[Numberwang]

Hypothetical question, really... if you were looking at a 9000 (let's say a later Aero or CSE), at a decent price, and it was mechanically sound but had body rust. What rule of thumb would you follow as to whether the rust was repairable and the car was worth buying and repairing? If it was contained to the fenders/wings and door bottoms? Other locations?

Thanks...

 

[stew81]

they really dont suffer from rust to badly to be honest.

anything found on the doors and wings, well they can just be swapped off for a replacement from a breakers. i think the bottom of the a-pillars can be a bit prone, especially if the windscreen has been replaced. Also, under the rubber hatch sealing strip.

 

[Numberwang]

they really dont suffer from rust to badly to be honest.

Except in North America with salt on the roads in winter

 

[Superaero]

My 86 lasted for over 20 years, salt and all, with no structural rust.

The first place to go is the rear quarter panels behind the wheels. The next weak spot is the wheel arch edges, fender lips.

Unless you have fitness testing that forbids any rust on the bodywork the only rust that condemns a car is structural rust in the main supporting members of the unibody. These are beams that run under the car down the center and behind the sills and these connect to the A, B and C pillars and the roof perimeter. The front inside fenders and the rear hatch surround also must be free of serious rust.

Getting rid of rust is expensive and very difficult to do but it can be done by competent workmen using correct materials. ALL the rust has to be removed, new metal welded in and properly primed with zinc primer inside and out as well as painted. If you aren't doing the entire job it is a waste of time to remove any surface rust as you also remove the rust protecting primer or galvanizing which paradoxically spreads the rust. It is better to leave rust alone unless you are intent on eradicating it properly.

 

[zingZACH]

Here in the Salt belt (New England), practically every 9k has rust...

The main spots that rust are the fenders along the wheel arches and near the front bumper along with in front of the doors, the door bottoms, the windshield surround (a-pillar), the hatch, and the rear quarter panels... These cars do not fare too well in the salty regions of America... though they are a bit better than c900's I guess, at least the underneaths don't rust as bad.