With any older car, it pays to be handy and do some repairs yourself. No car is maintenance-free, but these cars have a solid mechanical foundation so you can twiddle with them a lot. Plus, the older the car, the less familiar the repair shops are with them so you may be paying for their "learning experience".

Of course, there is always the chance that a major system will let go at any time. Then you have to decide whether to shell out the big bucks, or just put the old girl in retirement.

Mine is 20 years old and all the body panels and doors are still nicely aligned. Most other cars would not be so lucky.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma