Ugh... exact same problem...
My winter beater is my car I've had since high school. She is chock full of problems... so many that I have an "avenger repair kit" full of items that it commonly needs. (1/2" bolts for instance that I use to plug the hole where the EGR return pipe broke) ... (($0.39 is a lot cheaper than a new downpipe ...no judging :P)) ... and the key likes to stick in the ignition on occasion and the sunroof leaks and the paint is garbage ... but the heater works
I've been considering getting something more safe and less jank though. There are spacers on the rear wheels so that the slightly too big used tires I bought in college will fit. There is no ABS, and this thing is pretty underpowered... you always pray when making a pass. Despite how much I bitch about it ... it's been a pretty capable DD. I take it on 500 mile roundtrips every other weekend or so.
In the end though, I'm usually glad when I see the horrible road conditions/salt/winter grime that accumulates on cars ... and I know it's not happening to my baby.
Maybe we need a "show off your beater" thread :P