Rust and Automobiles

We are 100 meters from the water and have a garage. It is wonderful, the roof is angled so there is huge airflow. It keeps the sun off of the car and not much else. We bought our 2008 Ford Escape in 2017 and it is still in great shape, no visible rust. We seldom wash it, but intend to all the time. It has never been waxed, and we think it came down from Mexico City shortly before we bought it.

In California we were 100 meters from the ocean as well. Cold ocean. In 1982 we bought a classic VW beetle, sold it in 2017 because we couldn't import it. It lived it's entire life outside, but under a car cover. Literally all the time it wasn't being driven, even at work. We swear by the Evolution covers, the numbers on them change as the technology improves. That car always spent it's winters under its cover on the beach while we were here. Rust was never an issue on the body, the exhaust system has a slightly lower life time, but all else did well. When we sold it it went to Arizona and the buyer was shocked at it's condition.

We have always seriously questioned the stories about rust by the ocean. Sure, if you just leave it out with salt water spray on it and lots of sun, you will see deterioration on the finish, and probably the undercarriage. From what we understand, nothing like what you get with salted roads.

Washing a car too frequently, think weekly, is supposed to be bad because of all of the little nooks and crannies that fill up with water that will ultimately lead to rust.

Buy what you want, and if you really are worried, get a good car cover and actually USE IT when you aren't here.