It is an old adage to never buy a car in the first or second year of initial production. This would be especially true for the Gensis is new in so many ways.
I am very intriqued by the news so far and it really looks like a great car.
But, based on the suspension issues with my 2007 Azera, I'll wait to see what shows up when the professionals review it and do long term tests on it.
Azera is still a very good car and others more than most $50,000 luxury cars in the way of bells and whistles.

Ok I got to ask Carolina Bob, what happened to your suspension on your 07 Azera? I bought the 06 Limited with the ultimate package first year out and its been absolutely flawless! Actually I did have one if the little LED lights go out of the tail light. I had assumed each little light could be replaced..........wrong! It takes the whole tail light assy. Of course the warranty covered it but that is all I have had to do to it other than oil changes and tire rotation. I have also had a couple of the Sonata's first year after fairly extensive chnages and also they were trouble free. Back to the Azera, the first year out 2006 won an award from JD Powers I think it was for the most reliable full sized car. You know that would be quite an honor during any model year. But to so it the first year out of the starting blocks is a remarkable thing! To be honest I think Hyundai catches any thing of any importance that isn't right within months not years. And if any thing leaks through that is where their warranty is sure nice. I have to admit though your Azera would seem to be the exception to what I have just said.
There is another forum that has some interesting info that I found that you might be interested in. It is found at genesisowners.com.

Duaine

i agree is you have the time to wait i would. i have a 06 sonata, the 09
is so much nicer, i really love the interior. it even rides much better

the azeras had a tsb for their suspension problems
like the sonata very noisey aka klunky suspension over bad roads

Not to mention the Genesis has been in development for what like 5 years now, I think they caught most of the bugs. This isn't a domestic car!

My take......

The Genesis' fairly long 5 year development cycle (some of the spy shots/videos date back to 2004) should help ease some fears

As far as specifics go, here is what I've found during my research....


Pros:
-Proven Aisin Transmission (V6)
-Proven ZF Transmission (V8)
-Proven Sachs Amplitude Selective Damping suspension (used on certain German cars for years)
-Proven 3.8l Lambda V6 engine

Cons:
-Unknown durability/reliability of Tau V8 engine
-Unknown reliability of certain electronic components

If you are planning on getting either the V8 or a fully-loaded V6 model it might be prudent to wait it out another year or so. It's worth noting that the V6 models have been in production for approx. 6 months now in Korea, so that should be more of a safe bet IMO.

This post has been edited by jwaters943: Jun 16 2008, 12:02 PM

"To be honest I think Hyundai catches any thing of any importance that isn't right within months not years. And if any thing leaks through that is where their warranty is sure nice".

In the case of the Azera, you were lucky. Read the posts here and at Edmunds. There are many owners that returned to the dealers for shock replacements per the TSB to try and correct the lousy suspension and "clunk". Now, many are troubled by the mysterious headlight dimming.

Hyundai, and many of their US dealers have totally stonewalled these two issues.

Look on this site and Edmunds' Car Space-lot of complaints about Azera suspension. Had the struts/shocks replaced per TSB due to wallowing and noise. After about 2,000 miles, the wallowing returns. Only have 9,000 miles on the car and second set of struts are shot.
My concern over the Genesis is that the Azera was based on the Sonata, not an entirely new engine, transmission, suspension, etc.
Also, Consumer Reports has rated the 2007 Azera as a Used Car to Avoid based on reliability. 2007 can't be that much different than 2006 on reliability.
Regardless of how long they have been developing it, I will not believe they have it right until I read FIVE reviews by professionals of the 2011 version, including at least one long term report.
On the other hand, I may get a Genesis if they offer 2,000 off MSRP and give me RETAIL for my Azera.

This post has been edited by Carolina Bob: Jun 16 2008, 04:17 PM

Well I don't doubt Azera facts that you have come up with. What percent are you refering to compared the the total number built? I do know as I have said I have had no issues with my 2006 Limited with the ultimate package and have now got 17,300 miles on it. I also know that the 2006 Azera got an award from JD Power stating that it had the highest intial quality of any full sized car first year out. Also I think it was model year 2007 that hyundai came away with the 3rd highest overall quality ahead of both Toyota and Honda. They came in behind Porsche and Lexus.
Also I bought a 2000 Sonata after a significant model change. Also a 2002 Sonata after the next set of changes. Also a completlely re-styled Elantra in 2007 for my son. Yes there are some manufacturer's that I would not buy the first year out but Hyundai doesn't bother me. Been there done that way more than once. Now days they do so much computer simulations on design before even one car is built. Then after that they have so many test cars and just run the wheels off of them.
And also if Hyundai wasn't very confident of their quality they wouldn't back everything with such a great warranty. And grant it there are always some exceptions. Your dealers have alot to do with proper repairs as well. Yeah I wouldn't like it if I had suspension problems but I would at least know that it was covered under warranty. And even if it didn't quite solve the problem and I had to have it looked at again I have to compare that from where I came from. That being a 1998 Chevy Malibu-blown engine at 24,000 miles. Parts of it got rebuilt but they weren't sure they solved everything. They warranted the parts they put in for 1 year or 12,000 miles. The rest of the engine the originally 36,000 mile warranty was the end of coverage. They suggested I buy a $1400.00 extended warranty to protect myself. I said bull crap and bought a Hyundai with a real warranty. I had a 2005 Dodge Stratus- transmission went out after 21,000 miles. A Ford Taurus with major transaxle problems at 25,000 miles.
Sure there will be those that say well you didn't try Honda or Toyota and sure they may have been good choices but back then anyway, they were around $3000.00-$4000.00 more than Hyundai and not near the warranty. And another thing is you can thank Hyundai for showing the big three how important warranties are to the consumer. They all have better coverage than they use to although I don't know if they offer as good bumper to bumper coverage yet.
Finally if no one bought anything the first year out wouldn't that be a big help to everyone. Life is to short and you can live in fear your whole life. You guys can wait all you want to.......I don't have one concern and will soon be enjoying my new V-8 Genesis. And when they no doubt improve it down the road........well I'll trade for that one if I decide its worth it.

What percent are you refering to compared the the total number built? I do know as I have said I have had no issues with my 2006 Limited

Bully for you. Your "question" above about "total number" is a loaded question at best because only Hyundai knows. The last time I checked, the Korean Suits were still stonewalling that answer.

Back to Genesis.

The 4-corner 5-link suspension on the Genesis should be the bee's knees. The 4-link on the rear of the Azera seems to do the trick. My understanding was that the active suspension was NOT going to be brought to the U.S. The electronics in the Genesis are of little concern if they're covered under the 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.

I called the dealership in Raleigh and confirmed that Genesis has landed, but that they have not received their allotment yet; also confirmed that only the 3.8 is available, that the Tau will not be available until about September.

Cheerio :)

Correct, the adaptive "air" suspension is not coming to the U.S., at least not yet.

The standard Genesis suspension utilizes the ZF Sachs Amplitude-Selective Damping system (basically a fancy shock/strut assembly).

More on the ASD system, which for what it's worth, can also be found on the new MB C-Class:

http://www.zf.com/content/en/import/zf_kon...jsp?dbID=226759

This post has been edited by jwaters943: Jun 16 2008, 08:44 PM

Nifty... well, it'll be interesting to test-drive, if we can ever find one sitting on the lot.

there would not be TSB's offering free replacement parts and labor if there were not a significant number of complaints and Hyundai accepting them as valid.

Mr. Dean Sr.
That was certainly a well informed comment with many facts. I guess those that are here to bash Hyundai will do so no matter what.

First off, according to Consumer Reports the Azera from model year 2006-2008 is rated a best buy. Its easy to go on any free web site and pretend you own anything and bash the heck out of anything you want to. At Consumer Reports, which costs you to join, they send you a survey every year asking the makes, models, and year cars that you own. Its a pretty extensive survey about any problem area's covering pretty much every aspect of the car. They take all this data to build all available information on all the makes and models of cars.
There are 17 major area's that the reliablity history rates. The 2006 model year, which was the fisrt year out rated excellent in every area except the following... the electrical system was average, the suspension system had the second from the best marks which may indicate the suspension problems mentioned. The next catagories scored the second highest marks as well.....squeeks and rattles, body hardware, and audio system. It also said 83% of the owners would buy the car again. The highest rated car in this catagory rated 89% although I failed to find out what car that was?
The 2007 model had the same ratings except the following... It improved in the squeeks and rattles catagory to excellent. It did drop to the second to the best markings in minor engine and minor transmission catagories again reflecting perhaps the few transmission complaints that I saw some people list. The climate system rated average and so did power equipment. Again 83% of the owners would buy the car again. One reason it didn't score higher is because of a common complaint and it is also one of mine in being perfectly honest and that is fuel mileage. I have got 27 mpg highway but if you take a dip in and out of the city it can quickly drop to a 22 mpg average.
Now especially with the 2007 model year your going to say see look at all those problems. To put all that in context though compare that to alot of other makes and models of any price. You will see what I'm talking about.
As far as the 2008 model year there isn't enough data yet but they still rate it a best buy.
Now some of the people on this forum talked about Edmund's consumer comments so I will add a few stats of my own. Consumer's rated the 2008 model year a 9.6 out of 10 being perfect. The 2007 model year rated 9.3 and was voted as "Editor's Most Wanted". The 2006 model year also rated a 9.3.
Gee just imagine what they would have rated it had it not been for some of the suspension problems some people are complaining about.
I have already mentioned JD Powers awards so I won't mention that again. Finally being in the manufacturing industry building farm equipment the following tells alot. Build a great and reliable product and the consumer that buys it and is very happy with it will tell some of this closest friends how happy he is with it. But buy a product that has one problem that upsets a customer and he will complain to anyone who will listen.
Finally there are some, like my brother-n-law, who hates Hyundai not because of the product but because of their success and tremendous growth. Take a look at all the car company's in the last 10 years. I don't even need to get into that anymore than that.

Duaine, very good points all the way around. I also have a subscription to Consumers Reports and have seen the same data, as well as, the J.D. Powers Initial Quality. I have also read review after review of the 2006 Model Year and they have all been positive, save for the mention by some of the overly soft suspension.

Sometime ago I believe it was one of the Korean website, bobabedream, a Korean forum , it was said that the Azera's suspension was tuned more for smoother, less harsh Korean roads and should have been better tuned for road conditions here in the U.S.

For 2008, from the professional and consumer reviews that I have read, the suspension doesn't seem to be an issue.

Acronis,
Thank-you for your kind words. I am a very happy owner of my 2006 Azera. I try and just research things the best that I can as it sounds like you do as well. I'm sure you and I agree, like many people, that there are exceptions to every report out there. However you have to go by the law of averages. I do point out some of the cars weaknesses in being fair about things. The one thing about at least the 2006 Azera suspension, and I have failed to mention it, is that it had what many called the so called "Buick floating ride". Some people absolutely hate it but I don't have a problem with it. It was actually designed for the preference of the South Korean's. That is why we are seeing the two different setups for the Genesis.

Yes, every car has weaknesses, regardless of the brand. I remember only a few years ago, when owners of Toyota's V6 engine, fed up by the automakers foot dragging about repairing this major engine failure issue were forced to sue Toyota in a class action law suit which resulted in an eventual settlement by Toyota. My point is at least Hyundai took the necessary step to address owner concerns about the suspension issue.

Not to get too much more off topic, I don't think Toyota or Honda would be that responsive as they are megaliths here in the U.S. market and can afford to ignore owner complaints because they can rely on their "bullet proof" like above-reproach reputation.

I think the market reception for the Genesis has been very positive so far. Last I heard, they Hyundai dealers have pre-sold at least 1,000 units (this number may have changed) and Hyundai has had over 40,000 plus inquiries since the announcement of the launch on their website.

On a daily basis, I visit at least a dozen or more automotive sites on and have noted that the majority of comments have been quite complimentary on the car.

This I think, bodes well for the car.

Mr. Dean Sr.
That was certainly a well informed comment with many facts. I guess those that are here to bash Hyundai will do so no matter what.

The "facts" are:
(1) Hyundai TSB # 07-50-007, which has not corrected the problem.
(2) Owner complaints posted here and at other forums.
(3) Hyundai's arrogance / ignorance to the US market and their indifferent uniformed multi-brand US dealers.

(3) is the part I enjoy "bashing" the most.

Mr Dean Sr.
Ok I'm going to let this get back to the Genesis like its suppose to be. I can save us both alot of time here. I will make you happy and say that 100% of all Azera's are junk. The reviews out there from 99.5% of the owners that love the car doesn't mean anything. They are all wrong and completely crazy!All Hyundai products are junk. All dealerships are terrible. Since you are so negetive about Hyundai I would advise you to never even consider a Genesis in the first model year or better yet never. Since you refuse to look at the total picture I would also advise you to look for a make and model car that is 100% perfect in every way for every model year produced and certainly join that forum so that you have something positive to talk about. Good luck!

Mr. Duaine, what is YOUR position at Hyundai, Minister of Propaganda?

Give it a rest.

Back on topic to Genesis