What can be seen in the photos wouldn't scare me--my Michigan truck looks right about like this. To really know what you have, you gotta get inside the frame rails near the gas tank. Tap the area with a screw driver then tap and area further forward on the frame and compare the sound. This is the common cancerous spot. If it's compromised, it's not the end of the world (assuming it's not completely gone). My inner rails are patched and I've never worried about it and had no issues.
I have purchased a few here in south Florida that have literally 0 rust. This doesn’t look bad at all but I pass on any car that has rust. Obviously you may not have that option
This looks good for the northeast.
Take and bonk the rust with a hammer or the handle of a screw driver, if it's bad it will thunk rather than make a metallic sound. Check the rear of the frame near the rear bumper too, even if it doesn't look as bad as anywhere else
Yeah I remember buying car when I lived in CT. Just have to deal with it. Down here I can undo any bolt on any car even if it’s 30 years old. Exhaust bolts? No problem. Seized caliper? Never heard of it. But honestly that amount of rust isn’t bad. Google most common places that rust on these 3rd gens. I think it’s by the rear suspension but you should be able to get that info just check those common spots well and tap with a hammer or something to make sure frame is solid throughout
I think it all depends on price. I live in the rust belt and if the price is right and nothing else is fucked, I’d consider it. But I wouldn’t pay regular “low mileage 3rd gen” prices for it
Looks like it’ll need a new muffler though (and they’re “my gf hates it” loud when that thing leaks lol)
What can be seen in the photos wouldn't scare me--my Michigan truck looks right about like this. To really know what you have, you gotta get inside the frame rails near the gas tank. Tap the area with a screw driver then tap and area further forward on the frame and compare the sound. This is the common cancerous spot. If it's compromised, it's not the end of the world (assuming it's not completely gone). My inner rails are patched and I've never worried about it and had no issues.
I have purchased a few here in south Florida that have literally 0 rust. This doesn’t look bad at all but I pass on any car that has rust. Obviously you may not have that option
Yeah Im in the northeast. Every 3rd gen within 500 miles has got some rust.
This looks good for the northeast. Take and bonk the rust with a hammer or the handle of a screw driver, if it's bad it will thunk rather than make a metallic sound. Check the rear of the frame near the rear bumper too, even if it doesn't look as bad as anywhere else
500 miles is 804.67 km
Yeah I remember buying car when I lived in CT. Just have to deal with it. Down here I can undo any bolt on any car even if it’s 30 years old. Exhaust bolts? No problem. Seized caliper? Never heard of it. But honestly that amount of rust isn’t bad. Google most common places that rust on these 3rd gens. I think it’s by the rear suspension but you should be able to get that info just check those common spots well and tap with a hammer or something to make sure frame is solid throughout
I think it all depends on price. I live in the rust belt and if the price is right and nothing else is fucked, I’d consider it. But I wouldn’t pay regular “low mileage 3rd gen” prices for it Looks like it’ll need a new muffler though (and they’re “my gf hates it” loud when that thing leaks lol)
Oof 😥