So heres the situation...for the next 2 or 3 years I may have to drive my 91 Ta during the winter here in Iowa...The county for some apparent reason PILES salt on the roads like its the end of the world. After driving the car I get weak in the knees when I see it caked with salt and sand...So with that being said, what is going to be the best solution to preventing rust? I am mainly focused on the undercarriage so would undercoating help? Its mildly rusty under there right now so I have a feeling it would be $500+ to have the rust removed and the car undercoated at a local garage.
I take a lot of pride in my car and want it to last until Im old n' gray. My biggest fear is that it will rust completely out which means a crapload of $ to fix and replace.

Thanks guys!

 

oh, you havent seen salt, visit NJ sometime.

you can powerwash the car and the under side regularly to keep the salt off, undercoating will help a lot, especially ifyou dont have any now and you already have rust starting. I would fix that, at least POR it, then undercoating.

snow tires are a must in these things.

 

If you have to drive it that much (2-3 years) - why not just buy a beater? I have a 1987 Ford Bronco II with working 4x4 that I paid $400 - that was 5 years ago and she still runs strong. She ain't pretty, but will go anywhere I point her in any weather.