Cars that don't rust?
Discussion
Do they exist?
Well ok, maybe don't rust is too optimistic. But what about aren't seriously affected by rust, or are very easily sorted if they do?
As a patron of older performance and interesting cars, I find it a shame that rust is still a major issue. And it's one of those things you can rarely fix completely and never cheaply.
I'm talking about Porsche 944's, Ford Puma's, BMW e36 328i's and the like - all great cars. But buying one is fraught with rusty examples. Oily bits a fine, you can always replace an engine or gearbox or upgrade suspension components. But once the rot sets in it's a losing battle really.
So what fun/fast cars of this ilk seem somewhat impervious to the rust bug?
Well ok, maybe don't rust is too optimistic. But what about aren't seriously affected by rust, or are very easily sorted if they do?
As a patron of older performance and interesting cars, I find it a shame that rust is still a major issue. And it's one of those things you can rarely fix completely and never cheaply.
I'm talking about Porsche 944's, Ford Puma's, BMW e36 328i's and the like - all great cars. But buying one is fraught with rusty examples. Oily bits a fine, you can always replace an engine or gearbox or upgrade suspension components. But once the rot sets in it's a losing battle really.
So what fun/fast cars of this ilk seem somewhat impervious to the rust bug?
Krikkit said:
Easy enough to beat the rust - take your purchase off the road for a while, strip down and treat all the rust you find, then apply generous coatings of sealant -> Good for another 30 years.
lol, if only it was that easy on some, but it's not. My old XJ-S suffered, it looked tidy but needed to go to the pain shop ever few years to keep it looking that way.300bhp/ton said:
kambites said:
Doubt my Elise is going to rust. 
Good shout actually.How are the tubs standing up to corrosion in general? They're bonded aluminium aren't they?
Firstly, the floor-pan can start to corrode if you let the carpets get and stay wet. Never seen this do any structural harm, but it makes a hell of a mess.
Secondly, anywhere where mild steel comes into contact with the tub can corrode badly. Generally, it doesn't but some cars have had mild steel spacers fitted when adjusting the suspension geometry which has eaten into the suspension mounts and written the car off.
The rear subframe and wishbones are steel, but they don't seem to rust particularly.
Properly cared for and not crashed/repaired 944s took twenty years to rust. When they were ten years old they still looked like new.
Its probably unfair to liken them to Ford Pumas which were starting to bubble around the arches at between five and ten years old (at ten some had been scrapped!).
Its probably unfair to liken them to Ford Pumas which were starting to bubble around the arches at between five and ten years old (at ten some had been scrapped!).
Back around the year 2000 rust was a big issue and some manufacturers stepped up to the mark with fully galvanized body shells. Also some cars like the JAG XJ were alloy bodied.
My VW Golf MK4 is galvanized and after 12 years still has no rust. Same with my old 10 year old Daewoo Lanos. But my Omega (just sold) was rusting away in front of my eyes.
My next car is going to be an 03/04 Jag XJR so hopefully no more rust issues !
My VW Golf MK4 is galvanized and after 12 years still has no rust. Same with my old 10 year old Daewoo Lanos. But my Omega (just sold) was rusting away in front of my eyes.
My next car is going to be an 03/04 Jag XJR so hopefully no more rust issues !
Let's face it - modern cars have moved on so much in the past 15 years, its very rare to see significant structual rust (ie sills etc) on anything these days. In fact, one of the most frequently spotted 8 year + aged rusters are Mercs - usually around the wheel arches. Obviously built when the accountants decided to run the company!
I remember as a kid the frequent trips to the local autofactors for a tub of filler and a sheet of aluminium mesh to fill up the front wings on Mum's Morris Minor. Then her Triumph 1500. Then my Opel Manta...
I remember as a kid the frequent trips to the local autofactors for a tub of filler and a sheet of aluminium mesh to fill up the front wings on Mum's Morris Minor. Then her Triumph 1500. Then my Opel Manta...
Liokault said:
vrooom said:
French car dont generally rust...
French cars rust, but generally they see a scrap yard due to the cost of replacing a headlamp buld being more than the value of the car before it becomes an issue.My Audi S2 was 20 years old and sitting on 163k miles when I sold it and there were no signs of rust on the body.
I've seen a few S2s with rust which was due to either having a poorly fitted replacement windscreen or from a poor repair job after an accident.
Certainly not a guaranteed rust free car but if well maintained a looked after (like mine was!) there's no reason they should ever rust.
I've seen a few S2s with rust which was due to either having a poorly fitted replacement windscreen or from a poor repair job after an accident.
Certainly not a guaranteed rust free car but if well maintained a looked after (like mine was!) there's no reason they should ever rust.
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