When I was in University, while all my friends were buying Camaro's, Cutlass Supreme 442's, Chevy Mailbu's and Ford Mustangs and Maverick's, my heart was stolen by the Jaguar-esque Datsun 240z.
The design was super sexy, sleek and more refined than the American muscle.
I LUSTED after that car.
2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
I would go miles out of my way to drive by the Datsun dealer hoping I could see one or drive one.
And it was a great car to drive.
It wasn't SUPER powerful like the Vette's or the Camaro's but in balance it felt like the better car, for all around driving.
And because of the driving position, it felt better compared to the sitting inside an Army bunker feeling you got in the driver and passenger seats of the Mustangs, Camaro's and Challengers.
To this day I HATE that super high dash in your face that makes you feel like you're looking through the peephole at a speakeasy.
And it turns out since then, the buying public has certainly voted with their wallets that the more Euro style driver position versus the traditional Pony car position.
The other thing that was great about the 240z was that it was priced right so it was attainable buy a large segment of buyers.
Kind of like a Corvette for the rest of us.
So as I got behind the wheel of the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe for the first time and looked around, I felt like I was going back in time to the days of the 240z.
But in the back of my mind I was snikering, this is a HYUNDAI...It's just going to be another one of those forgettable cars that were all show and no go.
BOY, was I WRONG!
The new Genesis Coupe is a car that is well executed in every single way from design to drive to interior to quality.
WHAT a great daily driver this car is!!!!
The 6 has great power with control, awesome brakes, phenomenal Infiniti stereo, and the feeling you could drive it in a cross country marathon and not be fatigued.
The drive reminded me a lot of the BMW 128i.
Especially in steering feel and suspension dynamics.
If you like BMW's you'll love the way this drives.
And it looks GREAT!
As I said, like a modern day 240z.
Now I know what you're going to say.
But you can buy a Z car today or an Infiniti G Coupe (which are great cars as well), so why would I choose the Hyundai?
Because a Z car configured right is 40 G's and has NO back seat!!!!
And the Infiniti even more!
And yes a BMW 3-Series Coupe is even more.
But that is the authentic item and just like a fine watch, you pay a premium for that.
So my advice to all the AutoSpies.com faithful...
If I was looking at the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger, I'd buy the Genesis Coupe.
The Camaro and Challenger are better looking but as I said earlier, I like the driving position of the GC, Z, G and 3 better, so I feel more comfortable driving that style of car and the GC is the better daily driver.
Plus it has a 10 year warranty and they will probably be in business then.
And if I was comparing the GC to a Z, G or 3 coupe my recommendation is two prong.
If you're the HAVE to have the authentic item kind of person, spend the extra money and get the 3.
But if you've been swooned by Nissan and Infiniti lately becuase of their bang for the buck factor against the BMW, drive right past those dealers and go directly to your Hyundai store and buy the Genesis Coupe.
You won't be sorry you saved all that money.
Yes, the Z and the G are a HAIR better but there is NO way they are worth 7-12k more than this awesome new soul/mojo stealer from Hyundai.
And did I mention that there is a 4-cylinder Genesis Coupe model that has LOTS of torque and is $22G's out the door!!!!
And the 4 with a manual tranny is FANTASTIC!
Nissan or Infiniti do not offer a 4 in their coupes.
Which makes the Hyundai more attainable to the masses like the original Z was.
Nissan and Infiniti you're on notice...they stole the soul and mojo of your original Z.
2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
2010 BMW Z4 Gallery
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