Planning to buy used Genesis

thebazegaze · May 4, 2016

Hello all,

I'm currently driving a 2006 Azera Limited and love the car, but it's closing in on 170k miles and I'm looking at a Genesis as a replacement within the next year or two. It seems like an appropriate slight step-up from the Azera, and I love the styling and the RWD.

Maybe it's too early to start planning, but I wanted to make the best decision possible when it comes time to hunt for a car. I'd be looking for a used Genesis, and my surface level research (comparing the Edmunds/KBB ratings of each Genesis year against the '06 Azera) says the '09, '10, '12, '15, '16 models seem to hold up the best in that regard with the '09, '15, and '16 the top three.

Looking for the V8 engine and highest trim, but not sure if there's a "best time" to buy, models that would be better, etc.

Side-note: When would be a good time to move on from the Azera? I'm planning on giving the car to my parents, so I definitely want it to still be a great car for them. It has been meticulously taken care of to this point, which should help the longevity

Sorry if this is scatter-brained, any advice would be fantastic and I'd be more than happy to provide additional information

Thanks!

qstarweb · May 4, 2016

They made several changes for the 2012 model year, including upgrade from a 6 speed automatic to the 8 speed automatic transmission, which I think is an excellent transmission. Also, there is an only consumption issue in the earlier Genesis 5.0 engines which seems to have been cleared up by those built in April or later in 2012. Check the build date in the Carfax report and be sure it wasn't built before April 2012, otherwise check if it has been services for oil consumption issues.

There are very few 5.0 models that are not also R-spec, so if you're getting a 2012 or 2013, go with the R-spec if you want a 5.0. Also, the 5.0 in those years will come fully loaded with all the features and packages, standard. If saving a little money is an issue, you couldn't go wrong getting the 4.6 Genesis in either 2012 or 2013.

2015 and new is second generation, and that will be higher priced, either new, or a left over new 2015, and there are several of those up for sale too. A new 2015 left over will be around 38,000.

Pay the extra 2,000 or so for the extended warrantly that will cover another 100,000 miles, especially if you plan to keep it until 170,000 miles as you did your Azera. It's well worth it.

Those who have had both loved the Azera but say the Genesis is a definite upgrade. You're going to very happy with either the 4.6 or the 5.0 model of the Genesis.

Dean

qstarweb · May 4, 2016

good time to move on? When you can get a good deal on the Genesis.

Dean

Mark_888 · May 4, 2016

thebazegaze said:
Looking for the V8 engine and highest trim, but not sure if there's a "best time" to buy, models that would be better, etc.

If you want reliable drivetrain, go with the 3.8 V6. It has plenty of power and is the Lambda engine design that has been around for awhile.

But if you insist on the V8, I would stick with 2011, 2013-14 only (assuming you are not looking at the 2015).

For the V6, 2009-2011, and 2013-14 is good (skip 2012 due to brand new transmission design).

The Technology Package is highest trim level, but has had some reliability problems, especially with sound system (which will cost a minimum of $3K to make a repair on, since they only can replace it and not fix it). Check out the other trim levels to be sure you really need the Tech Package.

homeofstone · May 4, 2016

Mark_888 said:
If you want reliable drivetrain, go with the 3.8 V6. It has plenty of power and is the Lambda engine design that has been around for awhile.

But if you insist on the V8, I would stick with 2011, 2013-14 only (assuming you are not looking at the 2015).

For the V6, 2009-2011, and 2013-14 is good (skip 2012 due to brand new transmission design).

The Technology Package is highest trim level, but has had some reliability problems, especially with sound system (which will cost a minimum of $3K to make a repair on, since they only can replace it and not fix it). Check out the other trim levels to be sure you really need the Tech Package.

The sound systems can be repaired. Electronics Master in Duluth Ga is one company that can repair the Lexicon systems. A friend of mine had his repaired for 300.00. My local dealer here in Athens GA also sends units to Electronics master for repair.

Mark_888 · May 4, 2016

homeofstone said:
The sound systems can be repaired. Electronics Master in Duluth Ga is one company that can repair the Lexicon systems. A friend of mine had his repaired for 300.00. My local dealer here in Athens GA also sends units to Electronics master for repair.

OK, good to know. But the Hyundai dealers will not repair them (just replace them).

427435 · May 4, 2016

I would think the '13 and '14 would be the best of the first generation. Things pretty well debugged by then and the 8-speed tranny is sure nice to drive.

If you want to spend more, the 2016 and coming 2017 second generation should be good cars also-------------you might spend some time on that forum.

Statguy_Actuary · May 5, 2016

427435 said:
I would think the '13 and '14 would be the best of the first generation. Things pretty well debugged by then and the 8-speed tranny is sure nice to drive.

If you want to spend more, the 2016 and coming 2017 second generation should be good cars also-------------you might spend some time on that forum.

Exact reason I bought a 2014 5.0 r-spec, I never buy a first year run on a new design. Too many bugs get worked out. I've owned it about 4 months, almost 6k miles, and love it. And I came from a BMW 535i twin turbo. Couldn't be happier with my purchase.

marinakorp · May 6, 2016

I would go with the 13-14 Rspec - if you like BT integration with your music on your phone.

My 2011 does not have this (I knew this was a limitation) and have worked around the issue with a "WIFI" connection installed in my center console (30 or 40 bucks) and work well... not fully steering wheel integrated... but it works well.

Gunkk · May 6, 2016

'13 V6 is a good value. Can get one < $15k and still have warranty left. One of the best values on the road.

shagnat · May 7, 2016

Mark_888 said:
OK, good to know. But the Hyundai dealers will not repair them (just replace them).

They're taught to do replacements and not repairs..... more $$. That's what it's all about.

My local dealer doesn't even know how to get the wipers to stop in the "up" position when changing wiper blades...... gawd.... they're so pitiful these days.

qstarweb · May 7, 2016

Before buying my Genesis I drove both a 3.8 model and the 5.0. Both are great cars, but I do recommend highly getting one with the Technology package if you go with the 3.8 V6 model. If you go with the 4.6 or 5.0, you'll get that standard.

The 3.8 V6 has plenty of horsepower and accelerates and drives well. Of course one of the V8 models (4.6 or 5.0) will have more, so it's a matter of personal preference. If you can afford a 2012 or later with the 8 speed automatic transmission that is even better. I drove a 2012 3.8 Genesis when I did my test drive of one. But that particular Genesis was a base model, without the technology package. I drive it in January of this year, and last I checked a few days ago, that dealer is still trying to that Genesis. I suspect they haven't sold it because it's a base model and those looking for a 3.8 Genesis are looking for one more loaded with features.

Otherwise, drive it before you buy it, look up info. on it such as the Carfax report, and look up it's value on kbb.com and bargain hard over the price. They want to sell you the car so make them come down on price, and don't pay excessive "doc fees" to the dealer either, if they tell you they charge 499 in doc fees, you tell them the price will be 499 lower.

Dean

Mark_888 · May 7, 2016

qstarweb said:
Before buying my Genesis I drove both a 3.8 model and the 5.0. Both are great cars, but I do recommend highly getting one with the Technology package if you go with the 3.8 V6 model. If you go with the 4.6 or 5.0, you'll get that standard.

The 3.8 V6 has plenty of horsepower and accelerates and drives well. Of course one of the V8 models (4.6 or 5.0) will have more, so it's a matter of personal preference. If you can afford a 2012 or later with the 8 speed automatic transmission that is even better. I drove a 2012 3.8 Genesis when I did my test drive of one. But that particular Genesis was a base model, without the technology package. I drive it in January of this year, and last I checked a few days ago, that dealer is still trying to that Genesis. I suspect they haven't sold it because it's a base model and those looking for a 3.8 Genesis are looking for one more loaded with features.

Otherwise, drive it before you buy it, look up info. on it such as the Carfax report, and look up it's value on kbb.com and bargain hard over the price. They want to sell you the car so make them come down on price, and don't pay excessive "doc fees" to the dealer either, if they tell you they charge 499 in doc fees, you tell them the price will be 499 lower.

Dean

2009 V8 does not have Tech Package as standard. I think that started in 2010 or maybe 2011.

I would not buy a 2012 model (V6 or V8). That was the first year for the Hyundai built 8-speed transmission, and there were some problems reported on the early ones. The 6-speed transmissions used in the 2009-2011 V6 (Aisin) and V8 (ZF) were made by reliable manufacturers and were used in many other brands of cars, including Lexus (Aisin) and BMW (ZF).

Also. the early 2012 5.0 V8 engines had some serious problems with oil consumption.

qstarweb · May 7, 2016

I wouldn't recommend ANY version of the 2009. And I was talking about 2012-2014 in my comments, not the 2010-2011.

Dean

Mark_888 · May 7, 2016

qstarweb said:
I wouldn't recommend ANY version of the 2009. And I was talking about 2012-2014 in my comments, not the 2010-2011.

Dean

Contrary to your previous comments, the 2012 8-speed transmission is a POS, since it was a brand new transmission that year and had a lot of problems. The only advantage of an 8-speed over 6-speed is a slightly better fuel economy.

As I mentioned, the 6-speed transmissions used in the 2009-2011 V6 (Aisin) and V8 (ZF) were made by reliable manufacturers and were used in many other brands of cars, including Lexus (Aisin) and BMW (ZF).

The Tau V-8 was brand new in 2009, and I would stay away from it for that reason (and problems reported on this forum with the 2009 V8). But the 2009 V6 uses the Hyundai Lambda engine, that was around for years before it was used in the 2009 Genesis, and is extremely reliable, even more so than the Direct Injection versions used from 2012 onward.

homeofstone · May 7, 2016

I prefer the non direct injection 4.6 v8 with the proven ZF 6 speed transmission.

qstarweb · May 7, 2016

Mark_888 said:
Contrary to your previous comments, the 2012 8-speed transmission is a POS, since it was a brand new transmission that year and had a lot of problems. The only advantage of an 8-speed over 6-speed is a slightly better fuel economy.

That is your point of view. But despite the problems some have had, which are covered under warranty, I suspect the percentage of the 2012 transmission that are faulty is quite low over all.

Dean

Mark_888 · May 8, 2016

qstarweb said:
That is your point of view. But despite the problems some have had, which are covered under warranty, I suspect the percentage of the 2012 transmission that are faulty is quite low over all.

Dean

Having read all the posts on this forum regarding transmission problems (going back to 2009), It is clear that the Hyundai 8-speed transmission had way above average problems when it was first introduced in 2012. Many of the problems were quite severe, and the transmissions had to be replaced.

Transmissions are very complex machines, and it is not totally surprising that a brand new transmission would have problems in the very first year of its use in vehicles.

As I mentioned before, even though 2009 was the first year for the Genesis (and there are often first year problems with any new model), the transmissions used that year were from manufacturers that specialized in making transmissions and those particular ones were used in many other brands before the Genesis, and were quite reliable (and still reliable today).

As far as engines go, the 2009 Lambda V6 was not a new engine (but the Tau V8 was new in 2009 and it did have problems). The GDI version of the 2012 V6 and V8 were fairly significant changes to the previous versions, and might want to be avoided for that reason (especially the 2012 V8 that had a lot of oil consumption problems).

PMCErnie · May 8, 2016

I'm sure the OP has bought a Toyota by now.

qstarweb · May 8, 2016

Focusing on the few that have problems makes the problem itself seem far worse, that is the nature of hearing a few true stories which anecdotal evidence. Hyundai sold almost 34,000 Genesis in 2012, how many of those have had transmission problems and needed to have the transmission replace? For the few, the problem is very well, I'm not arguing that. For the rest of us, the 8 speed transmission is great and superior to the 6-speed.

Dean

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