I'm looking at buying a 2005 element. It was bought new in Mississippi but spent 6 or 7 winters in Ohio. Anyone know how the Element holds up to a handful or harsh winters? Should this be something I'm concerned about or is it really not that important?

I'm from the south and all of our cars look like brand new (we don't really have a "winter" around here) underneath so I don't know how to evaluate the rust issue.

Thoughts?

Anyone?? Hello? Anyone at all?

 

Being from Montreal, Canada, salt does have a corrosive effect on a car and signs may show within 3 years if the vehicle is not rust proofed each year, always look for the telltale signs underneath the car. Ohio's winter is most likely warmer than our winters, just by looking at the fact that it barely snows in Toronto, so you may not find signs of corrosion. Given the large auto market in the United States, there is always a good deal to be found.