As I method middle-age, I’m beginning to wander from my typical day by day driver fare of too-stiff scorching hatches and sports activities vehicles. I not too long ago purchased an enormous SUV and sadly prefer it greater than I anticipated to. I’ve had just a few American luxobarges in my teen years, as a result of they have been low cost and straightforward, however as I inch nearer to forty, is it time to get again into luxurious sedans? Lately I’ve discovered myself drawn in by the siren music of massive bizarre Korean lux. I’ve acquired Equus on the mind. It’s means funkier and extra engaging than the chilly stoicism of German lux, and quirkier than the sharp boredom of Japanese lux. Maybe it’s the candy spot.
In a pre-Genesis-as-a-brand world, Hyundai was obsessive about transferring upmarket, and launched the pleasant 5-liter V8-powered Equus as a bargain-priced competitor to the 7-series and S-class. When it was new a decade in the past it was rattling close to $70,000 (round $92,000 in right this moment’s cash), undercutting the Bimmer by nearly 10 grand and the S-class by over 20!
A decade later and these vehicles are buying and selling fingers for pennies. Here’s one I discovered on eBay right this moment with 89,000 miles on the clock for a mere $13,990, although you would in all probability get it for rather less. The opening bid is $11,990, and no one has bid but. This looks like a ton of automotive for 12 to 14 grand.
The inside is the star of this automotive, with supple leathers, actual wooden, and loads of options that might have been absurd a decade in the past however are fairly frequent in a mid-sized sedan right this moment. It’s a quiet automotive — like, vault-quiet. There are screens in every single place, which I’m positive are dated as hell right this moment, however I can in all probability put up with that.
When Jalopnik reviewed this automotive again in 2014, it was met with delicate reward. “The wood is real but it looks tacky, and the plastic buttons feel pretty cut-rate. Still, while it’s not the best out there, it’s convincingly premium.”
The 5-liter engine produced an impressive-for-2014 429 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. It’s an enormous heavy automotive, so it wanted that type of energy simply to stand up and go. It’s lackadaisical, you would say. I’ve had my justifiable share of Ford Panther-chassis vehicles, so I can get on with that simply advantageous.
Once once more, Patrick George stories:
“[T]here’s something to be said for getting in this car after a long day at work and just sort of gliding all the way home.”
This prepare of thought began as a result of my spouse talked about she preferred the concept of the Bentley-based Volkswagen Phaeton. I feel the Equus delivers numerous the identical vibe with out the specter of bankrupting me twenty minutes into possession. What do you suppose, ought to I decide up an Equus and write about it?
Maybe you should purchase it and save me the difficulty.
Source: jalopnik.com