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Getting an Automatic: 2.0T or 3.8?

16K views 45 replies 30 participants last post by  unk333 
#1 ·
Hi everyone, first post here. I'm looking into getting a new car soon and the Genesis Coupe seems, well, awesome. I definitely want to get an automatic and was wondering if it should be the 2.0T or 3.8. I'm not that obsessed with power and engine performance and won't be doing any racing. I love the look of this car and how affordable it is for what it can offer. I currently drive a '98 Neon so either engine would be a major upgrade. Easily getting the Nord Gray, that color is sick. Please let me know! Thanks
 
#3 ·
From what I've seen with the automatic 2.0T that we have, you'll get better MPG from the V6 automatic. The manual 2.0T will get better mileage than the V6 manual though. If you're not into modding I'd stick with the V6, budget permitting, even though you're not all that into speed or performance. If you are into modding or plan to get into modding though, 2.0T all the way.
 
#4 ·
According to Wikipedia:

2.0T 5-speed auto [20 mpg-US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg-imp)/30 mpg-US (7.8 L/100 km; 36 mpg-imp)]

3.8 ZF 6-speed auto [17 mpg-US (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg-imp)/27 mpg-US (8.7 L/100 km; 32 mpg-imp)]

The 2.0T gets better mpg. But I am not planning on doing any modding.

Decisions, decisions...

Help!
 
#8 ·
Don't buy the ratings they put out for the automatic. I think only one automatic 2.0T on here is getting claimed MPG. Took 180 mile trip to Dallas with my wife, her driving a 2.0T auto and me following in a 2.0T manual. She got about 27mpg and I got 30+mpg. When I was driving the automatic I could barely get 19mpg in the city limping along. Use the gas at all and it'll drop pretty quickly. Pretty sure I saw as low as 17mpg in the city during the summer.
 
#6 ·
I'm not that obsessed with power and engine performance and won't be doing any racing.

youve known the answer already lol! 2.0T it is
 
#10 ·
I have the 3.8 Auto, and the mileage isn't that great with either of these cars. It all depends on what type of driving. Hwy = 25.5mpg avg. City = 13mpg avg.

Honestly, if you don't care about modding, get the V6. The turbo w/ the Auto is seemingly not worth it.
 
#11 ·
I'm just curious, you like the looks of the car, but don't care too much about performance. You know of course it is rear wheel drive correct? Reason I ask is I thought pennsylvania had some brutal winters. You could get into a front wheel drive two door coupe that'd be much more stable for those conditions.

It's a terrific car and I don't see how anyone could complain with the 2.0T's performance. Might be the base engine, but it's as quick as a stock WRX, just is hindered in 0-60mph figures by having to shift 3 times.

In terms of a slushbox, you might be better off with the V6 to deal with the power loss that comes from having an auto. Definitely give each a drive, but remember the rear wheel drive vs. winter argument. Also remember if you get a track model, you'll need to buy all season tires within a few months, so factor in another $1000 or so into the price of the vehicle. Closer to $1600-2200 if you're getting wheels and tires.
 
#23 ·
Get the V6 is you're going to get the automatic. The ZF is one of the best automatics in the industry. The only exception being, that you want to get a really good price. I guess, if you don't care about performance, do you really want to spend $3-4k more for a better transmission?

It's a terrific car and I don't see how anyone could complain with the 2.0T's performance. Might be the base engine, but it's as quick as a stock WRX, just is hindered in 0-60mph figures by having to shift 3 times.
Umm, what are you smoking? The 2.0T guys with full bolt-ons are just barely breaking into 13s, a 2010 WRX will do low to mid 13s stock. That's a huge difference. /derail.

He wants a AUTOMATIC.
Hey man, don't be so hard on the guy, it's not like he actually read the original post or anything! :fleshbox:
 
#12 ·
I'd say save the cash and go the 2.0 route.

You will see enough of a performance jump from a 98 Neon that you will be more than happy with that side of things.

And a big +1 on the nord grey colour!
 
#14 ·
Do you plan on keeping the neon for winter?

Cause as it was stated above, its RWD on wide tires. If you want to buy winter tires for it, people have done it and been just fine. But DD or not, its nice to put the car away for the winter to avoid driving RWD on snow IMO.

As for 2.0T or 3.8. I find it strange that you're after a sports car and not interested in performance. You may want to reevaulate your "wants" in this. Your choice of course, but I would think more into it before dumping money into a car and later saying to yourself "damn, this isn't what I wanted..."
 
#15 ·
The V6 has better auto and enough power to satisfy if you don't want moding or racing. I get about 23-26 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Granted where I live there is not a lot of traffic so my city mpg are pretty good.
 
#16 ·
I would say that the V6 is the way to go. Mainly cause the trans isnt a hyundai unit and it will have all the power that you will want. As far as mileage goes, the v6 gets way better. Ive gotten as high as 29mpg on the highway. I went to Houston and back, from edmonton alberta Canada (about 6000 miles) for less than $500.00!!!
 
#19 ·
yeah, that 32mpg must be on completely flat highway. In the rest of the world, where there are hills, it's not that efficient; 25.5mpg hwy average up here in NY
 
#22 · (Edited)
You obviously haven't been through Austin....

Edit: Now if I was in West Texas (Where it actually is flat), then I probably would have gotten 40-45 mpg, no lie.
 
#24 ·
I avoided this thread at first, since I assumed it would turn into a 2.0T vs 3.8 flame war like most others, :mad2: but since it hasn't, I'd like to ask another question:
How important are luxuries and techy features?

The 2.0 base is great if you just want a pretty car and you don't care about luxury, features, or performance.
2.0 R-Spec is a tuner car (track performance upgrades w/o track luxury upgrades) probably not for you
2.0 premium gives you a sunroof and some other crap... still no leather though

Moving on to the 3.8s
3.8 Base comes with leather seats (huge plus for me, not sure about you), more power is nice too.. Also the auto in the 3.8 is a 6 speed ZF (premium brand transmission) the 2.0s have a 5speed (generic trans)
3.8 Grand Touring (this is the model for people who want luxury, and basic performance (but not track performance). You get all the luxury, leather, heated seats, sunroof, navigation, bluetooth, etc, etc,. You don't get the track tuned suspension or the limited slip differential (which is useful in inclement weather f.y.i) but you get all the interior niceties.
3.8 Track for me is the only choice. It's the best of both worlds, luxury and performance. Probably not for you though.

In conclusion, if you like leather, and a little more power, consider the 3.8 base or GT. If you're fine with cloth, check out the 2.0. Really the best thing to do is go to Build Your Own Accent, Sonata, Elantra, Santa Fe, Genesis & More | Hyundai and click on the "compare trims" button near the top right, and look at what comes on each model and decide what is and isn't important to you.
 
#25 ·
Thanks everyone for the input. I think my goal will be to eventually go after a used 3.8 base. The fact that there is a better transmission, more power, and leather seating is worth seeking a good deal. If it isn't in the cards, a base 2.0T would be OK. I don't care for a sunroof, heated/power seats, or navigation. I guess my only concern would be winter driving. We do get snow here in PA but it really isn't that often. I'd say 90% of the days in the winter months is not a big concern for driving. I do not plan on having a secondary vehicle. Would putting winter tires on either base model really help? Is it enough to survive this cold cold world? haha
 
#28 ·
Contrary to popular belief on the forums you can survive a winter with the base all seasons. They're not GREAT but they'll get the job done. I didn't have too much of a problem and this is my first RWD car. We actually got a decent amount of snow this year in Cincinnati. You don't need to spend $1,000 or whatever for winter tires/wheels if you only get a few weeks of snow a year. You don't need the LSD either, it's just nice to have.
 
#26 · (Edited)
jheyne,

Perhaps you are missing what a lot of people are telling you.

I live in Pittsburgh, so I will say you are misinterpreting the winter situation. The base models do NOT come with a LSD. Only the track models do. Thus, if you're worried about winter driving, unless you want to aftermarket the rear end of the car, a track model is your best bet. If we have another winter like this past one (which only happens every 7-8 years), you would have been in some deep s**t. One rear tire spinning in snow is not fun.

If you're wanting a base model, plan on a second car or keeping a shovel in your trunk come winter.



Just sayin....my opinion...
 
#27 · (Edited)
Winter tires are definitely recommended. RWD (rear wheel drive) cars by nature are more squirrely in snow. People keep talking about an LSD (Limited Slip Differential). If you're unfamiliar with it, I'd read about it on Wikipedia or something. Basically with an LSD the car will transfer power from one rear tire to the other, if one starts to slip. Without it, if you lose traction on one of your rear tires it's just going to spin. You can have one installed aftermarket, but I would include that, along with a set of winter tires into your price calculation.

Also, good luck finding a used model. This car just came out about a year ago, so if you find a used model it probably won't be the spec or color you're looking for.

Honestly (and I mean no harm with this comment) I really don't know why you're looking at this car. RWD cars are meant for people looking for performance. It doesn't sound like you want that. It sound like you want a used, reliable car that will be good in the snow, and might offer leather interior or some other luxuries. If I were in your shoes I'd be looking at a Subaru Legacy or Outback Limited, both very nice AWD (all-wheel drive) cars, terrific in the snow. There is a wide selection of used models available, the Outback Limited comes in a sedan with very nice leather interior. Another option would be a used Audi A4, nice luxurious car, fairly quick, and you could find one that's a few years old as cheap (or cheaper) than a new Genesis Coupe. If your heart is set on a coupe, you might want to focus on the FWD (front wheel drive) competitors, since you're not into performance and you have to drive in snow.
 
#29 ·
Winter tires are definitely recommended. RWD (rear wheel drive) cars by nature are more squirrely in snow. People keep talking about an LSD (Limited Slip Differential). If you're unfamiliar with it, I'd read about it on Wikipedia or something. Basically with an LSD the car will transfer power from one rear tire to the other, if one starts to slip. Without it, if you lose traction on one of your rear tires it's just going to spin. You can have one installed aftermarket, but I would include that, along with a set of winter tires into your price calculation.
Won't having the LSD installed aftermarket void the powertrain warrenty?
 
#31 ·
My mom has been driving a RWD '00 Mustang in PA for the past 8 years and hasn't had any problems (no winter tires). I really don't think the snow is that big of a deal. I see RWD cars around here all the time. I think putting winter tires on there, without LSD, would be fine.

I'm definitely not getting a track. I'd have to get the 3.8 for Auto and I don't think the spoiler looks that great. More $ that doesn't seem worth it.

The reason I don't really care about performance is because I've never really experienced any. The only thing I've driven is a '98 Neon and the mustang a couple times. I'm sure once I had this car I would definitely appreciate it. I'm in my young 20s, single, and want a car that makes a statement. Not just another boring 4 door that everyone else has.
 
#33 ·
My mom has been driving a RWD '00 Mustang in PA for the past 8 years and hasn't had any problems (no winter tires). I really don't think the snow is that big of a deal. I see RWD cars around here all the time. I think putting winter tires on there, without LSD, would be fine.
Same here, I used to just pull up the e-brake if I was having traction issues.
 
#34 ·
im about to close the deal on a 3.8gt. i think the power will outweigh the handling because i have alot more opportunities to go fast straight then i do to corner at 50mph. i like hitting the gas and feeling something and im not modding at all so for basic every day i think the 3.8 will make you happier. i have an 08gt mustang now and it does not have lsd, truth is it handles very well and id assume the gen GT will handle similarly. so people make it seem like the GT is not a sports car cause it doesnt have lsd/stiffer suspension/tires but id imagine itll still without the track package outperform most regular street cars aside vettes, 370s, etc....just my opinion. nice to have features like leather, xenon, push start, etc....
 
#35 ·
3.8 if you're going automatic. I drove a 2.0T automatic, a 3.8 automatic, and both cars in manual and the automatic 2.0T was the worst one IMO.
 
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