So, I went to look at a new Volvo today
 

It was a 1990 740 turbo wagon. I like these I know. Anyway, my mechanic called me and said that he was in town. I asked him if he would like to go look at the car, he said sure. I went to drive it and liked it, but I noticed that the car was from Minnotsta. I called the owner and asked him if I could have the car for additional half hour so I could put it on my friends lift and look underneith. He said, no, it h as been a long time since it has been in the rust belt. Well, the guy who looked at it before me had it inspected and did not buy, so why should I buy it without and inspection? Needless to say, I walked away from the deal. Too bad it was a nice shade of green.

Good call.

Made this mistake once
 

Really nice 92 240 in GL trim. Spent just the first 18 months (2 winters) in Rochester, NY and then the rest in Central VA but the damage was done.
I fought creeping rust, inside the trunk thru the wheel arches, door bottoms, rockers, and floor pan until I just said F*%K IT and donated it to charity and maxed the deduction.

Funny you should bring this up because this morning I was at the Volvo dealer looking at the XC90.

Rust or not a Volvo saved my wife and son in 1995. :)

Yeah, well I don't need another one, I just happen to like the green on black leather combonation. I can be picky

I bought a Green on Camel 850 GLT wagon last week..love it.

i have been in the market lateley for a new to me car. Volvo seems to be reguarded highly here. How are their a/cs? I live in texas, gotta have better a/c than the 420sel.

Great A/C's but have the same evaporator issues MB does. In my experience just about everything else is much cheaper.

Bear in mind that the 240 series is essentially a modified 140-series, which debuted in the mid '60's. Rust resistance was not a high priority for automobile manufacturers until the late '70's.

Like the prices for parts @ Mercedes Dealers?
 

You'll feel even more at home(AND your Pocketbook/Wallet an Orphan) @ the
parts counter in a Volvo dealership. (We call it Needless Markup!)
['Apologies to Neiman Marcus.]

Luckily there are some very good online vendors.

I always thought that the old (240,740, etc) Volvos had decent rust protection..even around here, you don't see much body rust. Perhaps it's all underneath?

It's unfortunate to see so many of these oldies around here that are neglected..just about all of them are! Maybe it's because I'm in a very liberal college town..:o

Using materials to seal steel from contact with road salt are important, but not the entire cure. Designing structures to prevent the retention of mud/snow/ice/salt is also very important. Older designs were particularly deficient in this regard.