When auto writers get together they often talk about the great rides they recently had—and the 2010 Genesis Coupe is one of those.

The fellow journalists I had lunch with recently were impressed, as was I, with the value the car offered—along with sport coupe performance with a 3.8L V6 (306 hp and 266 lb-ft torque using variable intake paths rather than a turbo) and 6-speed manual transmission. For starters the manufacturer's suggested retail price of $25,875 includes: Stability and traction control, ABS with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, active head restraints, Bluetooth, iPod® interface, satellite radio, and leather seats. The only "extras" in the price were an iPod® cable and floor mats ($30 and $95, respectively). And a most pleasant surprise was when I checked the owners manual prior to filling up, expecting to confirm premium fuel use, and finding out the specs call for regular.

Upon starting the car, and when accelerating, the engine/exhaust system is tuned to snarl most appropriately (listen, and look, here) —not all that loud but confident. EPA mileage estimates are 17 mpg (city) and 26 mpg (highway). In 100 miles of mixed driving, the car's computer said I averaged 23 mpg. There is also a base engine, a 2L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 210 hp and 223 lb-ft torque (21 /30 EPA numbers).

The Coupe I drove was Acqua Minerale Blue, a metallic ice color, and like the other colors available, named after famous corners at international race tracks or the tracks themselves (cool!). Other colors include: Mirabeau blue (shown), Lime Rock green, Silverstone, and Interlagos yellow.

My only negative comment is the same I have for my own BMW 5 Series with a manual transmission—to go into reverse, you push the shifter all the way to the left, through a resistive spring "wall," and then forward. There is no push or pull of a detent lock on the shifter to prevent accidentally entering reverse in the heat of downshifting. (Which is why I say you can beat a BMW manual off the line because of the driver's uncertainty of being in first.)

Finally, to confirm the Genesis Coupe's cache, my auto expert twin grandsons noted when I drove up to their house, "Grandpa's got a cool car again."