knightsh

My '02 SE was rearended recently and I'm still looking for a replacement. Can only find exactly what I want up north(I'm in GA). Found 2 I love, one auto and one 6 spd(like my previous was). Look stunning in pics, but without seeing in person how do I know about rust? Are Northern cars that susceptible to rust as we hear in the South? One is in NY and the other OH. Planning to fly up and drive back when I make up my mind. Is it worth risking?? Thanks for any input you can offer!

T-Mon3y

Ask the person ur buying from and tell them ur flying up to buy it. That's the only real way to know without being there.
Just hope they aren't lying.

Cars from the North get rusted easier with all the road salt. But there are also cars that are taken care of with not a spot of rust.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Might wanna try the regional forums. Those guys might have better insight.

5150pa

Rust is insane here, Even meticulously cared for cars will bubble somewhere if they are driven in the winter. The stuff they use on the roads here just destroys metal.

ComfortablyDumb

+1

I wouldn't do it, especially for a car in the price range I assume your talking about. I'd travel to buy a rare car that I'd really want but I definitely wouldn't travel for a maxima. There are tons of them up here and I can't think it would be that different where you are but maybe I'm wrong. I'm in CT and was in the market for one myself and was looking at 2003s with rust. The ones that didn't have it on the body sure had it on the underside. There are exceptions of course but I wouldn't chance it. Hold out for a nice southern one and if your willing to travel travel midwest or southwest. I think you'd be happier in the long run. Just my 2 cents, good luck!

Dominicanaso

iTrader: (4)

Not sure how northern your talking ive lived in NY,CT, And Maine. Maine has been the worst. Since well it snows the most here An about 3 of 5 maximas will have rust. Lots of the rust is gonna be on the quarters, which unless its bad you cant see. Radiator support will be rusted to ****s...Id know I spent quite bit of time looking for a maxima around here..I got mine for 2K because of the rust and did the rust work myself with a buddy.

Flynnsmax

I live in minnesota and own a 02 maxima. Its been driven in the winter it whole life. I dont wash it as much I as I should in the winter time. It has no rust from driving in the winter. every car will rust over time but the 5th gens seem to be pretty rust proof.

maxspeed96CT

iTrader: (9)

5th gens are rusting out like old hondas, Mine had some bubbling on both rear quaters. I fixed it but only time will tell if it will come back.

Now that my car had rust It really made me notice the rust on other maximas everytime I see one. And I cant believe how many are rusting out here in central CT. Really bums me out cause the rest of my car is so mint and it runs so good..

knightsh

Thanks for the heads up everyone. What was driving me to look up north was for my original cars options. I had the 6 spd, and Meridian package(heated leather seats and steering wheel). Most southern cars are either cloth or don't have heat if leather. The 6 spd is rare everywhere. One is in Spencerport NY right now but a little pricier than I want. Just lost one in Dover OH that was owned by a Nissan mechanic and looked flawless, but was an automatic.(only wanted $7600 with 117k miles). The one in NY only has 87k miles. Love it, just scared of the rust situation.