You folks in AZ are spoiled (cars not gov't)
 

...for cars! I was is Tucson over the weekend, and I'm STILL wiping the drool from my chin. w123s, 114s, 70's BMW's, plus countless others, all remarkably rust-free, running, and so new-looking. I'm really starting to not like Ohio anymore...

best thing arizona has going for em is the dry heat. it wont rust out a car like it will here

That's true up to a point. From a rust situation it's great. However the sun kills clearcoats and destroys interiors. Also on that government thing. We have the worst emissions nazi's in the country in Phoenix so lot's of otherwise viable vehicles wind up in the junk yards because of that.

- Peter.

But only in the Phx-Tucson area. The rest of the state is emissions test-free. Haven't had an EM test required since I moved out of Phoenix in 74:D
Flagstaff has some rust issues due to the snowy winters, but they haven't used salt in many years so that's improved things greatly.

I can't wait to get the **** out of Phoenix. Wife and I hope to be in a position to get up to the high country within ten to fifteen years.

- Peter.

Yes, we are spoiled. ;)

Arizona cars have diferent problems unlike here where rust is an issue, they have lots and lots of sun and heat damage issues, as collapsed headliners cracked or even burned plastic that just crumbles, dried up rubber and moldings. cracked dashboards, crumbling steering wheels, damaged paint etc.

:mad::mad:

Reminds me of the mystery that Toyota engineers were puzzled with when they frist started selling cars here in the US in the 60's. Dealers were reporting back to Japan that the cars were having recurring problems with winter starting. This puzzled the engineers since they have similar winter weather and there was no issues with the domestic cars in Japan. So, a team of engineers went to the US to investigate.

They were shocked to discover that Americans did not uniformly park their prized posessions in covered garages, out of the elements. More weatherproofing and insulation cured the problem.

I really do not get the issue people have with emission testing. Personally I think it should be nation wide with no exemptions. I am tired of driving behind smoking cars who got their plates out side of the metro-plex area to by pass the emission test. I keep my car in good working order and it passes the em emissions each year. If it keeps the air cleaner, I'm all for it.

So set up a portable tent over the car when parking in the sun. :D :D

All of my cars are in better working order then when they left the factory, hence they wouldn't pass an e-check. ;)

-J

So, move already.

I left the rust-belt almost 38 years ago - best move I could have ever made!

With unemployment climbing, you may need to move-up your move......

I think Prescott, the territorial capitol, would likely have the most moderate, rust belt free and not sun baked weather conducive for keeping cars nice.

I almost relocated there 20 years ago.

Not as cold and snowy as Flag, but not the murderous heat seen in Phoenix and Tucson.

Anyone else think it'd make a nice AZ. choice? And, what about Pinetop? A lot of Arizona natives take summer vacation there....

about 30 yrs ago my dad was talking of moving out to prescott.

Prescott has a lot going for it in terms of climate and amenities and of course now's a great time to buy property. On the downside, it's growing like weeds and in my view no longer qualifies as a small town. Phoenix-like traffic and the Prescott Valley area, where I hunted antelope as a kid is chopped up into subdivisions now. We shop there once a month as it's the nearest Costco and I pretty much refuse to go to Flagstaff given that typical University town's "our ***** has no smell, thank you" attitude. I take I 17 to highway 169 and from the point where 169 joins 69 at Dewey, it's pretty much bumper to bumper traffic all the way into Prescott. Not my cup of daily tea that's for sure. There also just isn't enough long term water to support that kind of growth. I see a big time collapse for the area some day when the water starts to run out. It won't be long before Prescott is well and truly Californicated.
Edit to add: Pinetop's growth plan seems to be strictly limited to retirement and vacation homes. It would be a tough place to find work I'd think unless you're able to telecommute or are involved in some kind of services. At 7200 ft. elevation it's as high as Flagstaff and the White Mountains, while beautiful, get mighty cold and there's serious snow to contend with.

Yeah. Prescott is home to one of my main arms suppliers, J&G Sales. But I've noticed the unpleasant congestion situation as well. Phoenix traffic without the roads to support it. No thanks. For me the ideal would be a place higher up on the rim. Gotta figure out a way to telecommute. And some real seasons would be a nice change from two months of nice weather and then the blast furnace.

- Peter.

Yeah, I was going to do it in about 1989, but the realtor I talked to said it was going to grow really big, up there, pretty soon, so I took him at his word and I did not go live there...

So what's been said above, is sad, but makes me glad I did not go there to live.