Am I just in the wrong part of the country (midwest) or is this a problem in '88s?

No Clue. I bought my 88 from a guy in Rhode Island. It has rust from top to bottom. I now how the engine and trans out for a de-rusting session. I was surprised to see the rear subframe was not rusted out. There was significant surface rust as a result of battery leakage, but it appears to be very solid. The rest has bery little rust.

First run of luck I have had with the car.

I live in GA.
Every 88 cradle that I have seen has been fine, other than surface rust where the paint has been scratched off.

I'm guessing that you're right about the geography.

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Raydar
88 4.9 Formula IMSA Fasback..........................88 3.4 coupe -soon to be something other than red

Read Nealz Nuze! Praise the Lowered!

I got my 88GT from Cincinnati, OH and I lucked out. It is rust free! Even with 190,000 miles on it now (almost) I have still kept it rust free.

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1988 Fiero GT
Cleveland Fiero Club

I ask because there is an 88 GT here in town that needs a cradle and an 88 Formula in Illinois that needs a cradle. I want to do a small block project in the future and if I find what I want for the right price I'll just deal with the problems. Wisconsin is by far the worst state for salty roads. I brought home an S10 once from up around Lake Winnebago and all that wasn't completely destroyed by salt was the engine block.