Salty roads?

So, I'm looking to buy another car but am tired or dealing with rust. I'm willing to travel outside of my area to get one that hasn't lived it's whole life in the salt belt. So, let's say I'm in Michigan heading south on I-75. How far south of the last cavernous pothole do I have to travel to get to where they don't salt the roads at the slightest hind of snow?

Alabama? Georgia? Key west? why not just buy a tupperware car (saturn)?

If you're traveling down I-75, I suspect you'll be pretty deep into Kentucky and catching a whiff of Tennessee before you get to the cars you want.

Rust just blows.............

Probably too far for you to travel, but stuff doesn't rust here in Fresno, CA.

oldsaw wrote: If you're traveling down I-75, I suspect you'll be pretty deep into Kentucky and catching a whiff of Tennessee before you get to the cars you want.

that's what i was gonna say.

Autolex wrote: Alabama? Georgia? Key west? why not just buy a tupperware car (saturn)?

Tupperware car still has lots of metal the tupperware anchors to.

Autolex wrote: Alabama? Georgia? Key west? why not just buy a tupperware car (saturn)?

Been there, done that. I've learned my lesson and I'll never do that again. Shoulda known a GM car would be a, well, GM car.

I had one shipped from Texas to upstate New York for less than it would cost me to drive (gas + tolls + hotel)

Dan

Yeah. Desert South West. I'm in South Florida, the absolute end of I-75 is about 10 miles from me. Anywhere on that road you will find very high humidity if not salt, so the Tin Worm can be present. Certainly not like you are used to, but still something to be considered, especially on older cars. The idea of shipping one up sounds good to me, too.

It seems to me that all the cool old cars on ebay are from Portland, OR. What is it with the climate out there? Not too much sun to damage, no extreme temps either way?

Doc,
I would think this might be the answer you are looking for.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/lost-my-job-30-minutes-agovehicle-sell-off/15792/page1/

jrw1621 wrote: It seems to me that all the cool old cars on ebay are from Portland, OR.

Never noticed that; I pretty much look only at California eBay auctions, as I currently reside there. But now I have more reason to contemplate moving to Oregon.

I'm inland Central Florida. Somewhere between Gainesville and St. Augustine. The humidity is too high around here for things to not rust. The salt air from all around doesn't help out, either. I'm going to say Carolinas or Georgia.

Also think out West. Surface rust? Maybe. But I've seen daily driver International pickups that look factory fresh.

I'd go to west Texas.

there are lots of cool old rust free cars here in the ATL. I can probably poke them with a long stick if you asked me to check them out.

DrB, check out Baltimore/DC/northern Virginia. I know its a bit of hike for you, but there cars are very nice. I just picked up an 02' focus zx5 with 142K on it and the blessed thing is just cherry underneath and on top. Its my favorite place to search. Plus there is enough military/govn't people moving in and out that you can find some very nice deals. Damn hope I didn't just spoil a good thing. Anyway, you can get into I think at least two good airports for cheap, BWI and Dulles. Then your looking at about a 7.5ish hour ride home. I live just south of Pittsburgh and made it to 3 blocks from the white house to pick up the focus in just under 4 hours, then from me to Detroit is about 3.5 hours. So it would be a solid day trip, fly out in the morning and cruise on back home by night, but very doable. Good luck

Fellow corner workers got into the stuff in Georgia a few years ago. A van they had owned for something like 11 years with zero rust turned to pure shit underneath after getting into what I see to recall was described as 'blue liquid' in Georgia.

Thanks all. I know to stay away from Florida. Besides the humidity and salty air, I hear the people down there are "a bit off"
Now, about the DC, VA area. That's not too far a drive for me, but don't they use salt on the roads? I'm looking at a scoobaru and all Japanese cars rust around the rear wheel wells and/or fuel filler so I'm really trying to avoid rust at all costs.

Kentucky is pretty safe, the further south the better. Bought an '85 X-11 in 03 with no rust and it was driven regularly. YMMV

colorado is pretty rust-free as well. i think they use sand rather than salt.

DrBoost wrote: Now, about the DC, VA area. That's not too far a drive for me, but don't they use salt on the roads? I'm looking at a scoobaru and all Japanese cars rust around the rear wheel wells and/or fuel filler so I'm really trying to avoid rust at all costs.

DrB, not sure what they use for clearing roads, but whatever it is, its not nearly as harsh and as what we use in Pittsburgh. When I lived in Delaware, they used sand so maybe they do the same. We picked up a 96 miata for my dad in Delaware and its also brilliantly clean all over. My miata(from Baltimore) and the focus(from DC) are absolutely spotless from all tinworm. Maybe I was lucky, but if your not in a huge hurry, I think it would be worth a serious look. Plus if you have a significant other, you can turn either into a very nice over night getaway! Staying at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, as well as DC, lots of stuff to do and see. Good luck!

I have found some Great cars in FL. The cars that are on the coast line can rust around the windows, usually the windhshield and sunroof. If you get a car that has been inalnd. Like Orlando etc. there are NO issues. I have picked up a few 70s BMWs that were almost rust free. Yes the rain can cause issues if the car is sitting under a tree for 10 years. But something that has been driven and cared for is usually in good shape. The dash will be cracked and the seats sun faded. So you by a rusty car from Mi for the interior and use the shell of a southern car.