Thinking of Buying a 2013 5.0 R-Spec...Advice?

[MoonDoggy-X]

To make a short story long... About 7 years ago, I went to the dealer to buy a 2004 Cadillac CTS V6. The salesman convinced me to leave with the more reliable and comfortable 2009 Toyota Avalon. Though he was absolutely right that the Avalon was a better car, it wasn't long before I wanted more performance. Now, fast forward 7 years. After a lot test'n'tune track days, trial and error(and a fair bit of snake oil), and everyone telling me to just buy a faster car, I managed to drop my Avy from 15.2 to 14.2 on the quarter mile. I am a lot happier with how the car drives now, but if I could make it faster still without gutting it, I would.

I love my car, and to its credit, the engine and trans have performed admirably over 10 years and 118,000 hard miles. However, now that its a decade old, the rest of the car is starting to show its age. 10 Chicago winters will do that to most vehicles. Time for a new car, and this time I want a car that is already fast. My friends say I want a Unicorn. I've been trying to find a car that's roomy and reliable like my Avalon, but with a lot more performance. And, I want all that for less than $30k. To be honest, I thought that all Hyundai Genesis coupe was that fasted car the company made. I didn't know until about a week ago that the Sedan came in a V8...much less a 5.0 R-Spec that does less than 5 sec 0-60 and a 13.1 sec 1/4 mile!

After an obsessive amount of research on Google an Youtube over the past week, this car is one of, if not the top contender for my new car. The other contenders are the Audi A7, Lexus GS and the Ford Taurus SHO. I am hoping some of you would be kind enough to share your experiences and opinions on the Genesis sedan. Reliability? Driveability? Modability? Would you buy the Genesis again? Over the aforementioned cars? Anything would be helpful. Thank you in advance!

 

[Gunkk]

Welcome to the forums.

The other contenders are the Audi A7, Lexus GS and the Ford Taurus SHO. I am hoping some of you would be kind enough to share your experiences and opinions on the Genesis sedan. Reliability? Driveability? Modability? Would you buy the Genesis again? Over the aforementioned cars?

Reliablity - better than average. But when it breaks it gets expensive (Audi/BMW money, not Toyota money). You will not get a Lexus or Audi level dealership experience with a Genesis.... you will get what you pay for. Most Hyundai dealer sales and service management are on par with the local Ford/GM/Dodge dealers, although around me the shop techs are better trained.

Driveability - excellent. You will find the RSPEC a nice step up in drivetrain performance from your Avalon, but the ride will be significantly more stiff (albeit after a few years the car will loosen up a bit and be a bit more compliant than new).

Modability - non-existent. You get the performance you buy. For sedans, there is a very small aftermarket for lowering springs/suspension (pointless on the RSPEC which is already 1/4" lower and stiff), and zero AM for engine/transmission/tuning.

I've owned two v8 sedans and would buy again if the right car came along. Depreciation on these cars is high and the factory warranties are long, which means you can buy a 3 year old Genesis for half price and still have 2 years on your factory warranty. And that means these cars are one of the best used luxury deals out there. If I was in the market again, I'd go for a 3yr old 2016 with 30k or less (2015's had a few 1st MY issues).

Some advice - unless you're really good with tools, don't own one of these cars out of warranty. Buy one with less than 5/60 (which probably by now means a 2014) and get an HMA Platinum Protection Plan extended warranty before it expires. Way too many expensive tech toys on these cars, all imported/single-source.

 

[g_615080]

Thanks for the awesome response! There is a 2013 not too far from me with 12,000 miles on it.

Does this car come with the 10 year/100,000 powertrain warranty? I am decently handy with a wrench. I couldn't open up an engine or transmission, but plugs, shocks, injectors, fuel pump, things like that I've done before.

My Avalon is pretty modded. Headers, full exhaust, intake, lowered, tune. I've mostly outgrown all than now. Mostly. I much rather buy the speed off that bat and not worry about all that, now. If this car is as fast as advertised, I'll be more than happy with that. Maybe some nice mufflers for sound and some wheels.

 

[Veesixcav]

I currently own a 2013 R Spec. Purchased in 2016 with 32K miles, for half the cost of new and now has 66K miles
It's my daily commute and I still really love the car. No issues to report yet other than rattling sub which resulted in rear seat and rear shelf tear down. I average 22 MPG combined driving.
Was looking at Audi A5 and BMW 5 series back in the day but couldn't bring myself to pay the extra $.
When pushed from standstill this car can move. Push it whilst moving and it has noticeable lag.
Would certainly look at another Genesis next time round but have every intention of driving this until death do us part, or close to it

 

[MoonDoggy-X]

Thanks for the input! Very much appreciated!

Does this car come with the 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty?

Have you had to get you intake valves cleaned? If so, how often, and how much does it cost?

 

[MG8]

been a owner since 2013 , love this car, its a combo of luxury and muscle at a price that no other car can offer. .

 

[dareckibmw]

I've owned '13 Rspec for 2 years, put almost 20k miles on it w/o a single problem. Mine was Titanium Gray Metallic and since you're in Chicagoland area, it's possible it could be mine, lol

 

[Gunkk]

Does this car come with the 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty?
Have you had to get you intake valves cleaned? If so, how often, and how much does it cost?

5/60 is the factory bumper to bumper and is transferable. 10/100 is only for the 1st owner and is non-transferable. Some dealers will offer CPO with same for a price (basically the same upcharge as an extended warranty).

Walnut shell treatment is probably a wise play at 60-75k miles on GDI engines.

 

[OUsig]

I have nearly 105k miles on my 2013 Rspec and LOVE IT!
the car is spectacular. ask any front wheel drive sedan or many other fast sedans how it feels to have 429 HP rear wheel drive dropped on them!!!!!
I get complements often still as I keep my car clean as possible. I give Hyundai props for this vehicle design and engine design.
I would love to find a very low mile 2013 or 14 rspec to move into and stay with for the next 7+years!

 

[ThunderChicken]

Factor in the cost for a transmission, abs pump, & sunroof guide rails into your decision.

I have no experience with the 3.8/4.6, but I love my R-Spec 5.0 though.

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[Roc 5.0]

My experiences with my 2013 R Spec have been excellent. Got it at 4500 miles, now 54,000+. Have not been back to a shop for any repairs or replacements since checked out when I got it, only oil changes. Have put on some mods: 2nd cats delete, rigid sleeves, open air box, upper/lower strut braces, front suspension adjusted to BMW specs, & run Michs 3+ tires 255x45x19. Though I run it extremely hard against Mustangs, Mercs, BMWs, Audis A&S, & Zs( don't hardly bother with them), I only had problems with Conti's blowing out sidewalls after 25k miles. no problems with Michs. If you need mechancial parts, the Fla Hyundia dealer gives 25% off, but EBay has serial matching suspension parts for less than 1/3 price. Verified by my Hyundia dealer & BMW mech as a genuine Hyundia supplier. Much cheaper if needed than any German or Japanese car. Original pads still have over 50% left, engine uses less than 1 qt oil at my regular 7500 mile oil change by dealer( I provide my own syn oil, dealer- filter) for under $40. Not quite an older BMW or AMG at the extremes but a fine value with really good performance, handling & dependability.