“Dammit, that’s frickin’ unfortunate,” I muttered to myself after I spotted a “heartbreaker” among the search results I was scanning in my Evil Wrenching Lair, conveniently located beneath the only volcano in Wilmington, NC. A heartbreaker does not call to mind Tom Petty’s boys, but rather the type of car that pulls at your heartstrings with a mix of yearning, desire, empathy, and pity. The kind of thing that would provoke my Uncle John to offer a wary “that ain’t right!” (his signature line since 1959).
Hello and welcome back to another SWG article, my Autopian friends! This one is going to be a little shorter and less wrench-heavy compared to my previous wicked-long, mega-adventure wrench-a-thons. It has been way too long since my last check-in, and with 16 cars currently awaiting repair, I barely have time to breathe over here lately – so let’s mix it up a bit and keep it light and fun this time!
So anyway, there it was, staring back at me from Facebook Marketplace: an ’09 Genesis in Black Noir Pearl for only $900! 2009 was the first year for the luxury sedan, and it looked stunning in the ad’s photos, practically jumping off the screen. This is one of the models I’d low-key had my eye on for years, since it looks incredible and is reaching used-market pricing levels of depreciation that make it a massive value for the money.
Top-end Executive sedans from Germany will bankrupt you with parts/diagnostics costs and wicked over-complexity. The Japanese offerings hold their value and always have a big audience of buyers as they are genuinely desirable cars for the most part. Outside of a few late-model Cadillacs, there aren’t many American offerings in this space, and those Cadillacs are littered throughout Facebook Marketplace – usually with timing chain tensioner issues, a truly unfortunate flaw (here’s looking at you, High-Feature 3.6 V6).
Meanwhile, the South Korean newcomer seems to bring some serious heat to this space with a killer combo of low price, limited brand provenance (it’s new), decent reliability, shared drivetrains with lesser Hyundais and KIAs (Borrego, Genesis Coupe), and high content.
A Closer Look (Minus Seth Meyers)
I immediately sent the ad to the Autopian Team in our Slack chat. Believe me when I say that I am personally convinced Thomas Hundal may be one of the most talented knowers-of-cars, ever, hands down. The guy took one cursory glance and responded within 30 seconds that the 2009 3.8 Genesis Sedan has steel springs and my example was sitting too low, so there is a suspension concern. Wow! I’m always impressed with the library of knowledge he brings to the table.
After speaking with the seller via Facebook Messenger, he informed me that he runs a scrap yard and was selling this car without a key. Ouch, it’ll cost a few extra hundo to have a mobile locksmith download the security and programming data from Hyundai and cut a key/buy a fob. Dammit.
He also stated that the widow of the deceased owner decided to call this Seller-Scrapper to tow away this Genesis to be parted out and crushed after its previous owner passed away, and the car was left at an oceanfront beach house in Holden Beach, NC for years. That means the car was sitting in salt spray from the Atlantic, which might also explain why the car is sitting so low. Had all that salt exposure rusted the springs into a saggy state?
The seller also mentioned not having a key meant he was unsure if the car runs. Not knowing if the car actually operates is a big deal for me. So OK, yeah, it doesn’t sound that great. Nothing good in life comes easily, though.
So, Should I?
If there’s one thing that incites all overly-optimistic Autopians, it’s a badass car for a cheap price, and I believe that is what we have here! We’re talking about a sleek, quasi-generic 5 Series copy with a 290hp V6, rear-wheel drive, 264Ft/lb of torque and an Aisin B600 6-speed transmission for under $1000! Add $200-$300 for a key, another $300 for the title, and this car could be mine for $1500, which is very enticing.
I just checked the inventory at the local Pick n Pull and discovered a 2010 V8 Genesis just hit the yard! That means cheap, attainable, non-sea-salted parts are a few miles from my house and can be mine after a short visit on a Saturday afternoon. This is huge, as the power of wrenching is one of the greatest forces in all of Greater Autiopia.
Do I need another car? Hell no. Is this potentially a great buy if the cards all fall in my favor? Hell yes. I’m genuinely going to read and respond to each comment below if you feel that you can add some insight, direction, or humor to help out in this situation. Let me know your thoughts, my Autopian friends!
Fortune favors the brave, right?
All photos by Stephen Walter Gossin
- How I Saved A Once-$90,000 Mercedes SL I Bought For $1,900
- Why The Dirt-Cheap Broken Jaguar X-Type For Sale In Every Town Might Actually Be Worth Buying And Fixing
- I Took On A Bad GM Design In A Hail-Mary Attempt To Fix My Friends Broken Suburban But It Was Too Little Too Late
- What It Was Like Owning And Fixing My First Jeep After Owning Over 100 Non-Jeeps
- I Bought A 29-Year Old Buick With 68,000 Miles On It To Prove The Haters Wrong
- What I Learned Restoring A $600 Dodge Ram With A Burned Up Transmission And Ruined Interior
- How I Bought A Broken Version Of My Dream Car For $300, Then Nursed It Back To Glory And Let It Free
- Proof That A $700 Car Saved From The Junkyard Can Make Someone As Happy As A New Lambo Can
- How I Saved My Buddys’ SUV After It Died At The Most Embarrassing Possible Time
- ShitBox Showdown: The British Are Back In The Cape Fear
- Why People Cut Holes Into Their Cars’ Trunk Floors Even Though It Could Kill Them
- Even Cheap Cars Can Be Expensive: A Hard Lesson I Learned About The Repair-Parts Minefield
- I Spent $1300 On A Nissan That Lasted 3 City Blocks And 2.5 Minutes
- Rescuing A 75-Year-Old Car From An Older Car Enthusiast Reminded Me How Important Every Minute We Get Doing This Truly Is
Well have you read DTs story about his Australian Ute? Two cars one to restore one for parts, a great idea. However you need to verify which car should be the restore one and which should be parts. That Pick n pull should be the target for restoration and that David Tracy model Genesis should be the donor car.
Once they go into the scrapyard in NC, they can never come out. It’s sad. Thanks for reading and for the post here, regardless, my friend!
Hmmmm, prob would be money better spent buying the car from Pick N Pull and use donor parts from this car to get the Pick N Pull car going.
That place is an auto slaughterhouse: Once they go through those gates, they can (legally) never come out.
Thanks for reading and for the comments regardless, Eric!
Thanks Stephen, I wasn’t aware that once they’re inside they don’t come out. On occasion, it’s been my personal experience that some of the parts cars at Pick N Pull had been in better condition than the cars I was working on to resurrect haha.
Thanks only speaking for what I know (NC). Other states may vary. It’s wicked sad.
I’m friends with the staff since Im there every weekend; you wouldn’t believe the stories they’ve told me. They’re mind-blowing.
I vote yes if it’s for a Lemons race car, and No in all other situations. It’s not that far gone but it’ll be death by a thousand paper cuts by the time the car is perfect enough that you should have spent an extra 2K up front and saved 3K by the end.
The “spent an extra 2K up front and saved 3K by the end” line of yours shows much experience and wisdom in this arena, Abdominal Snoman.
Thanks for reading, and for the advice!
Alas, such is not the SWG MO – nor any fun for us readers. Good luck, Gossin!
That MO has served me well for the most part over the years, why change now, right!? Thanks for the well-wishes and for reading/commenting, MustBe!
As in most areas of life, bad decisions often result in good stories.
Stay Away!!!!
Noted. Thanks Bruno.
The rust on that likes like an absolute nightmare. Still, it would be interesting to learn how you work on roached electrical systems…
On the other hand, I recently became a member because of David’s recent post on growth and values and all of that positive nonsense, not because I wanted to see Adrian tortured in an old van, so I suppose I’m not really the type to want to watch you all suffer. Give it a pass, unless you’re going to go all the way stupid with it and take it racing and offroading and river rafting and run it fully into the ground anyways.
I have a feeling that you may be learning about that roached electrical system very shortly.
Growth & Values for the win! Thanks for reading and for the comment, my dude.
Eeeeeeeep! Rusty Crusty! No no no! Noooooooo! (in case you were wondering, you can put me down as a ‘nay’)
You are correct in nothing that rusty cars are usually the least-fun and most challenging, but there’s just something about this one that’s calling me!
Thanks for reading and for being here with us in the comments, Moonball!
If it is even remotely feasible to get this car running, you are the guy that can make it happen!
That said, I am very concerned it is so far gone with rust it is a lost cause.
Regrettably I’m in the nay column. Sorry man.
Very kind of you to say and thank you, HT!
I enjoy a challenge and love saving cars from certain death. And The Autopian, I enjoy that as well. Thanks for reading and for being here in the Comments with us!
Have you considered you could probably save 2 or more cars from death if you get to them sooner than this one. Extending the time by a year is not much when you could save 2 for a decade. It’s why they don’t give vital organ transplants to 80 year olds.
This is a solid comment and point. Thank you.
$900? That’s all? Hell, for that price you should buy it tonight, tonight, tonight. Wait until supper’s ready, then have a buddy follow you follow me down to the seller’s home by the sea. Can’t wait to see you turn it on again!
When you get back be careful not to wake the carpet crawlers, Duke and Duchess!
It’s a good thing he’s got some money in [his] pocket, though he does love throwing it all away at junk cars. Let’s hope it works out for him if he does buy it, otherwise, he will be left living with the invisible touch of regret.
Tonight, Tonight
Smashing Pumpkins!
https://youtu.be/NOG3eus4ZSo?si=5wgDFvKevDwH3mMA
The amount of work required may leave SWG in the land of confusion.
I’m a huge fan of Genesis, but the amount of salt water to took to rust one like that makes me think “Flood”… which is another word for RUN! Buy a flood car and you will spend the rest of time trying to sort out intermittent electrical problems and obscurely located corrosion related failures.
And for an early Genesis, the savings just isn’t there. By the time you buy it, get it home, and gather needed repair & maintenance parts just to get it running, you will be very lucky to stay under $2500 in expenses – plus your time. But for $4-6K you can get a fine running high mile Genesis with a slightly beat up body, no rust, and a great interior.
I’ve been eyeing this$4350 high mile 4.6L V8:
https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/KMHGC46F19U065014
Solid advice, and thank you.
As a person that has lived on the beach in Coastal Carolina my entire adult life, I can vouch that this is not a flood car, but rather a victim of sea-spray.
Those V8 cars are very underappreciated in my eyes.
Thanks for reading and for the comment!
Honestly anything post-malaise (not Malone) with a V8 is worth a wrench.
Oof, this one is a tough sell, SWG. The rust is going to be a bear on this one. As someone who grew up “inland” (Raleigh) and vacationed all summer in Figure 8, I always admired how only a few miles of proximity to the ocean can make a huge difference on how a car looks after a decade. Glad to see ya back!
Thanks for the kind words, my dude!
You’re dead-on regarding how drastic the effects of sea-spray are. Hit me up next time you’re in town!
Jam a USB cable in it and fire it up. Get it running, even if on only one cylinder. Cover it in Xpel and take it to MOAB. This site is about CONTENT damnit. CONTENT! Make with the CONTENT!
I like where your head is on the above!
You should’ve seen DT’s reaction to it when I showed him; he couldn’t believe the rust (and he lived in MI).
Thanks for reading and for the comment, Andy!
I was waiting for this comment! Does Genesis have the same problems as Kias?
I believe the security flaw where you can steal those KIAs with a USB cable is only applicable to the KIA Forte, K5, Optima, Rio, Sedona, steltos, Soul, Sorrento and Sportage models from 2011-2022.
I havent seen this many red flags since the USSR was still a thing.
Maybe I missed it, but I saw no mention of the title or its status. No key, this isnt an old worn out Toyota that you can start with an old screwdriver or small allen wrench shoved in the igniton. Hasnt ran in years cause dead person. So new fuel pump at best cause of gummed up ethanol gas. Might need a fuel tank or fuel injectors. Imagine the level of corrison on all the chassis grounds causing the electrics to short out. And Mickey or Chip and Dale might have taken up residence as well and chewed all the wiring/fuel lines.
This car is DONE, needs to be parted out and crushed.
So, I’m going to go ahead and put Aron9000 in the “Nay” column?
Thanks for the thoughts and for reading, Aron!
For the V6, it wouldn’t be worth it for me. That V8 sounds freaking gorgeous with an exhaust on it. I’ve been impressed by a couple different early Genesis V8s going passed.
The 3.8 “Lambda” V6 is the marquee feature in the Genesis Coupe and 290hp ain’t nothing to sneeze at; my ’95 Trans Am has 275 from an LT1 V8 small block for comparison!
Thanks for reading and for the comment, Lockleaf!
Oh no doubt that v6 is no slouch. Super impressive engines in these cars. I doubt the LS I have is putting out more than that. But that sweet sweet v8 sound these make is just so pretty. Pretty enough to make me consider buying an automatic with no manual option even.
The 3.6 Pentastar in my T&C makes 283hp. Other same year models had the same engine tuned to 305hp.
Getting around 300hp from a V6 isn’t that big of a deal anymore.
The fact that your Pentastar minivan has more horsepower than my 90s Trans Am is incredible.
Note: I forgot to add a line in the story about the Chrysler 300, which is a legit US contender in the cheap, attainable luxury sedan space. Awesome car for the price.
Indeed the 300 is undervalued – that thing drives great, is super comfortable, and gets great gas mileage (in the V6 version).
We’ve all seen you work on vehicles in worse shape than this.
If you feel you can revive this car then it will be worth the effort.
I will walk with my people.
Thank you!
I would try to find the 5.0 those things were way to fast and good then they had any business being. $900 seems like a deal on the surface but that seems way to rough for that. I’m guessing they have about $300 in to it. If the interior is decent maybe it’s a good doner for that. Trying to get it back in the road I’m guessing will be way more trouble and expense then that particular example is worth.
$60/ea struts and springs from the donor car and a little luck might make this one a winner!
You’re right about the 5.0 being a cheap, under-the-radar ridiculous speed/power buy on the used market. Nobody is talking about them at the moment.
Thanks for reading and the comment, my dude!
Fore sure, I had to call a budy because I couldn’t remember all the details from 15 or 16 years ago but one of those was stolen from a rental company when new and led on a police chase from a nice part of metro area to the absolute ghetto involving at least 14 law enforcement agencies 3 helicopters. No one could figure it out until they realized it’s was a 5.0. I had the footage at one point it was absolutely crazy to watch. I can’t think of another car that was able to do that so I will always be impressed with them.
Wrenching on rust-laden rides that should be scrapped is a surefire path to wealth, fame and love. Follow in David’s path, you are in good company. And by that I mean this car is absolutely roached with mold and rust, and I would love to follow along as you attempt to rescue it, but would never do so myself.
mtnJeep speaks pure wisdom above!
I’m leaning towards pulling the trigger. Thanks for the comment and for reading, my friend!
Love your articles, can’t wait to read along
I will walk with my people. Thank you kindly!
Do as complete an inspection as possible on it first, and assume it will have at least twice as many repairs as you could reasonably expect. If you have a source of good used parts at a reasonable price, that would be very advantageous. Having to buy every thing new will get awfully costly and make it end up costing more than a good running example would have been.
Seeing it go from its current state to dependable and usable would be entertaining and educational, though. If it were me, and I planned on driving it, I’d keep looking.
I don’t know man, that level of corrosion on the outside must mean more horrors for underbody, suspension, wiring, hinges… oof! Sounds like the Genesis of a painful waste of time.
Noted. Thanks for the input, my man.
I’m sure you could sell more than $900 worth of parts off of it, but I wouldn’t try to turn it into a driver even if it was free.
That’s a solid point. Thanks, D-dub!
The only problem with buying a rusty Hyundai out of a junkyard is that you will own a rusty Hyundai out of a junkyard, in this case without the benefit of key, title, or reasonable suspicion of chassis integrity.
If you really, really want one of these for some reason, the (literally) safer option would be to pony up a bit more cash for an unsalted model.
tl;dr hell, no 🙂
Oh there is a title! I would pass if there wasn’t. Thanks for the comment and for reading, my dude!
Ah, my mistake – the comment re: the title is cheerfully withdrawn. All others remain in effect. 🙂
And thanks for writing!
In the wise words of Monte Python and the Holy Grail: “RUN AWAY!”
Noted and excellent reference! Thanks Rippstik.
Looks like a witch to me I say.
If you have to ask, the answer is no. But I’m a bad influence and an enabler, so I vote yes.
My kind of guy! Thanks Drew.
I can only imagine the electrical gremlin hell that awaits if you do buy it.
And speaking as a consumer of the product y’all are selling, electrical gremlin hell isn’t that interesting to read about. In case you’re considering going through that hell just for the content.
I think electrical gremlins thrive in car enthusiast hell. Electrical gremlin hell is an Amish community.
Agreed and well said, Drew!
Amish Paradise!
As I walk through the junkyard where I harvest my parts
I take a look at the car and realize she’s very plain
But that’s just perfect for a wrencher like me
You know, I shun fancy things like electricity
At 4:30 in the morning I’m milkin’ the oil
DT feeds the engine and Torch howls…fool
And I’ve been wrenchin and diagnosing so long that
Even DT thinks that my mind is gone
I’m a man of the land, I’m into discipline
Got a spanner in my hand and a beard on my chin
But if I finish all of my overhauls and you finish thine
Then tonight we’re gonna party like it’s 1699
We been spending most our lives
Living in an Amish volcano lair
I’ve churned gear oil once or twice
Living in an Amish volcano lair
It’s hard work and sacrifice
Living in an Amish volcano lair
We sell shitboxes at discount price
Living in an Amish volcano lair
A NYC cab kicked me in the butt last week
I just smiled at it and turned the other cheek
I really don’t care, in fact I wish it well
‘Cause I’ll be laughing my head off when it’s burning in a volcano
But I ain’t never punched a main engine seal even if it deserved it
An Amish with a ‘tude? You know that’s unheard of
I never wear gloves but I got a cool hat
And my homies agree, I really look good in black oil…fool
If you come to visit, you’ll be bored to tears
We haven’t even paid the mechanic bill in 300 years
But we ain’t really quaint, so please don’t point and stare
We’re just technologically impaired
There’s no phone, no taillights, no motor
Not a single luxury
Like Robinson Crusoe
It’s as primitive as can be
We been spending most our lives
Living in an Amish volcano lair
We’re just plain and simple guys
Living in an Amish volcano lair
There’s no time for sin and vice grips
Living in an Amish volcano lair
We don’t fight, we all play nice
Living in an Amish volcano lair
Hitchin’ up the buggy, churnin’ lots of antifreeze
Raised a shitbox on Monday, soon I’ll raise another
Think you’re really righteous? Think you’re pure in heart?
Well, I know I’m a million times as humble as thou art
I’m the pious guy the little Amlettes wanna be like
On my knees day and night scorin’ points for The Autopian
So don’t be vain and don’t be whiny
Or else, my brother, I might have to get medieval on your heinie
We been spending most our lives
Living in an Amish shitbox paradise
We’re all crazy Mennonites
Living in an Amish shitbox paradise
There’s no cops or traffic lights
Living in an Amish shitbox paradise
But you’d probably think it bites
Living in an Amish shitbox paradise
COTD nominated- bravo!
> And I’ve been wrenchin and diagnosing so long that
> Even DT thinks that my mind is gone
Genius
Thank for chiming in!
Given the level of rust, I suspect you’d be better off pulling a Project Cactus and using the Pick n Pull hulk as the starting point.
I came from Upstate New York where this level of rust is present on every 7-9yr old car on the road, so this is nothing/negligible.
Thanks for reading and for the comment my dude!
I always thought Upstate NY cars came pre-rusted as a feature.
Straight outta Utica, NY.
It’s pure carnage up there with the salt.
Road salt crust comes up from below so that your ride folds in half before it gets to most of the electrical. Sea spray rust comes from the top down so I think by the time you’ve stripped the corroded mechanical parts you’ll just have a slighty crusty body-in-white. Be prepared to transplant everything over from that parts car.
If you do it, buy that silver one out of the junkyard too–I have a feeling you’ll need a LOT off of that car. If it’s not wrecked, maybe it’s the one to fix up with parts from the black car.
Sadly, once cars pass those Pick n Pull gates, they are never to return to the roads per NC law. Luckily, parts from that yard are super affordable and it’s 10 min from my house, so it’s a big net-positive here.
Thanks for reading and for the comment, Steve!
Say more? Are they untitleable after that somehow?
Correct. Ass soon as it is processed into the yard, the title/VIN gets updated in the NC DMV/Raleigh database as having been junked, which is a DMV death sentence in this state.
uhuuhuhuh, he said ass
No.
That’s 1 in the “Nay” column. Appreciate the brevity.
This.
1,000 times this.
Heard!
REO Speed(Swede!)wagon:
I can’t fight this Genesis any longer
And yet I’m still afraid to buy it
What started out as friendship has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show
I tell myself that I can’t hold out forever
I said there is no reason for my fear
‘Cause I feel so secure when we’re together
You give my life direction, you make everything so clear
And even as I wander, I’m keeping you in sight
You’re a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter’s night
And I’m getting closer than I ever thought I might
*After buying*
And I can’t fight this rust anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for
It’s time to bring this rusty ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever
‘Cause I can’t fight this rust anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for
And if I have to crawl upon the rusty floor panels, come crashing through your rusty door
Baby, I can’t fight this rust anymore
My life has been such a whirlwind since I bought you
I’ve been running ’round in circles (donuts) in my yard
And it always seems that I’m following you, rust
‘Cause you take me to the places that alone I’d never find
COTD nomination!