Tell us about your "double-take" moments

[Gwaneum]

klg -

Nice story! At least, the valets drive all sorts of cars, so they do know their cars in and out. They know which models are hype only, and which ones are substance.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of Angelenos are NOT in that category. They judge their cars based on the hood emblem and the price tag. They are the people who must get a Mercedes E550 instead of an E350, because of the higher number, even though they never need the extra power. They are the people who must get the 4WD option on the various SUVs out there, even though they have NO clue what those 2H/4H/4L settings mean. It's all about vanity.

In fact, the average Angeleno has such a poor knowledge of cars, and such poor driving skills, that s/he should NEVER be allowed on the road. Unfortunately, Los Angeles being Los Angeles, losing the driver's license is akin to the death sentence, as you can no longer go to work or even shop for groceries.

The worst offenders in all of the above are the affluent Asian immigrants (the very demographic that I myself fall into). Some of the people least impressed by my Genesis are, indeed, the wealthier Korean-Americans.

In fact, over in Koreatown, some people can really hate me for my Genesis, as I just forked over a small fortune to the "pro-North Communist bastards" who run the labor union at Hyundai's Ulsan assembly plant. Actually, I was going to get my Genesis in red, just to p*ss off these guys even more - the only reason I didn't get red was because I couldn't find a red 3.8 Tech.

 

[klg]

Gwaneum - I know nothing about the politics in Korea (really?)... However I think I fall into your category about people in LA knowing nothing about the car they drive. When I bought my Genesis, I test drove the V6 and the V8... I really couldn't feel much of a difference between the two, but I HAD to have the V8, because I wanted the extra power, even though I probably won't ever use it. (even the dealer tried to talk me into the V6, probably because he had one in stock and didn't have a V8 with the tech package in stock) All that being said... I LOVE the car and I LOVE the fact that it is a "smart buy"! I think it is cool that it is a Hyundai.

 

[Gwaneum]

klg -

I would've probably gone for the V8 myself, but possible parts availability issues scared me out of it. After all, the V8 is export only, while the V6, though certainly NOT a "luxury car engine" (whatever that means), is quite common both in the US and in South Korea. When my Genesis gets old (and I do intend to drive mine for a long time - I do consider it to be a keeper along the lines of the original Lexus LS), I want to be able to get parts easily from a junkyard either stateside or in Korea.

Of course, now that I know that the V8 Tau will be sold in the Korean domestic market (in the next Equus/Centennial), I'm not so worried about parts availability anymore. But the V6 is still the safer buy, as it's a proven engine, while the V8 is brand-new.

As for Korean/Korean-American politics, I have only one thing to say: South Korea and the Korean-American community are two VERY different places.

 

[klg]

Gwaneum - Thanks for the information, something I didn't even consider. I guess it is a good thing I don't keep my cars beyond 3-4 years! LOL

 

[YEH]

Of course, now that I know that the V8 Tau will be sold in the Korean domestic market (in the next Equus/Centennial), I'm not so worried about parts availability anymore. But the V6 is still the safer buy, as it's a proven engine, while the V8 is brand-new.

As for Korean/Korean-American politics, I have only one thing to say: South Korea and the Korean-American community are two VERY different places.

The V-8 is also in the Kia Borrego.

South Korean politics is very divided - just as it is here.

 

[Seth]

Last Thursday, 2/26/09, I was at LAX airport returning to St. Louis, where I was one of the first leasees of the sapphire blue Genesis. I wasn't driving my Genesis at the time - and, after spending a week in LA, the land of the automobile, I was quite surprised I had not seen a single Genesis. (I digress.) So there I am, driving around the horseshoe shaped LAX departures area and there a line of 3 Genesis, all black, with what looked like Hyundai executives in them. It appears that they were stopping at the Tom Bradley International terminal. Maybe they were returning to Korea? The 3 sedans were driven by young men in suits and had what I assume were Hyundai execs in the backseats - they were using the Genesis as a limo. The car directly in front of the 3 Genesis was an older model Mercedes sedan that was stretched a little. The back window wasn't tinted but had a curtain over it. It wasn't clear to me if this car was a part of the motorcade, but the driver appeared to be Korean. (Forgive my generalization.)

I slowed down considerably and looked at the black gorgeous (what looked like base Genesis V6s). The passengers were certainly dignified, and rightfully so - they were riding in the Genesis!

PS: any other St. Louisans out there drive a Genesis???

Have a great weekend everyone.

Seth

 

[Njrupcich]

Well im a senior in high school and recently got a 4.6, i got the wing badge on the back and get compliments all the time but one i got todayy stood out. I was leaving school today and one of my class mates jumped in front of my car and came to my window.

-NICK!!!! WTF you got a Bentley!!!

i decided to go with it and preached to him about my new "Bentley", he stuck his head through the window to take a look around the inside, when he noticed the steering wheel "H", he yelled "This is a Hyundai!!!!", before he could finish the sentence i drove off.

 

[Mike4.6]

Well im a senior in high school and recently got a 4.6, i got the wing badge on the back and get compliments all the time but one i got todayy stood out. I was leaving school today and one of my class mates jumped in front of my car and came to my window.

-NICK!!!! WTF you got a Bentley!!!

i decided to go with it and preached to him about my new "Bentley", he stuck his head through the window to take a look around the inside, when he noticed the steering wheel "H", he yelled "This is a Hyundai!!!!", before he could finish the sentence i drove off.

Never mind your buddy!

I remember my first car in when I was in high school (I graduated in 1999, BTW), it was an 1989 Honda Accord LXi Coupe... Yep, it was just as uncool back then as it is now

A 4.6, and in high school, eh? Enjoy it, and be careful out there Oh yeah, don't forget, four girls in the car with you can be quite distracting!

 

[mk1]

So I had my first encounter today.

My daughter and I were coming out of Wendy's this afternoon and this guy was packing up his family in the minivan next to my car. He walks over to my Genny, looks in, walks around to the back, walks around to the front, then continues to pack up the family.

As I got to the car he looks at me. I look at him and say "It's a Hyundai". He says "It looks like a Bentley"

Nice.

 

[sheltonzz]

Well im a senior in high school and recently got a 4.6, i got the wing badge on the back and get compliments all the time but one i got todayy stood out. I was leaving school today and one of my class mates jumped in front of my car and came to my window.

-NICK!!!! WTF you got a Bentley!!!

i decided to go with it and preached to him about my new "Bentley", he stuck his head through the window to take a look around the inside, when he noticed the steering wheel "H", he yelled "This is a Hyundai!!!!", before he could finish the sentence i drove off.

Great but you might seriously think about paying more attention to your English classes f you expect to drive your new Genesis at any real college.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[jpq1999]

I have a Titanium 4.6 w/ badging and wheel covers, and have been asked numerous times about the car. My wife drives her Mercedes and laughs at me about my Hyundai. We are out the other night and a car literally chases us down to pull up next to us, and the guy asks us how I like the Genesis. He said every person he has asked LOVES it. My wife said I paid the guy to do that while she was in the car -lol.

We get to the restaurant in Boca Raton, and about 10 people outside come over to the car and ask me if I like my Bentley. My wife rolls her eyes and goes in, shaking her head.
Loved it!

 

[ConceptVBS]

Bumpy bump bump

 

[Bernie]

Yesterday as I'm parking, a couple in an E-Class Mercedes comes in to my side and the driver asks me what type of car I'm driving. "It's a Genesis" I said to which he replies... "But, who makes it?" I answered "Hyundai". You could see puzzlement in the guy's face. "It's such a beautiful car, we both thought it was a Bentley! ...very tasteful choice in cars!"

This is the latest of several instances where BMW, Lexus, Volvo and Mercedes drivers have asked to roll down my window and then rant/rave about the car. There is not a single day where I don't notice somebody rubber-necking as they are driving by me, just gazing at the car. Love it... while it lasts.

 

[DGSVERONA]

I proudly drove my new platinum 3.8 Genesis Sedan with tech package to my company HQ about 150 miles from my home office. My boss must have been really impressed with my car because he just bought a black 4.6 Genesis sedan. I've been upstaged!

 

[danieltoye101@msn.com]

It's amazing similar situations happen to me when I drive my Genesis with wing badges. What an incredible testament for Hyundai. The naysayers have no idea what is happening to the reputation of Hyundai.

Just today on 3 different occasions people (MB, BMW and LEXUS) asked to see my Genesis and was impressed from the looks, to the interior, to the fit and finish. On the road people stain their necks to stare at the car.

 

[Geministorm]

About 6 days into owning my Genny, I walked out into the parking lot to go to lunch and found six (!) engineers standing around the car eyeing it. I also went to lunch a few days later and the engy's I went to lunch with all wanted to stop by and see my car first, they seemed impressed with it. Lastly, I got a man in a Lexus GS450 that gaped and then pointed at my car as I turned the corner in front of him, I could clearly read his lips as he told his wife/companion, "That's the Genesis!".

 

[ilovemygenesis]

HAHAHAHA i have all you guys beat, I've had my car for 6 weeks, i re badged it after 2 weeks and here goes my 'reactions'

1. A week after picking up the car, i am in the city for business, park in a garage, when i came back to pick up my car, the attendant stops me and asks 'what is that' (as you will see this is a common question) i say it's a Genesis from Hyundai, he said man i sat in that car and i thought i was in a Mercedes, how is it? i told him it drives like a dream.
2. Coming back from said business trip, I'm on the parkway and i notice a guy driving right next to me for a while, i look over and he is summoning me to roll down my window, mind you we're going like 50 and he asks what car is that, i yell back a Hyundai, he said it's effing sweet (clean version,lol). By now I'm getting a little nervous,lol
3. A week later, at the parking lot of a ahem 'gentleman's club' the attendant asks me if he can park my baby Bentley, i said it's not a Bentley it's a Genesis from Hyundai (by now i introduce my car like a commercial,lol I'm having fun people!!!!) he said that's a Hyundai i said yes it is, he said, wow
4. Coming out of said club, i get gas, i notice a guy circling around the pumps with his windows down, he looks at me while I'm pumping gas and guess what he said....come on come on,lol - What is that? you know what i said, all he did was look at the car, nod and say niceeeeeeee
5. At my brothers baby shower, a guy comes up to me grabs my hand and introduces himself to me and said, that is a nice car you have outside, i said thanks, he asks if it's a baby Bentley i said no it's the Genesis from Hyundai, again he asks 'that's a Hyundai?'
6. At another gas station while my wife is getting lotto tickets, a nice older woman parks next to me and walks around the rear of my car to the driver side and looks over to me and asks what car is that, i tell her and she said wow that car is nice, i said thank you, she said it looks expensive i said not at all, base model is 32K, she nearly sh*tted on herself,lol
7. while getting tints on my car, i met up with one of my best friends, i told him i had bought a Hyundai, and he ridiculed me, he said man i can't see you driving a Hy-undai (stereotypes!!!!) i said just wait until you see it. The car was parked in front of the tint store and as he walked in and said damn that's a sweet car outside, then he proceeds to ask me where my car is, and i said you just saw it,lol he said that's a Hyundai (notice he didn't say hy-undai,lol) and i said yes, i let him sit in it and he just kept saying 'this is a Hyundai, this is a Hyundai'? he was very stunned, that night he went online looking up the car,lol

I could go on and on, mind you i have had the car since April 30 and there are other encounters i have not mentioned, every time someone comes up to me while I'm with my family my wife and kids say 'Daddy's getting attention again!!!! do you like that daddy?',lol and i say yeah this is fun,lol

 

[danieltoye101@msn.com]

I was at a crowded gas station jockeying for a pump when I, driving my new Genesis, and a tow truck came from opposite direction claiming the pump. I was 3/4 of the way in the man jumped out of truck and started yelling at for jumping in front of him. I told him had been waiting 2 minutes and that I wasn't budging. The war of words esclated. The store manager came out and calmed the tow truck driver down. We both apolgized and THEN he noticed the my Genesis. Hey what kind of car is that? I replied "a Genesis"
"Damn that looks good" he replied He ended looking it over for a couple of minutes the he realized by the steering wheel that it was made by Hyundai. He was impressed and he thank me for letting him check out my Genesis

 

[orthoman]

I have been asked at least 3 times a week "what is it". The best is, after badging the rear deck with wings a valet at a upper class hotel asked the other valet "when did the Bently come in" . The best outcome was a guy with a licence plate rattling sub turned down his noise to ask what "it is" and did not raise the volume so he could hear the TAU4.6 music as I drove off...........more to come

 

[Sim]

Today while in a car wash, I overheard two washing guys talking about my car.

One guy - This is Bentley!
Guy two - Nope, Hyundai.
Guy one - (in disbelief) No, it's Bentley...
Guy two - Look at the wheel caps (I haven't replaced them yet)
Guy one - I didn't know they made those... looks like a Bentley.