A car salesman shared a surprising story about a high-ranking auto industry executive who purchased an $80,000 Genesis GV80 Coupe, only to return it the very next day, incurring a $12,000 loss in the process. Bobby Sanchez, a salesman at an Ontario, California dealership, revealed the incident in a TikTok video that garnered over 178,000 views.
According to Sanchez, the buyer, who is well-versed in the automotive industry, was dissatisfied with the vehicle’s ride quality despite being equipped with advanced features such as a camera that scans the road surface and adjusts the suspension in real-time. The Genesis GV80 Coupe in question came with an array of premium features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a suede headliner, a panoramic sunroof, a 27-inch OLED screen, and an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The buyer, who reportedly ‘knows exactly what’s going on,’ took responsibility for the mistake, acknowledging that he lost $12,000 ‘on an overnight mistake.’ Sanchez noted that this was the first time he had ever seen someone return a vehicle with such a high mileage – or rather, low mileage, as the odometer read just 56 miles.
This unusual incident highlights that even professionals in the automotive industry can fall victim to buyer’s remorse. A 2022 survey by LendingTree found that nearly 40% of Americans regret at least one car purchase, with 75% of high-income earners having either returned or refinanced a vehicle.
Reactions and Reviews
The Genesis GV80 Coupe has generally received positive reviews from critics. Motor1 praised its ‘eye-catching, high-class looks’ and ‘cushy interior space.’ Right Foot Down complimented the 2025 model for blending ‘striking coupe-like styling with luxury and high-end materials.’ However, The Road Beat noted that the sporty design comes at the cost of practicality, citing cramped cargo space and a thirsty engine.
Lessons Learned
Commenters on Sanchez’s TikTok video offered various theories on why the buyer returned the vehicle, with many suggesting that the issue lay with the Hyundai Motor Group, Genesis’s parent company. However, when another commenter pointed this out, Sanchez revealed that the buyer ultimately purchased another Hyundai vehicle, indicating that the problem was specific to the Genesis GV80 Coupe.
Many commenters advised potential car buyers to rent a vehicle before purchasing to avoid similar buyer’s remorse. ‘I try to rent the car I’m shopping on Turo for a week to get a good feel for it,’ one user suggested.
A Genesis Motor spokesperson stated that the company works closely with its retail partners to deliver ‘world-class products and experiences’ that customers will love, but declined to comment on the specific incident.
This unusual story serves as a reminder that car buying remains an emotional process, even for industry professionals. The perfect vehicle for one person can be a source of regret for another, as evidenced by this $80,000 mistake.
