** It literally rust away out from under me.**
Summer 71, I just turned 17, bought my neighbor’s 69 falcon. Inline 6, 170 cid. 3 speed manual. My plan was to drive it a year, then drop a 302 and 4 speed in it. A year later I could see that the northern IL salt was starting to bubble the paint in several places, so I just drove it for another year. 5 winters and it was looking bad.
Summer 73, I decided to trade for a 71 Mach 1, that had already seen two winters (the owner had bought it fall of 70). He commuted 80 miles a day to a good job, and traded every two years.
Loved the Mustang, but I had bought the same problem. Two years later sold it, and the bubbling was really bad. 5 winters and that car was deteriorating fast.
I’m in Alabama. Will NOT buy any vehicle that’s been living north of I40.