IW's Used Car PSA of the Day

"IrvingWashington" (IrvingWashington) 08/19/2013 at 18:22 • Filed to: Used Car PSA

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Hyundai really turned a corner a few years ago in terms of build quality and attractiveness of their products. I recently drove a newish Elantra that my sister bought, and it really made me wonder why the Corolla continues to exist.* Our subject today couldn't exactly be called attractive in the sense of pleasing to the eye, but an FR coupe with 300 hp and a stick? Sometimes ugly girls really do have great personalities.

One area where Hyundai hasn't caught the Japanese, apparently, is retained value. Good news for us. How'd you like a 70K mi 2010 Genesis Coupe 3.8 for 13,500? Remember that there's not a really good reason to settle for the turbo 4 in the used market because there's just not going to be enough of a price difference, but I haven't driven these, and I've heard that some people actually prefer the handling of the 2.0T. So, up to you. Anyway, if that stupid beltline and overstyled headlights don't bother you, have at it.

This has been IW's Used Car PSA of the Day.

* I was trapped behind a Corolla with a fart can the other day. Is there a sadder engine note than a Toyota 1.8 with a fart can?

dogisbadob > IrvingWashington 08/19/2013 at 18:25

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What's wrong with the beltline? There are far worse out there (Camaro, Challenger)

Also, the newish ones (I think 2012-on) have like 270 hp in the turbo 4!

IrvingWashington > dogisbadob 08/19/2013 at 18:29

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That stupid window shape is f'in terrible. Such an affectation, as is the whole front end. This is a perfect example of styling being splashed on a car rather than designed into it.

The newer Genesis Coupes have multiple improvement but are significantly more expensive because they're only 2-3 years old. I'm just bargain hunting here.

dogisbadob > IrvingWashington 08/19/2013 at 18:36

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I like that window shape! It gives the car a nice snark!

Michael Delaney reaches down between his legs and eases the seat back > IrvingWashington 08/19/2013 at 19:05

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I've missed these! Welcome back (says the guy who is rarely around).

Victorious Secret > IrvingWashington 08/19/2013 at 19:07

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I prefer to think of the 3.8 as more a small GT car, because for the young chaps that buy them the upgrades have a firm wall if you don't want to spend lots on porting, cams, boring or forced induction. Its not a bad engine at all, but its one downside to it.

The 2.0T, especially later years, packs a serious punch and is exploitable to no end, I can see the preference in handling with having less weight on that front end.

I'm glad Hyundai still doesn't retain artificial value. Japanese cars carry inflated senses of value for cars that just shouldn't have that kind of value in a world run by genuine logic.

Even V8 Genesis sedans are 30k propositions and that is maddeningly good value for a car that gives you 85-95% of the German quality at 60% of the price.

Long Live the Longdoor > Victorious Secret 08/19/2013 at 22:19

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I find it especially interesting that the GenCoupe doesn't even retain its value as well as the pony cars of which it competes against. This, IMHO, makes it an especially good value for someone looking for something sporting. Couple that with a pretty solid interior (especially on the new ones) and it's not a bad buy.

T-REG > IrvingWashington 08/20/2013 at 23:32

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On the engine note i must say the Toyota 1.8 2ZZ-GE in my matrix made a great sound, all stock.

The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin > Victorious Secret 08/21/2013 at 00:50

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I wouldn't say the resale values of Japanese cars are inflated, at all. Things that are durable, well-built, and cheap to operate tend to hold their value much better than things that aren't. Honda and Toyota vehicles have a reputation for reliability that is hard to beat, and while Hyundai/Kia might come close someday, they've got 30+ years of reputation-building to catch up with.

Furthermore, if you just go looking for used Hyundais, you might find a few good ones, and a lot that are terrible. Go looking for a used Japanese car, and it's generally the other way around.

Ultimately, used car prices are determined by the market, i.e. what people are willing to pay for them, so to say they have inflated value is basically a rubbish statement that cannot be supported. The value of a company's stock can be inflated through manipulation, but used cars are tangible goods, not imaginary commodities with only perceived value.

The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin > Long Live the Longdoor 08/21/2013 at 00:51

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It's a name/image thing. It's much cooler to drive a Mustang or Camaro than a used Hyundai.

Standard_Deviation > Victorious Secret 08/21/2013 at 01:06

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Seriously? 85-95% of the German quality? No way man.

I bought the new Tiburon in May 2002 (it was an '03 model.) That POS has 50 (read it: FIFTY) warranty repairs in the first year. I'd pull into a dealer, the service adviser would enter my VIN, then he'd OMG over the number of failures as he clicked through pages & pages of service notes.

Hyundai is garbage. I was drawn in by their low prices, and I got what I paid for - a big pile of shit.

In comparison, I own two Jap cars: I bought my wife a 2012 Civic Si 11 months ago. It has 12,000kms on it and it's had 0 repairs. (at the 11 month mark, my Tib had been in 40 times!!!) In addition, I own a 2005 S2000 with 80,000kms. So far, it's cost me $90 in repairs - and it's a track car. I drive the s*ht out of that thing and it's never let me down.

That ugly Korean POS isn't worth 10% of what we pay for Hondas and Toyotas. And to compare it to a German masterpiece of automotive engineering? C'mon. That's just not jalop.

Kanaric > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 01:55

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sadly this is one of the most mild cars with offensive beltlines today, every new model from every company gets progressively worse

manualmotives > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 02:12

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I dig the new ones. I think the V6 makes around 350 IIRC. Can't be bothered to google it. But they're attractive and fast, what else do you want?

buhahah > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 02:26

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Being an owner of a 2010 Corolla and a 2013 Elantra GT, I completely agree with you. The Corolla feels archaic compare to the Elantra. They feel like they are 10 years apart, not 3.

hedbutter > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 07:42

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I drove one of these last year while looking for a new car, and while i didnt mind driving it and it ran well, the traction control in this car was horrible. If you jumped on it form the get go, the engine would bog way down and you'd slowly start off. In comparison to the V6 Camaro which would give a little bit of a chirp and still take off, i was completely unimpressed.

Grechosaurus > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 07:49

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I agree, the front end styling isn't my favorite, but you're ignoring the strong points of the car's styling. The car has one of the best silhouettes/profiles of any other car in the segment, and even close to some higher end beauties.

There's a huge aftermarket for the car, including a a crap ton of exterior changes available. Even just small things like painting the heaglight housings black or a new grill or even fog light bezels. A bunch of really cool front lips that completely change the car's looks.

Of course, aftermarket also means performance. The 2.0t Theta is actually a similar block to Evo 10, just internals aren't forged with the smallest turbo Mitsubishi had.So the motor can be pushed quite a bit and make decent power. There's a lot of options for bigger turbos or just basic tunes/bolt ons.

Car handles pretty well stock, although steering feel can be fixeusd with some better sways/bushings.

If you want out of the box power - V6

If you wanna play around with the motor - 2.0t

And I know its not everybody's cup of tea, but they look amazing slammed.

Grechosaurus > hedbutter 08/21/2013 at 07:51

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You can turn the traction control off.. there's a button to the left of the steering column. Either way, the traction control doesn't suck, it does exactly what its supposed to do - stop wheel spin.

hedbutter > Grechosaurus 08/21/2013 at 07:53

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Yes, but compared to the camaro, it seemed like a lot was left on the table (granted, this is only from 1 test drive). It honestly felt like the car was going to stall (both were automatics).

Mr. Sinister > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 08:03

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As an owner of a 2013 2.0T, let me tell you that when the 2013 cars are on the used market in a couple of years, they are going to be the best performance bargain out there. They do everything better than the 2010-2012 cars, and have a revised (better looking in my opinion) front end.

Mr. Sinister > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 08:04

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The oldest Gen Coupe is only 3 model years old......

Mr. Sinister > Grechosaurus 08/21/2013 at 08:08

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It IS horribly intrusive and too aggressive, even on an automatic. When it kicks in, the car literally shuts down for a split second. It's not only annoying, but downright dangerous. I had it kick in while coming hard out of a tight corner and I damn near lost control. Needless to say, I switch it off every time I plan to do some spirited driving. The TC on these cars is just unnecessarily aggressive.

calumnium > dogisbadob 08/21/2013 at 08:08

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what in god's name is wrong with the challengers belt-line?

calumnium > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 08:10

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they didn't fix the front end this year though, it looks so much better.

Mr. Sinister > manualmotives 08/21/2013 at 08:12

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348 for the V6, 274 for the 2.0T.

That said, all the fastest Gen Coupes are 2.0 cars, since the aftermarket for the 3.8 is really tiny right now. The 2.0 responds VERY well to mods, as well. There are a couple of tuning shops getting 300rwhp out of the 2.0 with a turbo-back, CAI, and stage 1 tune. They're pig rich from the factory (I can clean my exhaust tips one day, and three days later they're covered in carbon again), so even nothing but a tune will make a noticeable difference.

philphil > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 08:29

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This GenCoupe is slightly overstyled, I admit, but the look has grown on me. I like the strange window, and the headlights don't bother me. There are far worse lights out there.

The NEW version, however, has adopted the industry-wide obsession with huge fake dump-truck grilles with an obvious structural member bisecting it. They clearly would like you to overlook the fact that the grille is 40% bumper and have painted with black plastic to make it completely invisible. Add to that the fake hood scoops and you have a completely ruined front end. No thanks.

GTRB26 > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 08:42

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I bought the first Genesis coupe when they came out (2.0T). Its a heavy car and you can feel the weight, but the car is crazy fun to drive. That turbo lag is weirdly addicting on the highway. My friend at college bought the 3.8R (the one with brembo brakes) and he loved it but I enjoyed mine because I was getting 30MPG on the highway haha. I honestly think the first gen is better looking. Correct me if I am wrong, but I have read that because that 2.0 engine block is the same one on the lancer evo, it takes tuning better than the GDI unit in the new generation. so if you wanna tune it up, go check the first gen. just my thoughts as a previous owner

Kiwi_Commander > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 08:45

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2013 3.8 R Spec Driver Here. I have driven both and I chose the V6 because I really didn't want to modify the car. The Turbo version is not a bad buy either as it basically has the same engine as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.

Compared to the previous years, the 2013 refresh ups the power for both models thanks to an upgraded twin scroll turbo and larger intercooler while the V6 gets direct injection so they are putting down around 300hp for the 2L and 350 for the V6.

These cars are really beast in the used car market as you get a pretty decent car for a pretty low price. There was an article on motortrend where they basically put a bunch of coupes together for a shootout, I was surprised that the 2013 Genesis 2L was able to keep up with the V6 mustang.

TxFlOr > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 08:57

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I wasn't into this first run of the Gen coupe but the 2013 updates addressed everything that didn't like about this model, so I bought a 2013 3.8 GT. The new front end seems to be love it or hate it, but I love it and this original front end is ugly IMO. It now has a meaner more upscale look, more power, much better interior, better transmissions, better mpg. Great car!

404usernotfound > Victorious Secret 08/21/2013 at 09:15

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My Dad recently purchaced a it2010 Genisis 3.8 sedan for a very resonable amount of money, and it really was a great deal. The car is smoth, solid and over all a great car.

OtizzleStarBai > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 09:36

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We bought one, almost exactly like the one pictured. 2010 white 3.8 GT (not track) ... with now 40k miles on it, it hasn't given us a single bit of trouble. Looks great (to me) - plenty quick... comfortable on long trips... my only gripe is a pretty small trunk. But at the end of the day for what we paid for it, 1 year old certified pre owned... I still could not think of a better buy for the $$ and our needs at the time.

OtizzleStarBai > dogisbadob 08/21/2013 at 09:37

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I agree... i'm not sure what you guys consider good looking if this car isn't?

dogisbadob > calumnium 08/21/2013 at 09:50

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How about it's too fucking high and you can't see anything out of it?

calumnium > dogisbadob 08/21/2013 at 09:59

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never bothered me but whatevs

Brent > Standard_Deviation 08/21/2013 at 10:01

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Comparing the Genesis Coupe to the old Tiburon isn't exactly Jalop, either. Those two are no more alike than the original VW Beetle and the VW New Beetle.

86it > IrvingWashington 08/21/2013 at 10:55

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I'll reminds you that that 1.8 liter engine is a cousin what was used in the Lotus Elise.

Standard_Deviation > Brent 08/21/2013 at 11:02

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Mechanically, there's very little in common between my wife's Civic Si & my S2000. They weren't even assembled on the same continent. But both cars are made by Honda & both cars have been so reliable it defies belief. That speaks to Honda's ability to repeatedly engineer and manufacture a reliable product.

Likewise, the Tiburon & Genesis Coupe have little, if anything, in common (mechanically.) But both were designed and manufactured by the same company to be cut-rate alternatives to their respective competitors. My experience with the Tib indicates that the low price tag just isn't worth the quality & reliability problems down the road.

Based on their historical behavior (in this case, my experience with the Tiburon,) there's a significant risk that the Genesis Coupe was engineered and manufactured to be cheaper than its competitors, not better. As a result, a Genesis just isn't as valuable as a similar vehicle from a more reputable manufacturer.

In my opinion, it's not in the same class as the machines that come from the German manufacturers, even if the spec sheets have some similarities.

Or maybe my Tiburon was a lemon and it tainted my opinion of Hyundai.