Question about car care in coastal climate. (Houston, Corpus Christi: oceanfront, lease)

[WantAnAdventure]

I'd like to hear from people who live in corpus or other coastal towns about their experience with car problems, if any. I have heard horror stories about rust and other damage from the salt air. But I'm sure there must be precautions you can take to keep your car in good shape mechanically...as well as paint protection.

Any advice or precautions? Is it really that bad? We'll be living very close to the ocean in rockport or port A.

[bb5745]

Yeah, rust and salt air is a big problem. I moved to a coastal area in south texas with a two year old truck, and after five years, the underside is quite ugly, to say the least, from rust. I haven't had any mechanical problems however, it just looks really bad at this point.

My wife got a new car however, and we immedietely took it to a place and had it undercoated, and got a very comprehensive sealant applied. Without advertising, I'll just say I know at least one good place in Corpus Christi that does that sort of thing (we found that there's no one south of Corpus that does that, or does a good job at least).

I would recommend anyone who will be living in this sort of area to get something like this for their vehicle, especially if you'll be driving on the beach or living close to the gulf/salt spray (I've found that if you're even just 2 blocks away from the gulf, it's really NOT so bad, but being a stones throw away, is bad.)

[Roma]

Hi,

I used to live oceanfront in California. The salty ocean air does a number on cars. Ours were always garaged but the air still gets in. We never had a problem with our cars but you know it must do something to them. But that wouldn't stop me from living oceanfront again. No way, no how.

Roma

[love roses]

You have to wash your car thoroughly every time you drive on the sand.

[tootcipop]

There is an undercoating you can get applied to your car. Now days with the new paints it isnt as bad as it once was. So I wouldnt worry. Peple dont usually keep cars for as long as it takes to rust!!

Originally Posted by WantAnAdventure

I'd like to hear from people who live in corpus or other coastal towns about their experience with car problems, if any. I have heard horror stories about rust and other damage from the salt air. But I'm sure there must be precautions you can take to keep your car in good shape mechanically...as well as paint protection.

Any advice or precautions? Is it really that bad? We'll be living very close to the ocean in rockport or port A.

[nipper777]

I was Thinking a buying a vehicle that had been a lease vehicle and it has spend a few months in Ft. Walter beach. Was there enough exposture to the salty climate to worrry about?

[brianreading]

It depends on how coastal you are. Here in inner-city Houston, we don't worry about rust. If you live in Galveston on the other hand...

[CptnRn]

Ft. Walter? or Fort Walton? If it was only a few months its nothing to worry about.