Hyundai Equus Hard to Buy

[drbrock]

Have been shopping for a Hyundai Equus for a while now. 2013 and up.

They are tough to come by. Especially the ultimate editions. They are an excellent value when you can actually find one.

I had the paper work signed and warranty setup pending an auto inspection this weekend at Palm Beach Acura. Beautiful 2013 25k OTD with 100k bumper to bumper from current mileage. Went on Saturday morning and boom car had been in an accident according to an independent dealer. CarFax showed nothing. I had to return the car. It is crazy how inaccurate those CarFaxes are. My current Acura had been in an accident and completely repainted. Did not come up in the inspection or Car Fax. A local body shop let me know a few years later after my paint had started to mess up.

Hoping that the 2014s will start coming available after people starting turning in their leases. Many of the cars online have at least one accident.

Anyone have thoughts on the car? Consumer Reports shows nothing. Only thing I really don't like about it is the different sizes tires front to back.

 

[Crono]

If I were looking for a Korean car in that segment and price range, I'd go for the Kia Cadenza, or at least have it as one of a few options.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

That's an odd name...

(Google "Equus Daniel Radcliffe"... it's actually an interesting play though.)

I wouldn't want to drive a car with different size front/rear tires. Even a small misalignment can result in uneven tire wear, and if you're only able to swap R/L, you're just going to burn through your tires that much faster. But then maybe you don't care, or you're getting the alignment checked as often as you get the oil changed.

Otherwise, it looks like a pretty darn nice car.

 

[drbrock]

I just want an ULTRA comfortable car. You would be surprised at how limited that is. All the car makers are producing sports sedans. I live in Florida. I don't care about cornering. Just be super quiet and the seats be extra plush. Mercedes and BMW breakdown too often and Lexus is asking a small fortune. I can't find a decent LS for under 40k. I would be game for the KIA but the front looks terrible IMHO.

Tried Infiniti and the interior was nice but the seat was small and uncomfortable. GF agreed.

Outisde of the MDX acura has been failing.

 

[Tormac]

I don't know how you feel about buying a domestic, but if you have not looked at a Cadillac it may be worth your time to check them out. The Caddy sedans are not selling well, and are offering good discounts because of it.

I do think that the ATS and CTS are generally on the sporty side, but they are pretty comfortable too, and there are offering good prices right now.

If you just want comfort and don't mind the fwd, the XTS may also be worth looking at.

 

[drbrock]

Thanks for the advice on Caddy. Love the CTS. Rented an ATS and it is a bit too small. Maybe will check those out depending on price. I randomly heard from the mechanic that Caddys are horrendous for long term beyond lease.

the new Lincoln is amazing. Would love to get into one of those but they are not offering any discounts.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Niche car. Not much that can compete with it's soft road manners. Reminds me of the Old school Caddy, Lincoln, Buicks of yesteryear. About the only thing that comes close to that type of ride comfort any more is a Suburban.

a used Equus is a bargain considering the closest competitor is a yucky used Avalon for the same money. Hard to find them tho. 50 mile radius of tri-state area lists only 6 or so. Good luck finding one.

 

[mindless1]

Went on Saturday morning and boom car had been in an accident according to an independent dealer. CarFax showed nothing. I had to return the car.

Went on what Sat morn? Not all accidents are equal, I wouldn't turn down a vehicle until I had someone locate repaired areas and declare the repair was substandard, especially if it's not sticking you with a lower resale value due to having it on carfax but it could still be a negotiating point to lower your purcahse price.

We had a Buick, in an accident, but that accident was a tree fell and dented the roof. Roof beat out and repainted fine, has looked perfect for another dozen+ years. Paint still perfectly matches. It in no way makes the vehicle less desirable and I wouldn't take a cent less for it due to that.

 

[NutBucket]

Maybe you wouldn't but many people would. The problem is the quality of body work varies wildly. I've gone to "good" shops only to need to complain repeatedly to get the paint matched correctly. Longevity be damned since I sold the car shortly after.

And, it doesn't show up in carfax which is odd since I did make an insurance claim and it was nearly $2k of damage on a comprehensive claim.

 

[jlee]

That's an odd name...

(Google "Equus Daniel Radcliffe"... it's actually an interesting play though.)

I wouldn't want to drive a car with different size front/rear tires. Even a small misalignment can result in uneven tire wear, and if you're only able to swap R/L, you're just going to burn through your tires that much faster. But then maybe you don't care, or you're getting the alignment checked as often as you get the oil changed.

Otherwise, it looks like a pretty darn nice car.

I have staggered directional tires. No rotation at all...gotta pay to play sometimes!

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Buick LaCrosse - all new for 2017
Chevy Impala - 20% off - http://www.starlingchevy.com/VehicleDetails/new-2017-Chevrolet-Impala-1LT-Orlando-FL/2985673503gzx
Cadillac XTS

Three cars above all use the same FWD/AWD platform - GM does these cars very well, reviews are all positive, comfy boulevard cruisers, 3.6L V6 is powerful & dependable.

Hyundai Azera/Kia Cadenza - roomy full size cars with stellar warranty and low used prices. Big discounts on new models as well.

Lincoln MKZ -

Toyota Avalon/Lexus ES350

 

[gorcorps]

Not just to pile on more options, but I'd check out the Toyota Avalon personally

 

[drbrock]

Avalon was my second choice. Was temped to get it since it comes in hybrid version(Florida gives highway benefits to hybrids). However, the equus blows it away in options and comfort-ability at a cheaper price.

Lexus ES350 I checked out and loved the front seats. However the back was very cramped. I am 5'11-6'0 and there was little room left for back passengers. I def want a larger back seat for guests. The avalon had pretty spacious back seats like the equus.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Avalon was my second choice. Was temped to get it since it comes in hybrid version(Florida gives highway benefits to hybrids). However, the equus blows it away in options and comfort-ability at a cheaper price.

Lexus ES350 I checked out and loved the front seats. However the back was very cramped. I am 5'11-6'0 and there was little room left for back passengers. I def want a larger back seat for guests. The avalon had pretty spacious back seats like the equus.

From a longevity/reliability standpoint, I'd be more interested in buying a Toyota/Lexus product than a Hyundai. I know that Hyundai has made great strides, but Toyota is still the king of the hill.

Niche car. Not much that can compete with it's soft road manners. Reminds me of the Old school Caddy, Lincoln, Buicks of yesteryear. About the only thing that comes close to that type of ride comfort any more is a Suburban.

a used Equus is a bargain considering the closest competitor is a yucky used Avalon for the same money. Hard to find them tho. 50 mile radius of tri-state area lists only 6 or so. Good luck finding one.

I admit it's been a while but... Suburban? I mean, they hide bumps in the road good, and the last one I rode in was a few years old, but compared to, say, a Lincoln MKZ, it's a completely different kind of smooth. (Like comparing a super-plush pillow-top mattress to a high end memory-foam mattress. The first one is definitely soft, but the latter is way more supportive.)

 

[XavierMace]

Lexus ES350 I checked out and loved the front seats. However the back was very cramped. I am 5'11-6'0 and there was little room left for back passengers. I def want a larger back seat for guests. The avalon had pretty spacious back seats like the equus.

Which generation ES were you looking at? Both me and my brother are over 6' and fit quite comfortably in the back of my dad's ES350. My only complaint is I hate the rear doors.

 

[NutBucket]

IIRC current gen Avalons and ES350s share the same platform. Perhaps you looked at the previous gen that was closer in size to a Camry.

 

[drbrock]

Which generation ES were you looking at? Both me and my brother are over 6' and fit quite comfortably in the back of my dad's ES350. My only complaint is I hate the rear doors.

I want to say it was 2014 or 2013. A newer one would be well into the 30s. The one I looked at was 25k. Nutbucket is probably right. Had to be the last generation. Even my girlfriend who is 5'6 was complaining on how small it was and they are an all Toyota Lexus family.

Reliability concerns for the Equss are there but from what I have read they are related to electrical items. Engine and tranny are solid. Either way I am buying a100k bumper to bumper warranty on the Equus.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Either way I am buying a100k bumper to bumper warranty on the Equus.

CarMax?

 

[drbrock]

CarMax is really over priced. Same thing with Carvana. They usually charge 3 or 4k more than they are worth. I can get the best warranty possible for that price from the hyundai dealership.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Avalon was my second choice. Was temped to get it since it comes in hybrid version(Florida gives highway benefits to hybrids). However, the equus blows it away in options and comfort-ability at a cheaper price.

Lexus ES350 I checked out and loved the front seats. However the back was very cramped. I am 5'11-6'0 and there was little room left for back passengers. I def want a larger back seat for guests. The avalon had pretty spacious back seats like the equus.

Back seats of an ES350 were cramped? I owned a 2014 Lexus ES350 and I'm the same height as you and I couldn't possibly disagree with you more. The only vehicle in the Lexus lineup with a larger back seat area is the Lexus LS or the LX.

Are you sure you aren't thinking of the Lexus IS350?

 

[XavierMace]

Back seats of an ES350 were cramped? I owned a 2014 Lexus ES350 and I'm the same height as you and I couldn't possibly disagree with you more. The only vehicle in the Lexus lineup with a larger back seat area is the Lexus LS or the LX.

Are you sure you aren't thinking of the Lexus IS350?

That's what I'm thinking too, because my parents ES350's are both 5th gens and I mentioned, neither myself nor my brother have any issues with the back seat. The numbers I see show the ES350 as having 2" more rear legroom than the Equus.

 

[Elixer]

. Went on Saturday morning and boom car had been in an accident according to an independent dealer. CarFax showed nothing. I had to return the car. It is crazy how inaccurate those CarFaxes are. My current Acura had been in an accident and completely repainted. Did not come up in the inspection or Car Fax. A local body shop let me know a few years later after my paint had started to mess up.

I ran into this the other week, Carfax isn't really reliable from what I can tell.
All the info they gather is voluntary.

 

[drbrock]

That's what I'm thinking too, because my parents ES350's are both 5th gens and I mentioned, neither myself nor my brother have any issues with the back seat. The numbers I see show the ES350 as having 2" more rear legroom than the Equus.

I am going to check again on the ES. I could have sworn it was an ES. Maybe it was a GS? Old GF had an IS. No way would I purchase one of those.

New question is the ES better than the Equus considering the greater leg room? Can't find a comparison test between the two. It compared to the LS in every article I find. Both the Equus and ES and are the same price from what I am seeing on car gurus.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I am going to check again on the ES. I could have sworn it was an ES. Maybe it was a GS? Old GF had an IS. No way would I purchase one of those.

New question is the ES better than the Equus considering the greater leg room? Can't find a comparison test between the two. It compared to the LS in every article I find. Both the Equus and ES and are the same price from what I am seeing on car gurus.

Why does rear legroom really matter? You've mentioned a GF, but do you have particularly tall children?

 

[drbrock]

Why does rear legroom really matter? You've mentioned a GF, but do you have particularly tall children?

I take clients, other couples, and have tall parents. My dad won't even get in my TL unless he riding shotgun with the seat all the way back which leaves zero room for other passengers.

Rear leg room isn't the only consideration but when you need it, it makes all the difference. Def don't want another TL sized car unless I am just hauling kids. Even then car seats barely fit into the TL right now. That is a whole other discussion.

To me it is like an airline seat. Can you fit in a coach seat? Yes, but at the same price I would most definitely take business class.