"Livable" rust or walk away? 2019 GT Premium

[GTsAreNice]

Good evening, hoping for some community wisdom. I'm looking at purchasing a 2019 GT Premium with about 40K miles. Seems to be in great condition all-around with the exception of undercarriage rust. Pictures attached....looks the area just underneath, past the lip of, both doors are of most concern.

a) is this common?
b) is this livable (brush/clean and treat with fluid film)? Paint is flaking.
c) walk away?


First post, thanks for the help!

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[Skye]

From the photos, my interpretation is the current owner has added two aftermarket parts:

- Jacking Rails
- Cradle Lockout Kit

The jacking rails are the rusted piece by the unibody seam along the rocker panel. The rails are a hollow piece of steel tubing which bolts to the unibody. They are known to rust. This location is going to see a lot of salt from the roads. Replacements can be installed with simple hand tools. The rails could also be removed. The purpose of the rails is they allow someone to jack all along the rail, vs. one or two spots provided by Ford.

The cradle kit is the tubing installed near the rear end. In one photo, there are two tubes joined at a 90-degree angle. These can also be replaced with new, treated and powder coated or left as-is. The purpose of the kit is to stabilize the rear end and reduce rear wheel hop.

The rest of the car underneath shows what I'd expect for a VA car driven throughout Winter. If considering a purchase, I'd put the car on a lift and do a thorough inspection.

I can't speak to underbody treatment and which ones are considered the best. If you do commit to an underbody seal, I'd work with someone who'll clean and prep the undercarriage thoroughly before applying anything. Cleaning and treating a surface that's been exposed to salt for years will be critical.

 

[SheepDog]

Just buy one from a dry/low humidity state.

 

[robvas]

Nope.

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

Stay away , there are plenty of Mustangs that are NOT driven daily and fair weather cars , get a good one with max 20 k miles .

 

[Mach 307]

Any rust is too much for me. I’d bet my life, family and money on that those are Steeda jacking rails LOL.

 

[dpAtlanta]

Rust never sleeps…. Run away!

 

[GTsAreNice]

Incredibly helpful and detailed, thank you Skye!

From the photos, my interpretation is the current owner has added two aftermarket parts:

- Jacking Rails
- Cradle Lockout Kit

The jacking rails are the rusted piece by the unibody seam along the rocker panel. The rails are a hollow piece of steel tubing which bolts to the unibody. They are known to rust. This location is going to see a lot of salt from the roads. Replacements can be installed with simple hand tools. The rails could also be removed. The purpose of the rails is they allow someone to jack all along the rail, vs. one or two spots provided by Ford.

The cradle kit is the tubing installed near the rear end. In one photo, there are two tubes joined at a 90-degree angle. These can also be replaced with new, treated and powder coated or left as-is. The purpose of the kit is to stabilize the rear end and reduce rear wheel hop.

The rest of the car underneath shows what I'd expect for a VA car driven throughout Winter. If considering a purchase, I'd put the car on a lift and do a thorough inspection.

I can't speak to underbody treatment and which ones are considered the best. If you do commit to an underbody seal, I'd work with someone who'll clean and prep the undercarriage thoroughly before applying anything. Cleaning and treating a surface that's been exposed to salt for years will be critical.

 

[Skye]

thank you Skye!

You're Welcome.

Echoing others' comments, I'd look at several cars for comparison. Some drive their Mustangs year-round. Others store theirs during the Winter to avoid salt and other attacks from the elements. Depending on budget, what your looking for and how the car will be used, there could be a good pool of Mustangs in your area to choose from.

Anyone considering a purchase, I think it's a good idea taking it to a shop, paying them an hour or so of labor and ask them to go through it thoroughly. You have your own background. We're giving you some feedback. The shop will offer more still while giving some general pricing information on areas needing repair or sprucing up.

If it's not possible to take the vehicle to a shop, look into a vehicle inspection service that can come to the car. Local Mustang clubs might also be of assistance.

It's a buyer's market today. Good Luck in your search.

Edit,

I mentioned earlier the jacking rails. They are very common on Mustangs.

The cradle kit in the rear suspension is somewhat common. People using it are looking for more stability from the rear when laying into the car.

The two mods together tell the car is or was owned by an enthusiast, someone who was enjoying the car. The undercarriage hints at year-round use.

The cradle kit touches on one subject that can cover a lot of ground: modifications.

As part of your research into this and any car, attempt to find out about any and all mods, no matter how small. One tell can drive another. Seeing the cradle, I'd be interested in the exhaust system and intake. If those have been changed, I'd look into if the car has been tuned.

Some cars on offer list clear and open details about what mods have been made. Other advertisements are very opaque. The latter require some additional pause and caution.

Modifications and their use is not a problem. Purchasing a vehicle and finding out about the mods after-the-fact can be. It depends on the buyer's expectations and what, if any changes have been made.

 

[GTsAreNice]

Again thanks for being so helpful! This particular one is out of state but especially enticing with a great price (under 30K) for what seems to be a fully loaded mustang.

Listed mods were Borla Catback, Steeda lowering springs, white tail lights, aftermarket wing. Video walk around also exposed a 2-Step under the hood.

For this 2019 GT premium window sticker has 401A, PP1, Recaro leather seats, and 12"LCD instrument cluster.

The value proposition has me leaning toward making the purchase. Can't find anything like that under 36K here.

 

[MAGS1]

Even if the car wasn’t driven in winter, it can still develop rust over time. Moisture causes it on steel parts (salt will just speed the process up), so if it was driven in the rain or was in an area that gets humid in the summers, certain parts will rust over time. Cars that spent their lives in dry climates (AZ, SoCal, etc) don’t typically have that problem.

 

[GTsAreNice]

Thanks MAGS1. I'm looking at using this as my daily driver, year round in VA where they do salt and sand roads. Tell me if I'm crazy but part of my logic right now is that if Mustangs have a tendency to rust in wet states then even if I buy from a dry state I'll be in the same place after its first winter here with me.

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

You can find a nice Stock unmodified not driven year round , for a few k more , stop save a few more bucks , you'll save yourself $$$ and headaches down the road . I have first hand experience years ago , I'm 70 and have plenty of experience with cars since 1971 , if your a real car guy and plan on this being a fair weather fun weekend car , you won't be satisfied. If this car will be a daily year round driver no more I guess it doesn't matter.

Edit while I was writing you answered a few questions daily year round driver , Mustang's fall with the rest of cars driven year round in salt wet conditions they will rust , no matter how good the manufacturer galvanized rust proof the parts .
Again keep looking find a stock unmodified , it's not for racing , it's a daily driver .
Also why is it under the 36k , 6 to 8 k cheaper than the rest . Something to think about
Sounds like you are going ahead, regardless of the good information you asked for .

 

[robvas]

Listed mods were Borla Catback, Steeda lowering springs, white tail lights, aftermarket wing. Video walk around also exposed a 2-Step under the hood.

 

[pinksurfer]

especially enticing with a great price (under 30K) for what seems to be a fully loaded mustang.

For this 2019 GT premium window sticker has 401A, PP1, Recaro leather seats, and 12"LCD instrument cluster.

that seems too cheap for a 2019 pp1 loaded car under 40kmiles if it's under 30. does it have a clean carfax?

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