Best non-rust states to buy used from

Sounds like the best states are Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico. Texas is also mentioned (I'd bet Oklahoma isn't far behind TX). Then comes coastal states, Oregon, Washington, California, Florida as long as you stay away the coastline, though there was a comment about higher prices in the higher cost of living areas. Had one comment on the SE states (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Lousiana) and not much on the Carolinas, Tennessee, Arkansas. A lot of humidity down SE.

I'm looking at 2014/2016 Off-Road, Tow Package vehicles. Trying to get down to $25K. Most have miles around 40K which is low mileage for a truck 4-5 years old.

 

I'm surprised about the comments for Colorado. I had always read that there is little rain/humidity around the Boulder area. On another thread I mentioned how I took a vacation last year up to Colorado Springs, and the vehicles from the locals looked pretty good.

 

Precipitation and humidity are fairly low in Colorado and rust isn't as bad as the Midwest (I'm originally from Missouri). But it still happens since we get plenty of snow and thus de-icer, so people shouldn't be lulled into a false sense of security. There's plenty of replacement frames getting done here. The only safe place IMO to buy a vehicle is where they are largely free of snow and humidity and won't see weekly drives to go skiing - Phoenix, Las Cruces, Palm Springs, Kingman, Yuma, Las Vegas, El Paso, etc.

 

I think your Tacoma ranks as one of the best finds ever on TW.

 

This is where Fluid Film becomes your winter friend.

 

I think the biggest thing if you find an option in southeast is screen that things carfax real good. Most of those southern dealers seem to buy low mileage rusted shit from the north at auction, do a real nice detailing and try to pedal it as mint.

 

yeah but you guys get a lot of rain. nice and green out there.

 

Totally agree

4BYTOY

 

Uhhh California has very clean rust free cars , the humidity averages 15% were I live !!!!!!

 

People who are saying California need to put an asterisk(*) around that...

My brother lives on the central coast of CA and his 2007 frame is a disaster. The salt water air is brutal. His racks are all rusted out as well, camper shell knob rusted...etc

I would agree with those who say AZ and NV

 

I live in the Mojave Desert and as mentioned averages 15% humidity and have seen its low as 4% . The only damage you get out here is sandblasted paint and windshields

 

california

 

Parts of New Mexico are good. You have to remember we have big mountains here and they get some pretty good snowfall and the roads get treated with salt. Right here above me the mountain elevations are 9000 feet.

 

Expensive

 

I bought my '11 in Colorado from the Boulder area. Colorado truck all its life based on the Toyota service records and Carfax. No rust, frame in beautiful shape. Learned my lesson after buying a "clean" Wisconsin truck, 2006 Sport. Was frame checked by the dealer up there, passed without issue. Lots and lots of surface rust but the body was in great shape. Took it to the dealer down here in SC and it passed inspection again. Got news of the extension of the warranty and took it in to another dealer. This is after a huge crack opened in the frame. Its at another dealer right now. They told me yesterday that this is one of two of the worst trucks they've seen.