krschee

Is the phenomenon that cars that have been driven in the Northeast in snow, ice, salted roads are in worse condition than cars that haven't been driven in these conditions, true?

I am debating whether a CPO 2008 GS 350 AWD from Pennsylvania, being sold by a Texas dealer now is worth the risk. Would an independent pre-purchase inspection be able to detect damage from salt/snow/ice? Or should I avoid AWD and Northeast cars in general?

I've only lived in CA and TX so I'm not familiar with the colder climates and conditions that go with them. Thanks.

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

why AWD? I would take a car from the south any day but that doesn't mean the car that was up north is in bad condition. I had a RWD and mine primarily sat in a garage. Just have to find the right car that was taken care of and/or washed if it was daily driven in salt/snow/ect...

swtjlsy

iTrader: (6)

Eveyr owner care for there car differently so location is really of no concern it more off how the previous owner treated their car.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Yeah gotta agree, I only buy RWD and thats hard to find in the North, but I seem to find, I baby my car and keep it garaged in the winter so it does not know what salt is. But like everyone is saying everyone takes care of the car differently.

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

Basically you don't want a car from NYC unless it was babied. Reasons salt,snow,bumps,stop and go traffic, beat up bumpers. PA car's are mostly highway mileage which here in NYC people would buy. MY car is from MA I got it at an auction.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

What auction did you grab it from, I would like to try to grab a old beater and I cant seem to find any auction in MA.

BinaryJay

I rust proof my cars every year and have never owned one that ever developed a spot of rust. Never babied them for any reason, drive right through all 4 crazy Toronto seasons. With the AWD GS and a set of X-Ice Xi2s for the winter I even find myself hoping for excuses to go out in blizzards.

Cars right on the coast even in zones that don't get real winters are exposed to tons of salt over the year in the air, I think... and the heat just makes the process even faster. Rust doesn't form very fast in sub zero weather no matter how much salt is on there... the bigger problem is when people park them in heated garages and it all melts after every drive.

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

Manheim Auction in PA, my car is from MA.