I currently live in TX and am considering buying a 2002 VW Jetta which was used in Ohio for 3 years. I’ve lived in Ohio and am well aware they salt the roads during winter. I can’t see any obvious rust damage, but should I still be wary? I’ve been researching vehicles all over the Dallas area and this one is the best match for what I want, but I still can’t help feeling suspicious about possible rust damage down the road. I’ll probably keep this car for about 5 more years.
Contrary to popular belief, not all cars that come from the Snow Belt automatically rust. I’ve had my car about 10 years, and still no rust (I live in northern IL). It seems like it’s more of a problem with older cars, though that’s perhaps because the older cars have been around longer. If you’re only keeping it five years–and if you’re in an area that doesn’t have salting–then it shouldn’t be a problem, I’d think.
Though I’m sure there’re many dopers who’d be more informed than I…
I’d get it inspected, and tell the mechanic that your worried about possible rust damage. For what it’s worth, I know people who gets all their cars from places like Iowa. They got one of those huge older Ford vans (conversion van?) at least a decade ago and it’s still going.
I live in Massachusetts and none of my or my families cars have ever had a rust problem at all. It may be that modern car technology has made such a concern less relevant.
I need to get my eyes checked. I read the thread title as “Burying a cat…”
I’ll go now.
This definately was a problem in the past. But modern factory rust proofing is so good that it’s rarely a problem. This is why all the aftermarket rust proofing places have gone out of business, there’s no need for them.
Certainly get it checked out, but beyond that you should be fine.