I drove both a base and a Track before I bought my 3.8 Track. Handling wise, they are two totally different cars. IMHO, if you are thinking of upgrading the suspension on the base, it might be wiser to buy aftermarket springs and stabilizer bars rather than buying the OEM Track suspension parts. Since any change to the suspension will probably void your warranty on the suspension components, going aftermarket would seem to make sense: you might get a higher quality product for less money than buying OEM components.

 

Thanks, I've thought of this, I want to know how much you think it's worth though (not what you think the dealership would charge) just based on feel and performance of each, how much better is the track setup?

As for the warrenty, I don't see that this would be an issue since it's a genuine Hyundai part and was made for this car..

 

If u decide to go that way I will have some oem track suspension parts for sale in the near future

 

I drove a 3.8 GT and ended up buying a Track. I can tell a huge difference in the handling and the stiffness of the Track. My wife thought the Track would be too harsh on the road but after driving it for three weeks I asked her and she said it was fine. For the $2000 difference in price including 19" wheels I thought it was a pretty good deal.

 

Value for money the Track package is a steal.

Torsen LSD
Stiffer front and rear suspension
Thicker front and rear sway bars
19" summer tires and wheels
Spoiler (eh...)

Overall, all those combined separately would cost more than $2000.

 

Not sure about the U.S versions line up, but in Canada you have to go to the GT (Track) to get the Brembos too, definitely a huge step up on the stock brakes...makes the GT (Track) package even more of a bargain.

 

I tried a 2.0T base and mine (2.0T GT) and the suspension is stiffer on GT.



And a strut bar in front.

The GT package on a 2.0T, in Canada, cost 6200$

Item in the package (Canada)

19'' wheels/tires
Brembo brakes
Sport suspension (with strut bar)
LSD
Sunroof
Black Leather/red cloth seat
Red armrest
better audio system

Forgot something?

The rear spoiler is a accessories in Canada

 

get some stance gr+ coils on the base model and you will be happy!

 

Lots of good posts above mine that say pretty much the same thing. But I'd like to say that (in the U.S.A.) the track package is well worth the price. I drove a V6 gran touring and it felt like a boat almost.. the body roll was ridiculous. then drove the 2.0T track and it was like night and day.

add on brembos
front HID headlights
a &^@%$! limited slip differential!
and bigger, wider wheels
etc, etc..

it's a no-brainer. I think your only problem will be FINDING a Track model. there is a reason why they are all sold.

 

I drove a V6 gran touring and it felt like a boat almost.. the body roll was ridiculous. then drove the 2.0T track and it was like night and day.

A boat? Come on, it cant be that bad...there was no body roll visible in the Motorweek test.

 

Here's what we anticipate from your typical person looking to upgrade the car for handling and go to the track.

they will change
springs
dampers
At a minimum the rear bar
Wheels
Strut bar (we've been working on a nice upgrade, even for the track edition folks)

yeah, there will be bushings and such, but those are the big three for handling. (brakes are for another thread).

SO - what you have left is brembos, LSD and good headlights as you'll be changing the others if you care about handling. The distinction here is if you feel those are worth it for the difference in cost.

 

Good point - keep in mind the HID's come on the Grand Touring as well.

 

With good quality aftermarket Coilovers going for ~$1000 I wouldn't pay any more than $700ish for the track suspension, not including installation.

 

Thank you, for being the ONLY person to answer my question.

 

About a month ago, I was talking to a well-known Genesis aftermarket retailer about both suspensions and he said there is minimal performance difference between the two. This is coming from someone who has dissected both cars and seen the parts side by side. I'm not trying to validate what they said, but it is certainly intriguing.

We really need someone to perform a test between the track and non-track models.

 

Considering he is an aftermarket seller, of course he's going to say that: he wants to sell his products. There is definitely a difference in spring rates and the size of the stabilizer bars between the base and the Track.

 

I say go for the track, like every1 else mentioned its 2k more than the premium and well worth it. Besides everything else you also get a wing, if its ur kinda thing, i think it looks alright. A better sound system and a way nice interior i believe. But your missin out on those nice mirrors with the blinkers on em.

 

Yeah the track package is great if you're not going to change everything out to begin with. That's just me though.

 

I've test driven both. It really is ganna be personal preference. I'm comming from an 08 Tiburon and E350 4matic sedan. I bought a GT Tiburon because I don't like to sacrifice ride comfort. Yeah the goodies on the SE were worth the money at the time, but what it comes down to is how you plan to drive this thing. Are you ganna take it on the track? Do you just like the occassional sprint and quick cornering? Do you plan to do any mods, or can you even afford it?

Bassically here's how I think of it. I like speed, I like taking sharp corners at high speeds for the thrill. But I could care less about the brakes. 12.6" rotors are fine for basic use so the Brembos while nice, I could care less about. To me it's more of a status symbol. And I personally don't like the look of either OEM stock rims so I wouldn't put that as a deciding factor either because I'll be replacing them. Both cars have a strut brace. The GT has backup sensors, LED side mirrors and a custom brown interior. And is 2,000$ less. But I believe invoice on the GT is lower then a 2,000$ difference in comparison to the Track.

People are over-reacting on the difference in suspensions imho. I've driven both and while the track is stiffer, it's not really by much and if you really want that big of a difference you should be focusing on aftermarket anyways. The track has less body roll but ride comfort is where I really noticed a difference. On a bumpy road every indentation will go up your spine in it. If it's your daily driver I personally think it'd be nuts to go with a track. (Hense the word - track). But if you do plan on seriously taking it to smooth roads to race, sure you can get the track. But in reality if you're ganna be that serious about it... Get a BASE 3.8 instead and just upgrade to better, more efficient after-market parts.

But in reality, I noticed only minor body roll in the GT when cornering hard.

 

i'm still kinda torn about this whole thing.....

i really want the brembo's (they have proved themselves to me) the limited slip is a good thing (although aftermarket ones will be better quaife being one of them) 19's i do like and with some spacers i think i would keep them...no sure.

but the suspension i would definetly want a full coilover set up...then the question comes in...ok when would i be able to afford them? or anything else for that matter...thats when you stick to the track and if you upgrade fine..but it not you STILL have a kick ass ride!

but i'm still undecided.

 

I like the track setup and the brakes are well worth the price alone. It could be a bit lower though and some Eibachs would take care of that fairly cheap.

The car needs better bushings though.