Buying a rig from OTHER than the rust-belt...where would you go?

[Andy G]

In the next 12-18 months I'll be in the market for a newer model rig, and am already looking at a 4Runner or Tacoma as my platform to begin with.

I don't wanna buy new, and if you've ever been here to Michigan, even vehicles just a few years old already show signs of cancer.

I'll have enough frequent flier miles by then for a one-way flight for myself and my 15 year old son to "fly and drive" back here to Michigan.

I'm thinking the Southwest is a good place to look...but am wondering what other suggestions you have. Mainly looking for places that don't use salt on their roads during the winter!

Thanks much!
Andy

 

[vegasjeepguy]

Southwest is probably your best bet.

 

[MA_Trooper]

I bought mine in Austin TX and there isn't a spot of rust on any of it.

 

[Dakeg218]

I bought mine in Texas and not just because I lived there at the time. Any state in the southwest will have generally rust free cars, but not all have he same inspection regiments. New Mexico, for example, does not require emissions testing in most counties and the ones that do only require it every 2 years. Oklahoma and Arkansas do not require a safety or emissions inspection of any kind. If you bring it back home from one of these states you may be in for some unplanned expenses just getting the vehicle to pass inspection. Texas and California have pretty strict annual inspection and emissions requirements so you can be reasonably sure that if it has a current inspection you won’t find any surprises.

 

[Andy G]

I bought mine in Texas and not just because I lived there at the time. Any state in the southwest will have generally rust free cars, but not all have he same inspection regiments. New Mexico, for example, does not require emissions testing in most counties and the ones that do only require it every 2 years. Oklahoma and Arkansas do not require a safety or emissions inspection of any kind. If you bring it back home from one of these states you may be in for some unplanned expenses just getting the vehicle to pass inspection. Texas and California have pretty strict annual inspection and emissions requirements so you can be reasonably sure that if it has a current inspection you won’t find any surprises.

No inspection at all here in Michigan! Thanks for the info though, that’s all good to know!


Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk

 

[Dana]

Out here in Reno NV the humidity is very low and very little rain/snow. I don’t think they have used salt on the roads in many years. I saw an FJ Cruiser for sale the other day. I know not a Tacoma or 4Runner but....
Anyway, good luck!!! I have a 98 Jeep Wrangler that has spent most of its life out this way even a few winters in Tahoe. It’s basically rust free other than the spot I took a larger rock on the hood.

 

[Andy G]

Thanks for the replies. Thinking of maybe fall of next year making it happen...side trip to Death Valley...then road trip back to Michigan!

 

[Graeman]

You can't go wrong with an Arizona vehicle. No hail, floods, snow, road salt and they have emissions check every couple of years. Plus, they have older model vehicles as clean as the newer ones...

 

[SeattleBeardo]

Arizona and be sure to check the history to make sure it's not a wet turd from Houston...

 

[JLangsdorf]

I live in NW NV. Found a great deal on a 2012 Tacoma in Idaho. Use autotempest website to get a wide search area.

I grew up in MN so understand the rust belt. Have lived in the West most of my life. Finding a good value anywhere west of Nebraska will get you a rust free truck.

 

[Merlin2111]

Make sure you look at the trucks history. I bought my GX from a dealer in Witchita who had just got it from an auction in Texas so it had never even seen a winter in Witchita and since I was flying out to get it I was even more confident that it was the right rig for me.

 

[Boort]

@907 Chief

Looks like a low miles 99 just posted in the for sale section:
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/threads/1999-tacoma-4x4-las-vegas-8000.9459/#post-184442

Boort