pgfnola

I'm looking at buying a 2013 gs350. Is this rust concerning? Everything else looks great.

bclexus

Normal? Concerning? It may be normal for any 12 year-old vehicle, depending on where it has been driven and parked for over a decade of its life.

If the car has been in an area that has frequent snow/ice where salt/brine is often used, or nearby coastal saltwater and high humidity - rust is usually quite prevalent. Copper wiring and its related terminals/lugs are also very susceptible to salt exposure with not just surface corrosion, but the salt can actually dissolve and eat away copper over time.

You won't typically see that rust and corrosion of iron and steel with vehicles from the deep south or arid southwest.

PhilC13

my 2014. 140,000 on the odometer. I am the 3rd owner and it has always been a Florida car.
Pic taken this morning.

pgfnola

Really appreciate the current pic and advise. The car spent most of its life in the northeast so there definitely was snow involved. Should I stay clear?

tammap

I guess normal for salt belt but here in CA that is very abnormal!

Attached is my 2005 LS430

bclexus

That's up to you to decide after having the car inspected by a reputable mechanic - preferably by a Lexus Senior or Master technician at a Lexus dealership's service department - prior to committing to purchase it.

Quite often a vehicle exposed to salt/brine rust over a prolonged period of time will have enough corrosion under the carriage to destroy thin metal hangers or bolts, washers and nuts (e.g. for exhaust system, muffler heat shield fasteners, etc.) Whereas thick steel engine associated components (e.g. pulleys, belt guides, etc.) are not going to be truly damaged except for the surface rust you see and already know about. But wiring harness connection terminals exposed to salt/brine for things like the many sensors (e.g. oxygen sensors) cannot really be easily inspected.



Have the car inspected...

Lanson

Mine (2013 AWD, 120k) saw most of its life in the Midwest , and on the whole has very little corrosion other than the typical surface rust like you are seeing. BUT...the suspension adjustment parts like bolts/cams...you can expect those to probably be frozen up. My RR toe adjustment is and it doesn't even look bad, thankfully it isnt out of spec but expect things like that here and there. My rear caliper boots went bad when they flexed some to do the brakes, for instance. Just be ready for a few niggles...it's way better than many other cars of the same age and weather conditions, I personally think.

bclexus

Agree!

Lanson - Have you had your 'fourthmeal' recently?