Let me just add to the fact that, I absolutely hate imports, whether it be Japanese or Korean, or Australian for that matter. I am the kinda guy who stay loyal to the North American designed and built cars no matter if they are the craps. Part of the reason that I hate Pontiac these days since they are pretty much wiping out the true DOMESTICS and rather sells the imports re-badged as Pontiac, that is the reason that I got the last breed North American, Grand Prix that I have been wanting for such a long time before these clowns killed it. I absolutely hate what GM is doing these days, and it furiates me when I heard that the G6, one of the VERY FEW, AMERICAN made car remaining in the Pontiac line up, will be replaced with another Australian Holden junk soon.
I haven't driven the Genesis for one reason. Simply didn't have time. I had to go to the appointment to meet the client few weeks ago, and I got out a bit early and managed to go down to the nearest dealer, and was going to get a brochure(since I kinda collect them), I DID want to test out the seats and everything, but I didn't want to get in trouble by being late to the appointment, and even with the help with the GPS, it took me a good 35-40 Minutes just to get there that didn't really help me to make the most of my trip. My first impression is what I wrote on my other thread. I just don't like the Asian style gauges housing designs that kinda look like an Arcade game cabinet that is hollow with the small viewing area with small letterings(I can't really explain it). Even though, for the Genesis, they kinda ripped-off Mercedes S-class(which I like) for it, but it still have the area that I hate, the gauge housing design itself. I got so used to, and a big fan of, the unique, sometimes downright outrageous designs that Pontiac use on their cars, such as 99 Grand Am that I used to drive, even the 92 Sunbird that was far more outrageous than its cousin, the plain-jane Cavalier. I just don't like the plain looking Chevy garbages that are too plain inside and out, nor anything in the leagues of the previous generation Camrys with the steering
wheel design that screams 'IMPORT' which I find the same with the Holden G8, which is just not my style. I am more into the German style steering wheels, or my current Grand Prix's wheels that has a look of a boy-racer style with a small, aluminum look-alike panel with radio controls on it. Also, I just don't like Asian imports seats design. They are just too small on the bottom and feels cheaper. I've driven the Camry few years ago, and can't help but wonderring why that car was so popular. It didn't drive the way I wanted, and the whole car felt too light for my taste, same thing goes to the Sonata 4cyl I've driven about an year before that, it just felt like crap. I also driven the XG300 my friend got few years ago, but to me, it didn't felt any luxurious nor sporty to my taste, well, I haven't told him since I didn't want him to feel bad, but that's how I felt about those. I know, those are some of the older models, but it will take me a miracle in order for me to like anything from Japan or Korea now.
Also, I normally don't test drive the cars. Since I don't care much about the power, since I don't drive that much anyway, it's the brand, origin(North America, minus Chevy), style, and comfort, in addition to the price, that's all I'm looking for in a new car. I may have time sometime this week, but I won't be test driving them, I am only going to see if the seats are any good, if the view out is good enough, if the rear view is opened enough to help you back up, and if the feel inside suits me, that's some of the stuffs I'm going to look for, same thing goes for the Borrego if I have enough time to bother go to the Kia dealers.
Also, only reason that I come to this site and even care about Genesis is one reason only. Even though I am not too crazy about any Korean or Japanese imports, my blood is still, unmistakably Korean, so I do have a little pride left in me of seeing my native countries' company striving to succeed. I was grown with Hyundai, Daewoo, Kia, when I was little in Korea, and it irritated me when the first Excels failed to make the mark and becomming a late talk-show's favorite punchline/laughing stock as being one of the most problematic little cars being sold in US, that slowly made me ashamed of calling the Hyundai as my proud native nation's products.
I still think the Genesis was their biggest adventuresome risk, but part of me wants them to do well, and I hope they beat the Japanese rivals, well, maybe not yet, but in the future eventually, for, most Koreans, they have some grudge still left against the Japanese from their history, even though many Korean people still buys Japanese cars. They want to do better than the Japanese, whether it be the soccer games(which the 2 countries have the biggest rivalries on), or anything they do, they want to be better than the Japanese.
I do admit they still have a much more to go in order to catch the Japanese when it comes to automobiles, but I do want the Hyundai/Kia to do well, though I would never buy them for my own at least.
Sorry for the long post, but that's my point of view and hopefully it answerred some of your questions about me.
But then, I haven't tested out the Genesis's interior, so who knows, when I do go there this comming week, I may like it more than I expected, once I do, I will update my evaluations and post it here.
No one is saying you're not allowed to have your opinion - just go easy - especially in a new member's post where he/she is doing their introduction. Have a little more confidence in Hyundai. We're singing high praises to a corporation from your home country. That should, at least, make you feel a little proud...
