Should I return car due to excessive rust?

[Lake161]

I bought a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek from an online dealer. When delivered, we saw a lot of rust on the undercarriage while it was up on the transporter. I have seven days where I can get all my money back no questions asked. My plan had been to take it to a mechanic for a thorough inspection, but seeing the rust, maybe I should just send it back and save the mechanic's fee. I'm not sure how much is cosmetic.  The exhaust system at a minimum needs work as some of the hangers are nearly rusted through.

[Spork]

Am I missing something?  I see that there is some rust on the exhaust and a little on the differential... but not really seeing anything structural. 

The exhaust is just going to rust.  That's life.  It heats/cools all day every day.  Moist gases are pushed out through it.  If you keep it long enough, you'll have to replace it.  But it will take a long time.

I wouldn't worry abut the diff either.  If it bothers you, hit it with a little rusty metal primer.  But I don't think it's going to rust through.

[Lake161]

Am I missing something?  I see that there is some rust on the exhaust and a little on the differential... but not really seeing anything structural. 

The exhaust is just going to rust.  That's life.  It heats/cools all day every day.  Moist gases are pushed out through it.  If you keep it long enough, you'll have to replace it.  But it will take a long time.

I wouldn't worry abut the diff either.  If it bothers you, hit it with a little rusty metal primer.  But I don't think it's going to rust through.

Thanks for the input. I've only seen the underside of California cars, so this seemed rusty to me. There are some exhaust hangers that are nearly rusted through, so I would need to replace those, but I wouldn't return the car over that.

Sounds like I should go ahead with the full mechanics inspection.

[Lake161]

you may try adding bolt on hangers if any need to be replaced --- google: Walker Exhaust 36368 DYNOMAX HANGER  for an example.

Thanks for the suggestion. I really appreciate this community for getting advice in areas where I am clueless.

[JLee]

That looks like a normal New England area car to me. Unfortunately, that's how they end up.

[HPstache]

I would say this is normal as well

[Lake161]

Thanks all for the input. I went ahead and had the inspection.  It needs a small amount of exhaust work (replace one hanger, add one hanger that was missing, and cut out and replace one joint), and new brake rotors and pads all around (rust and warping on the rotors). Everything else checked out fine.

[JLee]

Thanks all for the input. I went ahead and had the inspection.  It needs a small amount of exhaust work (replace one hanger, add one hanger that was missing, and cut out and replace one joint), and new brake rotors and pads all around (rust and warping on the rotors). Everything else checked out fine.

It may be worth calling the dealer and telling them what the car needs - if you have a 7 day no questions asked return period (at no cost to you), they may have some incentive to cut you a deal to keep the car.

[Goldielocks]

Thanks all for the input. I went ahead and had the inspection.  It needs a small amount of exhaust work (replace one hanger, add one hanger that was missing, and cut out and replace one joint), and new brake rotors and pads all around (rust and warping on the rotors). Everything else checked out fine.

This is a bit too late for you now... but...

Check under the rear license plate / Along the trunk / back door for cosmetic rust.   When we bought a car with similar levels of rust (all brakes to be replaced within a year, rusted out parts), we also had cosmetic damage, at about the same time, which just grows and grows and grows.

I would not have bought it, had I realized at the time, missed it because I have not lived in a rust belt area for a long time.

[Exflyboy]

When we bought my Wife's car (2012 Chevvy Cruze) from Enterprise I made sure it came from a State that did not use salt on the roads.. In this case Arizona.

Not a spot of rust anywhere, not even on the exhaust pipe.

I might be tempted to send it back.. or see if you can get a few more $$ to get to keep it.

[ender]

When we bought my Wife's car (2012 Chevvy Cruze) from Enterprise I made sure it came from a State that did not use salt on the roads.. In this case Arizona.

Not a spot of rust anywhere, not even on the exhaust pipe.

I might be tempted to send it back.. or see if you can get a few more $$ to get to keep it.

Yeah, my 05 is looking pretty rough in good ole Iowa.

Though I am pretty sure that it was sideswiped and poorly repainted in a previous life. But... hey a little cosmetic rust never hurt anything, right??