Yep, smaller cars rust out faster too. A co-workers 96 Geo Metro frame in front rust so fast at 11 years, the sub-frame in front weakened and the axle was slipping out of the transmission, he gave it to me for parts on my older 91 Metro, seems the older body design is thicker. His car looked much better, but was built lighter, hence, Minnesota sand and salt will erode smaller lighter cars making them road hazards if they fall apart as you drive, as my buddy was going home from work.
I live in Texas so I didn’t even consider the brutal winter conditions of the Midwest and North. Good point on the salt and sand.