Is it cheaper in the long run for me to buy an old sixties Ford truck that I can work on myself but only gets 10 MPG or buy a modern truck that I cannot work on but gets 20 MPG and only lasts 10-12 years?
Yes, it is cheaper. Compare MPG/savings vs Opportunity Cost/Acquisition Cost, you will see.
An older mustang, jeep or pick-up will run in just about any reasonable condition of repair. Maybe not perfect, but good enough to get you home if needed.
Try that with a more recent vehicle with multiple “sensors”.
Crank sensor off a bit because cold/hot/wet weather? . . . you’re sunk. Temp sensor off because of corrosion? sunk.
Just like Grandpa, pour some vodka or “hooch” in an old car and it will fire right up.
Can’t do that with no electric car.
If I were able to work on my own vehicles I would opt for the older vehicle and work on it myself. Heck if I were really mechanically inclined I would experiment with steam engines and other kinds of engines.