I do not think there should be any consistency of expectations and recommendations on really old cars. Simply because their general condition can vary all over the place. There will be a few really good examples remaining and many that are on their very last legs. With some in the middle ground as well. So individual experiences will vary. With purchasing any of them.


Surveys indicate that early 90s Toyota camrys may be one of the best cars ever built for reliability and lack of issues. Also lasting on average a full five years longer in service than any other car. I think if I was on the lookout for a cheaper winter beater I might try to locate one. A lower milage one in decent condition at that age currently should not have much of a premium in cost over any other.


I am not certain but the depreciation curve on vehicles may be accelerating. The demand for older used cars is probably declining as few want to bear the cost of paid for service they will require.


My brother in law buys a lot of older cars with issues. Repairs them and re sells them. He just tells the vendors what they are worth to him and lands up bringing them home most of the time.


I am also somewhat of a Volkswagon fan for many years. As is my brother in law. We both feel that the 1985 and 1986 Volkswagon diesel jettas with the five speed and turbos where about the best overall product they ever turned out in many ways.


The problems they developed where reasonably predictable. Cheap to deal with and pretty easy to repair. There are almost none left locally because of our rustbelt area.


Locally the vast majority of cars on the road are not more than a few years old. Plus so many brands have produced basically bad product in the last decade or so. People are steering clear of many of the brands when they become used cars with some years on them. They were major headaches when still pretty new. Time and milage will not have improved them.