I have to qualify my remark about my 10-year old Tercel not having any rust on it. There was a very, very small amount, but only in one spot, and that was a spot that I scraped up against a concrete parking post in 1997.
I barely scraped up against the post in '97, but it did cause a tiny __one-inch by 2 millimeter__ scratch that removed some paint over the car's rear wheel--it removed the paint down to the metal. Very small area, but noticeable if you looked up close.
I went to the auto store the next day to buy the paint, but he had to mix it and told me to come back the following day. Well, things got busy and I never returned.
Remembering my Tempo and Colt, I felt sure the rust would spread, at which point I would definitely go back and get the paint.
But the rust never spread! Since that scraping day in 1997, the car has been outside in rain, snow, sun, and hale, but the rust hasn't spread. The surrounding paint just won't oxidize! Amazing.
Before the accident, I'd take the car to the Car Wash once every 3 months--on occasion once in 6 months. I think there was one time I musta gone a year before going to the Car Wash. I never waxed the car myself, although I think 3 or 4 times in ten years I let the Car Wash apply the automatic wax.
Toyota's factory paint job was so good, the damn thing looked brand new every time it came outta the car wash! And I'm not exaggerating about anything in this post. That '95 Tercel was special.
I hope I have as much luck with my future Camry.