Hi Folks,

About 1 1/2 yrs ago I got rid of my 240d that I bought here locally in the Great White North. (East Coast of Canada)

Within the next 3-5 months I plan to purchase a 82 & up 300d (turbo). Since regionally we have a lot of snow & therefore use salt the local vehicles get pretty rust.
(My 240d had floor rust\holes & jacking pt rust big time)

I am thinking about looking for a US car from a "snow free" & hence rust free area. Where geographically In the USA should I be looking?

For example, I always thought Florida cars were rust free. But recently I was told that a lot of the vehicles located near the Altantic Ocean side of Florida were still prone to rust issues due to the salt in the air via the ocean.

So where do I look??

Thanks for your help, geographically challenged here in PEI

Aivars Berzins

Arizona, New Mexico, California, Texas. These states are pretty much in the southwest section of the US. Arizona and New Mexico are especially dry. Still, have the car professionally inspected first.

Im selling my 300d. Its a Euro, so no turbo It was bought in 84 in greece and has been in New Mexico since 88. No rust!

Where to look? Why, all over the car, silly!

In all seriousness, Texas cars may have started life in Michigan, Nevada cars may have been in Chicago, etc. Don't go just by where they were sold

Best Regards,
Jim

I bought a 87 300d turbo that was originally sold and driven in Phoenix Arizona. It was and is completely rust free. However, rubber parts and even some plastic parts tend to dry out because of our low humidity and high ozone. Plan on replacing hoses and some electrical parts.
O.

get the vin of a car you look at and check it with a carfax. you get something like 20 for 25 bucksus.

we just got a nice car that still has the brite work on the linkage and filter lids in the engine bay. no corrosion. it started life in tennesse, moved to arkansas and was bought in missouri before being immersed into winter in wisc.

__________________
currently
[1981 300 td tdidi 165500 dark brown/palamino-Brownie-mine-3k miles of ownership
1983 240d 162+++ Anthricite grey w/ henna red interior and hella lights-wifes car-Red

the above two cars are for sale
and can be seen on the cars for sale thread here. pix also available.


240d-144+ Manilla Yellow w/ palmino interior-greasecar kit-Blondie-the college kids car

23" gt 21 speed still on original tires-still got the nubs
21" khs tandem

................and I'm a bit flabbergasted that Navy let the old gal head up into the haven of salt and cold..................

The best cars seem to come from Southern CA. FL cars are hit and miss a lot of them come from New England. Older people retiring. Talk to Herb P, he could probably snag you a real nice example. You will pay though.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Find one in Vegas. No rust, cheap air fare, and have some fun while you're there.