Having recently moved back to the northeast for the first time since 2016, I’m getting a not-so-warm welcome from Old Man Winter. This has me on high alert for rust damage as I shop for a second vehicle. Surprisingly, even trusted brands like Toyota and Lexus can have major rust issues, for example:
Truck/SUV Frame Corrosion (2005-2010): Tacoma (2005-2010), Tundra (2007-2008), and Sequoia (2005-2008) suffered from severe frame rust, sometimes requiring complete frame replacements.
Lexus Rear Fender Rust (2014-2015): The 2015 Lexus RC, RC F, and 2014-2015 IS 250/350 models had issues with water intrusion in the rear fender arches due to poor sealant, causing corrosion and paint blistering.
Since online listings almost never include pictures of the undercarriage, I like to call the dealership and ask the salesperson to get me photos (or ideally, video) underneath. If you have the luxury of being close enough to the dealer, you can go have a look yourself (if the vehicle sits too low, you can ask them to put it on a lift).
Good price, but rust is TBD
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is one of the most notorious rust-prone vehicles, especially if they’ve been driven in chilly climates. They’re also popular to take on the beach, so don’t let your guard down if you see one that’s spent its life in a warm climate like Florida or California.
This example in particular has had plenty of consistent maintenance done according to its CARFAX report. It’s also had a couple of accidents, although nothing major. Its price point around $11K is right where you want to be for a higher-mileage example FJ to have fun with on the beach, offroad, or in the snow. Just be sure to check for rust - and be prepared for its notorious blindspots.
Great reads
New car prices continue to escalate ($50K+) so we’re seeing ferocious demand for used cars. But you gotta do the math in plenty of cases when buying used. This is where the Value Score we provide is priceless.
Say it with me: “Popular isn’t always the best measuring stick when buying a used car.” That’s why we’re so focused on honing our CarInspection.com Score. Still, we’re suckers for shiny things like anyone else, so here are the most popular used vehicles right now.
Being a New York Jets fan, I probably don’t qualify for this question, sad to say. Maybe you do: would you sell your car for Super Bowl tickets?
These “How to buy cheap cars” style videos do really well on YouTube, and given the financial struggles people are facing, I can appreciate the discipline of doing the math and working on cars yourself. Depending on the age of the car, we may not offer a score on it, but we do think there are some older gems out there. With age, of course, comes budgeting needed for repairs (and older parts that are sometimes hard to find).
Thanks for reading everybody!
-Paul