The car most enthusiasts still sleep on

Originally Posted by RussianRocket

My heart was set on the Z for years, but I did not love it blindly.

Before I bought the Z, I cross shopped many cars - from domestic to imports and I gave the Gen 1 GenCoupe serious thought. At the time, I believe that the 3.8 Track Package was going for around 30k, which is definitely appealing when compared to a base Z since the Genesis came with nav, leather seats, sunroof, rear seats, a trunk, a relatively powerful engine, not bad looking (especially in black) and a very good warranty. But then the test drive came. The handling was ok, the power was decent - it didn't throw you back in the seat like the Z, but my biggest gripe was the gearbox. I think one magazine said it felt rubbery and I couldn't agree more. Ultimately the Gen 1 GenCoupe was an unrefined sports car, which is why I didn't bother buying it.

Like many people, my friends were dismissing all the positives of the car by saying it was just a Hyundai. I felt like that's not a good reason for discounting a car, but that's Hyundai brand recognition. Maybe Hyundai means cheap in Korean, but if it doesn't, that's what the general consensus is in the American market. I think that the Hyundai logo is what turns most people off because its like slapping a 99 cents tag on a premium product. If they rebadge the Gen Coupe with the Genesis logo, which is the first mod for most Gen Coupe owners, I feel like they can start to redefine what they stand for and appeal to a broader audience.

My Hyundai Experience:
Prior to the Z, I leased a Hyundai Tuscon Limited as my dd, which was perfect for what I needed it to do. It had plenty of room, handled well in the winter and was extremely reliable. The car virtually did not need any maintenance and never once hicupped, stalled or failed after 35k miles. After the lease expired, I returned the car back to the dealership. I personally did not mind owning the car, but I did not require an SUV. So based on my experience, I do not view Hyundai as cheap, but more as reliable.

One day Hyundai may be a serious contender in the affordable sports car market and maybe I'll own one in the distant future. I just don't like how the fascia's on Hyundai's all look alike (much like what Mistubishi did with the Evo X). Talk about having a hard time differentiating yourself from the cheaper, inferior models.