Mike -- Your list of things you're ready to "take in stride" is a good one. ANY car is likely to give you SOME problems, and with your idea of providing regular maintenance for your D, your problems should be no worse than those with other cars. I have had a D as my daily driver (although I don't use it much; I work from home) since I bought it new in 1983 ('82 model). You have hit on several of the recurring problems -- speedometer angle drive; struts; etc. -- and for most of these pesky things, there ARE readily available (if not cheap!) replacements. Just for the record, I gave up on replacing the angle drive years ago after going through three. As luck would have it, my state (VA) does NOT require a working speedo for inspection. But there is no other car that will give you the pleasure of driving a true classic, while backing in the oohs and aahs of friends and neighbors. Good luck! Not that you'll need it ALL the time, but occasionally ... as with any car! Paul Feine # 10944