ok volvo lovers. so i didn't get my '72 164e that i wanted, but i saw an ad in the paper for a '77 242DL that caught my eye. i talked with the owner and it needs work. would this be a worthwhile purchase, and even though i know it's difficult to estimate, i'm looking for a rough guess on your part as to how much it would cost to restore it to close-to-new condition. i am not mechanically inclined, and i don't have tools, so i would have to have all this work done at a shop, so labor charges have to be figured here too. she's asking $500 for it, but here's what is wrong with it:

- the car was repainted six years ago, fire engine red.

- the electrical is funky in rear end. specifically, the rear blinkers and one brake light don't work, but the blinkers and front lights work.

- the heat lever on the dash is frozen in one position.

- the bottom rocker panel on driver side has rust, and there is also rust where the window meets mainframe of door on the driver side.

- the odometer stopped at 140k, she put on about 10-15k more. (she's had it for 11 years, and is the third owner)

- clutch may need replacing, as it's been a long time.

- the engine is strong, starts right up.

- a couple of fuses have blown and have been replaced.

- the outside door handle doesn't work well on passenger side. in other words, the door has to be opened from inside.

- brakes are fine

- no major accidents (she was rear-ended a few years ago that caused the car that rear-ended her to have major front-end work done but the volvo had nary a scratch. HA!)