I find it easier and less stressful to just have the older cars.
I am reminded of this every day, too, LOL.
Today's list:
2009 2.5L Jetta, 160k miles, thermostat.... this is nearly $900.
2009 3.6L CC, 208k miles, both catalysts bad (have been bad for a while, but he's up against the wall now with inspection coming due), plus the exhaust cam phaser is starting to wig out. Not sure exactly, but both those items would likely exceed $5k to fix. Car also needs front struts and sway bar links (normal wear).
2009 3.6L T'reg (lots of 2009s here today!), 108k miles, needs driveshaft #3. I forget what these cost, but I think around $800 installed... it'll need brakes next service, that's not cheap either.
2004 2.0L Beetle, 122k miles HVAC foam starting to let loose... we all know that one. It has already had its 01M replaced once.
And last but not least, a 2003 Jetta, with the good ol' ALH under the hood... closing in on a quarter million at 242k miles. It needs a thermostat. She'll be out of here for ~$100.
Which one of these cars do you think has been the least costly to operate, and which one will be the least costly going forward? All are in nice shape, nothing ratty or nasty looking. We'll not even include the fuel economy in there, because that isn't fair, the ALH will handily trounce the rest.
I also have a 2008 Murano waiting for a new CVT to show up. Ugh.... hate t hose things....