Originally Posted by smc733
Originally Posted by Nick1994
Nope, I wanted a car with more power, didn't get the V6 Genesis, I got the 420hp V8 model.
The far better financial decision would have been to keep the Sonata and drive the wheels off of it. Even if the engine blew, spending $3,000 on an engine is a lot cheaper than spending $20k on a replacement car.
But where's the fun in that?
V6 or V8 would be more fun and more power. The financial decision isn't always as clear cut as it sounds, depending on what you trade it for. In your case, a 2015 Genesis has already lost considerable value against MSRP, so you got a lot of car for the money.
On the side of keeping the Sonata, the absolute lowest cost would
probably be to throw in another junkyard Theta II (with god knows what condition/life left in it) and keep gambling. $3k is getting you a junkyard motor without any "fixes", so its unwise to assume that would get you another 100k miles. But if you pencil out the replacement cost on a similar class, lower mileage, slightly newer car that doesn't have the risk of a $3k expense hanging over it, the cost per mile isn't as different as it sounds. At 107k, you were a little closer toward the end of the depreciation curve, so you probably had less equity to lose by keeping it. $3k for an engine on a car worth $3k still leaves you with a car worth $3k. $3k toward a new car still gets you a newer car worth more money, with presumably lower mileage and more life, especially if you get a good deal. The higher mileage car will need more $ in repairs per year moving forward as well.
I do remember you posting a thread about the engine worries though, because someone linked you to my thread in yours. I'm less concerned about it being fun to drive, given my commute to work, but I just haven't been bothered to make a deal yet. Here's your thread:
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5293944/1
Originally Posted by Nick1994
Trying to figure out the gamble with my Sonata. I originally got a 2015 because at the time it was believed they weren't really affected with the defective engines. Well, sounds like they are, but possibly might not be to the extent of the 2011-2014 models.
Not sure if it's worth trading for something else, or if it's worth the gamble to replace the engine if it goes. I haven't asked my mechanic yet how much it is to put in a used low-mileage engine yet. Might be pretty reasonably priced.
I got the car for a great deal, and it's been really reliable since.
I need to get the recall done for the software flash for the knock sensor, which will give me warranty until 120k miles. That'll give me about 7 months to come up with a plan to either keep or replace.
I'm kind of leaning towards keeping it. If the engine were to blow, say at 150k miles, I could have a low mileage engine swapped in for $3,500 maybe? Then rinse and repeat and if that one blows too after another 100k miles (I don't see me keeping it that long) then call it a good run and move on.
You asked the same question I did, because Hyundai is so shady and indirect about the issue, no one knows. You seem to agree in that thread that much newer engines are failing too, and the whole thing is just a big gamble. In my case, I haven't had any replacements yet, but the car feels really tired/worn at 70k, and who feels like starting to put any money into other things for a car with this motor? Of course you got the classic BITOG responses in there to "just keep it" and claiming the engines aren't really problematic, it must be people not doing oil changes! Despite the evidence that has been demonstrated in courts sufficient enough for judges to award a settlement against Hyundai.
No matter what, a car that makes it to only 107k with threat of imminent death is not an excellent car. I have no doubt the Genesis will treat you better, though, the V8 powertrain seems to be reminiscent of the early 90s Lexus LS. I'd like to think Hyundai has learned their lesson, but after my wife's Elantra going to [censored] at 70k, and the same worries on the Theta II in this car, I'm giving Hyundai another generation (5-7 years for me) before even thinking to try again. I suspect they'll be one of the few big ICE players that successfully makes the jump to electric, where Korean engineering is stronger.
Sorry to hear yours felt worn at 70k.
At 107k miles, mine drove like brand new. No creaks or rattles, suspension was perfect, it drove smooth as silk. Very comfortable car. Even though the car wasn't worth a whole lot, I didn't pay much for it either. Either putting in low mile engines for $3k every couple years or buying a new crate motor for who knows how much, it would have been smarter financially. But I wanted something different.
I'm not expecting the Genesis to be as trouble free. Might be a solid V8 engine, but this thing has a ton of tech in it. But I knew that when I bought it.
I'll shed some tears later when something breaks. But that's ok.