Mustang Rust

[S197Stangstr]

Hello all. Looking to buy a stang in the snow belt. Knowing FORDs, I am screwed off the bat, but, where do these stangs rust out first? If I go to buy one, whats the first thing (body rust wise) should I be looking at/for?

Thanks

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

where do these stangs rust out first?

The same place every car rusts first, and that's underneath.
Even if a car looks relatively rust free on the surface, you absolutely MUST perform a thorough underbody inspection. The wheel arch liners and the plastic side skirts covering the rocker panels can also hide a multitude of sins under the skin.

 

[S197Stangstr]

Of course, but, factory coatings vary from model to company. Being this is a newer model, I was wondering where the weak points are. A whole car has a lot of real estate to go over. I would like to save some lunch time if I could, lol.

Thanks

 

[skwerl]

Worst known spot was the front edge of the hood where the aluminum skin was bonded to the steel support frame.

 

[Recon]

Generally, from what I’ve seen it’s the undercarriage, yes, but also a focus on the rear of the vehicle’s undercarriage. If you found something then go to some exhaust shop, and ask to see the undercarriage of the vehicle. Occasionally, we’d see stuff from up north, I’m in southern Kentucky. Two of my mustangs were northern cars but didn’t suffer from the harsh winters up there. So, it is possible to find something that’s been relatively safe from winter wear up there.

 

[DieHarder]

Look closely for bubbling/new paint just aft of the doors down low and in front of the rear arches. Better if you can look at the floor boards as well but that may be a tall order.

 

[Robert Larimer]

Worst known spot was the front edge of the hood where the aluminum skin was bonded to the steel support frame.

Ford blamed iron contamination from stamping in a press that used steel first. The hood is 100% aluminum though. My 2012 had quite a few bubbles in the channels on the edges and later tried to creep up the front of my hood. They stop as soon as you expose them to air and I just scraped the bubbles off and touched them up. The key is to get them before they reach the top of the hood. They will keep growing if they are sealed under the clearcoat. So far my hood is still good.

 

[bullitt1011]

Search alot, rust shows up on rear quater panels and front fenders just under the lip. I helped my son source a 2014 mustang and we looked at many most had rust in those areas. For me when I see rust there it's going to be bad overall. If a car was not rust proofed and driven in winter then it's going to rust. We were patient and I found a 2014 grabber blue 3.7 with tasteful mods (yes 6sp stick) it was never winter driven with 18,000km. Basically brand new and the price was not crazy. So don't settle there are amazing cars out there no matter what Mustang body style you're after. Good luck with the search.

 

[pass1over]

i'd check the cowl vents for leaves and sticks and the passenger side carpet for signs of mold or water damage/intrusion as well

 

[Autokyrios]

If you want a car brand that doesn't experience body rust, I suggest one with a carbon-fiber/polymer chassis.

 

[brasil]

put my "new " 2010 Mustang on the lift today... looks pretty good for a 15 years old car, that was driven all year long with a lot of salt on the streets in December, January...
Rust ? Yes a little ... rear axle (diff housing ) but the come from the factory with some rust at the rearend. LCAs .. little rust also.. Drive shaft... center bearing carrier ( driveshaft also )
That it... rockers.. frame..doors..fenders.. rear quarter panels.. even the hood no rust. Even the brake- and fuel lines real good shape !

same was my 2008 Bullitt ..the only "rust issue " was the hood.. underneath.

I think the S197 are very good cars . Rust should be a real problem. Chrysler and Chevys are worse

 

[Pentalab]

If u find one in good shape, and decide to buy it....... get the entire bottom of the car cleaned really good..... then get it under coated. Where I had some welding done below my 2010 Mustang GT, (and also in the trunk) while on the lift, I doused it with a cold galvanizing spray bomb. (Rustoleum, from local home depot, 20 oz cans, cheap....and has 97% zinc).

I had my new 2011 Fusion undercoated and also overcoated...... best thing I ever did.

 

[brasil]

here are some fotos from my 2010 Mustang - build in May 2009... shipped to Mexico and there the car was sold as a new car to the german owner. I bought the car from him....

as you can see... no rust..nothing...o.k some screws /nuts are a little "rusty ".. but that is peanuts- All in all ..the Mustang is a very good car . Better than a 2009 Mercedes .. they have heavy rust problems with the rear subframe .

 

[JC SSP]

Car looks clean. Congratulations on getting a good one.

 

[brasil]

thanks. it is interesting that the car was used all over the years.. spring , summer.... winter 15 years and around 65 k mls.. My mother bought Mustang ( Fox Body ) in 1980..V6 Ghia Package...same story 10 years plus.. no rust. ..the only Mustang I owned with a TONNFULL of rust was a 1969 Mach 1... had to rebuild the whole front..from the firewall to the radiator support..everything. This car came from Washington state..

 

[StockishS197]

Cars in the southern part of the US will last essentially forever, unless they were on or near a beach. Can’t say the same for any northern cars.

 

[brasil]

...I am not sure, but I think that Ford has less rust problem than Chrysler or GM. The Tahoe form a good friend ... rust everywhere. The frame.. doors... and THE BRAKE LINES ! Some weeks ago he lost the brakes during a TUV Check.. both circles failed at the same time while performing the brake test...