Talk me out of (or in to) buying a Genesis Electrified G80
Discussion
I realise I'm unlikely to find anyone who actually has one of these (see below for hilarious sales data), but I'm hoping to pick your collective brains on the idea of buying a very left-field car and on how to negotiate a price in a market that as far as I can tell has almost no sales history.
I'll start with a bit of background info: I've got a budget of 25-35k to replace my aging EV with a car that will last me from now to the first few years of retirement. I'm not looking at PCP/leasing, and I'm not scared of depreciation as I intend to run it into the ground. I hate SUVs, enjoy luxury gadgets and have a wallbox with cheap solar electricity.
So far I've test driven:
Mercedes EQE - I expected to love this, but just didn't. Annoying haptics, information overload, interior trying too hard. It does a lot of things right, but I just don't want to own one after trying it.
Porsche Taycan - A bit of a stretch to afford even a high milage one, but do-able. Finished the test drive hugely impressed, but it's a fortune to insure and to service, and I've read enough battery failure horror stories to wonder if I'd ever relax with one on my driveway.
MG Cyberster - Ok, this was a bit of a 'mid-life crisis' curve-ball, but why not? Well, now I know why not, it's because I literally do not fit in it. Even with the seat all the way down my head was squished against the roof. Oh well, no gull-wing doors for me without a lottery win.
Genesis Electrified G80 - In the words of one YouTube reviewer "the ultimate grandad car". Immensely relaxing, stupidly luxurious (I test drove a car where someone looked at the options list and just said 'Yes'), has every feature on my wishlist and I'm in the minority of people who actually really like the slightly American-muscle car, halfway between timeless and outdated styling. It has it's flaws (very disappointing boot and rear passenger space for a 5m barge because it's a retro-fitted EV rather than a clean sheet design so a bit compromised and some reviewers found the headroom a problem, but I didn't), which is why nobody bought it.
Am I stupid to consider handing over a big stack of cash for a car that nobody (except me) wants, or have I found a future rare-groove classic at a bargain price?
Genesis seem pretty committed to building a reputation, and a brand that's trying to 'do a Lexus' ought to have built something fairly bombproof as a halo car, so I'm expecting comparatively low maintenance costs, especially compared to the Taycan. Insurance costs are so low I thought they were a typo (I don't think I've ever seen a quote that's lower than the horsepower figure before) and I don't mind the disappointing boot space as it's still bigger than my current car.
If I do buy one, what should I be paying?
It's no secret that Genesis couldn't shift these at the £76k full price, according to HowManyLeft there are 65 of them registered in the UK since 2022, and a glance at Autotrader shows 19 of those are currently depreciating like hell on dealer forecourts. Genesis replaced the G80 with a newer long-wheelbase design (that I don't like) about a year ago, so there are bargains to be had. 7 delivery milage 'zero owner' 2026 cars are bein advertised for a smidge over £40k, and they are not moving at that price. Neither are '22 cars with about 1k miles on the clock (ex demonstrators, i guess?) at £33k, even if they are fully loaded with £18k of options (and heated, cooled, 18-way-adjustable massage seats are just what my lower back craves).
I've been watching prices on Autotrader for a while, and as far as I can tell only one has sold in recent months - a fully loaded '22 car that went for £29,995. I'm in no hurry to buy, but I'm guessing that one dealer who has 11 of them each dropping about £1k a month in asking price might be in a hurry to sell. Any tips on negotiating would be appreciated.
I'll start with a bit of background info: I've got a budget of 25-35k to replace my aging EV with a car that will last me from now to the first few years of retirement. I'm not looking at PCP/leasing, and I'm not scared of depreciation as I intend to run it into the ground. I hate SUVs, enjoy luxury gadgets and have a wallbox with cheap solar electricity.
So far I've test driven:
Mercedes EQE - I expected to love this, but just didn't. Annoying haptics, information overload, interior trying too hard. It does a lot of things right, but I just don't want to own one after trying it.
Porsche Taycan - A bit of a stretch to afford even a high milage one, but do-able. Finished the test drive hugely impressed, but it's a fortune to insure and to service, and I've read enough battery failure horror stories to wonder if I'd ever relax with one on my driveway.
MG Cyberster - Ok, this was a bit of a 'mid-life crisis' curve-ball, but why not? Well, now I know why not, it's because I literally do not fit in it. Even with the seat all the way down my head was squished against the roof. Oh well, no gull-wing doors for me without a lottery win.
Genesis Electrified G80 - In the words of one YouTube reviewer "the ultimate grandad car". Immensely relaxing, stupidly luxurious (I test drove a car where someone looked at the options list and just said 'Yes'), has every feature on my wishlist and I'm in the minority of people who actually really like the slightly American-muscle car, halfway between timeless and outdated styling. It has it's flaws (very disappointing boot and rear passenger space for a 5m barge because it's a retro-fitted EV rather than a clean sheet design so a bit compromised and some reviewers found the headroom a problem, but I didn't), which is why nobody bought it.
Am I stupid to consider handing over a big stack of cash for a car that nobody (except me) wants, or have I found a future rare-groove classic at a bargain price?
Genesis seem pretty committed to building a reputation, and a brand that's trying to 'do a Lexus' ought to have built something fairly bombproof as a halo car, so I'm expecting comparatively low maintenance costs, especially compared to the Taycan. Insurance costs are so low I thought they were a typo (I don't think I've ever seen a quote that's lower than the horsepower figure before) and I don't mind the disappointing boot space as it's still bigger than my current car.
If I do buy one, what should I be paying?
It's no secret that Genesis couldn't shift these at the £76k full price, according to HowManyLeft there are 65 of them registered in the UK since 2022, and a glance at Autotrader shows 19 of those are currently depreciating like hell on dealer forecourts. Genesis replaced the G80 with a newer long-wheelbase design (that I don't like) about a year ago, so there are bargains to be had. 7 delivery milage 'zero owner' 2026 cars are bein advertised for a smidge over £40k, and they are not moving at that price. Neither are '22 cars with about 1k miles on the clock (ex demonstrators, i guess?) at £33k, even if they are fully loaded with £18k of options (and heated, cooled, 18-way-adjustable massage seats are just what my lower back craves).
I've been watching prices on Autotrader for a while, and as far as I can tell only one has sold in recent months - a fully loaded '22 car that went for £29,995. I'm in no hurry to buy, but I'm guessing that one dealer who has 11 of them each dropping about £1k a month in asking price might be in a hurry to sell. Any tips on negotiating would be appreciated.
Edited by Grant Urismo on Wednesday 1st July 20:52
Edited by Grant Urismo on Wednesday 1st July 21:00
I remember looking at the GV70 and reading that servicing was included for five years, including pick up and drop off, so that will keep running costs under control.
https://www.genesis.com/content/dam/genesis-web-eu...
They had a fleet running as golf taxi's taking people between Edinburgh and the Open which might explain the quantity of low miler ex-head office cars.
Fundamentally, the audience for luxo barges are either badge snobs who can go electric to have an EQS on the drive through the LTD, or old, pension rich retired people who are (by and large) distrusting of EVs because they grew up wanting to hear an engine go at full chat, and now they have the means to do so won't be tempted by an electric motor despite the thrust. This means the bargains are very real for the tiny minority who don't care about either and just want to waft around for 3p a mile.
https://www.genesis.com/content/dam/genesis-web-eu...
They had a fleet running as golf taxi's taking people between Edinburgh and the Open which might explain the quantity of low miler ex-head office cars.
Fundamentally, the audience for luxo barges are either badge snobs who can go electric to have an EQS on the drive through the LTD, or old, pension rich retired people who are (by and large) distrusting of EVs because they grew up wanting to hear an engine go at full chat, and now they have the means to do so won't be tempted by an electric motor despite the thrust. This means the bargains are very real for the tiny minority who don't care about either and just want to waft around for 3p a mile.
Edited by codenamecueball on Wednesday 1st July 21:45
I think they are fantastic. The brand has smashed the styling of their larger vehicles, I think the GV80, I think its called, is the best looking SUV on sale just now and it looks very classy to my eyes. If you dont care about badges, and why should you, or depreciation, I'd definitely nosey about those dealers and try some low ball offers.
I have a similar infatuation with the older Hyundai Genesis barge, c/w big petrol engine and £800 tax or whatever they charge. It just looks like a brilliant big boat to schmooze around in...and more my end of the market...
I have a similar infatuation with the older Hyundai Genesis barge, c/w big petrol engine and £800 tax or whatever they charge. It just looks like a brilliant big boat to schmooze around in...and more my end of the market...
Great cars I've driven a few of their petrol G80's & they're a great place to be.
I say go for it.
Negotiation wise go & actually view the car, show that your interest is genuine.
Give them your number that you'd be happy buying at (I'd say nearer to
30k for something like the car below) if they can't/won't get there just leave but give them your number & email.
You'll hear from them with different offers & when they get one that's close & you're happy with then make the deal.
You won't regret, yes they're niche but they're bloody lovely inside (better than Lexus imo) a lighter interior really complements them & shows the quality better.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603271...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603271...
I say go for it.
Negotiation wise go & actually view the car, show that your interest is genuine.
Give them your number that you'd be happy buying at (I'd say nearer to
30k for something like the car below) if they can't/won't get there just leave but give them your number & email.
You'll hear from them with different offers & when they get one that's close & you're happy with then make the deal.
You won't regret, yes they're niche but they're bloody lovely inside (better than Lexus imo) a lighter interior really complements them & shows the quality better.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603271...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603271...
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Thursday 2nd July 09:00
I drove one recently at the SMMT test day.
My notes were:
The perfect car for a retired Floridian. Enormous, gilded in chrome and very elegant. Whisper quite inside even at 100mph. Hugely relaxing to drive and feels like the modern incarnation of a land yacht with back seats that would make a private jet owner jealous. 4 wheel steering makes it easy to manoeuvre and all the cameras mean you won’t back into your neighbours mailbox or grandchildren.
My notes were:
The perfect car for a retired Floridian. Enormous, gilded in chrome and very elegant. Whisper quite inside even at 100mph. Hugely relaxing to drive and feels like the modern incarnation of a land yacht with back seats that would make a private jet owner jealous. 4 wheel steering makes it easy to manoeuvre and all the cameras mean you won’t back into your neighbours mailbox or grandchildren.
Thanks everyone, although you're not doing a great job of talking me out of it
RandomCarChat's picture is the new longer wheelbase facelift version. I'm envious of the rear wheel steering (not available as a UK option pre-facelift - I think US 5.0 V8s could option it though) and the new alloy design, but not so much the added chrome. They seem to be repositioning the G80 as an affordable way to be chauffeur driven or as an affordable choice for high-end ride sharing drivers rather than as a consumer vehicle.
In other markets there's an even huger G90!
RandomCarChat's picture is the new longer wheelbase facelift version. I'm envious of the rear wheel steering (not available as a UK option pre-facelift - I think US 5.0 V8s could option it though) and the new alloy design, but not so much the added chrome. They seem to be repositioning the G80 as an affordable way to be chauffeur driven or as an affordable choice for high-end ride sharing drivers rather than as a consumer vehicle.
In other markets there's an even huger G90!
Just buy one!
It would be interesting to ask the dealers to have an honest conversation about whether they prefer finance, cash etc. I suspect that meeting the sales target for finance and number of units sold is more important than the actual £ figures. So they may offer you 5 years at 0%.
We looked at a GV70 2.5T earlier in the year and I was very impressed, it was lovely to drive. I fact it was a much better drive than the Lexus RX450h.
It would be interesting to ask the dealers to have an honest conversation about whether they prefer finance, cash etc. I suspect that meeting the sales target for finance and number of units sold is more important than the actual £ figures. So they may offer you 5 years at 0%.
We looked at a GV70 2.5T earlier in the year and I was very impressed, it was lovely to drive. I fact it was a much better drive than the Lexus RX450h.
Edited by Matt_T on Thursday 2nd July 12:12
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