I bought what I thought was a pretty rusted car because being from the South where it doesn't snow, I don't see cars like that. But to my surprise it was a very good buy and was cheap because it was from the rust belt. I have had the muffler literally snap in half because it made of thin metal and it rusted out pretty good. But went to the muffler shop and had them fix it for like $40 bucks. And then had another tiny metal muffler holder snap so the muffler was banging around. I had that also fixed for like $40 bucks. So don't let the rust scare you unless it has eaten though the thick metals. And also prefer the suspension is not too rusted out.
Suspension pieces and bolts, and those coarse thread screws holds bumper trim on, I assume. Toyota does not keep up with Honda in this department, the latter seem to be galvanizing suspension pieces and using better coating on their fasteners.
the number of pri that have been taken off the road, or needed major repairs due to rust is shocking,
My 2010 is showing some rust. The first thing I noticed was near the rocker front driver door where there is plastic over the metal. Can see rust forming underneath. I live in Wisconsin. We have salt here half of the year as well. Under body rust starts the first winter you drive a car here. My last car I owned for 12 years and drove in winter a lot was really starting to rust out when I sold it. I even told the buyer that paid $1,000 it may need some metal work to make it safe again in the near future.
I got a hunch you're baiting me lol. I appreciate: there's a lot of rusting needs to happen before the structure is compromised. But before that happens, there's minor frustrations: bolt heads snapping off for example. And rust on critical components starts on the weak links: the welds. If toyata would spring for galvanizing and better bolt coatings this wouldn't be happening.
Don't see a lot of car rust down here in Texas, even with our heavy Houston rains. Salt is the biggest enemy. Y'all northerners ought to find something better to put down. When we do get ice on the roads down here, we put down sand and liquid de-icer chemicals, not salt.