ack_bak

Was all set to trade in my 2006 Mazda 3i (2.0L) for something with a little more power. I was really targeting a brand new Mazda Speed3 since I have owned a ton of Mazda's and found them to be fun cars, and very reliable.

So max budget was $24K firm before TTL. I also wanted to drive the Ford Fusion V6, Ford Focus SE Hatchback, Toyota Camry SE V6, Honda Civic SI, Honda Accord V6. I had a horrible experience with a VR6 Jetta, so VW was off the list even though I like the GTI. I used to own a Nissan Altima 3.5SE, but have driven an Altima 3.6SR and did not like the CVT transmission. It was lifeless for me. So that ruled out Nissan since the V6 coupe with manual was over budget.

Then a funny thing happened. I had never owned a Hyundai but had been impressed with the Sonata and the Elantra. Have several friends who have bought Hyundai cars over the last five years and they loved them and had a great experience. I stumbled across some reviews of the new 2013 Genesis Coupe and they seemed very positive. Searched the web and found a 2013 Genesis Coupe 2.0T with a 6 speed manual in my budget..

So I called up the dealer and scheduled an appointment to make a test drive. Big mistake I loved the car the minute I drove it off the lot. I know some people complain about the front end styling, I don't love it, but I don't hate it, and I really like the side and rear profiles. But the inside of the car is very nice. Nice materials and fit/finish. For the price, I was expecting lots of cheaper plastic. I liked the layout of the gauges, and the seats were very comfortable. As for the ride? I really liked the handling, and while the Genesis Coupe had a sporty feel to it, it also felt more upscale. Road noise was not bad at all. I like turbo engines, and the car had much more power than my Mazda 3 iTouring that I drove for 6 years. My only complaint was the 6 speed manual was not as smooth as I would have liked. But, as I drove the car, I got used to the feel of the clutch and the shifter. My salesman was excellent and took me out on some fun windy roads where I could open it up. We went out for about 40 minutes total and he was having as much fun as I was.. He also knew the car inside and out down to the minute details. I really wanted to buy it then and there, but owed it to myself to drive more cars and I was concerned about buying a coupe, and RWD in Minnesota. I have 3 young kids (6, 4, and 1) but we have a Honda Odyssey, so while I preferred a sedan, a coupe was not out of the question.

So off to Honda, Toyota, Ford, Mazda, etc. Ruled both Ford cars out very fast. Ruled out the Toyota Camry SE V6 very fast. Ruled out Honda (it is too bad that Honda seems to be so conservative now).. Off the Mazda where I still suspected I would buy a Mazda 3Speed. I took it out, once again, another great salesman who knew his cars. The Speed3 is very fast. Faster than the Genesis 2.0T in the 0-30mph range it seems. But a very different type of fast since it is front wheel drive. The Mazda handled well, but I thought the interior was lower quality than the Genesis Coupe. The fit and finish was not on par, and the seats, for me, were not as comfortable. I did like the shifter response more vs the Hyundai, but I did not like the gas mileage as much, or the fact that you have to use premium fuel vs being able to run regular (if you want to) with the Hyundai. Difference in MPG at the pump was going to be 3-4mpg easy, and potentially another 20 cents a gallon more. But you don't buy either of these cars if fuel efficiency is your number one priority.

I really thought about it, and decided, at age 40, I just felt too old for the Speed3. Nothing against people who buy them, but I really felt like it was aimed at a younger demographic. And I really enjoyed the Genesis cockpit more and the overall experience. I also test drove the new Skyactiv engine in a hatchback and with a $20-21K sticker, the car honestly drove and felt about $10K cheaper than the Hyundai. The Hyundai seemed like a steal for $23K.

Back to the Hyundai dealer and my salesman told me to take it home for the evening and bring it back in the afternoon the next day. He knew I was struggling with the decision to buy a coupe. So I put down a refundable deposit, they gave me a full tank and I took it home. The wife and kids really liked it. My neighbor came over and, no joke after he looked over the car and sat in it said "this is really a Hyundai??" (he is a Honda guy)...

I was ready to buy.. And then I overanalyzed the whole thing way too much and panicked the next day. I went back to the dealer and asked to test drive a Sonata turbo.. All they had was a Limited turbo (no SE models on the lot with turbo) and I hated the electronic steering. Way to nunb and lifeless. Zero feedback from the road it seemed until you got to higher speeds. The salesman knew it too, and he told me just to be 100% certain that they had located an SE turbo about 10 miles away and were going to get it so I could drive it. Well, I drove it and liked it much better than the Limited.. But not as much as the Genesis Coupe. But I decided that a coupe was less practical and I bought the Sonata SE turbo. Drove it for 6 days and it nagged at me every time I got behind the wheel. It is really a nice car, but it was not the Genesis Coupe. Steering was still numb it seemed, and I really missed the manual transmission and the feel of the Genesis cockpit. So I called my salesman and he told me, no problem. Bring it back and we will redo the paperwork and put you in the car you wanted the whole time (and he knew it too, because he really questioned me when I told him I wanted the Sonata SE 2.0T)..

Awesome dealer and salesman. So now I am the proud owner of a 2013 Genesis Coupe (2.0T). Gran Perimo Grey.. Love the car. Have zero regrets now and hauled the two oldest kids to karate tonight with no issues. By the time my kids are tall enough, it will be time for a new car anyway...

This car kicks butt... I really love it, and it is the car for me. Very impressed with Hyundai, from the car to the dealer....

Wahoo!!!

ack_bak

Sorry for the long story!

TooManyWheels

Congrats on the new car. Now like any good story, we need pics!

bambari

Good write-up, thanks for sharing! I really feel like the GC is a great value and a real gem..

Thanks for comparing the other models you considered.. I'm with you on the Hondas; I tested an Accord V6 and it was the most vanilla, life-less car I have driven.. I know they have good build quality, but they need to put some "color" into their cars!

Enjoy!

Sent from my MB865 using AutoGuide.Com Free App

flacoupe2.0T

welcome to the forum!!!! i have a 2011 2.0T coupe. i'll never drive anything else again. hyundai rocks!!!

Ponyboy3GT

Wow, great experience! Do you mind me asking what city and dealer you bought from?
I had a perfect experience dealing with Dan Anis at Myers Hyundai in Bells Corners (Ottawa's west end)and would recommend Dan to anyone looking at a Hyundai product.

I liked the details about the decision making process because it helps put my decision in a context or frame of reference to compare to.

The whole process sounded a bit like mine...I was all set to buy another Mazda3 GT. I prefer smaller cars and bought my 3GT new back in Dec 03. I got one of the very first ones and have never regretted it. I took a buddy to see the Gen coupe and he loved the car and made the decision and still loves his Lime Rock Coupe.

I am an overanalyzer too so I flipped back and forth between the logical smart, safe purchase of a 2012 Mazda3 GT Sport or the fun and self indulgence of a 2013 2.0 Gen coupe.

I ordered a 2013 2.0T Premium 6MT Catalunya w black leather.

The Gen cost $2500 more down and $50 a month more but it's a lot more car than even the Mazdaspeed IMO. My order should be coming in within 2-3 weeks.

13_gc_pb

Wow, you REALLY bought the car at the right dealership, what they did to get your sale was amazing. Traded for a car, sold it to you, took it back days later, and sold you another... Now thats service...

BrandonGS

Welcome to the forum!

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ack_bak

Yes, I was really surprised with the Civic SI. The car just had no soul.

ack_bak

I am not too far from Canada. I am just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The dealer here (Morries Hyundai) was the best dealer I have ever been to, and their price on the car was better than any price I could get online. They were also the only local dealer with a manual base 2.0T which is what I budgeted for.

Honestly, I don't think you will have any regrets vs buying a Mazda 3. The Genesis Coupe looks and feels like a car that costs $10k more. And I am a big Mazda fan, but I honestly was turned off by all the cheaper materials they used the interior, and the steering wheel has like 20 buttons on it. I actually preferred my 2006 layout, and the materials seemed nicer to me. But there is no question that the Mazda Speed3 is a blast to drive, and a good value.

Congrats on your soon to be new car . I bet the wait is killing you.

N2OInferno

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like the dealership treated you well. If only they were all like that.

I definitely would've gone with the Speed3 versus the older 2.0, but the new one would be quite the toss up. I still have yet to drive a new one.

__________________
- "If you are flammable and have legs, then you are never blocking a fire exit. You can write that down and put a dash in front of it, and put my name at the bottom."
Mitch Hedberg

Medsport

Cool story! Did you say you paid about 23k? If so that's an awesome deal as most places are asking 25-26 for a base even. What service did you use if I may ask? I'm gonna try a truecar dealership and see if I can get one for a bit under 25k. I was about to get a base 2012 Mustang GT, but I waited too long trying to sell my leased car and such and now there are no base manuals left in the area left. The closest one looks to be in Texas. There are a couple auto's but those are a little more and not the color I wanted. I know I could still get a 2013 V6 with a couple options, but no hurry as you can order them. Might as well check the new Genesis Coupe out first though.

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2013 Becketts Black 2.0T base auto.

Bob Senec

Welcome to the forum and have nice days with your baby!

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Bob

Tsukuba Red 2.0T A/T

eggo

Awesome!

ack_bak

I paid $23,724 before tax, tag, and license. That price included a $500 competitor rebate. The dealer was very aggressive, they move a lot of volume and seem to price their cars aggressively. The problem I found was there were very few dealers with base 2013 models with a manual transmission.

I would definitely give the 2013 Genesis Coupe a good long test drive before you buy a Mustnang. Find some windy, curvy, roads too.. The Mustang is a lot of car for the money, but they are a dime a dozen. I love that you just don't see as many Genesis coupes out there. I also prefer the Genesis interior and fit and finish.

ack_bak

The Speed3 is a rocket. No question. I enjoyed both cars, but the Genesis, to me, felt more refined.

N2OInferno

As surprising as this is, I see more Genesis Coupes than I do new Mustangs. Of course I see old Mustangs, but it's hard to miss a car that's been around for almost 50 years.

__________________
- "If you are flammable and have legs, then you are never blocking a fire exit. You can write that down and put a dash in front of it, and put my name at the bottom."
Mitch Hedberg

Subversion

It all depends on where you are. OP is in Minnesota. I took my car on a road trip to see my parents out there last year, and that was the only one they had ever seen, and my dad gets around the twin cities ALOT. Btw op, congrats on the purchase!


Sent from my DROIDX

ack_bak

For the record, I had never seen a Genesis Coupe at all before here in the Twin Cities. But it could be that I was not really looking. Tons of BMW's out here, along with Acura.

Ironically, I was dropping something off at a friends house today, and his neighbor was washing a black GC coupe in his driveway. We exchanged a quick wave.

I see lots of Mustangs, but rarely see a Camaro.

N2OInferno

Well, of course. When I lived in Greenwood I didn't see a single one. I still haven't to this day when I go down there for work. But they're all over the Greenville area. Haven't seen a new one yet, but as far as I'm aware the dealership here has only gotten two in, and they're both still sitting on the lot.

__________________
- "If you are flammable and have legs, then you are never blocking a fire exit. You can write that down and put a dash in front of it, and put my name at the bottom."
Mitch Hedberg