Test drove 4.6 you might find my perspective interesting

[jjsC6]

I've been following the forum for a while now as my CTS has about six months left on the lease - and I come from the school that it's never too early to look for your next car. I'm a huge car nut. Here is a link to my intro to the forum.... http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=3157

But here is the other reason my perspective might be interesting. I had two very good frinds with me. One owns both a BMW 550 sport and a 335 sport, the other has a Maserati Quatroporte and Mercedes CLK500 (and has a new E550 coupe on order). Between us we have owned lots and lots of interesting cars. We pulled into the dealer in our three cars - all 2008s - my CTS, the 550 and the Quatroporte.

We showed up at the dealer and were instantly treated with respect by the sales guy. Without any BS, he got us the keys to a 4.6 with tech and told us to go have fun.

First, the car was incredibly comfortable, and the leather felt awesome. Due to a traffic jam on the freeway, we pretty much stayed on surface streets, but did get the speed up to about 70 a few times. We all thought the car rode just fine. Very quiet, very refined. And the power of the car was VERY impressive. I did feel that coming off the stop it was a little soft for a few feet, but I find that pretty common today. And when we got back the salesman told us (without us bringing it up) that the car had regular gas in it - not premium.

Ventilated seats are a huge thing to me (living in Houston!). I've owned a few cars with them, and have driven others. The Genesis (driver seat only) has very good ventilated seats. Oddly, the American cars seem to be the best, and Japanese the worst. The Genesis is on par with the best I've driven.

Honestly, for how I will be driving the car, I had zero faults with it on my test drive. If I lived and drove it where there are a lot of winding roads, handling would have been something I would have had to figure out - but to me it's more of a commuter car and Houston has like zero winding roads. I go find them in my Z06 or on the motorcycles on the weekends!

Right next to the Hyundai dealer is a Lexus dealer, and the GS has always been one of my favorite cars, but I've never wanted to pay the price for it. But we did want to drive one after the Genesis, so out we went in a GS350 for comparison sake.

The GS felt just as comfy, and the leather just as soft. The ride of the GS was actually a little better. Power from the 350 is surprisingly good considering it's about 70hp less than the 4.6 Genesis. Yes, the Genesis is faster with the V8, but the GS is no slouch and I could have lived with it.

We all think the GS is better looking on the outside, but we were mixed on the interior. I think the GS is a little classier looking, but one of my buddies actually like the Genesis interior better.

The other car I thought I was going to consider is an Acura TL (despite the ugly front and rear). I've owned three Acuras in the past, and have been a big fan. But after driving the Genesis, I saw no point in even driving the Acura. Anything can happen in the next few months, but at this time, the Genesis has gone to the top of my list.

The biggest factor that could make a difference is the lease deals available in a few months. I'm coming off a lease, and would prefer to again. But leases have changed a lot, as ya'll know. Heck, BMWs have the best lease deals right now.

Thats my quick report. We all came way loving the Genesis - excpet for them bitching that I was the only one with a ventilated seat

 

[Duaine]

I've been following the forum for a while now as my CTS has about six months left on the lease - and I come from the school that it's never too early to look for your next car. I'm a huge car nut. Here is a link to my intro to the forum.... http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=3157

But here is the other reason my perspective might be interesting. I had two very good frinds with me. One owns both a BMW 550 sport and a 335 sport, the other has a Maserati Quatroporte and Mercedes CLK500 (and has a new E550 coupe on order). Between us we have owned lots and lots of interesting cars. We pulled into the dealer in our three cars - all 2008s - my CTS, the 550 and the Quatroporte.

We showed up at the dealer and were instantly treated with respect by the sales guy. Without any BS, he got us the keys to a 4.6 with tech and told us to go have fun.

First, the car was incredibly comfortable, and the leather felt awesome. Due to a traffic jam on the freeway, we pretty much stayed on surface streets, but did get the speed up to about 70 a few times. We all thought the car rode just fine. Very quiet, very refined. And the power of the car was VERY impressive. I did feel that coming off the stop it was a little soft for a few feet, but I find that pretty common today. And when we got back the salesman told us (without us bringing it up) that the car had regular gas in it - not premium.

Ventilated seats are a huge thing to me (living in Houston!). I've owned a few cars with them, and have driven others. The Genesis (driver seat only) has very good ventilated seats. Oddly, the American cars seem to be the best, and Japanese the worst. The Genesis is on par with the best I've driven.

Honestly, for how I will be driving the car, I had zero faults with it on my test drive. If I lived and drove it where there are a lot of winding roads, handling would have been something I would have had to figure out - but to me it's more of a commuter car and Houston has like zero winding roads. I go find them in my Z06 or on the motorcycles on the weekends!

Right next to the Hyundai dealer is a Lexus dealer, and the GS has always been one of my favorite cars, but I've never wanted to pay the price for it. But we did want to drive one after the Genesis, so out we went in a GS350 for comparison sake.

The GS felt just as comfy, and the leather just as soft. The ride of the GS was actually a little better. Power from the 350 is surprisingly good considering it's about 70hp less than the 4.6 Genesis. Yes, the Genesis is faster with the V8, but the GS is no slouch and I could have lived with it.

We all think the GS is better looking on the outside, but we were mixed on the interior. I think the GS is a little classier looking, but one of my buddies actually like the Genesis interior better.

The other car I thought I was going to consider is an Acura TL (despite the ugly front and rear). I've owned three Acuras in the past, and have been a big fan. But after driving the Genesis, I saw no point in even driving the Acura. Anything can happen in the next few months, but at this time, the Genesis has gone to the top of my list.

The biggest factor that could make a difference is the lease deals available in a few months. I'm coming off a lease, and would prefer to again. But leases have changed a lot, as ya'll know. Heck, BMWs have the best lease deals right now.

Thats my quick report. We all came way loving the Genesis - excpet for them bitching that I was the only one with a ventilated seat

I think the fact that the Hyundai Genesis can draw you fella's in for a test drive is pretty impressive in it's own right. I mean after all its sounds like you and your friends drive some nice first class cars!

Also the interest that the Genesis has stirred in just year one is pretty amazing! Let's not forget that the competitors have had years to improve on their models.

 

[jjsC6]

I think the fact that the Hyundai Genesis can draw you fella's in for a test drive is pretty impressive in it's own right. I mean after all its sounds like you and your friends drive some nice first class cars!

Also the interest that the Genesis has stirred in just year one is pretty amazing! Let's not forget that the competitors have had years to improve on their models.

I agree with that. I should be clear that I'm not in the same league as my two buddies. I've done okay, but my daily drivers have always been more to the value end. I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I leased my M45 a couple of years ago - I just happened to hit a good lease deal.

My buddies can actually afford the good stuff

I actually was very interested in their take on the Hyundai. They are fairly down to earth guys, but one of them is a little more into status. The other guy doesn't come across that way, but he's got plenty of money, and over the years has had several Lexus, Jags, BMW's and Mercedes.

I was trying to get a read on what their opinion would be if I bought a Hyundai, and so far they have been supportive - not snobbish.

 

[Michael_S]

Thanks for the story. That's pretty cool.

Just like anything else, some of the people I know who drive incredibly expensive cars are very snobbish about brands, and others aren't.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Hey, Jim.. What's your username on GMI?

Anyway.. Thanks for posting this up. It's nice to get your perspective - as well as the people you brought along with you.. I hope you can get them to take a look at the Equus one day. That's probably my next vehicle...

 

[jwaters943]

Good writeup.....thanks for sharing.

In reference to your GS comparison, I owned a 2006 GS430 and I find my Genesis to be better in most areas than my Lexus. Honestly, the Lexus feels like it's worth maybe $5k more than the Genesis (mainly due to the nicer wood trim and finishing of the trunk). The GS is quite simply not worth $50-65k IMO. And I always hated the cheap silver plastic trim around the NAV screen and the armrests in my GS (although I can't say the armrests in the Gen are significantly better....they both could use more padding).

 

[jjsC6]

Hey, Jim.. What's your username on GMI?

Anyway.. Thanks for posting this up. It's nice to get your perspective - as well as the people you brought along with you.. I hope you can get them to take a look at the Equus one day. That's probably my next vehicle...

Well, you've stumped me - what's GMI? On most forums, my user name is the same as this forum. The only one different is the Corvette forum.

 

[jjsC6]

Good writeup.....thanks for sharing.

In reference to your GS comparison, I owned a 2006 GS430 and I find my Genesis to be better in most areas than my Lexus. Honestly, the Lexus feels like it's worth maybe $5k more than the Genesis (mainly due to the nicer wood trim and finishing of the trunk). The GS is quite simply not worth $50-65k IMO. And I always hated the cheap silver plastic trim around the NAV screen and the armrests in my GS (although I can't say the armrests in the Gen are significantly better....they both could use more padding).

I agree with you.