Regarding maintenance: I'm coming up on close to 3000 miles on the car since the engine rebuild in November. In the northeast.
When I drove the car in winter, I washed the undercarriage and made sure it wasn't when there was salt on the road. Car was POR15/ Eastwood encapsulated before I went out.
No issues with keeping it looking nice. I wash the car once every 2 weeks or after a 500 mile trip. Simple harbor freight spray gun with meguirs wash and wax. Nothing fancy.
These cars are surprisingly robust and if you have a ford engine, it makes life a lot easier.
Drive it, modify it any way you see fit, smile. They're best when driven.
It's ok if they sit. Like others have mentioned, noco genius is the way to go. Simple to attach and will make life easier.
If you don't drive it for a few months (in winter), put some fuel stabilizer in it. Other than that they're fine, even with my temperamental K series.