My 30 year old Corolla, same thing, virtually no rust on underside. Rocker panels pristine. Somebody must have figured out how to rust-proof newly manufactured cars.
All new parts and currently running like new mean nothing if you don’t trust it.
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No dispute, the only way to own a car with all new parts is to buy a new car. But new cars are not totally reliable either. Newer cars are very complex and can fail due to their complexities. Search through the forums here for examples. So older, simpler car with many new parts, but many old parts vs totally new but more complex car, it’s a compromise. I guess if I was driving cross-country, I’d feel more confident w/a new car. But for around town, I’d feel more confident with an older, simpler, well maintained car.
Also the 2.4L Chrysler engine is decent for reliability but some use oil. If it had the 2.7L V6, you probably wouldn’t be here asking these questions as it would have blown up. I think anyone with older cars will experience multiple unrelated failures at some point. The good news is that a bunch of stuff got replaced.
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Very true, but just remember that new car dealerships aren’t working on very many 10+ yo vehicles… lol
Being in a high traffic (not like Cali) pass through state plus all the entertainment etc crap that is slways drawing in out of state people and having 3 interstates (I65, I24, I40) running through the middle of it, Not to mention having 7 colleges in Nashville alone and working close to those interstates at different locations, but a couple VERY close to all 3, I have seen my share of newer vehicles including rentals break down, many just left dealers for servicing… So now I don’t trust any vehicle while travelling… lol
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Just curious, does anyone here know how this is done? I presume everything that could rust is covered with zinc. Do they dip the entire body in a big tank of hot zinc? Or is it an electroplating process? Or some other method?
I have a Ford and a Dodge both at the 20+ year mark. The Dodge underbody is mildly rusted with no special care from me other than washing off the salt ASAP.
The Ford would be a pile of rust dust if I didn’t take preventive measures. It had the extra undercoating from the dealer that saved the wheel wells from rotting out (common problem). Every ~6 months, I spray underbody parts that like to rust with Fluid Film Penetrant & Lubricant Corrosion Inhibitor Spray. That stuff works great, puts on a thin oil film that stays put.
My “loss of trust”…the car never failed in 20 years…that’s some real trust…then it shipwrecked me 5 times in less than an hour…that’s a trust crusher. I’ve gotten over it for the most part, back on the highway, only a slight fear popping into my mind from time to time…I’m slightly OCD, so totally normal for me to be a “worrier”.
I have seen my share of newer vehicles including rentals break down, many just left dealers for servicing
Yeah, had a buddy pick up his new car, made it 5 miles and the engine light came on. Drove right back, they had to order the part, picked it up a week later. I would have returned it for a refund.
Interesting, thanks for the tip. I found a vdo on how that product is used for auto-rust prevention.
I would never travel cross country in a car. That’s what airplanes are for.
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lol … Folks from smaller countries, esp in Europe, vacationing in the USA sometimes think it would be a good experience to drive coast to coast to see the country. A little advice from somebody who has lived in the USA for many years: This is not a good idea! … lol … The USA is just too big for a cross-country drive to make for an enjoyable holiday.
I for one don’t ever plan on ever being in a vehicle for that long, but my daughter and her best friend drove from Nashville Tn to LA Caili a few years ago and only stopped for gas and food in a Hybrid and laying over in Tx one night, just to have a maniac rear ended them twice at night at 70 mph and then once vacation was over drove straight through back to Nashville and had an amazing time doing it…
Me and flying don’t go together, you would think that someone that likes to drive fast would like to fly, but you would be wrong, my back end is staying close to the ground… lol
Agree I woud only fly in a emergency situation.
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