2008 Pontiac G8 GT or 2009 Hyundai Genesis: Decisions Decisions

I'd take the Genesis in a heartbeat. Classier (which is important to me, as I think your car is at some level an expression of your personality, provided you weren't too constrained by $), warranty, and just all around a more comfortable car to have. I don't think I'll be buying a luxo barge anytime soon (I'm more of a small but high quality car kinda guy) but I'd be happy to take a V6 Genesis as my first car out of school. It's funny because i'll have this choice soon, and I'm considering something like a used 9-3 aero for dirt cheap (especially if saab goes under) or maybe even a used G37. Whatever I can afford on the market in that relative range.

Not to mention the Genesis will hold its value far better than a defunct brand with limited parts...

This is actually more-or-less my exact situation. I graduated with a bachelors in engineering in 2008. While I have not started my Masters yet (next year), I am working as an engineer in the biomedical industry. When my decrepit 1999 Ford Escort college car finally succumbed to the Minnesota winter, I went with the Genesis 3.8L Sedan. I haven't regretted the decision. At all.

If I'm willing to spend that kind of money when I'm a new college grad, I wouldn't worry about parts. Hopefully, by the time the warranty runs out, I'll have a real job and I'll buy another car. Because I'm foolish with my automotive expenditures, it'd probably be a $60K+ car.

Personally, I'd suggest a little financial common sense and suggest this person purchase practical used car.

G8 GT no question... old-school muscle + some handling. The Genesis is fine but would you want a Lexus-kind of car right out of college?

As a grad student I would not be looking to spend $30k on any car. I'd buy something cheaper, probably used so I could spend less and still get a classy car. Edmund's recent articles on great used cars would be my inspiration. I'd figure I'd trade up to something new and classy 6 months after being employed full-time.

Also, I'd look for something practical. A full-size rear-driver for a single guy in the Northeast is not practical.

Wow, just out of college & into a Masters program & already trying to buy a 35k car??

No wonder the youth of this country is deep in red. Do they teach common sense in colleges these days??

I'm surprised at the number of people on here who got full-size cars right out of college. When I graduated you couldn't have paid me money to drive a car as big as either the G8 or Genesis. I wanted something that was professional, but still sporty enough for me to have some fun with. My parents had gotten me a W202 C280 Sport as a high-school graduation present so I was by no means in need of a new car at the end of college, but if I had been it likely would have been a 3-Series or A4 (I loved my C and it remains the best car I ever owned, but I personally would have chosen something a little sportier).

I drive a full-size luxury sedan now, but I'm also older and have clients to cart arount as well as a family so the larger car makes sense, but I never would have chosen it 12 years ago.

Give me the G8 with the interior and feature content of the Genesis.

I don't completely agree with the parts issue for the Pontiac since it shares a majority of its mechanicals with other V8 equipped GM vehicles. I would choose the pontiac. More fun and more character. The Hyundai is a really nice car though. I just prefer performance for my hard earned dollars. Mix in a little testosterone and that is why the Pontiac is my choice. It would light the flame within.

I guess it all depends on what kind of car you want. These two cars couldn't be more different from each other. If you want an old-school muscle car in a modern package, the G8 is your car. If you want a bargain priced Lexus, the Genesis is. That's why there are so many auto companies, there's a car for everyone.

G8, no question.

@wobbly_ears while I generally would agree with your perspective of American spending habits, I do take offense to that. I'm a fiscally responsible student working a job at the same time as my classes, taking advantage of every university resource, and extremely prudent with my spending. My parents are able and willing to contribute to tuition costs, and I anticipate, or at least hope, that I will be working a nearly-6-figure job when I graduate.

None of this is a result of my parents connections, but a result of my own personal networking and intensive work in university and high school. I've sacrificed plenty of fun to get where I am right now, and I do feel that a 30k car would be a very reasonable expenditure if I have a safe job offer and a decent signing bonus. Not to mention that I had discussed that I wanted a used 9-3 or G37, neither of which would approach 30k.

Please, not everyone falls into "omg spending money I don't have" category. Some of us take great pains to live within our means.

Why would a kid fresh out of college and still going to grad school shell out 30-35k for a car? If I'm 23-25 with a bit of a drive to school and back (no mention of work, must be nice) I'd buy a used 350Z or Mustang GT. But since the criteria is 4 doors and rear wheel drive, I'm going to assume that the kid wants a car that's a kick in the ass to drive. To me, the Genesis is just a rear wheel drive Accord.

"Let's also say you live in the Northeast and have, for some reason, been brainwashed by your dad that the ONLY acceptable car has four-doors , rear-wheel-drive and a tankeresque curb weight."

F-250\F-350 DRW Crew Cabs with either the V10 or V8 Turbodiesel and full size bed.

or if you really needing something smaller then a Crew Cab F150 with the 5.4 V8 would do.

I'll never buy a Hyundai after reading this:

http://www.ocregister.com/news/lee-222906-hyundai-cook.html

"When I graduated you couldn't have paid me money to drive a car as big as either the G8 or Genesis."

My progression was Bavaria>535is>M6- then I bought a one owner Thunderbird Turbo Coupe(with a manual, of course) for my winter beater.

Challenger! (or Charger if he really wants 4 doors.)

I'm actually in that exact situation...I went with a very lightly used Mini. It's fun, cheap(er) to buy, cheap to run and insure, and the FWD works well in the PA winters. RWD cars weren't even on my radar because of the snow issue. The G8 gets me a little more excited than the Genesis, but the lack of a manual is a deal-breaker for me. I'd likely look for a used 3-series if I wanted a RWD sedan.

The correct answer is a 2003 Honda S2000

@Dragonflight:

I recommend the G35 MT from 2005-6. The most interesting styling in my opinion (it has really grown on me), and the engine is still a peach to rev, compared with the G37.

But the Saab Aero is kind of cool, too, because you could always tell your future kids about your unique adventures with it. And, presumably, interesting places you had breakdowns.

@jderino agreed, I loved the G35, there are just so few on the used market right now I assumed I might not be able to find one. Heck, my family almost bought one new on my recommendation!

Saab Aero would definitely have character, which is why it's endearing. I really would like to own something with character for my first car, before I really have familial obligations or constraints on what I can own. And because i don't really roadtrip, I can really get away with a lot of different options. If I end up somewhere warm, a Miata or S2000 is definitely on my list.

Basically, I just don't want to get appliance'd with a Camry or an Accord. I LOVED the old generation Mazda6, even with all its pitfalls and disadvantages to a similar gen Accord we own simply because it was so much more fun to drive. I literally chose to drive the Mazda6 (a cousin's) over a benz a few times simply because I would enjoy it more without the pretentiousness that many would assume of a teen/young-20s age driver in a Benz.

Sidenote: people, a teenager driving an ancient benz worth $4000 tops is hardly being pretentious!

Middle east market Caprice over the Genesis, hands down. If GM had the sense to bring it over.

But an abandoned, low production car from a dead brand is hard to recommend no matter how good it is. All the more so when they're so scarce that used GTs are listed for more than they went for a year and 15K miles ago.

Even when it was a live car from a not-quite-dead brand I still had trouble getting past the trailer park grade (or being charitable, rental grade) Pontiac nostrils treatment.

If you want a big RWD car the comparison to make today would be Genesis v. Charger.

My first car out of college was a Fiat x1/9, and I sold it just a few years ago after owing it for 25 years, and 127K miles.

I purchased a used 1970 Javelin a couple of years into the ownership of the Fiat because I wanted a RWD V8 powered sporty car with a good A/C and an automatic for commuting to my job. I still own the Javelin and I only drove it a couple of years before I got a company car. People are always stopping by my house inquiring about purchasing it, but I'm not ready to sell it.

I currently own a G8GT and did not even consider the Hyundai, simply because the styling is soooooo boring, and the driving dynamics pale in comparison to the G8 GT.

The target market for the Genesis appears to be for old fogeys that think that the Lexus and Infinity are overpriced and they are right, but after driving several Hyundai rental cars over the years, I've never had the desire to actually purchase one. Hyundai target market is the credit challenged consumer.

For me I'd take the G8 with a stick. The Genesis might be more refined and have more content, but it's also utterly generic and boring. I wish the G8 had more content (adaptive bi-xenons, nav, etc) but otherwise I'm sure I'd have way more fun with that car than the snoozemobile.

Get the Genesis. Longer warranty; they're still making the car; softer-riding; standard features up the ying-yang; and probably an easier car to live with day-in and day-out.

Either way, I say the following to the person in this situation: get the car YOU want and not the one that will most impress your friends. You'll be the one living with it.

By the way, there's only one cooled seat in the Genesis, not two, which is implied in the phrase, "heated and cooled seats".

@miibro77,

"I don't completely agree with the parts issue for the Pontiac since it shares a majority of its mechanicals with other V8 equipped GM vehicles."

During the G8's LT test with Edmunds it experienced a stability control problem. The part (a simple wheel-speed sensor IIRC) was so difficult to get that the dealer finally had to remove one from a new G8 on their lot. And that was when the car was still in production. The issue of parts availability is very real.

HA! That was the situation I found myself in last year.

Question is does he love to drive or does he want the technology?

Easy choice for me, but I'd certainly understand if he took the Genesis.

@bimmerjay

The G8 was a new model when they started the LT test. The engine is a North American sourced LS series engine and the transmission is the 6L80E currently used in the Camaro, CTS, and GMT 900 trucks.

The car is still in productions, and in fact, is coming back in long wheelbase form as the Caprice police edition in 2011. Other than the hood and grille, ALL THE MECHANICAL parts are the same. And with the abuse that is sure to be dished out by police departments, the parts situation will actually improve with time.

You know, my Fiat had been out of production for over 15 years when I sold it and parts were never a problem as they were still available and cheap.

Now compare that to the Hyundai, the V8 is unique to the Genesis, as is the transmission, and with the volume that it is selling, parts may actually be more of a problem with the Genesis.

@kingfish4

Not quite- the V8 is being used in the Kia Borrego SUV. The transmission is the very-familiar ZF 6-speed, and according to Car and Driver, will soon be the soon-to-be-familiar ZF 8-speed. That, and Hyundai will be in business and production of the vehicle. Oh, and it's under warranty so it's their problem as much as it is yours.

Dragonflight,

I don't know why you would be offended at wobbly's comments. You agree with his general analysis AND he wasn't addressing you.

Excuse me Dragonflight, but Holden is still in business, and the Commadore (G8) is still in production. How may Kia Borrego's have you seen on the road?

GM has already built and sold MILLIONS of LS series V8's, and has (will) build MILLIONS of 6L80E's

I looked at both these cars past summer...the v-6 Genesis when I was in Korea and the G8 GT at the dealer.

Both cars offer something for most everyone, but I think it comes down to the driving experience you want. I wanted a big, powerful sedan that I could get all 5 of us in comfortably, but still be able to channel my "inner hot rodder" whenever the feelin' hit me.

Warranties...Hyundai hands down for service, but a GM product can get a common engine/tranny/electronics serviced at any GM dealer or shop that knows their doo-doo. Body panels and stuff...well the G8 is soon to be gone, but the Aussies got our stuff just waiting, and in a few years Hyundai will restyle the Genesis anywhere.

Technologies...well safety is a wash..everyone has to meet standards.
Comfort & Convenience...Hyundai hands down...but I really wanted a simpler not 8 million buttons kinda car, your mileage may vary but it's mu opinion.

Fun to drive...G8!!! nuff said...big smokey burnouts!!! set you back in your seat acceleration!! Eats hi-way up! ... the Genesis is a better hi-way ride..and a more comfy daily ride...but it wasn't as fun to hustle hard like the G8.

In the end I chose the G8, its fast, fun and the last of the Pontiac breed. The Genesis is fine, if you're lookin for a lil more refinement or an alternative to the Acura overload on the streets it would be a swell ride...it just wasn't what made me want to drive.

G8 all the way, not lookin back, no regrets, and haulin much @ss!!

And its got a tiny bit bigger trunk too!

At 26, back to school working on PhD after 3 years in industry, I bought the G8 GT. I just can't see anyone under 40 in a Genesis sedan. It is a Lexus or Buick without the name recognition! Sure, I would certainly recommend one for my Mom, but I wouldn't be caught dead in one outside of a rental.

About parts - I was rear-ended sitting at a crosswalk close to campus. It took 3 weeks to get my baby back. $7,000+ too! Great. At least the important stuff is common (engine, tranny, etc.)

And wobbly, I agree. I bought mine lightly used with a big down-payment (it was nice working overseas!).

Lets see, your a new college graduate, a young guy, with a 20-30 mile commute and you want a heavy 4 door car with rear wheel drive because your dad says so.

1. Your old enough know to stand up to your dad's idea of the ideal car. Dude, he is old you are not.
Unless you have kids, you shouldn't be driving a sedan.

2. The Genesis is a candy ass old man's car. A Korean Buick without the substance of a Buick.

3. Your young, have fun without breaking the bank, get a 2002 Z06. Great to blow off steam, great to look at, great sounding and one of Inside Line's 10 best used cars.

http://www.insideline.com/car-news/10-best-used-cars-for-less-than-19999.html

should have said "You are young" oops....
When I think of a Genesis buyer, I think of an old man in white loafers. There is plenty of time to be the walking dead. Have fun while you are young.

@kingfish4 an engine is one thing. surely, there are plenty of parts that are NOT the same, even with 'similar' platform cars to it. Similar parts, sure, but possibly not interchangeable or convenient. Sure there are plenty of these vehicles abroad, but waiting for an international part (ignoring the cost and inconvenience of FINDING such a part) does not bode well.

Sure you haven't seen many borrego's on the road, but with both the borrego and the genesis in production, and presumably the all-new-engine remaining similar if not identical for a few years to come, I'd bet there will be an uninterrupted part supply.

@brn I interpreted it as a response to my comment, but I can definitely see how he could be referring to the blog's initial topic. My bad if that's the case. And yes I agree generally, but isn't it a bit much to generalize that someone shouldn't be able to buy a 30k car without knowing their background?

Buy the GT because otherwise Gregnv will think you look old. If someone still cares about what his dad thinks they'll probably care about what he thinks too.

Ideally, I wouldn't get either. You will have plenty of time for big vehicles once you're carting a family around. Take this time to enjoy the variety of 2 door vehicles that you may not have access to in the future - Camaro, Challenger, Genesis Coupe, etc.

I find it funny that most of the people who stop me with my Genesis is between 25-45. Mainly men not to many women. They love the looks, style and overall quality. Not just the old folks that some are implying on this blog

If my Dad's paying for it. He can get me whatever the F*** he wants. If it was me being the grad student and actually had the choice between genesis and G8, I'd pick the v6 Genesis because it won't make me look like a Young Sh**head at work.

The G8 makes you look like a young stuffhead at work? Really? I suppose it would if you do burnouts in the parking lot.

Some more info:

1) His dad isn't mandating it. But when you grow up with, literally, a driveway FULL of Caprices, you get used to a certain driving dynamic. He likes this dynamic.

2) When I suggested the Genesis coupe because it can powerslide, he said, "What's a powerslide?" and then went on about how coupes are too small.

3) $30K means different things to different people, don't worry about the cost.

4) This guy puts virtually no stock in what his car says to other people, just wants something he feels comfortable in-- So again, back to front engine, rear-drive, four doors and big.

-mm

The main question is does he like to drive? And since this is an automotive blog I think we all know I mean by that. I have an '09 G8 (no Atari gauges, thank God) and it fits the bill for me. Big back seat, big trunk, very comfortable to drive, and hauls ass with a slight press of the accelerator.

The interior probably doesn't equal the Hyundai's but I bet it isn't as far off as people would believe, especially if you have the red/black interior. The lack of a nav system is a bit of a bummer, but for the one time a month I need navigation help I plug in the Garmin and it isn't that big of a deal. It was under 27k before taxes with the Premium and Sport packages and a moonroof.

It's all personal preference and I'm sure some people would rather walk than be caught driving a Pontiac (err, Holden), but I think the G8 is striking to look at and I love the fact that I don't see one at every stop light. If this kid is used to a big, RWD V-8 sedan, then the G8 is the only choice for him.

I would say: "Don't be an idiot. Get a BMW!"

Why go for second-best?

Dunno

Oh, and can I have the Impala?

This is the classic dilemma all men must face at some point.
Passion or practicality.

The Hyundai makes all the sense in the world. It's a great sedan. That's why Hyundai is doing so well.

The G8, like the Impala SS, doesn't make as much practical sense. It's about something else. GM V8 power, sexy style and simple, roomy big cruiser feel.
The thing is, the G8 can handle too.

Since I see Magrath's top 3 sticking points as positives, it's obvious that I would quickly take the G8 and enjoy the hell out of it.

Nav? Today's high tech is yesterday's 8-track. In 5 years, that outdated NAV will be a resale liability.

Bottom line-
are you a car guy? Do you love working on the car just to get familiar with it and does it give you a sens of pride?

The Genesis is a product. In the best sense of the word, it's a great product with a great warranty.

In 10 years, will anyone care? Will you?
I am not saying it's being "more of a man" to choose a G8, just what is important to you in these two cars.
I think it comes down to your psychology and what you will love to jump into every morning.