lexuses350 - Jalopnik

posts about #lexuses350 more →
Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
Ten New Cars For People Who Hate Cars

Your version of Internet Explorer is not supported. Please upgrade to the most recent version in order to view comments.

Dsmvwl Admin Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×

jduffy13
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
I don't think Lexus needs to sweat this.

And BMW will laugh itself to sleep tonight.
Reply

jduffy13 was starred jduffy13 was unstarred

Miscellanea
01/06/09

@jduffy13: I think Lexus should sweat this. The Genesis has a better chance of upsetting their market stronghold over the "german engineered" stronghold. One has a rich deep automotive history. The other simply offers the same scale of luxury for less... not so much less anymore. Which is exactly where the Genesis slides into the foray. Traditional luxury car manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes might lose a sale or two to the Genesis, but the other Japanese luxury car makers will be hurt much more so unless they figure out a way to combat it. That would pretty much so require them to play the price war game. I doubt they can or would be willing to do that. Or they can up their offerings in terms of reliability, driving dynamics, and other differentiators. This too would kill their profit margins and prove too costly to separate from the parent company underpinnings.
Reply

Miscellanea was starred Miscellanea was unstarred

MushyHeirloom
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
All right, so it's a G8 with more luxury and less sport? Sounds reasonable to me. A shame it probably won't sell.
Reply

MushyHeirloom was starred MushyHeirloom was unstarred

Mad_Science
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
Wes, when you do a review, we'll need burnout pics.
Reply

Mad_Science was starred Mad_Science was unstarred

danio3834
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
Bleh. I never believed in CR and I'm not about to start now. I'll save judgement till I actually hoon one, but somehow I don't think it'll be my "Top Rated".
Reply

danio3834 was starred danio3834 was unstarred

simona
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
I maybe a be superficial...but when you tell people "i got a lexus ES350", no other explanation needed. If you tell people "i got a hyundai genesis, it a new model, etc", thats too much explanation. Anything that requires explanation to justify is not worth it.
Reply

simona was starred simona was unstarred

MushyHeirloom
01/05/09

@simona: If you tell someone "Hyundai Genesis", you may have to explain it, but they'll go "cool, a budget Mercedes". If you tell 'em you've got a "Lexus ES350", they'll nod and smile and wonder to themselves whether they'll be expected to change your adult diapers, and whether you can still feed yourself.

Seriously, Lexus is the Buick of Japan.
Reply

MushyHeirloom was starred MushyHeirloom was unstarred

Maymar
01/06/09

@FuzzyPlushroom: If someone told me they drove an ES350, I might go as far as guessing I didn't like them as a person on that tidbit alone.
Reply

Maymar was starred Maymar was unstarred

radiochief
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
I love the selective memories here.

The best thing Hyundai could is break off the Genesis and the Azera into a Genesis name plate.

Honda, Toyota and Nissan were known as good to great cars in the mid 80's, mostly for their reliability and gas mileage. Not for their style or class. And also because what America was putting out at that time.

None of the major automotive gave Honda a snowball's chance in hell catching up to the Germans with their Acura line. Nissan and Toyota still had it a little better several years later when Infinti and Lexus debuted in '89.

Hyundai now, is in the same place Honda was 20 years ago. They build cheap, reliable cars and are shooting for the moon. What's not to root for?

People who are frugal or like the idea of a different car company doing the luxury thing will be impressed. They'll get great up front value as long as these cars stay reliable and perform as well as the Japanese and German imports.

The people who state it won't hold it's value and will depreciate over time really should not buy cars as investments to begin with. If you have to worry about the depreciation value of a car before you buy it- especially on a luxury car; you really can't afford to own a luxury vehicle to begin with.
Reply

radiochief was starred radiochief was unstarred

tonyola
01/05/09

@radiochief:

Most people buy cars over time, remember? If you've been making payments on your car for three years and choose to sell it, then find out that its actual used or trade value is far less than the balance owed, you lose. It's not good financial sense, doesn't matter if you're rich or poor.
Reply

tonyola was starred tonyola was unstarred

MushyHeirloom
01/05/09

@tonyola: If you're not planning on keeping your car more than a few years, and don't drive enough to run your depreciation through the floor, then why not lease a new Hyundai? All the benefits, none of the trade-in fighting.
Reply

MushyHeirloom was starred MushyHeirloom was unstarred

WheatKing
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
I called it.. years ago.

Hyundai is the new toyota... toyota is the new GM.. GM is well.. is the death watch still tickin?

Toyota has become GM in the 80's.. big fat bloated, recalls are up, quality is down, bland is the order of the day.

Hyundai = Toyota in the 80's

Best is yet to come.
Reply

WheatKing was starred WheatKing was unstarred

Mad_Science
01/05/09

@WheatKing: Subaru of '08 = Toyota of '88.
Reply

Mad_Science was starred Mad_Science was unstarred

the lesser of two weevils
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
Just the other day I was wondering about the Genesis. For all its ballyhooed entrance into the market I've yet to see a single one outside a Hyundai dealership lot. Like the Kia Borrego, could it just be a failure in the mold of 'good product, bad timing?'

Since I really dont know the sales figures on it I guess I cant judge, but for all the new Sonatas, Accents, and Santa Fe's (heck, even new Veracruzes) I see driving around you'd think there'd be at least a Genesis or two.
Reply

Mad_Science
01/05/09

@Sarcasmic: I've seen like 3-4.

They blend in if you don't catch the Worf grille
Reply

Mad_Science was starred Mad_Science was unstarred

Maymar
01/06/09

@Sarcasmic: I drove past one in a parking lot tonight. On the first pass, I thought it was a BMW 5-series, it wasn't until going by again a second later I realized it was a Genesis, and I actually cared. And just saying that feels like something's wrong with me.
Reply

Maymar was starred Maymar was unstarred

tonyola
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
Not that I have love for the ES350, but the depreciation for the Hyundai will be like falling off a cliff. A 2009 Genesis will probably be a spectacular buy in 2011.
Reply

tonyola was starred tonyola was unstarred

Plecostomus [Tyrrell]
01/05/09

@tonyola: Lord, I know. In 3 years, one of those Lexus-badged Camrys will still be worth $25k whereas the Genesis might be worth 10-15.
Reply

Hello Mister Walrus
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
I believe the Genesis can top the rankings. Everything I read says it's a great car. The problem is, people don't buy luxury cars for purely objective reasons. You want to show people that you have $$$ to throw around. It's like buying an Armani suit or Rolex. Despite any great engineering, the Genesis is still a Hyundai; it does not give you the equivalent prestige of other brands - at least not in the near future.

So the results are arguable. If your criteria are objective things like acceleration, comfort, spaciousness, etc., then yes, Consumer Reports is plausible. If the objective is to describe the true purpose of luxury cars, then I would pick a model from a more established brand. We can't help it if people are brand-conscious.
Reply

not_a_virus.exe.vbs
01/06/09

@Hello Mister Walrus: If that were true than Lexus would not have been listed. Lexus' whole business plan is to be like BMW and Mercedes quality for less.
Reply

DoctorNine
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
Well, I guess the G8 GXP isn't comparable, as it is manual. But it IS in the price range. I would have to call that MY favorite out of the lot. I can't fathom why anyone would buy an MKS, unless they just like the cockpit, which IS a quite nice place to be. My next favorite would have to be the Hyundai, believe it or not. @FLB: you note "..10 year-old Hondas are common and generally still look pretty decent for their age. 10 year-old Hyundais, on the other hand..." I agree, but then that's really a measure of the quality of the marques ten years ago. The engineering I am seeing these days from Hyundai is masterful, and reminds me of the innovation I was used to seeing out of Honda 15-20 years ago.
Reply

DoctorNine was starred DoctorNine was unstarred

Deartháir II
01/05/09

@DoctorNine: I hate to say it, but I really found the Lincoln interiors to be very pleasant places to be. And... I may have to turn in my Jalopnik membership card for this... but having driven a new Navigator, I can actually see the appeal. Yes, it's huge, bulky and unwieldy, but man, talk about luxurious. Very nice leathers, SO much space, a wonderful ride...

A Lincoln is not going to be a BMW sport sedan anytime soon, but they are very nice, comfortable cars. For anyone looking for a luxurious commute from home to the office, with no performance pretensions at all, they are the epitome of old American luxury. And while I didn't notice the engine-noise problems they speak of, that could just be due to the fact that I actually LIKE to hear the sound of my car.

Man, I feel dirty after typing all that.
Reply

Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred

DoctorNine
01/06/09

@Deartháir: a Cruder, Fart-Joke Version of graverobber: Yeah, that's what I thought too. Gotta give credit where it is due though. Lincoln is doing pretty good with interiors. Now if they could just get some package design on that exterior...
Reply

DoctorNine was starred DoctorNine was unstarred

Jim-Bob
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
At least the Hyundai has rear wheel drive. Most of the others (The Camry, The Taurus, etc.) were FWD. However, I would not buy a Hyundai after reading their warranty. I was shopping for a new cheap small car to use for pizza delivery a few months ago (Accent) and the warranty expressly prohibits you for using the car for delivery, plus the interior is like a Rubbermaid bin. I wound up staying with my old car as it only had 300,000 miles at the time and has a few more left in it. I was glad I did as the only new Accent used to deliver at my store never seems to want to start (about 10 seconds of cranking), while my Frontier starts in about a second. Plus, Hyundai is not the bargain it once was as for the money you spend on an Accent you could buy a comparably equipped Versa or Yaris. I can't imagine their large luxury car is any better a value than their small car.
Reply

Jim-Bob was starred Jim-Bob was unstarred

Landau_Calrissian loves our President Camacho.
01/05/09

@Jim-Bob: I looked at Yarii hatchbacks before I bought my Matrix, and the quality was pretty stunning for such a cheap car.
Reply

MushyHeirloom
01/05/09

@Landau_Calrissian: And the Versa/Fit are even better! How?!
Reply

MushyHeirloom was starred MushyHeirloom was unstarred

Smells_Homeless
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
Despite this bit of good press (and I don't have any reason to disbelieve it,) Hyundai seems to be a bit desperate. Between the steroidal warranty (albeit similar to GM and Chrysler's,) the "Buy one and if you can't pay for it, we'll forget it ever happened. It's between friends" guarantee, and the every-two-seconds ad campaign on every football game recently they seem to be screeching awfully loud. Now, maybe that's what it will take to drag buyers to the showroom, but it's all a bit "Hail Mary" to me.
Reply

Smells_Homeless was starred Smells_Homeless was unstarred

Mad_Science
01/05/09

@Smells_Homeless: Either that, or they understand that when you have a decent product, it takes advertising to get people in your showrooms.

The Big 3 have repeatedly screwed this up.

Many a great new product has starved suckling at the withered teat of a hamstrung advertising budget.
Reply

Mad_Science was starred Mad_Science was unstarred

MushyHeirloom
01/05/09

@Mad_Science: AstraG8Malibu.

Sorry, what?
Reply

MushyHeirloom was starred MushyHeirloom was unstarred

Deartháir II
01/05/09

@FuzzyPlushroom: Bingo. Three fantastic cars that the universe outside of Jalopnik has never heard of.
Reply

Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred

Clive Hanuschak
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
Since this is a Jalopnik article, shouldn't there be accompanying pictures of the men/women who drive this kind of car and the men/women who are attracted to them? Don't disappoint us now, Jalopnik...
Reply

Clive Hanuschak was starred Clive Hanuschak was unstarred

Deartháir II
01/05/09

@Clive Hanuschak: Are you STILL going on about that? Let it go, man, let it go.
Reply

Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred

something_unique_and_descriptive
01/05/09

@Clive Hanuschak: No need for pictures, just go to any middle-class mall where the people aspire to be upper-middle-class (so basically any middle-class mall) and look at anyone... now imagine them in tweed, that's going to be who drives / is attracted to this car.
Reply

damnelantra™
01/05/09

In reply to Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350
so what did these fellas think about the vw phaeton
Reply

damnelantra™ was starred damnelantra™ was unstarred

Deartháir II
01/05/09

@damnelantra™: That's a good question, actually... although currently moot, until VW re-releases it (is that next year?). Would be far more illuminating about CR than about the Phaeton, however.
Reply

Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred

Earlier discussions Other discussions Show all discussions Show featured discussions only Start a new discussion

#lexuses350

Jalopnik

SUBSCRIBE TO Jalopnik

Consumer Reports: Hyundai Genesis New Top-Rated Upscale Sedan, Bests Lexus ES 350

Ten New Cars For People Who Hate Cars

Login

Reset Password

Register

Submit Your Comment