NPoCP? 2011 Hyundai Equus

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
07/07/2014 at 09:29 • Filed to: car buying

It would appear that most of you on here don't like the Hyundai Equus. When I say, "don't like", I mean it would seem to range from mild distaste and disinterest to downright scorn that anyone in their right mind would ever think of penny pinching to the point of trying to save $12,000 under the price of a Lexus LS, or "why the hell wouldn't you just spend the extra $30,000+ and get an S-Class?"

I like the Equus. My grandad came very close to buying one, but alas, it was just too high-tech for an 80 y/o luddite like him. Which was a shame, because in person, when you drive it, the Equus is a very nice car. Sure, it's no S-Class, but for a mere 2/3 of the price, it's certainly more than 2/3 of an S-Class.

But buying new, as our very own Automatch Tom once said, is not always the way to go. Buying off lease or CPO vehicles often provides much better value. Enter !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! of Florida. They specialize in, you guessed it, off lease luxury cars. And they are offering this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in nice gunmetal grey with tobacco colored seats and under 15,000 miles on the clock, for a measly $27,999. That's over 50% off the original MSRP, and when you consider it's only 3 years old and has covered such a tiny amount of miles, plus the fact that it is identical to a "new" one, this car isn't just good value, it's a screaming bargain.

Say what you want about the Lexus/Buick fusion styling, or the optional hood ornament, or the big, shiny wheels (I like all these things). And rant until you're blue in the face about how it's nowhere near as well-built as a Benz or a Lexus. There can be no denying that, if you realize that you don't actually need your sedan to cruise all day in 110 degree heat at 155 miles an hour, or if you simply don't feel like paying an arm and a leg to buy such a car, and then both your liver to keep it running, the Equus could be the car for you.

DISCUSSION (17)

ToyDeathbot > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/07/2014 at 09:34

NP even though you know it'll be worth 1/16th of that in 10 years. At least you're the one with cheap car parts.

Milky > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/07/2014 at 09:37

CP, don't care how cheap it is or how many luxury car "features" it might have, this is crap.

Kinja'd!!!

Jagvar > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/07/2014 at 09:37

That's a really good price for an Equus.

I've driven one and it's nice, but hardly sublime. Its stablemate the Genesis is a great car in its own right, but the Equus comes off as a Lexus/Mercedes imitator that just isn't quite there. It doesn't have a personality of its own.

jkm7680 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/07/2014 at 09:46

It's not a bad car, the backseat in the "executive seating package" or whatever it's called actually reminded me of the Maybach 57. It's a good looking car.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > jkm7680
07/07/2014 at 09:51

I do love the fact that you can get those back seats in a new car for under 70k.

505Turbeaux > Jagvar
07/07/2014 at 09:55

I was actually looking for your opinion here knowing you have the Phaeton. I have driven a few, and agree. There are things that get me beyond the drive though. Switches are obviously parts bin finds in alot of cases, the overall fit and finish is done well, but not up to an A8. Kind of like a 96-03 XJ8. Nice, not exactly there though. Alot of my dealers are still camped out on '13 models in certain areas of the country.

Vicente Esteve > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/07/2014 at 10:00

That is a damn good price for anyone buying a $35 grand midsize sedan with a V6. Economy will be not too off, and it will have miles more comfort.

Still, I don't see it as too authentic, and too much of a copy. even as it has the saddle leather I love.

I much prefer the excellently designed Kia K900 by a long way. Though the prices of that are too high compared to this Equus.

Vicente Esteve > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/07/2014 at 10:00

That is a damn good price for anyone buying a $35 grand midsize sedan with a V6. Economy will be not too off, and it will have miles more comfort.

Still, I don't see it as too authentic, and too much of a copy. even as it has the saddle leather I love.

I much prefer the excellently designed Kia K900 by a long way. Though the prices of that are too high compared to this Equus.

eurospec > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/07/2014 at 10:02

I think of the Equus as a modern day Olds 98. It has strong a resemblance and gives a similar experience to the Mercedes S class at a considerably lower price, just as the Olds 98 did so with the Cadillac Fleetwoods and DeVilles.

DipodomysDeserti > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/07/2014 at 10:02

You can get CPO German cars with around the same mileage in that price range.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > DipodomysDeserti
07/07/2014 at 10:08

Sure you can. It's called a VW Passat.

Seriously, I just ran checks on the S-Class, 7-Series, and A8. With the criteria at under 30k miles and under 30k dollars, each only turned up about 15 results, and all cars were 2006 or older.

DipodomysDeserti > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/07/2014 at 10:19

Didn't realize this was even in the same league as a 7-series, A8, or an S-class. I was thinking more along the lines of a decked out 3 series with the higher end engine. At $30k, you pretty much have your pick at a lot of off lease lower model high trimmed CPO BMW's and Merc's with around 30k miles.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > DipodomysDeserti
07/07/2014 at 10:21

That's what I would do with my 30k. But this is not a car to compete with the 3-series. It's a full-sized, V8, RWD sedan, and for someone who wants that kind of car, it is kind of a bargain.

JR1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/07/2014 at 10:24

The Koreans are shooting for affordable, comfortable, and lazy luxury. A big car to drive around in a retirement community. A market the American luxury car companies unfortunately once owned. Cadillac still fights back with the XTS. Lincoln has the MKS. However both those cars are fwd and lose some of the prestige and feel of a luxury car. They don't copy the high class Germans as well. The Koreans made a smart move and they are great cars no doubt. Just not one I would want to be seen in.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JR1
07/07/2014 at 10:26

I agree with that sentiment. It's a nice car, but until I'm over 65, I think I'll wait.

DipodomysDeserti > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/07/2014 at 10:27

Gotcha. Yeah, if you're going to buy a big expensive car, you might as well buy a big expensive car. The Hyundai's remind me of those Payless shoes that are meant to look like designer brand sneakers. They look good, but something is off about them. I bought a CPO 335d with 34k and all the trimmings for under $30k, but yeah, if you want a 7 series with those numbers, you're still spending around $60k.

ranwhenparked > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/07/2014 at 19:42

I'm actually a fan, but I've always been partial to big, soft, RWD sedans and the Equus is one of the largest out there from a mainstream brand. The depreciation is quite tempting, but I don't foresee being back in the car market for some time.