When people think about journeys, they usually picture maps, highways, airports, and destinations. But we’ve learned that some of life’s biggest journeys happen without ever leaving home.
This is one of those stories, find out how we arrived at the Genesis GV80 Coupe.
The Search Begins
We recently did something we haven’t done in many years—we bought a brand-new vehicle.
Not just “new to us,” but brand new.
Truthfully, we’d been talking about it for quite a while. We just weren’t sure what finally pushed us over the edge. Looking back, it wasn’t one big reason. It was dozens of little ones that slowly added up until buying a new vehicle simply made sense.
Our original plan was actually pretty simple.
In another couple of years, we thought we’d replace our trusty 2015 Ford F-350, the truck that faithfully pulls our Genesis Supreme fifth wheel. We absolutely love that truck. It’s been incredibly dependable, still looks fantastic, and has never let us down.
Instead of replacing it, we figured we’d buy a reasonably priced used vehicle for everyday driving. The truck would stay our tow vehicle while another car would absorb all those daily miles.
At least…
That was the plan.
Retirement Changes Everything
Then retirement happened.
Suddenly, I wasn’t commuting to work every day.
We found ourselves going almost everywhere together.
Adding another vehicle no longer seemed practical. In fact, it almost felt wasteful.
Then we started noticing something else.
Tracey’s parents occasionally join us for dinner, and each month we take his mom to her hair appointment. One of our closest friends recently received a double lung transplant, and Tracey often drives him to therapy appointments.
Getting into our Jeep or climbing up into our truck wasn’t easy for everyone.
That realization stayed with us.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
We also had a road trip coming up where we wouldn’t be towing the fifth wheel.
The Jeep?
Let’s just say it’s not exactly designed for comfort. Tracey insists it looks cool, and I’ll give him that.
The truck is much more comfortable, but anyone who has driven a full-size pickup through downtown areas, parking garages, or tiny parking lots knows the struggle.
And can someone please explain why a state where everyone drives trucks seems to have the smallest parking spaces? Looking at you, Texas.
As we talked through everything, another realization hit us.
For years we’d always shopped for vehicles based on everyone else.
How many people can it seat?
How much cargo can it carry?
What if family comes?
What if friends come?
It reminded us of something that happened years ago while moving from one motorhome to another.
Tracey asked why we owned ten camping chairs and nearly twenty coffee mugs.
My answer?
“What if people come over?”
Without missing a beat he replied,
“They can bring their own chair and coffee cup.”
I hated admitting he was right.
Apparently, we were still shopping for vehicles the same way we used to pack camping gear.
Shopping…and Shopping Some More
Our search started with the big SUVs.
The GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate.
The Cadillac Escalade.
The Lincoln Navigator.
We spent months researching, comparing, watching videos, reading reviews, and changing our minds almost daily.
Eventually, we did what so many people are doing these days.
Tracey asked AI.
After entering everything we wanted in a vehicle, AI confirmed we were looking in the right direction.
So we headed to the dealerships.
The GMC didn’t quite wow us.
The Escalade absolutely did…
…until we saw the price tag.
That was enough excitement for one afternoon.
Driving home, we realized something important.
Were we solving any of the problems we’d set out to fix?
They were still large vehicles.
Still difficult in parking garages…Still difficult for some family members to climb into…Still more vehicle than we actually needed.
A Different Direction
Back to AI we went.
This time we changed the question.
Instead of asking for the best large SUV, we asked what would best fit our lifestyle today.
The answer surprised us.
Specifically, the Genesis GV80.
Neither of us had seriously considered one before.
In fact, I wasn’t even sure I’d ever noticed a Genesis dealership.
Tracey, being Tracey, immediately dove into research mode.
Within days he was convinced it deserved a closer look.
Love at First Test Drive
When we finally visited the dealership, everything changed.
The craftsmanship.
The technology.
The comfort.
The quiet ride.
The luxury.
There was definitely a “wow” factor.
We drove the standard Genesis GV80 first, but it wasn’t available in the one color we both wanted.
Red.
Then our salesman smiled and said…
“I have one more to show you.”
It was the Genesis GV80 Coupe.
Same luxury.
Same comfort.
A sportier design.
No third row.
And it was red.
The dealership did something that completely won us over.
Knowing we planned to travel in whatever vehicle we purchased, they offered to let us take the Coupe home overnight.
Their only request?
“Please don’t put hundreds of miles on it.”
Smart salesman.
The Journey Ends…or Begins?
Needless to say, that overnight test drive sealed the deal.
Today we’re the proud owners of a beautiful red Genesis GV80 Coupe, and we couldn’t be happier.
Ironically, this entire journey taught us something that had very little to do with buying a car.
Sometimes life changes…Sometimes our priorities change…Sometimes the things we thought we needed aren’t what we really wanted at all.
Retirement has taught us to simplify, to focus more on experiences than possessions, and to choose comfort over capacity.
As much as we love our truck and fifth wheel, this new addition fits this season of our lives perfectly.
In fact, we didn’t waste any time putting it to work.
Its very first road trip?
Las Vegas.
(Be sure to check out our Vegas Baby! story to see how it performed.)