A lot depends on the overall condition of the car. If pretty good and you let one issue after another accumulate at some stage you will not want to repair anything. That is why I suspect a lot of cars land up on ebay for disposal or worse if salvage yards are that. Depends on the individual but as others have mentioned driving with a poor crank seal will most likely not finish you. Oh yes and if you cannot or are unable work on your own car unless it is nearly in pristine condition it might cost you. It can be very tough financially to keep it up. Sweat equity seems to be required for most of us it seems.