When the Bentley Continental Flying Spur arrived in the mid-2000s, it was as exciting and imposing as its name might suggest. It was part of the modern Bentley interpretation and effectively a four-door extension of the already successful Continental GT. This imposing machine came with a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine, a six-speed ZF automatic transmission, and permanent all-wheel drive, making it a hand-built British super-luxury sedan in all its glory.
The fact that you can buy one today for around $20,000 is quite amazing, and if you’ve got such cash burning a hole in your pocket, you may be very tempted. However, you could also spend the same amount of money on a sensibly used Genesis G80 and wonder whether that luxury car from around 2017 is the more defensible choice. Certainly, the Bentley would be an emotional pick for many, and there are pros and cons attached to both, but the question now is which one is the least foolish.
The Bentley Makes The Stronger First Impression
2005 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Silver Front AngleBentley
Specifications
2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
2017 Genesis G80 3.8 AWD
Engine
6.0-liter twin-turbo W12
3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6
Transmission
Six-speed automatic
Eight-speed automatic
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive
All-wheel drive
Power
552 hp
311 hp
Torque
479 lb-ft
293 lb-ft
!!!MODEL TAG!!! Listing Carousel 2017 Genesis G80 3.8L AWD
On the face of it, a Bentley Continental Flying Spur looks like a financial miracle. It’s the kind of car that turns heads at a valet lane, and if you’re brave, it can take you to speeds of more than 190 mph. It’s also long, heavy, and imposing, with thick doors, a leather-lined cabin, deep wood trim, and an undoubted presence. Meanwhile, the Genesis really doesn’t compare well to the Bentley by most metrics, and you’re not going to deliver the same kind of theater when you park your G80 outside a restaurant.
If you’re looking through an emotional lens, there’s only one winner, but used luxury cars carry potential dangers. Those dangers can reveal themselves over the months and years ahead. And this means that you have to look at the Bentley in terms of tires, suspension, electronics, insurance, and specialist services as well.
The Genesis Builds Around A Different Kind Of Luxury
2017 Genesis G80 Exterior Finished In Silver Front Close-UpGenesis
Take a look at the first-generation Genesis G80, and you’ll find something that can make luxury ownership feel less intimidating. The 2017 G80 model went on sale at $41,400 for the rear-drive 3.8L model, while the AWD version sold for $43,900. In this space, it was squaring up against some of the more well-known German luxury sedans and certainly competed well on price.
The G80 had a 3.8-liter V6 engine, which produced 311 hp and 293 lb-ft of torque. It paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and while rear-wheel drive came as standard at the entry level, you could also get Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system. But while the G80 may have been able to beat some of those German rivals on price, it started to lag on performance. It wasn’t a sports sedan in the sharpest sense; for example, the 3.8 AWD version needed 6.6 seconds to get to 60 mph.
However, the G80 did have a lot to say when it came to its luxury equipment, onboard space, safety technology, and general refinement. The company made advanced driver assistance features standard as well, such as blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist. Those extra features help it stand out in the used market, where it’s not merely a stripped-down luxury car that has to make its case on badge appeal alone. And while the Bentley has depreciated a long way from its origins as a super-luxury car, the Genesis started out as a value-disrupting luxury sedan and has depreciated more gradually into the same financial space.
Running Costs Change The Bentley Conversation
2005 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Silver SideBentley
The 2006 Continental Flying Spur had an original MSRP of $164,990, which is positively stratospheric compared to its current used value. But the purchase price is only one number, and it’s important to look at long-term ownership costs as well. For a start, fuel consumption is closer to exotic car territory, and when new, it returned EPA ratings of 10 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 12 mpg combined, with premium fuel only.
You’ve also got to consider the realities of maintaining a low-volume luxury car. Parts are likely to be expensive, and you’ll likely need to seek out specialist labor support to help with potential issues around brakes, suspension components, the cooling system, electrics, and air suspension.
CarEdge estimates maintenance and repair costs for the Bentley Flying Spur could be $17,590 over five years, not including any warranty work. The same outlet suggests a five-year maintenance and repair bill of only around $2,554 for a Genesis G80, and that’s a significant difference that helps to frame the conversation. The exact numbers will vary depending on mileage, condition, region, and other factors, but there’s not much room for surprise-free ownership in the Bentley camp.
It may be possible to find one with no deferred work, strong paper records, and a careful previous owner. But if you come across an example with gaps in its history, you could be looking at a restoration project with serious associated costs.
The Genesis May Not Be Exciting, But It Could Be Easier To Justify
2017 Genesis G80Genesis
A used Genesis G80 is still a large luxury sedan with more expensive components and trickier electronics than a mainstream family car. It also demands caution, as it’s not going to be immune from age-related costs, even though its ownership profile will be far easier to defend than the Bentley’s. However, the G80 has far more familiar mechanical foundations and the service ecosystem ties in well to the broader Hyundai/Genesis dealer and parts networks. Major components, like the 3.8-liter V6 or eight-speed automatic, are certainly not exotic or ultra-rare.
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A used G80 buyer will still need to conduct a proper pre-purchase inspection and look carefully at features like brakes, suspension, and drive assistance systems. But the baseline risk is likely to be much less daunting and more like a typical used luxury car than something exotic.
As far as everyday usability is concerned, there’s probably only one winner. The Genesis was meant to be a daily driver, and it has far more reasonable fuel economy than the Bentley. The Flying Spur, on the other hand, might make someone think twice before putting any miles on it. That could turn every daily commute into a careful calculation. And that could also pose some serious questions for someone who might spend their $20,000 on that cheap Bentley. They may want to fully experience their bargain buy, but might feel that the car is too intimidating to use freely.
The Less Foolish Choice Depends On What You’re Really Buying
2017 Genesis G80 Exterior Finished In Silver Rear Close-UpGenesis
The best way to compare the Genesis G80 and the Bentley Flying Spur is over the long term. The Flying Spur will only make sense if a potential buyer understands that their $20,000 check is just a down payment. It’s effectively the admission fee to this vehicle’s world, and the real long-term cost will involve a healthy maintenance reserve, an inspection discipline, a substantial fuel budget, and a relationship with a specialist technician. And that may require some preparation before any analysis of the used Bentley marketplace.
!!!TRIM TAG!!! Price Chart 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
Certainly, a cheap Flying Spur can be compelling for someone who has always wanted a Bentley and is willing to treat the vehicle as an indulgence rather than a form of basic transportation. In this case, the Flying Spur could be the winner of the argument, with its 12-cylinder power, old-world cabin richness, and theatrical absurdity.
!!!TRIM TAG!!! Price Chart 2017 Genesis G80 3.8L AWD
But for many buyers who may want a more predictable life and would like a luxury badge without risking financial chaos, the Genesis G80 is probably the way to go. It’s relatively new by comparison, cheaper to run, easier to service, and has plenty of leather space and safety technology. It’s definitely not going to deliver the Bentley sense of occasion, but it’s also less likely to deliver a $10,000 maintenance shock down the road.
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For those thinking with their head rather than their heart, the $20,000 Genesis wins the reality argument. The Bentley has the badge, the W12 presence, and offers a potential private door to super-luxury ownership, but it also has plenty of exposure to risk. Some might translate that equation into a simple proposition: a $20,000 Flying Spur feels far less like a bargain and a lot more like a bet.
Sources: Bentley, Genesis, CarEdge.
