Questions from new guy.

[Driver]

Hey my first post.

I'm starting my new car shopping but in no hurry to purchase immediately since my current Acura TL-S is still running great. I'm starting my search with Genesis since it made big news when it first came out few years ago about being a great car for value and seems to be making improvements each year.

Below are some questions I have to current owners.

• How is the winter driving? I live in Minnesota which sees ~100" of snow each winter. How is this car in snow being it's rear wheel drive only? I had no major issues with TL-S being it front wheel drive. I read AWD version may be coming which I could wait for.
• In considering R-Spec if it had different suspension modes it would accommodate variety of driving situations. Does 2012 have this?
• How is the reliability of Genesis? Does Hyundai address issues responsibly and reasonably? My TL-S had a recall on transmission and Acura addressed it responsibly with minimal hassle. Besides this my car has been trouble free for years.
• Does Genesis retain good resale value?
• What type of pricing could I expect on 2012? I requested a quote from a local dealer over the internet on R-Spec V8 and they basically quoted MSRP. My brother just bought 2012 Genesis V6 demo with all options which had 3k miles from local dealer for $34k which seems to indicate these cars are available for large reduction off MSRP.

Thank you for any and all inputs.

 

[Cut-Throat]

I also live in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. I can answer the driving in snow question.

With the stock Dunlop tires, the car was the worst I've ever driven in snow. After the first snow storm last winter, I bought a set of Bridgestone Serenities All Season. This brought the car to the level of other rear wheel cars I've driven. Still pretty bad. From what I understand, if you put on set of Blizzaks the car is pretty good.

The main thing I worry about in winter driving is ice, rather than snow. The snow plows around here get the snow off the roads pretty fast, but then the ice remains and many 4 wheel drive vehicles leave the roads and end up in the ditch or an accident.

 

[Mark_888]

Below are some questions I have to current owners.

1. How is the winter driving? I live in Minnesota which sees ~100" of snow each winter. How is this car in snow being it's rear wheel drive only? I had no major issues with TL-S being it front wheel drive. I read AWD version may be coming which I could wait for.
2. In considering R-Spec if it had different suspension modes it would accommodate variety of driving situations. Does 2012 have this?
3. How is the reliability of Genesis? Does Hyundai address issues responsibly and reasonably? My TL-S had a recall on transmission and Acura addressed it responsibly with minimal hassle. Besides this my car has been trouble free for years.
4. Does Genesis retain good resale value?
5. What type of pricing could I expect on 2012? I requested a quote from a local dealer over the internet on R-Spec V8 and they basically quoted MSRP. My brother just bought 2012 Genesis V6 demo with all options which had 3k miles from local dealer for $34k which seems to indicate these cars are available for large reduction off MSRP.

1. I personally would not drive a rear wheel car on heavy snow/ice, but I don't have that problem where I live now.
2. R-Spec does not have an adjustable suspension, if that is what you mean. Some reveiwers think the R-Spec is a little harsh, but they like the other 2012 Genesis rides.
3. Reliability is good except for audio systems on Tech Package (which is standard on V8's). Repairs of the audio system can be very expensive for the simpliest things (they usually just replace the entire unit) and the audio system warranty is only 3 years or 36K miles. If you plan to keep longer, you may want an extended Platinum warranty to cover those items (power train is already warranted for 10 years or 100K miles. But these are problems reported in past models, so hard to say if problems will occur in 2012 Tech Package audio systems. Regarding the transmission, Hyundai has a 10 year 100K warranty on drive train (for original owner only).
4. Resale values of all used cars are higher right now, so hard to say. There are many online sites that will tell you the resale value. Hyundai offers a guarenteed resale value for all new cars purchased, but not sure where those numbers are available (but if you contact a dealer, they could tell you).
5. Most Genesis models are highly discounted if you shop around, but R-Spec may be in short supply right now. If you are not purchasing any time soon, the supply problem will likely change, although not sure about MN area.

 

[hwks1]

If you are in no hurry you might want to wait. Genesis is on MY12 - it is suggested that MY14 will get AWD and a total platform redesign. I needed a car now so I bought the 2012... I have AWD options to drive this winter so when the roads are bad, I will park the Genesis.

You will have to do your own research on resale values but Hyundai guarantees your trade in value so that's a good place to start.

R-Spec are difficult to find (so are 2012 V8) in the upper Midwest... short supply, good demand is not a recipe for discounted pricing. Nothing says (government doesn't regulate this... yet) you have to buy the car in Minnesota so look around Missouri and south. I sure wouldn't pay MSRP for the R-Spec......

 

[jstrickphoto]

I'm also a Minnesotan. My 2 previous cars were most recently, a 2006 Pontiac GTO and before that, a 2004 Pontiac GTO.

Those are both RWD cars with far more power than the Genesis in any configuration. I drove my 2004 EVERY DAY I owned it as it was my only car. Yes, that means the winter of 2005 and 2006. I traded her early for the 2006 GTO, which had even more power. Again, I drove it EVERY SINGLE DAY the first winter I owned it 2006/2007.

But, in late 2007, I bought a beater 4x4 pick-up truck as winter shoes since I moved out more rural. That being said, I still drove my GTO to work in the winter on days where no snow was forecast.

You yourself know that the main roads, highways and interstates are usually in pretty decent condition when it's not snowing and usually restored to good condition within a day or two of a major snow event.

Only you can answer if RWD is for you, especially if that will be your only means of commuting.

In my case, we also just recently purchased an AWD Sante Fe so that will see the snowy, questionable commutes and the Genesis will see the drier winter days. But believe me, it WILL see the snow and ice.

Common sense and responsibility go along way when driving ANY car in the snow and ice. AWD/4WD don't fix stupid, careless driving. They just cause you to get stuck further

Jamie

 

[BBQ Bandit]

Stick around.. there are members here who have either traded in their TL or bought the Genesis as their second vehicle.
They will be a great sounding board on any TL comparisons and opinions.

 

[Driver]

Thanks everyone for your input.

I've driven in snow/ice for +20 years but never driven a rear wheel drive in the snow/ice. I understand you can't drive carelessly even if you had AWD but I was thinking combination of AWD and common sense caution would gets you through even the most harsh winters.

With mentioned audio system issues and news of upcoming AWD and redesign perhaps I need to just keep following the forum and wait a bit longer to see what develops.

Also as for pricing I've read someone getting R-Spec as low as $41k so having dealers in my area giving MSRP doesn't make sense especially knowing downside of winter driving here for the car. We are only couple months from getting our first snow. Also most people are looking at Genesis because of the value you get but if dealers insist on getting MSRP that value is diminished some what.

Regardless I appreciate eveyones input on Genesis based on your experience and I hope everyone enjoys their very nice Genesis cars!

Thank you.

 

[BBQ Bandit]

Just a short list who were TL owners ... now Genesis owners.

Glashub
Newman
Cal
KLG
Adadevil
SlickGenesis20T
Jmintzer
Aquineas

 

[Driver]

Just a short list who were TL owners ... now Genesis owners.

Glashub
Newman
Cal
KLG
Adadevil
SlickGenesis20T
Jmintzer
Aquineas

Once upon a time TL was considered value buy so I'm not surprised that those buyers would consider Genesis now.

For a while there I was thinking my next car would be TL SH-AWD but now it's not so certain mainly because I see much more value in Genesis especially if they sell V8 AWD version in the low $40k range in the near future!

Thanks for the info.

 

[YEH]

RWD w/ LSD on flatter terrain is fine as long as you put on snow tires but many people don't want to go thru the hassle.

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[hwks1]

RWD w/ LSD on flatter terrain is fine as long as you put on snow tires but many people don't want to go thru the hassle.

Absolutely agree.... but,if you have even one hill in your neighborhood driving a RWD (any) car is a winter time adventure. If I never had to deal with any hills a RWD with advanced technology like LSD, ESC etc woiuld be completely fine. I unfortunately live in area with hills (including my own lane) so AWD is necessity.

 

[waveman]

Absolutely agree.... but,if you have even one hill in your neighborhood driving a RWD (any) car is a winter time adventure. If I never had to deal with any hills a RWD with advanced technology like LSD, ESC etc woiuld be completely fine. I unfortunately live in area with hills (including my own lane) so AWD is necessity.

I grew up in Montreal and drove RWD cars through the winter without too much difficulty, but the city did a good job keeping the roads plowed and salted. Winter tires were a must, and I think they're even required by law these days.

 

[acoga]

What type of pricing could I expect on 2012? I requested a quote from a local dealer over the internet on R-Spec V8 and they basically quoted MSRP.

Should be very easy to get them below MSRP. I bought the first R-Spec at my local dealer in Austin and didn't even really negotiate hard. I just told them they needed to match the Florida Fitzmall prices, which they did right away. You'll also get a $1500 "competitive rebate" because you own an Acura.

I traded in a TL, not a TL-S. But I'm in Austin so I can't speak to driving in snow.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

RWD w/ LSD on flatter terrain is fine as long as you put on snow tires but many people don't want to go thru the hassle.

Very true. And the OP should ask his dealer about storing the OEM tires and vice versa. Mine volunteered to do so.
Also, in reality, we're only talking 5 days or so out of 365. Chicago had record snow last year, but only a handful were "dangerous" for the Dunlops.
Lastly, the Conti's on the Equus were way better than the Dunlops in the snow. My dealer says Conti's will be standard on the Gen going forward. Expired contract?

 

[Gurkha]

I grew up in Montreal and drove RWD cars through the winter without too much difficulty, but the city did a good job keeping the roads plowed and salted. Winter tires were a must, and I think they're even required by law these days.

As someone who is still in la belle province, you are correct. It's the law for about 2 years now.
I tried the Genny a few times this past winter but not on the worst snow days.
I had no issues and have not driven RWD in over 25 years.
A good set of winter tires in a minus size (17" if you have 18" for summer) works wonders.
As for hills, only AWD or tire chains will help. There is not much difference between FWD or RWD.

 

[Driver]

Should be very easy to get them below MSRP. I bought the first R-Spec at my local dealer in Austin and didn't even really negotiate hard. I just told them they needed to match the Florida Fitzmall prices, which they did right away. You'll also get a $1500 "competitive rebate" because you own an Acura.

I traded in a TL, not a TL-S. But I'm in Austin so I can't speak to driving in snow.

Never heard of this Fitzmall but they seem to have decent price on the R-Spec, although not as good as one guy who got the R-Spec for $41k in Seattle. It states "Price Includes Freight", does that mean they will ship to me if I order from them?

Thanks.

 

[Driver]

Very true. And the OP should ask his dealer about storing the OEM tires and vice versa. Mine volunteered to do so.
Also, in reality, we're only talking 5 days or so out of 365. Chicago had record snow last year, but only a handful were "dangerous" for the Dunlops.
Lastly, the Conti's on the Equus were way better than the Dunlops in the snow. My dealer says Conti's will be standard on the Gen going forward. Expired contract?

Having to change tires seem like too much hassle. I suppose I could take my wife's car on bad snow days since she doesn't work but it could also happen after I'm already at work. I would much rather prefer to get AWD Genesis and it sounds like it may happen in MY2014 which I could wait for.

 

[Gurkha]

It states "Price Includes Freight", does that mean they will ship to me if I order from them?

It means the freight charges from Korea to the dealer are included.

 

[scottdk]

Having to change tires seem like too much hassle. I suppose I could take my wife's car on bad snow days since she doesn't work but it could also happen after I'm already at work. I would much rather prefer to get AWD Genesis and it sounds like it may happen in MY2014 which I could wait for.

AWD isn't going to improve braking and also importantly, does not improve handling the vehicle around bends in the road and turns etc. AWD only helps with acceleration and prevents from getting stuck.

Tires are everything......just something to ponder.

 

[Driver]

AWD isn't going to improve braking and also importantly, does not improve handling the vehicle around bends in the road and turns etc. AWD only helps with acceleration and prevents from getting stuck.

Tires are everything......just something to ponder.

Did you drive your Genesis past winter in MN? How was your experience?

Even with my front wheel drive, issues I had were usually related to getting up my drive way and getting going again from a full stops when there is alot of snow. Once the roads are cleared it usually isn't an issue but there are times you are on the road and snow isn't cleared yet.

I do agree that good tires would make big difference. My brother just got full optioned 2012 Genesis V6 so I could check with him to see how he likes the winter driving.

Thanks for your input.