Faults:

The engine would sometimes overheat, mainly caused by faults in the electric fan system.

The rust was noticeable in winter, not too much, only on the rocker panels; the car's sheet metal was generally very good.

Black smoke from the exhaust and oil leaks. Although it wasn't serious, it was all easy to fix at a low cost.

Suspension and steering sensitive to irregularities, with a tendency towards instability (whiplash) at speeds above 140 km/h.

General Comments:

A near-perfect car for a family of five or more in the mid-80s. Coming from a Volvo 2 Series, the R18 really had to make a huge effort to be a good car, and it succeeded. I'm not saying it's superior, but in the years I owned it, the satisfaction this wagon gave me was immense.

In my opinion, it was a modern car for the 80s, even though it started being made in the late 70s. The truth is that its components seemed very advanced, and even in the 90s it was still a normal car for daily use.

Although this model didn't come with power steering as standard, the car, despite its size, wasn't difficult to handle. In Sweden during the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, it was common to see large cars like the Volvo 2 Series or the Saab 9000, so the 18 performed quite well in the urban and rural environments of Sweden 30 years prior. It did have air conditioning and electric windows on all four doors as standard (you had to look at premium cars to see these features), very good brakes, and stability, although it was somewhat noisy at high speeds.

The engine, uncompromising, with ample power for moving a large family car and absolutely reliable, I never had to start it more than once in temperatures below -10 degrees Celsius. Fuel consumption was somewhat high, though more due to the car's body than the engine itself, but nothing out of the ordinary for that era.

Great car, without being expensive it had all the necessary elements to be a reliable and safe vehicle.

Faults:

314000km: I noticed soon it's "eating" oil quite much, about 1L/2000km. I think I don't begin to change valve rubbers, etc. Engine got to be quite in the end.

314000km: Break lines under the body, fuel line and leaking tank changed.

342000km: back left bearing failed and axle had to be changed too. Didn't care about "little" noise and bearing ring "welded" to the axle. Lucky didn't cut it or wheel didn't jump out.

361000km: Back window broke. Looking for a new window all around Finland, not yet in 3months, after 30 car dealers found. I'm going to change.

General Comments:

My MARKS up are quite high and I have based those for other older (-78...-85) cars which I have owned many, 25-30 different. So marks represent the older -84 "CLASS".

I first buy it for "dirty jobs" in house building with 600mk (100 USD) and think to drive it as long as it lasts.

Summer, ice or snow and this car have been all the time surprising, extremely nice to drive, it feels always safe and balanced, ewen better than my Ford Escort 1995 in slippery, snow, etc. conditions. Offcourse springs, monroes, chairs, etc. are rather old and not working perfect, but never tested or owned better car in this age.

There is no rust in the body! No welds! I was told R18 are often rusty and it's a normal problem in our salty conditions, but not in this case.

Cheap to use, parts are cheap.

Major problem is to get old (or new) body, etc. parts to my car. I have seen 1 pcs. 18GTL in Finland, maybe we are the only ones :=) Last autumn back window broke when handling a big steel barrel in the back and old gasket didn't keep the back door open, it crashed to the barrel. Now it's waiting for the new window (or snow covering it).