What is the most rust free marque/model?

"4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30" (4muddyfeet) 01/17/2015 at 17:17 • Filed to: None

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In my endless pursuit for an addition to Scuderia Rotto, I'm concentrating on 90's estate cars like the V70 D5 and Mercedes C250, but would consider some 80's specials as well. Just a quick Q: Is there any manufacturer or specific model that happens to be notorious for corrosion resistance at this age? Also for you Subaru guys and girls, which high mileage Forester(s) are the ones to avoid RE head gasket issues?

TheHondaBro > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:19

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Uuh, duh.

MultiplaOrgasms > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:20

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Kinda ironic that you consider the W202 to be corrosion resistant, cuz its not.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:23

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A car that age will have some problems one way or another. Get the car you like, don't think about if it'll rust in ten years or so..

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:23

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Anything made from carbon fibre.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > MultiplaOrgasms 01/17/2015 at 17:25

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I don't, I have no idea, which is why I'm asking.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > TheHondaBro 01/17/2015 at 17:25

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Epic, I love Lancias! Need an estate though...

TheHondaBro > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:26

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4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 01/17/2015 at 17:27

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I'm expecting other problems, I'm just tired of rust and bodywork issues from previous and current cars that I've owned/own!

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 01/17/2015 at 17:28

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That would be nice. Do they do a Sesto Elemento Avant?

thebigbossyboss > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:28

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I live in land of the rust. The only cars from the 90's I regularly see on the road are these:

Steve in Manhattan > TheHondaBro 01/17/2015 at 17:29

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Oh stop it! You know those were reduced to a fine powder after encountering a moist breeze ....

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:29

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Ahh.. Well.. A Mitsubishi would probably be a good choice then, I've never had a problem with rust on them.

Steve in Manhattan > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:32

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I may be talking out of school, but what about that smallish Land Rover, that I can't remember the name of ... given your avatar, it might be just the ticket. Freelander here in the US. But I have no idea about reliability or rust-proofedness ....

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > TheHondaBro 01/17/2015 at 17:34

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Honestly, if I could think of fixing rust holes and welding a chassis without crying like a baby force-punching my eyeballs to make water come out, I'd definitely have a Lancia Beta estate.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > thebigbossyboss 01/17/2015 at 17:37

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Disadvantage of no diesel engines, but I'll certainly have a look around for a good petrol estate version. Thanks.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Steve in Manhattan 01/17/2015 at 17:38

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It is the Freelander, but I'm not sure I could handle having 3 Land Rovers. I'm trying to avoid more rust!

Alfalfa > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:42

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I can't speak for other Volvos, even others of the same model, but my '97 850 is rust free. And although I don't see many in the road, the ones I do see look to be in pretty good shape.

Jedidiah > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:44

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Truthfully, I can't think of any. Rust will easily cripple a unibody vehicle. You got to body on frame with a lot of POR-15 and truck bed liner if you want a car with strong against rust.

Closest thing you'd have to get a Suburban with the galvanized panels. Coat the underside and it will be good for a very long time. Unfortunately, it's pure SUV and not a wagon. Paint won't stay on the damn thing either.

Corvettes have a full frame and a fiberglass tub, so they are particularly resistant to rust, but they are not a practical estate vehicle.

This will require much research given the time frame of vehicles you are interested in.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > thebigbossyboss 01/17/2015 at 17:45

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If only he could get Saturn's.

Steve in Manhattan > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:46

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Ahhh - didn't realize you had two LRs. Perhaps purchase a body shop, learn to do the work, and become rich off your neighbors?

Steve in Manhattan > Alfalfa 01/17/2015 at 17:48

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He could even go last couple years 240DL - when I see those, they're rust free. Saw a 760 in front of my building a few weeks back - had some rust.

thebigbossyboss > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:49

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Yes there is an estate. Here it is...in the same green!

KatzManDu > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:49

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Audis used to use galvanized steel and aluminum and had a 10 year corrosion warranty.

An Audi A8 or A2 .. both of those are all aluminum bodies, so you shouldn't worry about rust.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Jedidiah 01/17/2015 at 17:50

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Both of my Land Rovers are alu body on steel frame, but I need something just a little more practical. Thanks for your input though, I'm glad you said you didn't know and then threw some other suggestions out there. It just helps me narrow down my choices. Goddamnit I want something awesome though :)

duurtlang > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 17:50

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I like that picture of the C-class estate. I'd bet a picture is the only way to see one of those without rust.

A 90s wagon that's quite rust resistant is the Peugeot 406. I daily drive a coupe version, and there isn't a spec of rust on it at all, anywhere. Advantages of the 406 are that they're very reliable, parts are cheap, there's a wide array of engines available, they're easy to work on and they're cheap to buy. Although somewhat boring the chassis is top notch and it's a great long distance cruiser. I bet the wagon is very spacious as well.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Steve in Manhattan 01/17/2015 at 17:56

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There comes a time where being able to do the work, and not having the time do the work, overlap in soul-crushing ways. I think I may have to look at something a bit newer to fill my criteria. But; I'd love to buy a body shop or garage :)

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > duurtlang 01/17/2015 at 17:59

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Awesome input, I'd never even thought about it. Oh, and I'm ok with boring. I always liked the 406 as well, so now I'm going straight on Autotrader to have a look about! Do you have the HDi?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:00

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Go to forums to figure out Subaru head gasket issues, apparently every Subaru ever built has head gasket issues from their inception in 1972 to today. I like the foresters from the mid-2000's. I have driven them and they drive like an impreza that they are based on, which is good! So if you find one you like take it to a mechanic and have them do a compression and leak down test on it (through inspection). My 2002 impreza just ate front axles (3 in 100,000 miles) and wheel bearings (maybe 4 or 5 in 100,000 miles), otherwise it was a fantastic car and was still in amazing shape when I sold it 11 years later...

Steve in Manhattan > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:00

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Is there something in the Ford range? I've heard that they're good at combatting rust.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:01

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Cargo pod and a trailer?

dogisbadob > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:02

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Honda is the worst in terms of rust! They also don't know how to paint a car, either :(

Even during the 90s when Honda and Toyota were absolutely at the top of their game, Hondas rust out pretty bad, and even late-model Hondas have paint issues. Just absolutely awful considering how good their cars are otherwise.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > KatzManDu 01/17/2015 at 18:03

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That's pretty good. Are the B5 Avants reliable? I know I'd like a diesel, and the old Audi 1.9's were dog slow, but I don't care if they tend to be fairly bulletproof. The only problem is that I don't see many about on UK roads nowadys.

duurtlang > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:04

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No, I have the 2.0 with an LPG conversion to make it cost-effective as I drive a lot (1000 km a week recently). If you plan on driving a lot of long distances at higher speed I'd suggest the 2.2 (or V6) or a diesel, as they come with gearboxes with longer gears.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Steve in Manhattan 01/17/2015 at 18:05

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I can only think of the Mondeo as a decent sized estate, but I dont think their bodywork holds up too well, especially along door frames and rear arches. Definitely worth a bit of research though to know for sure. If not, a newer Ford might be a better looker.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 01/17/2015 at 18:06

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Dude, it's not an R8

duurtlang > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:09

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When you dislike rust, avoid 90s Fords as the plague. Escort, Mondeo, mk1 Focus, Fiesta and worst of all: Ka. I'm not entirely sure about Fords introduced in the '00s.

Steve in Manhattan > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:10

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Would a Focus ST hatchback do the trick?

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > duurtlang 01/17/2015 at 18:11

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I think I'd go for the diesel, it really doesn't need to have much pace as it's just going to be a medium to long distance crap hauler for my dogs, girlfriend, and luggage (seating priority in that order).

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Steve in Manhattan 01/17/2015 at 18:13

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It's boot space I'm really after, primarily for my dogs, so I think it'd be a bit cramped in there for them.

KatzManDu > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:14

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Treat yourself to an RS4. :)

No idea about that era's TDI engines.

KatzManDu > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:15

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OK, here you go :D

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…

Steve in Manhattan > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:18

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The Swedes know something about rust - you could throw caution to the wind and get a Saab wagon . I test drove the '01 model - it was an excellent piece of gear.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/17/2015 at 18:18

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I saw an '04 Forester outside the pub last night while I was having a smoke, so I had a good time to study it, and it's quite a handsome beast! I used to have an '06 Legacy RN and I quite liked it, but the 2.0 felt a bit gutless and it really was quite slow for having poor MPG. I had no idea until joining Oppo that they were notorious for head gasket issues :/

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Steve in Manhattan 01/17/2015 at 18:23

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I'd absolutely love to, but Saab made a huge mistake with their 9-3 lineup in the UK in the early 00's, as they brought them out just before tax legislation changed (from cc to co2 p/km) and increased the yearly road tax on a 2.0 petrol 9-3 from around £200 to nearly £800. A friend of mine swears by Volvo for corrosion resistance, but they can be expensive to maintain.

Jedidiah > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:27

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I'm pretty tired, but I didn't realize how bad I sounded until I reread that post. Sorry for my butchering of the english language; I'll try not to do that again.

Are you in the US or UK?

Saturns are dirt cheap in the US and are made from the kind of plastics that plug landfills for millions of years, but I can't speak from experience about them.

As far as I know, Audis use a good mix of galvanized panels and aluminum, but I can't speak from experience about them either.

I hardly ever see Volvos that are rotted out and Toyotas/Hondas have fairly average/decent rust proofing according to reviewers.

Steve in Manhattan > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:40

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You have Skoda there ... maybe that's the dumb technology you need. We don't get them in US America, but from what I've read they're simple and cheap to maintain.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:44

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Get a Mazda. Mazdas never rust.

twochevrons > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:45

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Volvo did an amazing job with the 850, that's for sure. Here in Minneapolis, they apply a huge amount of salt for close to 6 months of each year, to the point that when the roads dry out, a noticeable white crust forms on them. It's fairly normal to see 10 year old cars with rotten sills and wheel arches – the Mazda 3 has a particularly bad reputation, but you see it on all sorts.

My 850R wagon has spent its whole life – 19 years and 213,000 miles – here, but aside from a couple of stone-chip induced bubbles here and there, it's completely rust-free. No evidence of any repairs under previous owners, either. Even the completely shagged-out 850s that I see in junkyards seem to be pretty solid, too.

Conversely, our Mk3 Golf Cabriolet of the same year, and with similar mileage, is a complete rot-box, to the point where I don't think it should be on the road any more.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 18:46

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I was being sarcastic about the head gaskets, the mid-2000's (say 2004 and onwards) should be pretty good. Most of the reported issues were on the early years of the 2.5l engine and mainly on outbacks (bigger car more engine stress), so 2.5 turbo, 2.2, 2.0, and 2.0 turbo should be good as well. There are probably different engine options on Subaru's over there. Since 2001/2002 the only naturally aspirated 4-cy engine offered in the US was the 2.5L. and ummm yeah don't expect good MPG on any Subaru prior to 2010.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Jedidiah 01/17/2015 at 18:50

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A friend of mine swears by old Volvos, but often incurs the wrath of the mechanics bill. I'm in the UK, so Saturn isn't an option, but I'm gonna take a look at the Peugeot 406 and some Audi's to see what's what!

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/17/2015 at 18:56

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My detector isn't working, sorry! OK so I'll stick 'Buru in the bag with a couple of other to have a look at. A fair to good MPG would be a great bonus, as it's the main reason I got rid of the Legacy, maybe Boxer diesel Forester..? :)

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Steve in Manhattan 01/17/2015 at 18:59

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Old Skoda was awful for rust and reliability issues, but certainly cheap and easy to fix. VAG Skoda are certainly a lot better, with all of their vehicles being based on VW platforms. That only makes me worry about repair costs if anything went tits up!

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > twochevrons 01/17/2015 at 19:05

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What's the maintenance like on your 850? I was aiming for a fairly decent MPG so the R is out of the question! But I'll defo take a look at some of the other engine options out there. You're the third Opponaut and, alongside a real-life person, the fourth to recommended Volvo for corrosion resistance. We don't often grit the roads over here in the UK unless our local councils have found some spare change behind the sofa, but it's wet an awful lot of the time. Good to see your 850 has spent 200k in the equivalent of a dishwasher filled with sea water :)

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/17/2015 at 19:07

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(0_o) ...how?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 19:08

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Mazda.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/17/2015 at 19:13

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What, their rear arches come with a built in time accelerator?? I am genuinely utterly amazed though.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 19:15

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Look carefully at the license plate.

wabbalosthiskey > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 19:20

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Um,

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > TheHondaBro 01/17/2015 at 19:26

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No no no. Not free rust. Rust-free

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > wabbalosthiskey 01/17/2015 at 19:29

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I would if I could but I can't. UK :/

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/17/2015 at 19:33

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TheHondaBro > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 20:25

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Who wouldn't?

Kevin Rhodes > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 21:32

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Volvo 940. I live in Maine, we not only have an annual 6-month + salt brine bath on the roads, but salt air from the Atlantic too. And these cars simply do not rust. And as they are roughly as complicated as an anvil, they are dirt cheap to run too. Best cheap car on the planet, as long as you are not in a hurry. Though the turbos are not so slow, at the expensive of fairly horrid fuel economy. Best go slow with a non-turbo and enjoy the ride.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Kevin Rhodes 01/17/2015 at 21:45

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Sounds perfect! Thanks

No Prius Needed > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/17/2015 at 22:49

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Tesla. Huehuehue

KirkyV > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/18/2015 at 08:18

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I'll throw in another vote for the 406. I don't have one - I drive a 106 - but 90s Peugeots have absolutely fantastic rust resistance for the era. My 106 is fifteen, and completely rust-free—quite the achievement, considering the foil-esque thickness of the metal.

twochevrons > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/18/2015 at 08:35

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Genuine Volvo parts are pricey, but you can usually pick up a decent-quality OEM part for less. As a guide, I'm just about to do the timing belt on mine – a genuine Volvo kit (belt, tensioner, rollers, water pump and cam seals) is $550 US, while an OEM kit is $330. The only really unique maintenance item that comes up is the crankcase breather system, which is hideously complicated and prone to clogging and vacuum leaks. A parts kit for it is $170 or so, but actually replacing everything is a fairly involved procedure requiring removal of the inlet manifold.

The petrol engines go forever unless grossly neglected, and the four-speed automatic transmission is pretty solid, too. Don't know much about the manual (they're rare here in the States), or the diesel engines (didn't get them at all here). The first-gen V70 is essentially the same car, but the newer automatic transmissions on them are notoriously bad. The viscous-coupling AWD systems available on the V70 and late 850 are also trouble-prone and have usually been disabled by now.

MPG-wise, my R averages 20 around town, and hovers around 35 on a highway run, in UK figures. I don't think that the non-turbo models are much better, but those numbers get much worse as soon as you start dipping into the boost on a regular basis!

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > KirkyV 01/18/2015 at 09:19

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Top marks for having a 106 sir!

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > twochevrons 01/18/2015 at 09:22

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There's not many 850's near me, so I may have to look at the V70's. Knowing to avoid the auto is great advice, because quite a few of them have one. Petrol/diesel, manual, 850/V70/406 estate is my new operating parameter.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > duurtlang 01/18/2015 at 09:39

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http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…

They seem cheap?

duurtlang > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/18/2015 at 12:24

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Aren't all cars that aren't collectable and over 10 years old less than a thousand pounds in the UK? I live in continental Europe, so I don't really know what's seen as cheap in the UK.

Wacko > dogisbadob 01/19/2015 at 10:31

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I quit Honda's because of rust in 2003 for a brand new mazda protege5, and in less than a year, I had more rust on the 2003 protege5 than I did on the 97 civic.

In 2010 dumped the Mazda for My Suzuki sx4, and no rust yet, and didn't even get rust proofing on the suzuki. And I live in the rust belt, in winter my cars are white from the road salt.

Wacko > thebigbossyboss 01/19/2015 at 10:34

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They all have rusted wheel wells over here in abitibi. And they all have mis matched Tremclad paint too.

SwedishMachine > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 01/19/2015 at 14:37

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late 80s-present Volvos.

Seriously, find me a rusty modern Volvo. I live in Maryland where we salt the shit out of our roads all winter long and still I never see them rusting. Hell, I own a 1996 850 turbo that has lived outside in MD it's whole life since new and not even the subframe has any surface rust on it. Amazing.