I just bought a used 2007 Honda Fit and I want to do everything I can to make it last. I live in Michigan where winters can be particularly brutal and, since I park my car in an open-air parking lot, I'm wondering if I need to worry about salt/snow/ice damage. I have never owned a car before so, for all I know, I don't need to do anything.
Concern #1:
My apartment complex offers covered parking spaces for $25 per month, which seems worthwhile since I won't need to dig my car out of an inevitable 1-2 foot snow accumulation. I'm also guessing that this will cut down on the amount of time I need to keep the car running to defrost the windows. Given the historical snow accumulation averages for my area, I would probably pay for covered parking for 5 to 6 months ($125-150) each year.
The other option is buying a high quality cover for $150-180. The protection might not be so great (and I would still have to do some digging to find my car) but I good cover should last for at least 7 years.
I hope to buy a house (with a garage) in about 4 or 5 years so this is strictly a temporary issue. Still, the possibility of spending $750 vs. $180 over the course of 5 years seems firmly within a mustachian field of reckoning.
Concern #2:
There are an enormous number of car care products our there (waxes, glazes, fluids, sprays) to help winterize your car inside and out. Are any of these products actually useful? Does anyone use them routinely to winterize their vehicle?
I've also heard that modern car models are highly rust resistant and designed to withstand harsh climates and precipitation for the entire life of the vehicle, making winterizing products unnecessary. Is this something I even need to devote energy to?
I will also happily accept general car care tips. THANKS!