comparing HP of a BMW vs any other car is not accurate, and a BMW always seems faster even if it has less HP. Of course, the Genesis V6 has more than enough power for me, but you and I are probably not looking for same kind of car.

 

[JasTheAce]

If you're looking at a '13 genesis, I would say just avoid used. By the time you stack all of the incentives for a new '13, you're about the same price as a CPO (keeping the 10/100 warranty).

Things to keep in mind if you are buying new:

1) investigate motozuma (go sign up now, it doesn't cost anything)
2) join Hyundai Think Tank and you can get hyundai circle pricing, which gives you a great idea for what you can reasonably pay.

 

[GenesisCaptain]

I went from a BMW 740iL to a 750iL to the then Genesis V6. I put 180K miles on both BMWs over 12 years and absolutely loved they way they performed. I fulfilled my massive engine ownership experience on my man card, and purposefully bought the V6 Genesis. It performs great. The other cars on my list were the BMW 5 Series and Infiniti M. I had major maintenance fatigue with the BMWs, so Hyundai's lower cost and lower likely maintenance hassles won me over. So far, I am loving my decision.

Here are a few thoughts to consider...

* If the perceived status is important to you, get a European car.
* If awesome handling is important to you, then get a European car.
* If getting the most cutting-edge options is important to you, then get a European car.
* The Genesis V6 is very quick for what it is, but it is not as quick as your 550. I am not sure that it would hang with the 535 or A6 V6 either. However, at about 5.5 seconds 0-60, it is plenty good enough.
* Overall, the electronics and UI is good, and I like it. It could be better, but it works plenty well enough for everyday use.
* If you want a great value the Genesis is unbeatable.
* If you want a low-impact ownership experience (fewer and less costly service visits), then avoid a European car.

I drive mine everyday in Atlanta traffic, and it is perfect for these conditions. It is nice at speed, and easy to drive in stop-and-go. The A/C rocks, and the cooled seat is sweet. A Genesis will cost a lot less than a BMW or Audi over 5 years. They can be horrible out of warranty.

 

[RSPEC429]

I own both an '08 550i and a '12 Genesis R-Spec. If you want similar V8 performance, get the R-Spec. I will say that the BMW is the more refined vehicle however.

If I was you, I would be looking at a Lexus GS F-Sport as well. It is well known that the current 5-Series has gotten a bit "soft" while the GS, specifically the F-Sport, has nicely taken up where the E60 5-Series left off. My girlfriend's father recently purchased an F-Sport and I had an opportunity to drive it; I'm partial to my 550i but the F-Sport is a damn good drive. It does lack the V8 power of the R-Spec and the 550i however.

 

[mark0824]

Thanks for the great info. European does not matter to me one bit. I have a 2 year old and 10 year so safety is important as reliability. The Genesis has the basic tech I want, Navi, Bluetooth, heated and cooled seats, iPod integration. I have driven a new 535 loaner and the quickness was decent but it does not feel like the E60 5 series.

My wife had a 2008 Infiniti M35 and it was a fine car. Not sure I like the lines of the new ones but have not driven on yet.

Thanks all.

 

[JasTheAce]

Just keep in mind only the driver's seat is cooled.

 

[RSPEC429]

If you can wait, the second generation Genesis should be a much better vehicle. Seems like you're looking for certified vehicles though and it'll be even longer before a second gen Genesis will be found as a CPO.