A lot of it has to do with luck of the draw too. I got my 300E, which had been a theft recovery and has a broken odometer (longer service intervals), a little over a year ago and put about $400 worth tune up stuff in it (ignition overhaul, filters, brakes). Its been dead reliable. Even my 300SD which sat for years in a forest has good compression (got super lucky) and donated its engine/trans to another body this year. Total into it is $2000 including both cars' purchase prices and I'd take that thing anywhere. Also consider that you OWN the car rather than a bank. Maybe not a big deal for the older guys on here but for a 23 year old, owning 2 cars and not having any sort of car payment is a huge benefit (not to mention lower insurance). Life is expensive enough without a bank owning your transportation.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth