A100 as daily driver ??

Does anyone use their A100's as there daily drive. That's my overall plan. I usually only drive about 5000 miles a year. I do live in Ohio...snow:roll:  but grew up driving RWD. And if the roads were real bad, I've got a PT Cruiser.
Thing is I've got an 09 Jeep Patriot 32,000 miles, and in the last 4 months it by far has become the most unreliable thing I've ever owned.
Always had a thing for A100s, and sick of the jeep. kind of want an old school ( something that I know how to keep running)ride. I no I will be giving up things. But right now reliability (plus owning something I've always wanted) mean a heck of a lot. Let me know what you think.
As for the snow thing. In 1970 my dad did not park our A108. And all those 32 fords, 68 RoadRunners and everything else in its day were driven in all weather conditions. Feed back please. Thanks

I drove my '67 pickup daily for years. Not many issues except idiots cutting in front of me and people gawking at my truck.

67Dodger wrote:I drove my '67 pickup daily for years. Not many issues except idiots cutting in front of me and people gawking at my truck.

Anyone else. I'm sure someone else can give me input.

In OH your early won't last long driving in our winters, I would save it for daily summer driving

G-Man wrote:In OH your early won't last long driving in our winters, I would save it for daily summer driving

I understand what your saying. My overall plan was to cover the under side/frame/lower under sides of body panels with a quality rust stopping coating (type sold at body shop supply stores/eastwood) and to check every year. Then re coat as needed.

I drove mine 50 miles a day for over a year, mine is a slant6 with a cam and 4 barrel. I would get 15-16 mpg in town, mine is a 108 also. Good (disc) brakes are a must. I would/ could drive mine anywhere at a drop of a hat, i trust it more than any other car i have.

But i wimped out and now drive a 30mpg sh*t box with a/c.... But the van is ready to go anytime.

rustytoolss wrote:

67Dodger wrote:I drove my '67 pickup daily for years. Not many issues except idiots cutting in front of me and people gawking at my truck.

Anyone else. I'm sure someone else can give me input.

What I really meant to say (this time without trying humor) is that I drove my A100 for years as a daily driver. 273 automatic got about 17 miles per and always was dependable, rain, snow, shine. Very practical as a daily driver. I did all of the upkeep and adjustments up like on the brakes and engine. Never had any braking issues except for stopping too fast....without disks, I might add. The only thing that ever really brought me grief was the radiator overheating once. Found a pinhole leak. If I had not gotten another 1931 Dodge to drive, I would still be driving my A100.....which will start right up if I go outside and turn the key. If parts are needed, they are not that hard to find.

Im not too sure about snow (ca here) but I drive my a108 every day. 50-60 miles a day 5 a week and sometimes much longer on weekends. My only requests? Less idiots and more (any) Ac.
Those two things apply to MANY old cars though. Very decent reliability, parts availability is better than many, and the fun factor? OH YEA! I specifically bought my a108 FOR a daily. has not let me down!

Since mine has a 273, I had a problem with traction during the winter months here in southern Oregon. The rear weenies would spin very easily, but since I put an old engine block in the bed and got some traction, all is fine.

67Dodger wrote:Since mine has a 273, I had a problem with traction during the winter months here in southern Oregon. The rear weenies would spin very easily, but since I put an old engine block in the bed and got some traction, all is fine.

Sand bags & snow tires. You can still buy snow tires. And like I said I've got a FWD PT Cruiser. And it's not like I have to go out / if I don't want to.

67Dodger wrote:

rustytoolss wrote:

67Dodger wrote:I drove my '67 pickup daily for years. Not many issues except idiots cutting in front of me and people gawking at my truck.

Anyone else. I'm sure someone else can give me input.

What I really meant to say (this time without trying humor) is that I drove my A100 for years as a daily driver. 273 automatic got about 17 miles per and always was dependable, rain, snow, shine. Very practical as a daily driver. I did all of the upkeep and adjustments up like on the brakes and engine. Never had any braking issues except for stopping too fast....without disks, I might add. The only thing that ever really brought me grief was the radiator overheating once. Found a pinhole leak. If I had not gotten another 1931 Dodge to drive, I would still be driving my A100.....which will start right up if I go outside and turn the key. If parts are needed, they are not that hard to find.

When I was a kid, my dad had a 1970 A108, 318, auto. in ohio. rain,snow did not matter.
And we pulled a 18ft coachman box camper And a 12ft Aluminum V bottom fishing boat (upside down) on the roof of the A108. I don't remember if stopping was a big problem. But we did it. Heck at age 14 with that van , I towed the camper some (on back roads).

I have a 67 that I used to drive everyday......70+ miles round trip to work five days a week, take on vacations, haul dirtbikes or streetbikes to events, camp in etc etc. It was my only vehicle for about 8 years or so. I'm in the south so not much for salt in the winter, but lots of moisture which is no good in any region. It can be done, depending on where one is located I'd just wash it thoroughly as much as possible, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, keep the body panel drains clean and clear from plugging up. Wash the underside, flush and use compressed air to keep the drains clear at all cost. That is what causes the most damage in these things.......wet moist buildup in the nooks and crannies sitting forever and then the metal starts to corrode almost out of nowhere. And keep a nice space cushion in traffic on the roads....Working on them and maintaining them is a simple as it gets and you could keep the thing on the road forever but for the nimrods out there and the moisture and unchecked buildup.  

I have a 1931 Dodge engine block in the bed for traction.

these ohio winters with all the salt is a killer on these old girls, i tuck mine away every winter, you can always find an old beater to run in the winter,,

Mine's a daily. But I live in So-cal so harsh winters mean we got a little rain...

I drive my 1982 chev van all winter usually in the past . Must have some weight in the rear -sandbags or something for weight!! Just be careful too!!