It's that time again...

That time when you realize the relationship you have with your current ride has grown stale and uninspiring; that time when you find yourself staring at other cars, wondering what it'd be like to be inside them, because after 5 long years, the one you're in just doesn't excite you the same way as before...

I'll be getting a new car in the next month or two, and after a lot of internet surfing and test-driving I've narrowed it down to just three cars:

3.8L V6 Hyundai Genesis coupe (Track , MT)
VW GTI (autobahn, MT or DSG)
2011 3.7L V6 Mustang (premium, performance package, MT)

Why no RX8? Two words: gas mileage. Other than that and the fact that the rear seats don't fold down I love the car.


I'm a one car kinda guy, so this vehicle will be all-purpose, but really won't have a lot of purposes. I don't really have any tools to haul around, or a wife and/or kids, nor will I in the near future (if I can help it). Also, though I prefer a sporty drive, I won't be doing any racing in this car. Track times aren't as important to me as the pure sensation of driving. Like most, I love when acceleration pins you to the back or your seat, and I love a car that feels agile when I'm behind the wheel. Again though, I don't think I'll be running 1/4 miles or drifting through turns. Ipod/smartphone integration is a must, as well as a nice audio system.

Brief impressions from driving:

GTI didn't have quite as much acceleration as I'd like, but from what I've read a simple reflash of the ECU would fix this problem

The Mustang I test drove (premium, MT) handled way to softly and the acceleration didn't feel as great as I expected given the impressive track times. However, it didn't have the performance package (stiffer suspension, a 3.31:1 rear axle ratio (2.73:1 is standard), and a stability control system a sport mode). I kinda hate Mustangs on principle, but the price, MPGs, and JD power reliability ratings made me think twice.

I drove the R-Spec 2.0t Genesis since they didn't have a MT V6 in stock. I found that the clutch engaged rather abruptly and I wasn't fond of the interior in terms of quality or styling. Gas mileage for the V6 is questionable though...


If you'd throw in your 2 cents, I'd appreciate it. I've found that cars, like many things in life, aren't always what they appear to be on paper, so if you've driven the vehicle please mention that.

Thanks!


P.S. Reflashing the ECU is the only performance mod I'd consider making

 

Honestly, unless you are planning on getting the V8 mustang, I would stay away. Honestly the car feels like a "regular old car" with the v6. I am a big fan of the GTI, but I might go with the Genesis because it is a rare car and feels great. Plus you get the added space and, as silly as this sounds, Hyundai is pretty reliable nowadays.

 

I guess its a matter of opinion if you call the Genesis "rare". I see them everywhere over here. There is no point in getting a V6 mustang, I mean a V8 IMO just seems to make more sense, IDK? I think you will have a lot more fun in the GTI, especially city driving.

 

RWD Genesis, isnt it obvious? completely mod worthy as well.
Plus its drop dead sexy...

"mustangs are like tampons, every p*ssy has one."

 

Yea true, honestly havn't seen too many people around these neck of the woods with one.

 

GTI is not going to replace your 8 well, trust me... VW novelty wears off fast than RX8's. If you go Mustang but got the V6 you will have seriously settled. You may want to drive the V8 just to know. The Genesis is going to be closer to what you have described in personality... but one major problem aside from styling... it's a Hyundai... That pretty low on the stature totem pole.

I'd go immediately test drive the V8.

 

If gas mileage is the ONLY reason why you consider replacing the RX-8, then calculate how much you will spare on gas getting each of those cars.
Buying a brand new car won't be cheap. Take the new price, deduct the money you'll get for the RX-8, and see how much gas you can buy from the difference the new ride will cost you. Then calculate the difference in MPG. It may easily take years to recoup the advantage in fuel consumption alone.

Oh, and out of the three cars, I'd pick the Genesis if I really have to.

 

Yeah the Genesis isn't "rare" around here, but it's not common either. Hyundai does have a pretty sweet warranty.


Read this!

I've figured out Ford's trick regarding MPGs and wicked performance numbers, and it all has to do with gearing & the axle. The Mustang Motortrend etc. tested had a 3.31:1 rear axle ratio. The one I drove - and all the V6s on the lot (and the one that gets 29 MPGs) have a 2.73:1 rear axle ratio. Tall gears = better gas mileage but dampened acceleration.

According to this article:
http://www.autosavant.com/2010/08/24...premium-coupe/
the Mustang with the 3.31:1 rear axle ratio gets roughly the same gas mileage as a V6 Genesis coupe, but b/c of some technicality Ford gets to report the numbers achieved by much slower V6 version. What BS...

 

I'd agree with you 100% for every V6 mustang up until the 2011 version.
13.7 sec 1/4 mile @ 102.0 mph is no slouch. My above explanation unveils Ford's BS.

I did drive the V8 and was seriously impressed, but between the price and guilt of being a single driver owning a V8 I'm not inclined to get one

 

Get the 2.0 t Genesis. The October release of Best Motoring International shows a modded 2.0T Genesis vs V8 Camaro vs V8 Mustang. All 3 got praises but thats the V8 so don't know about the V6.

Looks like the Genesis aftermarket support is pretty good in case you wanna mod it in the future.

 

VW is a reliability nightmare. They have terrible dealerships and warranty coverage.

Mustang is a me-too car with a terrible back seat. May as well keep the 8.

Genesis unique appeal will wane in a year or so as they become a dime a dozen on the streets. It's from Hyundai Kia Automotive Group. Nuff said.


I'd avoid all three of them.

 

What would you recommend then for 25-33k?

2.0t seems pretty tuner friendly, but again, other than an ECU reflash (and aesthetic changes) I'd rather not mod my car.

 

I'd pick the right tool for the job. Get a corolla for commuting and drop 10k on a sport bike.

I personally bought a VW JSW TDI earlier this year after buying a bike. 260 torque at 1600 rpm and 40-50 mpg. Looking for a second bike now. There's no comparison to cars.

Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.

 

I say get the Genesis, it is a very fun car to drive and sticks like glue to the road. The fact that it is built by Hyundai/Kia doesn't matter, their cars have gotten much better by many folds. I believe soon they will be known as a higher end car company if people give them the chance, but right now there are too many nay sayers. I drove both the 3.8 and the 2.0T, I would get the 2.0T as I thought it was more fun to drive, either way any RWD car is gonna be more fun to drive than the GTI.

I never see any of the Genesis' around me, but see tons of 8's. You will have a more unique car with the Genesis out of the 4.

Where are you located?

 

No rotor, no motor.

Girlfriend and mother gave me a (wo?)mandate: no bike, but can do whatever with cars.

 

While the following post really doesn't apply to the OP I thought I'd chime in about the Genesis...

Yeah, it's a Hyundai but who the **** cares? A sports car should be about how exciting it is to drive, if you are driving it to get attention or because it's a certain brand then IMO you are doing it wrong. I'm sure there are plenty of rich snobs out there who think the same about the RX-8 since it's "only a Mazda".

Hyundai is the ONLY manufacturer who is keeping the manual turbo RWD sub-30k car alive after Japan abandoned them in the 90s (and never bothered to bring them to the USA in the first place).

Sure it's a bit of a dog out of the box but the 2.0T Track model is the perfect base for someone who loves to mod cars... it is this generation's Silvia. I haven't driven one yet but on paper I don't see how you could go wrong.

Pros:
- 4B11 engine from an Evo X so it will be very responsive to mods and have lots of support. A brief look at some dyno charts shows you can get some serious power (381rwhp 323ft/lbs) out of a GT3071R.
- Front suspension setup lifted from a BMW 3 series and multi-link rear
- Brembo brakes
- Torsen LSD
- 6 speed transmission
Cons:
- Kinda hefty at 3300lbs...
- "it's a Hyundai"
- Warranty might be worthless if you mod it to the level where it would be a thrilling ride

 

Chapel Hill, NC
If I'm not sliding around corners, does RWD still have an appreciable advantage? (would I notice torque steer?)


Bike would be a lotta fun, but for a number of reasons that isn't gonna happen.

 

I really love driving my gf's GTI, sometimes more than my own.
If you want much better milage and a much more practical car, the GTI's your obvious choice.

 

Absolutely without a doubt the GTI. My other car is an 02 jetta 1.8t and even with the 8 I still LOVE that damn VW, all 192,650 miles of it. Seriously, it was my 5th new car and still the best auto purchase I ever made ( no offense to my fellow

 

If I was to go out and buy a car rigth now, it wood be the genisis!!!
I have look at all three car and for the price, fun factor, looks, MPG.....
the genisis wins by far!!!!!

 

hyundai has the worst interior everrrr period. you do know you spend the most of your time IN the car not outside of it right? if a car's simply ugly inside, that's 1-2 hours of ugliness you have to deal with every day.

 

For the price point, they have to cut corners somewhere. From my past experience with their more recent Elantra renditions, I would consider their interior quality above par for their bracket. I can't comment on the Genesis, though.

 

fyi... the new elantra was the very car i based my opinion on...

 

Haven't played with that one yet.

 

If you love a nice sound system, you get the GTI with the Dynaudio upgrade and never look back.