No car is trouble free for 10 years. You will always have to change the:
alternator, starter, water pump, O2 sensor, etc... or some other thing before a 48 month period on any vehicle. All things have a shelf-life.
The thing to keep in mind is how often do these things have to be changed, and how much will they cost you compared to the over-all value of the vehicle.
If you want cheap transportation, buy an air-cooled Bug or a Hyundai with a 100,000k/10 year warrantee. I'll blow you by with my 190E 2.6 or my 87 300SDL. And I'll look good doing it in the comfort of my leather seats and while listening to my stereo CD sound.
Food For Thought....

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99 C230K Sport
87 300SDL
81 300SD