Rants and missives aside, it all comes down to one thing - Reading the owners manual.
I have lived in the salt belt for over 45 years, where the 140" of snow is quickly turned into 140" of slush by the over-zealous road maintenance crews with salt trucks. Along the way, I have learned (sometimes, the hard way) that the phrase "
Read and follow label instructions" applies to more than just spray paints, shampoo, and fertilizer. Once a year, the body is supposed to have an inspection and lubrication. That's more than just spray lube on the door hinges and a wash. There are rubber suspension bushings, body mounts, seals, and even those pesky cables to be checked. Just like those bridges are supposed to be inspected and maintained if they are going to last, your car cannot be expected to take care of itself.
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As anyone who has tried jacking up their car and spending 4-6 hours under it with a paintbrush knows, its dirty, messy, takes forever, and covers you with shite and sticky paint. I've gone through a half-dozen brushes, And the cleanup so far has taken a half-gallon paint thinner, and an extra half-hour per day.
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I have done that to all my vehicles when purchased new,and maintain that paint accordingly. My 1986 Pontiac doesn't even have rust on the springs and axle, although it avoids salt. The daily drivers get the same treatment, and a bit of due diligence goes a long way in keeping them sound.