Preparing to farewell the AUII after 16 years ...

[undertow]

Wow, she's crunchy for sure, sorry to see

Shame that Ford didn't get the corrosion protection right on these. I have a 20yo beater Subaru that spent most of it's like beachfront and has no real rust. The underbody paint and sealing on my AU is almost non-existent compared to the Subie.

[cm29579]

Originally Posted by undertow

Wow, she's crunchy for sure, sorry to see

Shame that Ford didn't get the corrosion protection right on these. I have a 20yo beater Subaru that spent most of it's like beachfront and has no real rust. The underbody paint and sealing on my AU is almost non-existent compared to the Subie.

The funny thing is mine doesn't have the boot rust next to / under the number plate like 90% have - probably as it was washed and polished so often. The boot used to leak after heavy rain, and that certainly contributed.

When I think of trying to fix it, that rear rust just seems a bridge too far; it goes well in behind the quarter panel. Access would almost require removal of the quarter panel, the LPG tank, the rear window - the cost would be insane.

On a positive note, I see on Gumtree there are a ton of AU XR's and they are back to normal prices. I would be very surprised if I don't grab one and transfer most of the interior across, as mine is mint.