Air Cooled vs Water cooled (but for everyday drivability)

My concern before I buy a Spyder soon here is: I want to drive everyday in it. I live in the South West, but it does get sorta cold here in Winter, and a Porsche 912 with a type one engine is all I've had experience with. I want to take road trips on the weekends and just want the driving experience without breaking down from over-heating, unadjusted carbs, or what ever. Claims of the subaru 2.2L is 35+ MPG, and fuel injected quick start-ups. What is anyone's opinion on the overall reliability of an air-cooled spyder for a road trip of about 3-9 hrs long? Does going back in time with your Spyder mean going back in reliability? What MPG does a typical 1.9L, 2.0 type 1 with dual carbs get?

Going back in time means going back in reliability. A type 1 will need valve adjustments at 3000 miles, frequent oil changes, adjustment of carbs if it is a twin carb set up (as most are), adjustment of clutch cables unless you have a hydraulic set up, adjustment of throttle linkage, etc. etc.

These are not, as a rule, daily drivers. Think four wheel motorcycle. You are open to the elements. Soft tops are available, but one cannot enter the car with the top up. Even if you could fit into the vehicle with the top up, there is no defroster to keep the windshield and windows from fogging. No heater, no A/C. Cold air circulates readily through the cockpit over the low windshield. Take the air temp and add (subtract)wind chill figures comensurate with the ground speed of the car.

That being said, I have driven the car with snow on the ground and in hot desert temps and loved it. Just be prepared. ;>)

Jake--I drive mine every day in Nashville, TN, without any problems. Also, I regularly take 3-5 hour trips year round and have had no problems with the engine. I keep it regularly serviced as recommended, which I believe is key. I slip in and out easily with the top on, but I'm 5 feet tall and weigh 100 lbs. Fogging is probably the worst problem with daily driving, except how often is that really a problem? I don't have another car to fall back on, so if it's rainy and muggy, I just wait it out. If it's cold and muggy, I leave my window out--no fog. As for winter, just bundle up. I think the cabin is very cozy and mine doesn't leak much air at all; not anything like my Speedster did. v v

Thanks Vicky, that was very helpful, (as well as the previous poster - Thanks!)

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Sorry about the previous 2 non-messages. Let's see if this works.

How's this for all you Suby motor heads?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Subaru-12cyl-F1-engine_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQitemZ7998119030QQrdZ1

You might want to check out the Chamonix Spyder. Audi 2.0 liter, 5 speed trans, cable shifter, top and side curtains standard.

A nice package in a watercooled design with DeDion rear suspension.