What to buy???

[Anathem]

Having done my homework and after several test drives I'm ready to get a Genesis. My strong preference is for the 3.8 premium (I know most of the arguements on this choice but really don't care about V8 power, Nav system, high end stereo or the other tech gadgets). My problem is that neither the dealer in my town nor anybody in this region has this trim since it is the least popular evidently. There is a dealer within an hour of me who has a 2011 3.8 tech at a pretty good price. My concern is that a lot of the problems I have seen posted here relate to the poor reliability of the Nav system and tech package amp. Suggestions?

 

[STREETS]

Go with the tech- it is a gem.

 

[2011bh380]

I think the majority of the issues were from earlier years like the 2009. My wife has a fully loaded 2011 V-6 and we haven't come across any issues with the NAV or amp.

 

[Sayantsi]

Fwiw, I also chose a V6 premium over a tech or a base V8, in Sterling Blue no less, and it was difficult to find. I asked a few dealerships and one eventually found the car in trim 250 miles away. They had it driven down for me to buy it, so that might be an option, but if it is that much of a hassle to get, just go with an available V8 base - the differences are minimal imo.

 

[TJPark01]

You probably wont find the electrical issue that earlier 2009 models had. Even if you do, it's under warranty and should be taken care of. If you pour over every post and data point on this forum you'll drive yourself insane. Paralysis by analysis.
The one suggestion that I have :
You must drive this car over different terrain, mixed use city/hwy driving. It behaves very differently on city roads, then on open highway. People on this forum have made huge mistakes thinking this car will ride like a LS 460. It may look like a Lexus, but it drives totally differently. Some people like it, other hate it with every fabric of their being, enough so as to incessantly complain about it as well as going to great lengths and expense to modify the suspension, mostly to come up empty. Everyone likes the power in both 6 & 8 forms, it's intoxicating, no doubt. Just make sure you can live with the ride characteristics, or else you're gonna be in for an ugly surprise.

 

[Anathem]

You probably wont find the electrical issue that earlier 2009 models had. Even if you do, it's under warranty and should be taken care of. If you pour over every post and data point on this forum you'll drive yourself insane. Paralysis by analysis.
The one suggestion that I have :
You must drive this car over different terrain, mixed use city/hwy driving. It behaves very differently on city roads, then on open highway. People on this forum have made huge mistakes thinking this car will ride like a LS 460. It may look like a Lexus, but it drives totally differently. Some people like it, other hate it with every fabric of their being, enough so as to incessantly complain about it as well as going to great lengths and expense to modify the suspension, mostly to come up empty. Everyone likes the power in both 6 & 8 forms, it's intoxicating, no doubt. Just make sure you can live with the ride characteristics, or else you're gonna be in for an ugly surprise.

Good point. In my case I have driven the car three times including an hour long drive over a wide variety of terrains and I like the ride. I am coming from an acura TL so I'm not looking for an LS 460 ride. Actually what's probably most important is highway cruising so my wife doesn't mind taking it on trips. My highway experience was great which echos what most people here say. My only question about the ride now is how much difference I will notice between the 17 and 18 inch wheels since I have only tested the 17 inch model to date. Obviously I will drive the 18 incher before buying. The price I saw was below invoice so we'll see if it's for real or not and if it's still available

 

[robthoke]

Won't your local dealer negotiate a price with you on the vehicle you want and dealer trade for it? If he won't, I don't think I'd do business with him. And yes the biggest complaint here is on the ride quality and many say there are differences between the 3.8 and the 4.6. I've got the 4.6 because the power is important to me as is the Lexicon stereo system which blows away any other OEM system. Fortunately my ownership experience has been pretty much trouble free. I had an issue with the steering wheel memory but beyond that no problems with over 16,000 on the clock. I love the Genesis and think dollar for dollar they are the best vehicles on the road. So sort out the ride quality for yourselves and see if your dealer will trade to get the vehicle you want and not something he has on the lot.

 

[Stoofpilot]

I have a 2010 4.6 with Tech and have had absolutely no problems with either the Nav or Sound system.

 

[silverado]

no - zero - problems here.

 

[Supersax]

Robthoke - I have a question for you

Would you please clarify your statement for me:

"And yes the biggest complaint here is on the ride quality and many say there are differences between the 3.8 and the 4.6".

Are you saying that you (or others) believe that that the ride of either the 3.8 or the 4.6 is superior, and if so, which one? Also, is it the ride for the driver or for the rear seat passengers?

I'm really struggling in my decision between a fully loaded 3.8 and a 4.6 so all points of view are appreciated.

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[dg_moore]

Re: Robthoke - I have a question for you

Would you please clarify your statement for me:

"And yes the biggest complaint here is on the ride quality and many say there are differences between the 3.8 and the 4.6".

Are you saying that you (or others) believe that that the ride of either the 3.8 or the 4.6 is superior, and if so, which one? Also, is it the ride for the driver or for the rear seat passengers?

I'm really struggling in my decision between a fully loaded 3.8 and a 4.6 so all points of view are appreciated.

I have a loaded 3.8 (Premium w/nav, not Tech). I test drove 3.8 and 4.6 and liked the feel of the 3.8 better. Since I don't care about the extra power and didn't want the tech package I picked the 3.8.

 

[msitter]

Maybe those who have had no problems should post daily so that prospective new owners do not get the impression that the Genesis is failure prone. People who have problems particularly repeated problems tend to be much more vocal out of utter frustration than those of us who have had no problems. I truly believe that we with no issues are in a large majority. Personally, I have little tolerance for car problems and will get rid of a repair prone car in a heartbeat. People who walked into a Hyundai dealer who were looking for that BMW experience and surprised not to get it were also somewhat delusional. It is a Hyundai after all and this whole luxury thing new to them as well. Those who were treated fairly, got what they expected and had no unrealistic expectations are in the majority here just not so vocal. Most of us were looking to get a well made, good performing, comfortable and reliable car at a bargain price I think were amply rewarded. Hyundai has come a lot farther in 25 years than almost any other automaker and they continue to improve daily. It is time for all of us who have enjoyed the value that Hyundai provides and are satisfied to be more vocal.

 

[homeofstone]

I have a 2011 4.6 with tech. and we love the adaptive cruise control and voice command DIS. Our previous car was a Acura TSX which we also purchased new. The Genesis is a much superior car. The ride is stiff but I also have a BMW Z3 and a stiff ride does not bother my wife and I. Though stiff the car is always under control. (unless you plan on cruising at 150 mph which Motor Trend did in Europe) The ride reminds me of a BMW a friend had about 1989. We have 4800 miles on our 4.6 and the car is perfect except for the Dunflop tires. When the Dunflops wear out they will be replaced with Bridgestone Serenity. Try to get a deal when you purchase to have the dealer replace the OE Dunflops with Bridgestone Serenity or Continental DWS tires. Either of these tires are soooo much beter than OE Dunflops. Check out the Tire Rack info.

 

[TJPark01]

Good point. In my case I have driven the car three times including an hour long drive over a wide variety of terrains and I like the ride. I am coming from an acura TL so I'm not looking for an LS 460 ride. Actually what's probably most important is highway cruising so my wife doesn't mind taking it on trips. My highway experience was great which echos what most people here say. My only question about the ride now is how much difference I will notice between the 17 and 18 inch wheels since I have only tested the 17 inch model to date. Obviously I will drive the 18 incher before buying. The price I saw was below invoice so we'll see if it's for real or not and if it's still available

OK, sounds like you have done your homework. Just didn't want you to make the same mistake a lot of us made by getting enamored with press,price,looks and power, only to discover that you can't deal with the city ride. Hopefully, someone will figure that out, so that the people that want that pillow ride can at least have the option of getting it instead of getting rid of an otherwise fantastic car.

 

[Anathem]

Won't your local dealer negotiate a price with you on the vehicle you want and dealer trade for it? If he won't, I don't think I'd do business with him. And yes the biggest complaint here is on the ride quality and many say there are differences between the 3.8 and the 4.6. I've got the 4.6 because the power is important to me as is the Lexicon stereo system which blows away any other OEM system. Fortunately my ownership experience has been pretty much trouble free. I had an issue with the steering wheel memory but beyond that no problems with over 16,000 on the clock. I love the Genesis and think dollar for dollar they are the best vehicles on the road. So sort out the ride quality for yourselves and see if your dealer will trade to get the vehicle you want and not something he has on the lot.

Absolutely correct. My dealer is looking for a 3.8 premium package for me but can't find any in the region in a decent color scheme since relatively few are produced or sought by buyers as evidenced by what most people on this forum have bought. Surprisingly dealer simply wouldn't talk price until they had a car to offer (may be related to variability in how much another dealer would charge them?). I haven't priced a 3.8 tech with them. My first move will be to ask if they can match the price I saw offered and see what they say.

 

[hazelwood7]

Some people like it, other hate it with every fabric of their being, enough so as to incessantly complain about it as well as going to great lengths and expense to modify the suspension, mostly to come up empty. Everyone likes the power in both 6 & 8 forms, it's intoxicating, no doubt. Just make sure you can live with the ride characteristics, or else you're gonna be in for an ugly surprise.

Yes, I did spend the money and I mostly like the changes they did to the suspension of the Genesis. You are right, it's a personal preference.
Chris

 

[tjc78]

You must drive this car over different terrain, mixed use city/hwy driving. It behaves very differently on city roads, then on open highway. People on this forum have made huge mistakes thinking this car will ride like a LS 460. It may look like a Lexus, but it drives totally differently. Some people like it, other hate it with every fabric of their being, enough so as to incessantly complain about it as well as going to great lengths and expense to modify the suspension, mostly to come up empty. Everyone likes the power in both 6 & 8 forms, it's intoxicating, no doubt. Just make sure you can live with the ride characteristics, or else you're gonna be in for an ugly surprise.

+1 I couldn't have said that better myself. You need to drive this car on the roads you drive everyday.

 

[robthoke]

Re: Robthoke - I have a question for you

Would you please clarify your statement for me:

"And yes the biggest complaint here is on the ride quality and many say there are differences between the 3.8 and the 4.6".

Are you saying that you (or others) believe that that the ride of either the 3.8 or the 4.6 is superior, and if so, which one? Also, is it the ride for the driver or for the rear seat passengers?

I'm really struggling in my decision between a fully loaded 3.8 and a 4.6 so all points of view are appreciated.

No people have complained about ride quality of their Genesis and there have been a number of posts about modifying or upgrading their suspension. I don't have that problem. I don't know if they thought it should ride like a Lexus or a BMW and it doesn't. Some have complained about the rear end being jittery but I think that has been resolved. Most of these complaints surrounded the early build 2009 models. Mine is a late 09 build. Some have said they believed the 3.8 to feel lighter and more responsive compared to the 4.6. I cannot speak to that as I've never driven a 3.8 and my dealer rarely has a 3.8 on the lot. To me the driver's seat MUST be comfortable. I've driven mine for in excess of 12 hours at a time and felt as good getting out as I did when I started. I love this car and have no expectations that it is going to drive like something else.

 

[tarche]

I find the suspension to be very "revealing". If the road has imperfections the Genesis will communicate them to you. Some people like that, and some people don't. My 2010 handles obvious bumps really well. My particular complaint is with uneven roads that look smooth but obviously are uneven. That's where I find the ride to be nervous or jittery. I don't blame the car since it's providing a ride that some people obviously prefer. Unfortunately I'm not (yet) one of those people.

The advice you've been given is solid. Drive it along your daily commute in traffic and tool around your area at normal speeds. I was so impressed with the 60-80 mph passing power on the highway during my test drive that I didn't notice other things that are much more important on a daily basis.

If you like a stiff suspension, it's a great value. If you don't, you way want to look elsewhere. But it's tough -- I test drove a Lexus ES350 the same day and definitely preferred the Genny which was roomier, quieter, more powerful, not to mention better looking. However, knowing what I know now, I probably would have been happier with the Lexus. But that's just me. There are many happy Genesis owners here who love their car. Good luck on your decision.