Used Car - Thoughts on Undercarriage? - PICS

C

Clarkbug

Joined
May 5, 2012
Messages
112
Location
NY
Good morning all.

Considering buying a 2018 Ford here in Upstate NY. Was sent the following photos by the seller. Curious your thoughts about the amount of rust. Going to reserve my thoughts so as to not color anyone's response.

Appreciate anyone's thoughts or opinions!


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A lot more details are needed. Model, how long you intend to keep the vehicle, how urgent is your need?

Based on what we know, I would pass. Rust is something that simply is not easy to address. When I inspect a vehicle with rust, an area I always inspect is brake pipe. Rust in brake pipe is always a sign to run away.
 
Was specifically trying not to give too much info to just get a take based on the photos. But I can see why that would make a difference....

I don't have an urgent need, it's an extra vehicle in the household so a "nice to have" option. I would keep it until it won't pass inspection anymore or needed a major repair like a battery (it's a hybrid) or a transmission. I can do most maintenance things myself, but things are pretty smooshed up in there and some things really need a lift.
 
Clarkbug said:
Was specifically trying not to give too much info to just get a take based on the photos. But I can see why that would make a difference....

I don't have an urgent need, it's an extra vehicle in the household so a "nice to have" option. I would keep it until it won't pass inspection anymore or needed a major repair like a battery (it's a hybrid) or a transmission. I can do most maintenance things myself, but things are pretty smooshed up in there and some things really need a lift.
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Nice to have option makes the course of action of buying a rust free like vehicle from the south a preferred course of action over a rusting vehicle from upstate New York.
 
New yorker here. The amount of rust is ok for 7 years. Like the other guy said. Brake lines, fuel lines, evap lines are important. The evap canister solenoids are looking a little crusty. It depends on the price but you can definitely find something cleaner thats 7 years old or older. Maybe look at toyota.
 
If you needed it and were going to use it, for the right price it might be worth it. One thing I know from experience: It's not going to get better. A rapidly depreciating asset. You'd want to take a close look at the brake lines.
 
What I see is mostly control arms and cross members. All of which are replaceable. Id be more concerned with the floor, door seams, rocker panels, etc. What I see in the pics could easily and effectively be treated with an oil/lanolin based corrosion inhibitor.
 
Appreciate all the thoughts everyone.

I have this current model car, albeit several years older and much crustier. The family is very happy with how it drives and the sight lines, and it's been pretty trouble free until recently.

I'm not thrilled at the amount of rust on the cross members. It's a one owner that's been dealer maintained and has less than 60k on it. So it's a good mix of the features and low mileage, and it's relatively close to me compared to finding something down South. My thought would be to get it coated immediately with fluid Film or Wool wax and try to stop things where they sit now.

On the fence given the price, distance and these photos, so appreciate all of the different points of view here.
 
JTK said:
What I see is mostly control arms and cross members. All of which are replaceable. Id be more concerned with the floor, door seams, rocker panels, etc. What I see in the pics could easily and effectively be treated with an oil/lanolin based corrosion inhibitor.
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Exactly what I’d say. A yearly spray and you’d never see the rust anymore with the grime coating and it’d penetrate into the rust and stop any further.

PS stay warm @JTK finally some snow around here.
 
It doesn't look that awful to me, what worries me more is that someone has already been undercoating on it (overspray on heat shields) so are they covering something else up?

I think you could clean that up and it would last a long time.
 
I don't think it's that bad. I'd prefer less but if it's a good deal, then jump on it.

Something you bring up from down south is apt to quickly catch up. One of my prior cars, I tried to keep FF on it, but it still had rust issues when it went away.
 
FF or Woolwax on it even if you get a southern one. If its a good deal in your opinion then treat accordingly.

My thoughts on a lot of used vehicles now. With all the hurricane floods south and other water issues different places the totaled/salvaged vehicles get bounced around. Not a guarantee but I would prefer a carfax showing 1 owner where you know or at least hope for better indicators.

Rust sucks.

@GON and a couple others look at many so could be very helpful for details and might even help find something you like for same/better price and then can do the FF or Woolwax (No rubberized stuff).

From other posts here at BITOG you could consider hitting up @macarose at 48 hours and a used car also and see options. I know that if I'm in market for used, unless it is someone I know and trust, that would be somewhere I would look. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/advice-for-reliable-used-car.388587/post-7046618
 
Sequoiasoon said:
From other posts here at BITOG you could consider hitting up @macarose at 48 hours and a used car also and see options. I know that if I'm in market for used, unless it is someone I know and trust, that would be somewhere I would look. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/advice-for-reliable-used-car.388587/post-7046618
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Good point. I usually keep a tab open for his CL side cars (link) just in case something pops up. I think his 48 hours service is more for cars on the other side of $10k though--which really isn't that much money these days, but I know I'm attempting to stay under that, so I tend to keep an eye more local (plus it'd be a pain to fly and drive).
 
Clarkbug said:
Good morning all.

Considering buying a 2018 Ford here in Upstate NY. Was sent the following photos by the seller. Curious your thoughts about the amount of rust. Going to reserve my thoughts so as to not color anyone's response.

Appreciate anyone's thoughts or opinions!


View attachment 252243View attachment 252244View attachment 252245View attachment 252246View attachment 252247View attachment 252248
Click to expand...

The link below is my car buying service. A lot of BITOG folks have bought vehicles from my dealership and you figure out online, through the wholesale auctions, as to what you actually want. No need to fly down. The vehicle gets delivered directly to your door.

My biggest customer from New York state bought three vehicles from me, and if you need more background as to my experience and work, there is this study I co-developed on long-term reliability.

www.dashboard-light.com

And here's the car buying service. I have a little bit over 3500 followers on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057221059455&name=xhp_nt__fb__action__open_user

If you need anything, feel free to PM me. All the best.
 
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