i was wondering how common rust is on the old (81-85) cars. If theres certain areas that are spots to whach out for and anything else to whach out for in general when looking at buying on (i found a 1984 240 turbo with a 5 speed).

 

Check the top of the windshield area, inside the car at the front of the headliner. The windshield moulding design was improved in 1991. Rusted screws are an indication there may be unseen rust.

But overall they are not a problem unless they are routinely drivenon roads with de-icing salt.

 

Well I have a 1986 740 Gle 4 door and I have some bad rust above the windshield and when it rains the water does come in…also check where the battery sits, I have some rust…well a lot of rust there too and under the rear end, that covering that protects the gas tank seems to rust through. On the contrast, I have a 91 740 T and I have almost zero rust, aside from small parts under the car like exhaust and things like that but the body is very good. Also it must have been sprayed with some underbody treatment and that helped it, I guess it was one of the more fortunate cars to get this. Also check the door jams and the rear windshield, because if the car has a sunroof then it has drains running from the sunroof to the trunk and they get clogged sometimes and can lead to rust. But compared to a lot of cars from the 80’s the Volvos are great rust wise, but it depends where ya live…salt air (New York Here) vs. Arizona etc… Hope This helped a little.

 

cool i whach out for that when i go, its always easier buying an old car when you know were the rust spots tend to be.

 

check the rockers too.

Nick