My third car that I owed in my early years was a Datusun 210 hatchback. The front end frame eventually rotted out but was still (sort of) road worthy enough to get me back and forth to class at UW-Eau Claire in the late 80's. Not bad for a $300 junker. The tape deck and speakers that we installed in the hatch could be heard blocks away if we cranked it up.

Prior to the 210 was a Ford Maverick. It was a trusty old steed. Think I bought it for around $250. Had to put it out to pasture when the heating core and coolant system $hit the bed.

In my experience living in the northeast... ALL cars are rustbuckets unless meticulously cared for. The weather, humidity, sand and salt on the roads just destroy them.

Southwest... no issues. 30 year old cars, not a spot of rust on 'em.

Cuba