I understand the argument that the newer vehicles don't require as much work, etc etc etc... but my previous car was a 1997 Saab 900S. This thing didn't have very many problems, but it did have a "check engine light", which came on a few times, and involved taking it to the mechanic to have him plug in a little (albeit very expensive computer) to figure out the computer error.. $30 or whatever it was and 10min later, the car is fine. The car had 100K mi. I sold it to get my 300TD (mainly for the diesel engine and the opportunity to experiment with biofuels), but I figure that I have actually SAVED money in maintenance costs, because I don't have to pay someone to work on my car! Everything I have come across I have been able to do myself (rear sls, cracked radiator, bad IP, etc etc etc). Although it is a finickey vehicle (sort of) its simplicity and common-sense construction (i.e. NOT over-engineered like newer cars), it is easy to work on with a very low tool budget. I just wish someone would make an even SIMPLER vehicle (frame, manual trans, mechanical diesel, no electrics except cab lights, gauge lights, and driving lights), with the goal of easy, cheap maintenance and economic efficiency in mind... however, the 300TD comes surprisingly close to this ideal.