Opinion on rust
Im sure yall have seen posts regarding second gen rust. I apologize, because here’s an other. This is my 2012 Ford Escape XLT. It was my first car, and is currently not my daily driver. I recently leased a 2026 Corolla, and decided to keep my escape due to the condition of my escape being good enough to justify it. Of course it needs a new subframe and control arm within the next year, but the great thing about it being a project car is that there is no rush. Tonight I saw a weird thing popping out from under my escape, and I noticed one of the exhaust holders rusted off. No worries, I know a buddy who can help me weld a new section of the exhaust back on. But I looked at the pinch welds and condition of the underside of my escape, and I’m torn… this car has been the one thing that gets me through anything and everything. I know doing well in college and finding a good job will help me continue to take care of it. I consider this car as a best friend. Which I know may be hard to understand for most people. I am on the spectrum, and this car is literally my favorite thing in the world, and I can endlessly talk about it. It’s my proudest achievement. I am very privileged to have my Corolla, but I would be lying if I said I liked it more than my escape in anyway. I just know that if I got rid of it that my mental/physical health would be heavily affected. I’m worried about the pinch weld rust, and I’m terrified that there is nothing I can do to fix it. But if that’s where things might be heading, then maybe the smartest choice is to move on. I understand that a lot of you will see this post and think the obvious answer is to get rid of the old fart. But loosing this car will be absolutely catastrophic for me. I’ve rust proofed and serviced this car’s everything since the moment I’ve had it. It’s truly been loved and spoiled rotten.