You are here: Forums Sedans Mainstream Large Sedans Comparison

Mainstream Large Sedans Comparison

6844 messages,  Last post on Mar 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Buick Lucerne, Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G8, Car Comparisons, Sedan

#6616 of 6844 Re: G8 vs 09 Maxima [louiswei] by allmet33 Jul 09, 2008 (5:53 am)
Replying to: louiswei (Jul 08, 2008 1:45 pm) Louiswei...come on man, do you really believe that Hyundai is less proud of the BEST car they have produced to date simply because the decided not to put their "H" on the grille??? If that's the case, then Mercedes is less proud of the S & E-Class cars compared to the C-Class one's right? I mean...the C-Class has a huge circled 3 point star (the size of a personal pan pizza) in the middle of the grille while the E & S-Class cars simply have a small, ornate hood mounted emblem (maybe the size of a half-dollar coin).   So...the people that debadge their cars, are they less proud of them? Be careful with that answer because I've seen plenty of MB's rolling around my area with all the emblems removed. I've seen plenty of luxury vehicles with custome aftermarket grilles (with no emblem). Most of the time, when you get a good look at a car it's usually from behind because you're stuck in traffic. That being said, Hyundai positioned their "H" on the trunk.   Is the waterfall grille the best grille Hyundai could have come up with...probably not. Personally, I think a nice chrome mesh grille would have been slick (made from the same mesh that Jaguar uses for theirs). However, of the 3 grilles that were out there for the Genesis...it truly is the best looking option.   Thank you for providing me with a good laugh this morning. I mean to think...Hyundai not being proud of the, hands down, best car they have ever produced (and they know it). They're so NOT proud of it, they went and shopped the best sound system they could find for it (Lexicon). They're so NOT proud of it, they went and found two top notch transmissions (Aisin & ZF) to put in them. Come on man, I know you really don't believe that statement you made.   I can accept the fact that you simply just don't care for the grille. In which case, leave it at that, but don't put it on the maker, claiming they're not proud of their own product so they left their mark off the front of it, they have the "H" on the wheels and the steering wheel as well. How many places does the emblem really have to go??? The sad thing is...the car makers get us as consumers every day and we don't even know it. WE...are rolling advertisement for the makers and we don't even get paid for it. As a matter of fact, we PAY for the priviledge of advertising for them (funny...they pay huge amounts for their products to be seen in movies and tv shows). We, the consumers, are getting pimped by the auto makers every single day. We go to them only to purchase a liability (it certainly is no investment) that takes money out of your pocket every day that you own it, gets you back a percentage of it if you decide to trade or sell it and yet...the auto maker makes more money because of it.   Sorry...I'm done ranting now. Replies to this message: louiswei (Jul 09, 2008 7:47 am) allmet33 (Jul 09, 2008 7:57 am)
#6617 of 6844 Re: G8 vs 09 Maxima [joe97] by louiswei Jul 09, 2008 (7:44 am)
Replying to: joe97 (Jul 08, 2008 4:10 pm) In my opinion, the H made the Genesis grille look like a oversized Sonata.   What's wrong for the Genesis being an oversized Sonata? If Hyundai is proud of its name and products then there is nothing wrong having the family resemblance...   S-class looks like an oversized C-class LS looks like an oversized IS A8 looks like an oversized A4 Camry looks like an oversized Corolla   I don't see anything wrong with that. As matter of fact, if Hyundai is trying to build "heritage" here then family resemblance is an important way to get it there. Replies to this message: joe97 (Jul 09, 2008 8:35 am)
#6618 of 6844 Re: G8 vs 09 Maxima [allmet33] by louiswei Jul 09, 2008 (7:47 am)
Replying to: allmet33 (Jul 09, 2008 5:53 am) Ah no don't get me wrong, Hyundai is definitely proud of the Genesis, they are just not proud of putting the Hyundai 'H' badge on it.   Say whatever you want but I am sticking with my opinion.   Don't want to bring up the "seperate luxury brand/dealer network" debate again but that's a nice to solve this problem... Replies to this message: allmet33 (Jul 09, 2008 7:57 am)
#6619 of 6844 Re: G8 vs 09 Maxima [louiswei] by allmet33 Jul 09, 2008 (7:57 am)
Replying to: louiswei (Jul 09, 2008 7:47 am) Proud, but not proud enough, huh? That really doesn't make a lot of sense.   I can understand if the Genesis were quirky in design like their past vehicles used to be. I can understand if Hyundai tried to bring a luxury car to market made of bottom end materials.   Like I said, I can respect your opinion if it were simply the fact that you just didn't like it. Heck, we can't like everything out there. If Hyundai were not totally proud of their Genesis, they wouldn't be putting themselves behind it unlike the way they did the Azera.   It's hard to say that Hyundai wasn't capable of producing a car of the Genesis' stature, go back and look at their concept car, the HCD7. Even though it was a concept car, it was actually a car that COULD have been put into production and been a hit.   As far as the seperate dealer network goes, one can't deny what the Genesis brings to the table. As much as you want to fight it, it must be conceded...a luxury car from a non-luxury brand. Like I said a few months ago, Hyundai is breaking the mold of what an auto-maker is supposed to be.
#6620 of 6844 Re: G8 vs 09 Maxima [louiswei] by joe97 Jul 09, 2008 (8:35 am)
Replying to: louiswei (Jul 09, 2008 7:44 am) I am talking about the front section only. The other cars you listed don't look alike upfront, IIRC. The Genesis looks much better from a styling POV IMO with the current grille, and it gives its own distinct look in the family, and not just an "oversized" Sonata. Observe:   Genesis grille that never made it:     2009 Sonata grille:     2009 Genesis current grille:
#6621 of 6844 G8 vs Maxima by drwilsc Jul 09, 2008 (3:46 pm)
Is it me? or would it have made more sense to compare the G8 GT with the G35 Journey? Both RWD (rather than the FWD Maxima). Journey starts at just 32,700, in the ballpark of the G8. Motor Trend tested an automatic 2007 G35 S and recorded a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds, faster than the G8 GT in this comparo. Seems a more reasonable comparison than the G8 vs Maxima and I suspect would have had a different outcome. Replies to this message: tjc78 (Jul 10, 2008 3:54 am)
#6622 of 6844 Re: G8 vs Maxima [drwilsc] by tjc78 Jul 10, 2008 (3:54 am)
Replying to: drwilsc (Jul 09, 2008 3:46 pm) Not a fair comparo there either.... the G35 is much smaller than the G8. IMO the only current car that matches up with the G8 is the Charger/300C. Maybe the Genesis, but honestly that car is totally different. The Genesis is a big lux car that just happens to be fast, the G8 is a performance car that just happens to be big.
#6623 of 6844 Driving Impressions!!! by allmet33 Jul 10, 2008 (10:04 am)
Since the Genesis isn't listed above, I just want to say in short...it definitely is in a class of it's own. If you get the 3.8...it sits right on the edge of not being mainstream because fully loaded w/tech package will run you $40K. You can get a base model 3.8 for $33K, premium package for $35K and the premium plus for $36K (which is VERY nicely loaded by the way).   I would urge any interested in the 300C, M35, Maxima, G8, E-Class or even a GS...go drive a Genesis. Trust me, getting in it, pushing the start button, putting it into gear and hitting the gas will quickly make you forget all about whether or not you like the waterfall grille. The seats...think of your favorite easy chair and how you sink in and feel comfortable. Well...the seats in the Genesis are that comfortable, without the sinking in part. They support you as well as pamper you with the thick, supple leather they used. The dash...very, very high quality feel to it....comparable to the likes of Lexus, Infinity & Benz. Only difference, they don't use real wood trim, but the faux wood looks nice. I tested a midnight blue with tan interior and the dash had a charcoal leather, but the wood trim was an ebony faux wood...SWEET!!! I like the fact they went with the black carpet with the tan seats.   Let me put it like this...we can go back and forth about which car is faster 0-60, which can pull higher G's on a skidpad, which can pull through a slalom the fastest, but...for every day driving that most of us do, you can't deny the quality of ride this car gives you. If you look at it from a perspective of how you actually drive (and now how a magazine would run a car through it's paces)...you would fall in love with the Genesis.   Okay, so it doesn't have power pedals, but with the power adjustable steering wheel/column (up, down & telescope) and all the adjustments the seat offers...you really don't need them. The biggest omission I can see is the lack of power folding mirrors...that's it. Replies to this message: drwilsc (Jul 10, 2008 1:57 pm) joe97 (Jul 10, 2008 5:28 pm) allmet33 (Jul 11, 2008 5:58 am)
#6624 of 6844 Re: Driving Impressions!!! [allmet33] by drwilsc Jul 10, 2008 (1:57 pm)
Replying to: allmet33 (Jul 10, 2008 10:04 am) The Genesis looks like a very nice car. The question is, is a non-luxury brand like Hyundai gojng to be able to convince people to buy it over the likes of BMW 3-series, Lexus ES or IS, Infiniti M35/M45 or G35, Benz C 350, Cadillac CTS, etc when a loaded V6 costs 36 grand and the V8 version starts at $37,250? The Genesis probably would have better executed if were priced more like the G8 GT in the lower 30's.   People will gladly plop down 40 grand for those other makes, but a Hyundai? Tough sell, regardless of how good the car actually is. Replies to this message: joe97 (Jul 10, 2008 5:28 pm) allmet33 (Jul 11, 2008 5:58 am)
#6625 of 6844 Re: Driving Impressions!!! [drwilsc] by joe97 Jul 10, 2008 (5:28 pm)
Replying to: drwilsc (Jul 10, 2008 1:57 pm) The Genesis probably would have better executed if were priced more like in the lower 30's.   It really wouldn't matter too much, I don't think. If a prospective shopper is passing on the car, it would not make that much of a difference if a loaded Genesis was in the lows 30s, say.   And too bad for them, since the Genesis is one well-crafted product. I, for one, think the US Genesis V6 and V8, ranged from 33K-42K MSRP (w/ delivery and shipping) are very very competitive. There have not been many faults I've came across with the car so far, neither have other perspective shoppers, owners, and professionals in the industry. Everything is pointing in the right direction for the Genesis, including previous weak spots from the company that makes this car - for example, the predicted residual value is something like 66% after two years and 50% after 3 - amazing figures; or the fact its suspension is actually one of the strengths, this coming from a company known for making softer rides. Bottom line, this is just a damn good car, with or without the price factor; of course, the price just makes the deal that much sweeter.   I am actually in the process of doing my research and drives for my next car, all of the luxury-branded cars similarly priced in the range of the Genesis are out, either too small (3er/G35) or their drivetrain (ES, MKS), G8 and GS are also out. It's really coming down to a battle of the luxury mid-to-large sedans (i.e. 5er, M, Genesis, E-Class). A test drive or two on the Genesis will certainly help with the process.

You are here: Forums Sedans Mainstream Large Sedans Comparison