I'm so curious when I notice the signature below a post and someone notes an old Benz "RIP so-and-so" -- What was the final blow to your old cars? If not a wreck, what kind of failure did the car suffer and what was the financial logic behind not having it repaired?

It seems like a lot of us are interested in maintaining a car, which if done properly seems to mean that it shouldn't just give out beyond repair -- or can it?

I'd love to hear your stories.