That may be true, but with multiple owners of cars today (growth of leasing vs buying) maintenance will suffer. Anything can limp through a 39 month lease. What the next guy does to it and the next will determing how long it'll last. That's where maintenance and skin care (or lack thereof) come to the fore.

I hear a few weeks ago about a study that concluded that the average American (or household, don't recall which) can't afford to buy an average priced car (after housing, food, etc). Maintenance? Pffft.

I have the CTS and the '88 300CE. Guess which one sleeps in the garage at nite.