Would you buy a car that has lived near the sea?

[paulguitar]

Evening everyone.

As per the title really. I am considering a used car but see from the history the address of the previous owner is 300 meters from the sea. I think he kept it garaged, but it is a car with something of a reputation for rust and is from 2009.

What does the mighty PH mind have to say?

[poing]

I live by the sea. My cars definitely rust more than when I lived in the city although I probably wash them less and the Scottish winter means a lot of salt on the roads.

I do have a tendency to own cars that are mechanically robust but with a bit of a rustbox reputation. Lots of Japanese stuff and Fords.

[griffter]

I once viewed a 3000 mile scandal green Elise sport 160 that lived in a garage more or less at the top of a cliff. All the fasteners etc were furred or rusty. A real shame. It hadn’t worn the weather well.

[Pegscratch]

Never again. Got a car shipped down from Scotland (fairly rare) and just about every panel had a stone chip that had started to creep into full on rust, and all of the underside was horrendous. For a 6 year old car it was atrocious; the 10 year old car it replaced was better in every way.