Ur-q: Daily Driver? Winter use?

[William Elliott <wcelliot@concentric.net>]

Sorry I'm late on responding here; I'm on the road and a few days behind
in e-mail.

I use an '85 UrQ as a daily driver in WI.  60 miles each way to work.  I
also take trips to DC and NC as well as numerous regional trips.  I put
on about 24,000 miles per year.

It does break, but not more often than other cars of it's age and
complexity.  The only hard parts are the UrQ-only items which tend to be
expensive and hard to get.  Still, the little stuff will drive you
crazy... but again I think a properly-maintained UrQ is more reliable
(or at least as reliable) as a 5KtQ.

As to the rust issue, I wash the car every chance I get (including the
undercarriage) and try to keep a good coat of wax and paint on all
exposed metal. So far, no problem... but I know sooner or later I'll
have problems.  (That's why the rust-free cars like JG's will be worth
so much some day.)

Good Luck!

Bill Elliott
Lake Mills, WI